Batty device

Forget Robin.

It's now Verizon Wireless, which bills itself as the builder and operator of the nation's most reliable wireless network, that has become Batman's new sidekick.

Thanks to Nokia, the mobile phone company has just announced the introduction the Nokia 6205 The Dark Knight edition mobile phone.

Celebrating the upcoming July 18 theatrical release of Warner Bros. "The Dark Knight" starring Christian Bale, the late Heath Ledger, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman and Maggie Gyllenhaal, the Nokia 6205 The Dark Knight edition became available exclusively online at www.verizonwireless.com beginning June 15.

And even though Verizon Wireless, Warner Bros. and Nokia refuse to make this connection, I'm calling this cell phone model "the new Batphone."

For readers too young to remember that reference, the Batphone was the glowing red phone under a glass dome in Police Commissioner Gordon's office, which served as the mysterious private line that would ring to Batman's Batcave.

And when Batman and Robin were "out on the town" cruising in the Batmobile and the Batphone went unanswered, Gotham's men in blue had to resort to using the Batsignal light beacon on the roof of police headquarters. Both the Batphone and Batsignal were used most often on the 1960's television show starring Adam West and Burt Ward and cartoon series, along with occasional references in the DC comic books.

On the TV show "Entourage," Jeremy Piven's character, Ari Gold, often refers to his Palm Treo 650 as "The Batphone."

As for the new Nokia phone, it is clad in a mysterious black color and embellished with a subtle The Dark Knight emblem, and features a themed-edition flip phone design and comes preloaded with wallpapers, voice tones and animated screensavers all inspired by the film. As a bonus, the phone showcases a full movie trailer teasing next month's main event.

The Nokia 6205 The Dark Knight edition also has what Verizon describes as "a generous set of features designed to enhance the mobile lifestyle."

In addition, the Nokia 6205 The Dark Knight edition includes many extras such as 1.3 megapixel camera with flash and 4x digital zoom, 58 MB internal memory that can expand with a memory card, support for text, picture and video messaging, Web access and Bluetooth®-enabled for wireless headset support.

Like the phone, the unique packaging of the Nokia 6205 The Dark Knight edition also features iconic images drawn straight from Gotham City. Verizon Wireless customers will also find a Joker playing card with a code and a link to the www.fightforgothamcity.com Web site. Once on the Web site, customers can instantly find out if they have won The Joker's "bag of cash" containing $10,000, play games to win more The Dark Knight-themed prizes, and download exclusive The Dark Knight content from Verizon Wireless. For more information, (800) 2 JOIN IN or www.verizonwireless.com.

Dinner is served

Theatergoers who attend "The Kid from Brooklyn: The Danny Kaye Musical" will now receive an extra treat.

With the purchase of a full price ticket to select performances through July 4, free dinner will be included at Cullen's, 3741 N. Southport Ave.

Dinner consists of three courses; soup or salad, the choice between four different entrees and dessert. Drinks and gratuity are not included and space is limited.

The musical is currently running at the Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, Chicago, for a limited engagement through Aug. 24, before making its way to New York City in the spring of 2009.

Directed by Peter J. Loewy, with book by Mark Childers and Loewy, and musical direction by Charlie Harrison and David Cohen, "The Kid from Brooklyn" stars Helen Hayes Award Winner, Brian Childers as Kaye and Karin Leone as Sylvia Fine, and also features Christina Purcell and Adam LeBow.

Based on the turbulent and triumphant life of Kaye, this intimate musical portrayal chronicles Kaye's career and his relationships on and off the stage as we follow the rise of Kaye from an undisciplined improvisational comic to his success under the guidance of his wife, Fine.

Tickets areat $42.50 for Wednesday and Thursday performances and $48.50 for performances Friday through Sunday. Tickets are available by phone at (773) 325-1700 or online at www.thekidfrombrooklynmusical.com.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at ppotempa@nwitimes.com or 219.852.4327.

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