Batman: Mask of the Phantasm

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is a 1993 animated superhero film, set in the universe of Batman: The Animated Series. It stars Kevin Conroy, Dana Delaney, Abe Vigoda and Mark Hamill.

The Joker

• So, what's an old-timer like you want with a two-timer like me?
• Can't be too careful with all those weirdos around.
• [the Phantasm goes to Valestra's mansion, but instead finds Valestra dead, along with Joker's surveillance camera and a bomb] Whoops! Ha! I guess the joke's on me. You're not Batman after all. Looks like there's a new face in Gotham and soon his name will be all over town... to say nothing of his legs, and feet, and spleen, and head...
• Listen, boopsie, even though you never call and never write, I still got a soft spot for you. So I'm sending you a fun gift...airmail. [a miniature plane appears, holding a bomb] And there's no use jumping out the window this time, toots. The plane of the future is about to make you history! [Batman throws a batarang, detonating the bomb outside. The blast still knocks Batman back, causing the phone to dangle] Hello? Hello, operator? I believe my party's been...disconnected! [cackles loudly]
• Now, ain't that a co-inky-dink? We're talking about the old man, and the spawn of his loins just happens to call! [menacing] Makes you want to laugh...doesn't it, Artie?
• Wrong! It ain't the Bat! Nope, nope, nope. I've seen the guy. He looks more like the Ghost of Christmas Future.
• For once, I'm stuck without a punchline.
• Well, lady, I'm impressed, you're harder to kill than a cockroach on steroids.

Alfred Pennyworth

• I don't think she wanted to be saved, sir. Vengeance blackens the soul, Bruce. I always feared you would become that which you fought against. You walk the edge of that abyss every night, but you haven't fallen in and I thank heaven for that. But Andrea fell into that pit years ago, and no one, not even you, could've pulled her back.

Dialogue

Arthur Reeves: [on TV] What kind of city are we running when we depend on the support of a potential madman!

Alfred Pennyworth: Such rot, sir! Why, you're the very model of sanity. Oh, by the way, I pressed your tights and put away your exploding gas balls.

Batman: [sardonically] Thank you, Alfred.

---

Batman: Do you still follow your dad's orders?

Andrea Beaumont: The way I see it, the only one in this room controlled by his parents is you.

---

Andrea Beaumont: What's that you're practicing?

Bruce Wayne: Jiu jitsu.

Andrea Beaumont: Gesundheit. [Bruce is unamused] That was a joke.

---

Batman: You think you know everything about me, don't you?

Alfred Pennyworth: I diapered your bottom; I bloody well ought to... sir!

---

[Carl barely convinces Sal Valestra more time to pay him]

Andrea Beaumont: Dad, are you alright?

Carl Beaumont: Pack a suitcase. We've got to get to the airport now!

Andrea Beaumont: What?! But you said you'd have the money!

Carl Beaumont: It's not that simple. The money's tied up in investments. Could take weeks to free it up.

Andrea Beaumont: But I can't leave! Bruce proposed to me! We're going to get married!

Carl Beaumont: Listen to me, I just used up the last shred of pity Sal Valestra has. If I don't pay him back in 24 hours, he'll find us, and he'll kill us both!

Andrea Beaumont: [On the verge of tears] How...why'd you do this, dad?! Why'd you get involved with these people?!

Carl Beaumont: I'm sorry, Andi. I just wanted a chance for you, to...I'll get you out of this. Somehow, we'll be free of those guys. Whatever it takes. Now that's a promise.

---

The Joker: Have a seat, Sal. Tell me what's on your so-called mind.

Sal Valestra: It's Batman. He's gone nuts! First he whacked Chuckie Sol, then Buzz, and now he's after me!

The Joker: You know, I've been reading lately that ol' Guano Man is wound tight enough to snap. [giggles] Wouldn't it be great if I've finally driven him over the deep end?

Sal Valestra: This isn't a joke! Batman's knocking us off and you're the only one who can take him down. Look, five million up front, with whatever you want to finish him off.

The Joker: [yawns] What do I look like, pest control?

Sal Valestra: Think, you fool! Once he gets me, how long before he gets you? You know what I'm talking about. [grabs the Joker's lapels] Your hands are just as dirty as mine — dirtier!

The Joker: [enraged] Don't touch me, old man! [suddenly cheerful again] I don't know where you've been! Ha! Oh, Sal, no one could take a joke like you! Of course I'll help you!

Sal Valestra: You mean it?

The Joker: Certainement! No way is anyone going to hurt my pal Sal.

[Valestra smiles, relieved]

The Joker: That's it, that's what I want to see! [with menace] A nice, big smile!

---

[Bruce goes to his parents' grave]

Bruce Wayne: It doesn't mean I don't care anymore. I don't want to let you down, honest, but... but it just doesn't hurt so bad anymore. You can understand that, can't you? Look, I can give money to the city - they can hire more cops. Let someone else take the risk, but it's different now! Please! I need it to be different now. I know I made a promise, but I didn't see this coming. I didn't count on being happy. Please...tell me that it's okay.

[Andrea appears at his side]

Andrea Beaumont: Maybe they already have. Maybe they sent me.

[They embrace in the rain]

---

[Batman goes to interrogate Councilman Arthur Reeves in the hospital, poisoned by Joker's laughing gas]

Batman: Why did the Joker meet with you? It has to do with the gangster murders, doesn't it? He thinks you're involved! Why?!

Arthur Reeves: I don't know...

[Batman grabs him by the collar]

Batman: That's not the answer I want.

Arthur Reeves: B-Beaumont needed me to help him and his kid get out of town. We kept in touch.

Batman: When was the last time you spoke to him?

Arthur Reeves: Years ago. My first election campaign...I was running out of money, and asked Beaumont for help. He said "no."

Batman: [Enraged] So you sold him to the mob!

Arthur Reeves: I was broke! Desperate! They said all they wanted was their money back!

[Arthur breaks down into hysterical laughter, the poison taking over him for the last time. Batman leaves, disgusted.]

---

Andrea Beaumont: You're not smiling, Joker. I thought you found death amusing.

The Joker: Me? Oh, no. You won't hear a giggle out of me.

---

[Batman discovers that Andrea is the Phantasm]

Batman: Your father's dead, isn't he? You came into town early to get Chuckie Sol, so you could shift the blame to your father if you had to.

Andrea Beaumont: They took everything, Bruce! My dad, my life...you. I'm not saying it's right, or even sane, but it's all I've got left. So either help me or get out of the way!

Batman: You know I can't do that.

Andrea Beaumont: Look what they did to us! Look what we could have had! They had to pay!

Batman: But, Andi, what will vengeance solve?

Andrea Beaumont: If anyone knows the answer to that question, Bruce, it's you.

---

[Joker tries to escape wearing a jet pack; Batman leaps on top of him, dragging them down]

The Joker: You're crazy! I'm your only chance to get out of here! Let me go or we'll both die!

Batman: Whatever it takes!

---

[Andrea Beaumont returns, grabs Joker by the collar]

Joker: Uh oh. Okay, I give up. I've surrendered already! Tell her, Batman!

Batman: Andrea, you have to get out of here. The place is wired to explode!

Andrea Beaumont: No. One way or another, it ends tonight. [Sadly] Goodbye, my love.

---

Bruce Wayne: I couldn't save her, Alfred.

Alfred Pennyworth: I don't think she wanted to be saved, sir. Vengeance blackens the soul, Bruce. I always feared you would become that which you fought against. You walk the edge of that abyss every night. But you haven't fallen in, and I thank heaven for that. But Andrea fell into that pit years ago, and no one, not even you, could've pulled her back.

Cast

• Kevin Conroy as Bruce Wayne/Batman
• Dana Delany as Andrea Beaumont
• Mark Hamill as The Joker
• Efrem Zimbalist Jr. as Alfred Pennyworth
• Bob Hastings as Commissioner James Gordon
• Robert Costanzo as Detective Harvey Bullock
• Hart Bochner as Arthur Reeves
• Stacy Keach as Carl Beaumont, The Phantasm
• Abe Vigoda as Salvatore Valestra
• Dick Miller as Charles "Chuckie" Sol
• John P. Ryan as Buzz Bronski
• Arleen Sorkin as Mrs. Bambi