Did You Know?
This serial was reissued under the title "An Evening With Batman and Robin" in late 1965. There was no added footage. The program simply consisted of all of the episodes (complete with titles, credits and cliffhangers - exactly as they were shown in theaters in 1943) presented one after the other in one sitting. Contrary to popular belief, this was not done in response to the success of the 1966 Batman TV show. The TV show began on January 12, 1966 and "An Evening With Batman and Robin" was playing in theaters as early as December 10, 1965.
Share this
Because of the strict serial regulations, Batman and Robin were portrayed as FBI agents in the serial. In the comic strip at the time, however, they were vigilantes. The regulations also prevented the writers from using the Batman's Rogues Gallery, so none of Batman's villains appear in this serial and the one made in 1949.
Share this
This serial had several racial slurs against the Japanese, as it was made during World War II. For the original home video release, the slurs were edited out. They have been "restored" for the DVD, as it was made from original film stock and contains no editing from it's original theatrical run.
Share this
Bob Kane's name did not appear on this serial's original credits. The source credit reads "Based On The Batman Comic Magazine Feature Appearing In Detective Comics and Batman Magazines".
Share this
Because of the low budget, there is no Batmobile. Batman and Robin use the same black Cadillac as Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson, and Alfred can be seen chauffeuring the men under both identities.
Share this
The character of Alfred in the comics was introduced to conform to the fact that in the film Bruce Wayne had a butler. However, the Alfred in the comics was drawn as very chubby and clean shaven, while William Austin, who played Alfred, wore a mustache and was slim. Soon after the release of the film, the comics character grew a mustache and went to a health spa, where he lost weight. From then on, the comics Alfred has resembled the Austin image.
Share this
CHAPTER TITLES: 1. The Electrical Brain; 2. The Bat's Cave; 3. The Mark of the Zombies; 4. Slaves of the Rising Sun; 5. The Living Corpse; 6. Poison Peril; 7. The Phony Doctor; 8. Lured by Radium; 9. The Sign of the Sphinx; 10. Flying Spies; 11. Nipponese Trap; 12. Embers of Evil; 13. Eight Steps Down; 14. The Executioner Strikes; 15. The Doom of the Rising Sun.
Share this
The credited cast order, as shown in the original release pressbook, were: Lewis Wilson, Douglas Croft, J. Carroll Naish, William Austin, Shirley Patterson, Charles C. Wilson, Charles Middeleton, Robert Fiske, Michael Vallon and Gus Glassmire. Cost-cutting Columbia opted to only credit four players on the film itself.
Share this
