Batman and Robin Serial (1949) on DVD

[CConn]

http://www.superherohype.com/news/batmannews.php?id=2432

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/CConn882/YIM%20smilies/timduncanishorny.gif

[ShaneHelms]

Hmm.. Ive seen a few of those on TMC TCM cant remember which.

[David Ford, RPD]

Oh man, ever since jabootu.com lampooned those serials I've wanted to see it. I believe this is one full of racial slurs and Batman driving around in Bruce's car, right? So wrong, but yet so funny...

[Kevin Roegele]

You have to applaud Columbia. No matter how bad the content is, that's a damn cool-lookin' DVD...

http://superherohype.com/nextraimages/batmanandrobin1.jpg

[CConn]

Oh man, ever since jabootu.com lampooned those serials I've wanted to see it. I believe this is one full of racial slurs and Batman driving around in Bruce's car, right? So wrong, but yet so funny...
I think that's the one from '43...sadly. :(

[EXCELSIOR]

Oh man, ever since jabootu.com lampooned those serials I've wanted to see it. I believe this is one full of racial slurs and Batman driving around in Bruce's car, right? So wrong, but yet so funny...

NOPE, You are thinking of the 1943 THE BAT-MAN serial.
It's the one with J. Carrol Nash as Dr. Daka and Lewis Wilson as Batman... it's full of very colorful and by today's standards not too "PC" racial slurs. It's be redited over the years to remove the voice over "...the yellow slanted eye'd hordes" - My guess is that's why it hasn't seen a decent DVD release.
It's also a better made serial than the 1949 Batman & Robin and features a better looking bat-suit.

Both feature a 'batmobile' which is nothing more than a color-changing 40's sedan that Alfred drives the dou around in as they change into the capes & cowls... it's all great fun!

[Kevin Roegele]

A studio would have to be KER-RAZY to release a DVD called 'Batman & Robin'. They should have retitled it.

[C. Lee]

I feel the cover will be a bit misleading for most people (I know it says "The 1949 movie serial"...but the general public looks at pictures not words)....the cover is nice and flashy, but should have been photos from the actual serial.

I have both serials on VHS tape...had been planning to transfer them over to DVD, but will wait now.

[CConn]

I feel the cover will be a bit misleading for most people (I know it says "The 1949 movie serial"...but the general public looks at pictures not words)....the cover is nice and flashy, but should have been photos from the actual serial.

I have both serials on VHS tape...had been planning to transfer them over to DVD, but will wait now.
Yeah, I was thinking the same thing...they're probably trying to trick people into buying it. :o

[SHADOWBAT69]

i have these on vhs, i'm glad they're putting them on dvd now. i'm always afraid the vhs would start to decline in quality.

[C. Lee]

That's my biggest gripe about some cheaper DVDs....I hate seeing a box for a movie, and know that the picture on the cover is NOT from the movie being sold.

[C. Lee]

i have these on vhs, i'm glad they're putting them on dvd now. i'm always afraid the vhs would start to decline in quality.
That's why I bought a DVD recorder...I'm transferring as many old tapes over as I can.

[Two-Face]

You have to applaud Columbia. No matter how bad the content is, that's a damn cool-lookin' DVD...

http://superherohype.com/nextraimages/batmanandrobin1.jpg

I really like this 49 Batsuit it's cool. :batman:

[DeFett]

Classic, I've always wanted to see these as I've read and heard a fair bit about them. Hopefully the 1943 one is coming out on DVD too.

Hopefully it will still cost a nickel!

[Comic Book Boy]

Hey guys....These look interesting. Do you think they are worth getting?

[Supermaniac]

I looked at some screen shots and im wondering whether or not i should buy this. i'm strapped for cash right now and i still have to buy... Batman: Dark Victory by Tim Sale and Jeph Loeb, Batman TAS Volume Two, and a Taste of Chaos Tour concert ticket. man why o why do i have to be so obsessed with Batman?

[CConn]

Hey guys....These look interesting. Do you think they are worth getting?
It's probably quite bad...but I'll still end up buying it. :o

I looked at some screen shots and im wondering whether or not i should buy this. i'm strapped for cash right now and i still have to buy... Batman: Dark Victory by Tim Sale and Jeph Loeb, Batman TAS Volume Two, and a Taste of Chaos Tour concert ticket. man why o why do i have to be so obsessed with Batman?
If you short on funds, I'd definitely put off buying it...

[DeFett]

I looked at some screen shots and im wondering whether or not i should buy this. i'm strapped for cash right now and i still have to buy... Batman: Dark Victory by Tim Sale and Jeph Loeb, Batman TAS Volume Two, and a Taste of Chaos Tour concert ticket. man why o why do i have to be so obsessed with Batman?

I think it's worth buying for nostalgia value and to have a look back in time at a part of Batman's history. I imagine the story won't be the strongest but it would be good for a laff. You have until the end of March to save for it.

I've heard there are old Captain America serials as well.

[David Ford, RPD]

NOPE, You are thinking of the 1943 THE BAT-MAN serial.
It's the one with J. Carrol Nash as Dr. Daka and Lewis Wilson as Batman... it's full of very colorful and by today's standards not too "PC" racial slurs. It's be redited over the years to remove the voice over "...the yellow slanted eye'd hordes" - My guess is that's why it hasn't seen a decent DVD release.
It's also a better made serial than the 1949 Batman & Robin and features a better looking bat-suit.

Both feature a 'batmobile' which is nothing more than a color-changing 40's sedan that Alfred drives the dou around in as they change into the capes & cowls... it's all great fun!
Gotcha. This still sounds like good fun. I'd love to see of the insane, poorly-scripted stuff from these serials.

I believe I saw the '43 serials as a kid. I remember an old B&W shot of the bat crashing through Bruce's study. For some reason, the scene in "Batman Forever" where Bruce and Dick get thier costume from the car outisde the party reminded me of that film. Maybe I'm just batty.

[DeFett]

I looked at some screen shots and im wondering whether or not i should buy this.

Those screen shots you saw where they the ones posted on SHH or different ones?

Does anyone know of any other images kicking around of the serial? Thanks.

[lujho]

This art makes it looks like kind kind of Batman movies I WISH were made in the 40s. It looks totally cool.

However, I know that it was pretty crappy, but I will probably pick it up for curiosity's sake. Pity they aren't "and probably won't" release the first serial.

I hope the release the Kirk Alyn Superman too... if they're doing Batman, there's no reason to think they won't do Superman. I do know they're doing the Reeves TV show.

A quick google search will turn up pictures from the Batman serial if you want to see what I reall looked like. Answer: not as cool as the art makes out.

[SHADOWBAT69]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/shadowbat69/serial.bmp

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/shadowbat69/serial2.bmp

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/shadowbat69/serial3.bmp

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/shadowbat69/serial4.bmp

[Two-Face]

Here some pics!

http://www.leconcombre.com/serials/batman/Batman-Robin-Poster.jpg


http://www.serialexperience.com/image_gallery/Robert_Lowery.jpg

[DeFett]

This art makes it looks like kind kind of Batman movies I WISH were made in the 40s. It looks totally cool.

However, I know that it was pretty crappy, but I will probably pick it up for curiosity's sake. Pity they aren't "and probably won't" release the first serial.

I hope the release the Kirk Alyn Superman too... if they're doing Batman, there's no reason to think they won't do Superman. I do know they're doing the Reeves TV show.

A quick google search will turn up pictures from the Batman serial if you want to see what I reall looked like. Answer: not as cool as the art makes out.

I wonder when we will get this DVD in Australia. (just noticed your in Adelaide as well)

[Supermaniac]

will there even be special features?

[TRUE]

It looks campy

[CrimsonMist]

this one is actually really good. Though in some parts you can see bits that HAD to have inspired Adam West's show. There's a scene later in the movie where Batman is locked in a safe with explosives. They go off and they show the cliffhanger. The next episode shows Batman coming out the safe, alive, coughing. Robin says "BATMAN! I though the explosion finished you" and Batman goes "It would have...if it werent for my blow torch i brought along to climb through the wall" or some crap like that.

i have part 2 of the '43 serial. and part 1 of this serial. Ill probably buy this DVD

[C. Lee]

I've heard there are old Captain America serials as well.
There was one made. You can find it on old VHS tape if you look for it.

[lujho]

It looks campy

There's a good reason for that.

[lujho]

I wonder when we will get this DVD in Australia. (just noticed your in Adelaide as well)

There's no reason not to order it from an R1 website. Candian sites like www.dvdsoon.com are always cheap. As cheap as buying locally, or cheaper usually, even with shipping costs included.

Could be ages before we get it here, but then again you never know.

[d_osborn]

someone mentioned that the serials reminded them of the 66 series. the series was HEAVILY inspired by the serials. the director of the abc series, his name escapes me, proposed the series to execs after watching the 49 serial at the playboy mansion...

as for the 'campy' comment... it was a childrens show produced in the 40s. WHAT DO YOU EXPECT?! i find it HIGHLY entertaining... :)

[J Dangerously]

WoW, I actually kind of want to see this now. But man oh man do I hate Batman's f_cking sidekicks!!!

[Comic Book Boy]

It looks campy
It can't be campy....It is a serial from the 40's

[SpiderWebs]

Bigger pic of what was posted...
http://www.leconcombre.com/serials/comics/img5/Batman_et_Robin-1.jpg

I like this serial and the '43 one as well. Good fun. :cool: Also the actor who played Robin in this serial lives around my area. :D I've never met him though. It would be cool though to interview him or something. ;)

[David Ford, RPD]

Bigger pic of what was posted...
http://www.leconcombre.com/serials/comics/img5/Batman_et_Robin-1.jpg

I like this serial and the '43 one as well. Good fun. :cool: Also the actor who played Robin in this serial lives around my area. :D I've never met him though.
Forget the '66 series: Schumacker must've fallen in love with these serials.

-30-something sidekick in gaudy costume? Check!

-Goofy looking Bat-suit? Check!

-Ridicilous ride? Check!

-Subtle homoeroticism between Batman and Robin? CHECK!!!:)

I gots to see these serials:)

[patrickbateman]

quick some one post a pic of joel's batman and robin

LETS COMPARE

[Cobblepot]

Worst suit ever, I mean where's David when u need him!?
http://members.aol.com/lannyl7/homepage/oldbat.JPG

[ultimatefan]

They are most certainly crap, but I´d like to see out of curiosity, the serials are the only Batman-related adaptations I never seen.

[CrimsonMist]

someone mentioned that the serials reminded them of the 66 series. the series was HEAVILY inspired by the serials. the director of the abc series, his name escapes me, proposed the series to execs after watching the 49 serial at the playboy mansion...

as for the 'campy' comment... it was a childrens show produced in the 40s. WHAT DO YOU EXPECT?! i find it HIGHLY entertaining... :)

that was me who mentioned the 66 Series...interesting facts there. I didnt know that :]

I find it entertaining too, i have these on VHS, but they're very old VHS tapes..My dad bought them for me when i was about 3 or so(im 16 now)

to the guy that said the suit was crap...they didnt have technology to make rubber suits and they wanted to be faithful, in which they were, to the books. It actually looks very cool on screen and in action.

the guy who played Robin, i believe was about 18 or so(around that age...maybe somewhere in the early 20s)

[Comic Book Boy]

The suit would look much better if his ears were straight.

[The Joker]

if it only costs $10-$15, I'll buy it :o...lol

[d_osborn]

Also the actor who played Robin in this serial lives around my area. I've never met him though. It would be cool though to interview him or something
yeah, he lives in/near branson, mo... which i assume is your area. :) he's on some sort of city council, or something...

[Catman]

I honestly wouldn't buy this, but I would consider renting it.

[Hush]

they are real fun and i think the stories were decent i just loved seeing batman when no movie was out its all in good fun. i think at one point robin has a fro not sure could have been my eyes but thats me.

[Batman1939]

robins mask is the coolest jusk kidding please be released in Australia coz i havnt seen Btas released In Aus

[lujho]

Worst suit ever, I mean where's David when u need him!?
http://members.aol.com/lannyl7/homepage/oldbat.JPG

Is this the suit from the first serial as opposed to the second? Because it looks a bit better, apart from the shorter cape. And the guy actually looks to be in fine shape, as opposed to the picture upthread.

They could have, hypothetically, done a far better costume in the 40s, but for cheap children's fare it just wasn't an issue. No-on took this kind of stuff seriously. But a skilled person could have made a really cool-looking, pulpy Bat costume, if Batman were the kind of thing they'd treat as a serious movie back then.

I really wish they could release the first serial, even if they had to put an advisory label on it regarding outdated racial attitudes. Have it treated as an archive of a historical artifact... a product of its time. Aimed at adult fans/collectors, not children.

[lujho]

robins mask is the coolest jusk kidding please be released in Australia coz i havnt seen Btas released In Aus

Mate, get BTAS from www.dvdsoon.com. It's only around 45 AU dollars for each of the 2 volumes. I see from your profile you're only 14 so you wouldn't have a credit card. Get you parents or someone else to order it (if they have a CC) and give them the money.

If you wait for it to come out here you could be waiting forever, and you'll probably end up paying more anyway. There's no reason not to get it from OS.

[Comic Book Boy]

Does anyone know if I can find a clip of these online?

[Comic Book Boy]

....Hmm, I guess not :(

[hammerhedd11]

o this is gonna be awesome!!!!!!
and just 4 days before my b-day too!

[hulkamania85]

Looks really interesting. I have always been curious about these older interpretations of Batman.

[jaydawg]

I was about to ask if Robin actually had pants in this movie. Guess not.

[DarkKnightYone]

Has anybody bought this yet?
Any relation to the campiness of the Adam West series?

[lujho]

I should get this in the mail any day now.

These serials are cheesy, low budget fare that aren't that good even by the standards of other serials of the day, from what I've read.

That's not the same as the deliberately campy approach that the 60s series went with. The 60s show knew exactly what it was doing and was very good as what it did, while these earlier serials... well, this kind of material did not get treated seriously, it was just cheap children's entertainment, and it didn't need to be good.

I'm very interested in seeing it as a historical thing, and I would love if WB released the earlier Batman serial, and the Superman one with Kirk Alyn also (and every other DC-related serial while they're at it, I suppose - Captain Marvel, Blackhawk).

But It's also sad that this kind of material was not treated seriously at the time it was created, because Batman could have been done so well in the 40s if it were not considered mere juvenilia (which it was, at the time).

[xc24runner]

I actually just got done watching the serial right now. I'm a junior in high school, and I've been sick all week. I just watched Chapter 15: Batman Victorious. To be honest, for this time period it was made in, it is not that bad. It didn't win an Oscar or anything, but it's decent filmaking. The plot line is ridiculous featuring a villain named The Wizard who can syop all moving motor vehicles with a remote control. The dialogue is ok, not the best. The action somewhat inspired the campy 1960s television series. Overall, I would give it a 6/10.
______________________________
This Summer Justice Wears A Mask

[d_osborn]

the old serials aren't meant to be taken very serious. they were aimed for children. with that in mind, they're both a fun way to kill a few hours. if you're wanting something to hold up against CITIZEN KANE, just remember... it's freaking BATMAN. ;)

[Comic Book Boy]

I am watching these now....Has anyone noticed that The Batman never kicks...Only punches...With the same arm.

[graveyardtramp]

I wonder when we will get this DVD in Australia. (just noticed your in Adelaide as well)

I saw it last week at a comic book shop in Melbourne (Alternate Worlds) but it was Aus $54.00 so I passed! Nice cover, but I bought both the 1943 and 1949 serials on DVD via eBay last year and they only cost something like US $12.00 each, not pro copies obviously but the quality was pretty good and one of them even had the 1960s BATGIRL pilot episode as well.....plus there's no way the 43 serial would get officially released with all the racial slurs......

I think it's in the 1943 serial where they just keep their costumes folded up inside a filing cabinet drawer!

My fave scene from the 1943 serial:

After Batman examines a deadly ray gun in the Batcave - and calling it one of the most lethal and destructive weapons known to man - he then emerges from the clock into Wayne Manor with Dick and - still holding the ray gun - spots Alfred sitting in a chair engrossed in a detective novel, not even realising Bruce and Dick are in the room. Bruce then points the ray gun and blows up the lamp next to Alfred, giving the old guy a near heart attack, after which Bruce and Dick start killing themselves with laughter!! Bruce really treats Alfred like dirt in that serial.......

I also like the scene when one of Dr. Dakar's henchmen suggests that Bruce Wayne and The Batman are one and the same, and the 'brilliant' Dr. Dakar simply dismisses it with a wave of his hand, saying "Don't be absurd. That simpering idiot could never be The Batman".........Classic!

[Binker]

I dl-ed it a while ago. I like this serial. It remains me of the comics from the '40s.

DUH!

It has a Batman vs. Gangsters feel to it. The idea of the Batmobile (or a simple Brice/Bats car) being a regular car is directly from the comics. Thats the same for the plan Batman and Robin being based on a actual plane Batman used from the comics. Even the Wayne Manor is based from the comics like the one I saw from the old Sunday comic strip. The batcave is realistic enough to surropt that type of house above it.

Robert Lowery's performace as a careless playboy Bruce Wayne and a strong detective Batman is perfect for that day and age. Johnny Duncan plays the first older Robin. Something the comcis never did until the late '60s. Vicki Vale and Gordon are portrayed perfectly as well. Vicki is a Lois Lane type and Gordon is like what he was in the comics. And the Wizard has a strong feeling like the villians and their plots back in the Golden Age.

Listen, The Batman back in 1943 was a rasict serial. This is different and better.

And yes, I'll delete the serials once I get the DVD but Comic Book Boy wants to see them and I can't let him down.

Rating: 8/10
Everthign was perfect, a classic. But I guess the acting from 1949 doesn't have the type of feel like it did back then like others of its kind. And the costumes and the lack of an actual Batmobile does hurt it only a little. But that doesn't stop me from watching it.

[-Fire-Fly-]

looks like it's been done by photoshop but @ the same it isn't i duno if it wold be or not

Bat-Miles:batman:

[Comic Book Boy]

I dl-ed it a while ago. I like this serial. It remains me of the comics from the '40s.

DUH!

It has a Batman vs. Gangsters feel to it. The idea of the Batmobile (or a simple Brice/Bats car) being a regular car is directly from the comics. Thats the same for the plan Batman and Robin being based on a actual plane Batman used from the comics. Even the Wayne Manor is based from the comics like the one I saw from the old Sunday comic strip. The batcave is realistic enough to surropt that type of house above it.

Robert Lowery's performace as a careless playboy Bruce Wayne and a strong detective Batman is perfect for that day and age. Johnny Duncan plays the first older Robin. Something the comcis never did until the late '60s. Vicki Vale and Gordon are portrayed perfectly as well. Vicki is a Lois Lane type and Gordon is like what he was in the comics. And the Wizard has a strong feeling like the villians and their plots back in the Golden Age.

Listen, The Batman back in 1943 was a rasict serial. This is different and better.

And yes, I'll delete the serials once I get the DVD but Comic Book Boy wants to see them and I can't let him down.

Rating: 8/10
Everthign was perfect, a classic. But I guess the acting from 1949 doesn't have the type of feel like it did back then like others of its kind. And the costumes and the lack of an actual Batmobile does hurt it only a little. But that doesn't stop me from watching it.
You rock man:D

[Gernot]

I found this thread lookin' for a picture of Batman (with or without Robin) from the 1949 serial for my serial club.

I just want to point out a coupl'a things.

First, a LOT of people will go off on the 1943 Batman, due to his being heavy and out-of-shape. I want to point out to THOSE fans that the actor WAS out-of-shape! He was PROBABLY 4-F! Think about it! The United States was at WAR in 1943, and most of the actors Columbia (as well as the other studios) were probably overseas or leaving shortly. In the first chapter, we see Batman and Robin chasing some crooks up a flight of stairs to the roof. One can easily see that the film was sped up, and everyone is merely walking/marching! :)

Does anyone know/remember the comicbook Dr. Daka "appeared" in? HINT: It was NOT a Batman story! Batman BARELY appeared IN the issue! :)

One final thing: For those of you who have not yet seen the 1949 serial, http://www.youtube.com has the first two chapters! Here are the links:

Chapter 1 Part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVOFFmK8qJM

Chapter 1 Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2esbyi8Ma3U

Chapter 2 Part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHY21rMZ8tg

Chapter 2 Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grRLSZ82zOQ

That's all I've been able to find on-line, but there's also a preview on youtube of the 1943 serial when they re-released it in the mid-60's to capitalize on Batman's popularity at the time.

Enjoy the chapters! :)