Batman began as a comic book over 80 years ago. It continues
to this day in comic form through several titles still produced by DC Comics.
Popular when it began it led to a radio program and then made its way to the
big screen.
When most people think of Batman at the movies, they now
think of Christian Bale. Years earlier they were talking about Michael Keaton.
And before him in the sixties there was Adam West and Burt Ward as Batman and
Robin seen weekly on television. But the first film version of Batman arrived
on screens in a different sort of weekly version, a serial that appeared week
after week prior to the double features seen on screens around the country.
In 1943 the first serial, BATMAN, was showing up week after
week and thrilling kids non-stop. To miss a week was pure torture, not having
seen how Batman made it through the danger he was left in the week before. For
the longest time these serials were seen when they first ran and then
disappeared from public view. During the heyday of the TV series a number of
them were joined together to make a feature that intended to cash in on the
show's popularity. Then, once more, they disappeared. A few years back,
Columbia released a DVD version of the serial but that left the shelves as
well. With the help of Mill Creek Entertainment, those serials are available
once again and at an affordable price.
The first serial, BATMAN, ran in 1943 and had the team of
Batman and Robin not only taking on everyday criminals but the enemies at war
with the US as well. With sets reminiscent of most B grade films, the stories
went from week to week as the dynamic duo faced off against the evil Dr. Tito
Draka, an oriental villain pulled straight from the stereotypical playbook of
the time. With mind controlled zombies, a radioactive guns and pet alligators
that enjoyed the tastes of his victims, Draka did his best to destroy Batman
and Robin and ruin America. Like that was going to happen. While Batman's alter
ego Bruce Wayne lazes around where ever he goes, Batman steps up to the plate
wielding fisticuffs and his own set of gadgets to take down this enemy in a
death defying 15 episodes lasting about 25 minutes each.
The second serial, BATMAN AND ROBIN, came about 6 years later
in 1949. With new actors portraying the dynamic duo (after 6 years I would
think the boy wonder would have been too old to be played by the same actor)
and a new costume, darker this time around, the pair faced off against a new
evil in Gotham. This time around the pair faced off against The Wizard, an evil
genius if there ever was one. Clad in his own costume this time, The Wizard has
built a machine that allows him to control moving vehicles from his secret
lair. His plan revolves around stealing some top secret documents but the
Batman and Robin don't intend to let him succeed. To make things worse Batman's
love interest Vickie Vale is trying to uncover just who the real men behind the
mask of Batman and Robin really are. Then we once again have a lay about
rendition of Bruce Wayne who appears more like a narcoleptic bumbler than a
wealthy playboy man about town. But that's all right because when in costume he
more than makes up with the action.
Two complete 15 chapter serials, one box, two DVDs. Curious
viewers might not have felt like coughing up over $15 to $20 to find out what
this was all about, to see if it was worth the cost. But at $8.78 (amazon.com's
list price) it is well worth it. If not for the chance to see a classic serial
then to reach back into history for the chance to witness the first incarnation
of Batman brought to the big screen. The quality of the films is well made and
the movies, while dated and typical of serials back then, still offer great
entertainment and historical value. Batman fans won't want to pass this one up.
Click here to order.
I hope we eventually get Blu-ray releases of these serials.
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