The very first serial to adapt the comic book character of the Batman. In it, the Batman is a secret U.S. government agent, attempting to defeat the schemes of Japanese agent Dr. Daka operat... Read allThe very first serial to adapt the comic book character of the Batman. In it, the Batman is a secret U.S. government agent, attempting to defeat the schemes of Japanese agent Dr. Daka operating in Los Angeles at the height of World War II.The very first serial to adapt the comic book character of the Batman. In it, the Batman is a secret U.S. government agent, attempting to defeat the schemes of Japanese agent Dr. Daka operating in Los Angeles at the height of World War II.
- Awards
- 1 nomination
- Hotel Clerk
- (uncredited)
- Alfred Beagle
- (uncredited)
- Plane Passenger
- (uncredited)
- Intended Lockwood Pilot
- (uncredited)
- Brennan [Ch. 1-3]
- (uncredited)
- Henchman
- (uncredited)
- Agent on Plane [Ch. 10]
- (uncredited)
- Fred - the Mechanic [Ch. 5-6]
- (uncredited)
- Restaurant Patron
- (uncredited)
- Foster [Ch. 1-4]
- (uncredited)
- Dr. G.H. Borden [Ch. 1]
- (uncredited)
- Cave of Horrors Thug
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis is the first filmed appearance of Batman.
- GoofsAt the end of Chapter 2, as Batman is battling with the thugs, his cape is ripped off and thrown to the floor. After a brief cutaway to Alfred waiting in the car, it is back on his shoulders with no apparent break in the action.
- Quotes
Alfred Pennyworth: How many did I kill?
Bruce Wayne: Seven.
Alfred Pennyworth: But there were only four of the ruffians.
Richard Grayson: You killed three of them twice.
Alfred Pennyworth: Where are the bodies?
Bruce Wayne: We threw them out the window.
- Crazy creditsThis serial was promoted under the titles "The Batman", "The Bat Man" and "Bat Man". The actual title on the beginning of each chapter was simply "Batman".
- Alternate versionsFilmed at the height of the Second World War, this serial originally featured a large amount of racist dialogue. A later reissue (released on video by Goodtimes) maintains the fact the villain is Japanese, but otherwise features new narration and dialogue which substitutes less-racist terminology.
- ConnectionsEdited into The Three Stooges Follies (1974)
I actually saw 'The Batman' in the mid 1960's when it was shown at a City theater as a 'Cinethon' - all 15 episodes in sequence from start to finish in one sitting. I lived through it as any serial fan would and enjoyed every minute but under these circumstances, some details normally overlooked when watching one episode each week were revealed.
I was intrigued by the access to Dr. Daka's hideout via the amusement park ride. A great bit of imagination went into that one! I seem to recall that the great Jack Ingram was killed off in an early episode and reappeared about Chapter 11 but I could be mistaken after nearly 40 years have elapsed.
The progressive reappearance of the Columbia serials on DVD has me over the moon and I look forward to receiving the 1949 'Batman and Robin' serial when it is released in March. If 'The Batman' is released on DVD, I will be one of the first in line to buy it.
- richard-jones
- Jan 18, 2005
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Details
- Runtime4 hours 20 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1