Batman and Robin Serial (1949) on DVD

[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

 

[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

 

[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!

 

[Young Superman]

Robert Lowery is my favorite serial Batman.

 

[Naked Shia]

I had already seen the serials on youtube, but I bought the dvd, since it's really cheap and has both serials.

Lewis Wilson had a great presence, both as bruce and as batman. I didn't care for Lowery.

 

[Goshdarn Batman]

Yes, Lewis Wilson is better than Lowery. Ben Affleck should talk like Wilson...the Boston accentt:

 

[Goshdarn Batman]

Here's a cool story/review, from Amazon.com. It's from 2010:

I so enjoyed watching this video. I was born in 1949 and did not realise that the Batman movie was made in that year. I work at a Walmart store, and a few months ago I met the man who played Robin in this series. He was shopping for the video. We did not have it,and I looked it up online for him. I found that he could purchase it there. I kept thinking about it, and a month ago, I decided that I had to purchase it, since it was made the year I was born. I was so glad to see I could get it from Amazon for a better price. It has been so much fun to watch. It is so odd to see all the large vehicles and it being in black and white, is different. I can tell that Robin is the man I met. Great viewing!

 

[Young Superman]

I love the Batman movie serial Batmobile.