Batman - The 1943 Serial Collection (DVD, 2005, 2-Disc Set)

When I was a young boy I remember buying, or probably asking to have bought, a cheaply priced Batman VHS out of some store long forgotten. Oh man did I love it! It was Batman 1943 Vol. 1. It had perhaps the first 7 or 8 out of the 15 complete Batman episodes. I always regretted the fact it came out of a bargain movie rack somewhere because it meant I couldn't find the rest of the series to see how it all ended. Now I have it again and I get to see it with more adult eyes and I have to say, I STILL love it.

I was in a Batman phase back then and, for various reasons, I've sort of returned to it as of late. Finding this here on Ebay was a dream come true. Finally, I get to see it all over again AND the ending! And I was not dissapointed...

Batman 1943 is, unsurprisingly, in complete black-n-white. Lewis Wilson and Douglas Croft reflect the comic book heros of the day and age as a smiling, non-brooding playboy Bruce Wayne and his ward Dick Grayson, respectively. As Batman and Robin they aren't as "dark" or driven by the deaths of their respective parents and the evil they fight each day such as the more modern Batman (more "Caped Crusader" than "Dark Knight" you could say). They have no Batmobile, just a fancy car. Alfred is sort of the comedy-relief in that he's the jittery type that helps out some but usually gets knocked down a alot, but he's ever the faithful butler. Their costumes aren't entirely tailored to fit perfectly to their heads or bodies. Their main enemy, Dr. Tito Daka (J. Carrol Naish who is NOT Japanese), a WWII-era Japanese Prince and scientist who is masterminding crime in Gotham City to prepare America as a colony for Imperial Japan. One could even look at this film and judge by the way the characters talk and by all the American bravado that it's racist towards the Japanese. However, I just don't care because it's few and far enough between that it's clearly not what this series is mainly about.

This is Batman. I love the way Batman and Robin swing, jump, and punch their way into brawl with a bunch of gangsters. I love the way Batman gets out of harms way just in the nick of time as each episode ends in a cliffhanger. I love the way the music swells dramatically (or just manly!) when Batman appears to save the day and some goon shouts, "It's the Batman!" I love how smart they've made Bruce Wayne who can see his way out of most traps and fool bad guys into revealing their plans. I love how Robin isn't just some helpless, after-thought sidekick but can keep his own in a fight, go undercover, and save Batman's life when the time comes. I even like the funny way Daka talks (do Japanese talk like that?). Everything from rayguns (Yes, Rayguns!), to electronic zombies, and even the Batcave...everything is fun to watch! Even the acting is decent considering the times and in comparison to the corny (but loveable in its own way) acting done in the Adam West version.

It is the absolute first Batman television show ever and I highly recommend all Bat-fans to buy it!

This Batman serial is, quite frankly, freakin' hilarious. The corny dialogue, the cheap costumes (Batman's mask doesn't seem to fit), and the cheesy cliffhangers make this a favourite in my family. It's racist (it's from 1943, so calling Japanese people "Japs" was acceptable at the time) and it's poorly made (as mentioned, the costumes and sets are cheap - wartime shortages, I suppose), but I LOVE it! You gotta see it to believe it.

I bought that item for one reason I own every single Batman films and that just so different from the new ones in this one there is no joker or Catwoman there is some kind of Wizard Villain he will fight in the serial and also it has Robin in it plays by Douglas kroft and i hope it is something i will ejoy to watch .

Got what I wanted. I started this Batman collection and found that there are several versions from the 40's and 50's This particular series Alfred is driving Batman and Robin around in Bruce Wayne's limo.
Glad to have it.

This serial is just like (if not the one) I used to see at the movies when I was a kid back in the 50's. This movie serial was shot in 1943 so it was OLD in the 50's. I was just as thrilled to see it now as I was back then. Each serial always ended with, what looked like, someone dying and leaving you wondering how in the world did they ever get out of that fix.
If you are an old movie buff, and like Batman, this is something you need to see.