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, which follows Batman as he reconciles with former lover Andrea Beaumont, and faces a mysterious vigilante who is murdering Gotham City's crime bosses.

Directed by Gary Eric Radomski and Bruce Timm. Written by Alan Burnett, Paul Dini, Martin Pasko, and Michael Reaves.

• 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.

• [Upon seeing Bruce turned into Batman for the first time ever] My God...
• 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.

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.

---

Andrea Beaumont: I'm exhausted. [She turns to Arthur Reeves, her date for the evening] Thanks for the dinner, Artie. [She grins]

[Reeves stands past the door as Andrea opens it to reveal an elegantly furnished room]

Arthur Reeves: You know, it's not nice to go to bed on a complete stomach. [He places his hand over Andrea's] We...could stay up. Speak for a while.....

[Andrea turns away shyly. She really doesn't want this]

Andrea Beaumont: Oh, Artie. I've had a murderer day tomorrow. The banks, the attorneys–––– [She glances into the room. The terrace door is open, and the drapes blow lazily inside. She remembers closing the door before she's left. Is this possible that someone is already inside waiting for her? And can it be....him?]

[Reeves is existent on entering, but Andrea turns to him and grins]

Andrea Beaumont: Call me––alright? [Reeves's eyes open wide, maybe he is getting somewhere with Andrea after all. He grins dreamily as Andrea closes the door for the night]

[Andrea leans against the side of the door and sighs. She is relieved to be rid of Reeves. What a pompous pain he is. In the darkness, she walks toward a light and turns it on]

[Andrea Beaumont registers no surprise until she sees Batman standing in the middle of the room. She looks at him coolly a moment, but turns and walks off]

Andrea Beaumont: Don't you ever knock?

[It is a funny, witty response, something Bruce Wayne will almost have expected Andrea to say. But Batman isn't here to make small speak. Instead, he removes a photograph from under his cape and shows it to Andrea]

Batman: Have you ever seen this?

[Andrea glances up at the picture]

Andrea Beaumont: No.

[Batman thinks that is unlikely]

Batman: But that's your father. He's the one who set up their corporate partnership.

Andrea Beaumont: Well? That's his job?

[Batman presses forward. He has a strong hunch about this case, and ten years of detective work proved he is usually right about these facts]

Batman: He was the one element that tied his gangsters together. Where's your father now?

Andrea Beaumont: Haven't a clue. He's a world traveler, remember? Why don't you try Madagascar?

Batman: That's not what you warned Reeves. You warned him you were closer than ever to your father.

Andrea Beaumont: [furious] You had me bugged, is that it?

Batman: I can read lips.

Andrea Beaumont: Then read them now. Get out!

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 Gotham World's Fairgrounds are in a state of disrepair. The fair has ended a decade ago, but instead of demolishing the dozens of rides and presentations, the city has decided to simply leave the exhibits in place. Then, as the future that the fair has predicted eventually arrived, people can return to the site and see how close the fair has come to reality]

[It is kind of mournful, Sal Valestra thinks as his car drives through the abandoned park. His own future, like the future imagined by the fair, has seemed so bright and hopeful ten years earlier. Now, as he rides past the Science Land and Technology of the Future exhibits, he realizes that both he and Gotham City have fallen far short from their dreams]

[But Sal hasn't come here to relive the past. He is here to meet someone. As the car comes to a stop in the center of the main plaza, Sal gets out and takes a deep breath from his portable oxygen tank. If there is just some other fashion, he thinks as his eyes hesitantly scan the plaza. He shakes his head mournfully. This is it, he thinks. No other luck. He reaches into the car and removes a small suitcase. Then he heads toward the World of the Future exhibit]

[The huge robotic puppets dangling over the entrance to the World of the Future exhibit hasn't moved in over a decade. Once a shiny blue metal, they are now covered with ten years' worth of Gotham City grime and soot. Sal looks at them mournfully––and they suddenly start to move. And sing. And then––explode]

[Sal drops to the ground until he hears machine gunfire. Bullets are flying over his head and into the singing robots, blowing them to pieces. As the shooting stops, Sal wheezes in fear as he stares into the exhibit's darkened entrance]

[The Joker steps out of the shadows, a smoking machine gun in his hand]

The Joker: I hate that song. [As he sees Sal lying on the ground, he slaps his palms against his head] Gasp! Can it be? Old Sallie "The Wheezer" Valestra!

[Slowly, Sal stands, picking up the suitcase and oxygen tank he's dropped until the shooting started]

The Joker: Welcome, paesan! It's been a dog's age!

[Sal grins hesitantly]

Sal Valestra: Hello, Joker. Didn't mean to drop by unannounced.

The Joker: Oh, Salvatore, why so formal? My house is your house! [Sal nods his appreciation] Well, what's an old-timer like you want with a two-timer like me?

Sal Valestra: Business. I've had––

The Joker: Ooh! Business! Sounds like fun! [He grabs Sal by the collar and dumps him into the tiny car] Come, we'll repair to more comfortable environs. [He jumps into the seat next to Sal] Now hang onto these hats and glasses. There's a teeny little bit of a jump at first. [The tiny car takes off like a shot, sailing along its track faster than a roller coaster toward the House of the Future]

[Sal Valestra isn't ready for this abuse. As the car slows to a halt inside the futuristic home, he clutches at his chest in pain. Meanwhile, The Joker gaily jumps out of his car]

The Joker: Darling, I'm home!

[In response, a small mechanical dog appears at The Joker's feet. As it yaps happily, the Joker viciously kicks it across the room. He grins back at Valestra]

The Joker: Don't mind my home security system. Can't be too careful with all these weirdos around!

[Valestra follows as The Joker enters the Kitchen of the Future. There, a female robot with a knife in her hand endlessly chops at invisible food]

The Joker: What? Meatloaf again? Aww, I had it for lunch! [He passionately places his hands on the robot's shoulders and turns to Valestra] Isn't Hazel here a cutie? That's true, she's a real homebody, but you can't help who you fall in love with! [As he suddenly turns from his robot companion and walks into the living room, Sal follows] Well, warn 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! I know it! Couple of days ago. I saw him spying on me, from the roofs!

The Joker: Ya know, I've been reading lately that old Guano-Man is wound tight enough to snap. [chortles] Wouldn't it be grand if I've eventually driven Batso off the deep end?

Sal Valestra: This isn't a joke! Batman's knocking us away and you're the only one who can take him down! [He lays down his suitcase and opens it to show The Joker what's inside] Five million dollars up front, with whatever you want to do him away!

[The Joker sneers, unimpressed]

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

[Now Valestra is really mad]

Sal Valestra: Think, you fool! Once he gets me, how long till he gets you? [He rises from the couch and moves toward The Joker] You know what I'm speaking about! [grabs the Joker's lapels] Your hands are just as dirty! Dirtier!!

[The Joker has a far-off look in his eyes as Valestra tugs on his jacket. Then his lips begin to tremble, his eyes begin to redden, and his nostrils begin to flare. Watching this transformation, Sal Valestra has the sickening feeling he's made a horrible mistake]

The Joker: [enraged] Don't touch me, old man!

[Valestra cowers in fear. But The Joker suddenly grins––as friendly and outrageous as he's been just moments before]

The Joker: [suddenly cheerful again] I don't know where you've been!

[Sal Valestra can only tremble in fear]

The Joker: Oh, Sal, no one could take a joke like you. Of course I'll help you out!

Sal Valestra: Oh. Really?

The Joker: Certainly! No fashion is anybody gonna 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.

• 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