
The classic sultry songstress of the original “Santa Baby,” my first exposure to Eartha Kitt was as a 3rd season replacement of Julie Newmar as Catwoman on the 1960s Batman TV series. Nobody could supplant the sultry and regal Ms. Newmar in the role, but Kitt brought an appropriate cat-like ferocity and sly unpredictability to the part (not to mention the purr), making her a more-than-worthy substitute.
(thanks, Amanda, for the IM)