Batman (1943)

Japanese spymaster Prince Daka operates a covert espionage organization located in Gotham City's now-deserted Little Tokyo which turns American scientists into pliable zombies.

Director:

Lambert Hillyer

Writers:

Bob Kane (comic books created by), Victor McLeod (screenplay by)

Stars:

Lewis Wilson, Douglas Croft, J. Carrol Naish

1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Lewis Wilson	...	Batman / Bruce Wayne
Douglas Croft	...	Robin / Dick Grayson
J. Carrol Naish	...	Dr. Daka
Shirley Patterson	...	Linda Page

Storyline

In his first screen appearance, the Caped Crusader of Gotham City (belying the lethargic facade of his alter ego Bruce Wayne) battles Dr. Daka, Japanese mastermind of a wartime espionage-sabotage group. Daka has a radium-powered death ray that pulverizes walls, a classic alligator pit to dispose of enemies, and can turn men into electronic zombies who do his bidding and transmit video signals to Daka's lab! Batman has no Batmobile, but there are bats in the Bat Cave...

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Plot Keywords:

racist stereotype | asian stereotype | japanese slur | racial slur | dc comics | 

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Taglines:

A HUNDRED TIMES MORE THRILLING ON THE SCREEN! (original 1943 one-sheet posters)

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Genres:

Action | Crime

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Batman co-creator Bob Kane (I) makes a brief cameo as the newsboy in Chapter One, yelling, "Read all about the Batman!" before handing a paper to Bruce Wayne.

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Goofs

At the end of chapter 2, as Batman is battling with the thugs his cape is obviously 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.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Narrator: High atop one of the hills which ring the teaming metropolis of Gotham City, a large house rears its bulk against the dark sky. Outwardly there's nothing to distinguish this house from many others, but deep in the cavernous basements of this house is a chamber hewn from the living rock of the mountainside, strange, dimly lighted, mysteriously secret bat cave headquarters of America's #1 crimefighter, Batman! Yes, Batman, clad in the somber costume which has struck terror to the ...

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Alternate Versions

With the success of the television series "Batman" (1966), Columbia's 8mm division released this serial in a condensed version on six reels of super-8 film for the home market. The total of all six reels amounted to about one-fourth of the running time of the original serial. This release was noted for its production problems resulting in an over-exposed image with reduced contrast.

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Connections

Version of Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 (2012)

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Soundtracks

If I Were King
(uncredited)
Composed by Adolphe Adam
Used in episodes 4 and 10

User Reviews

It's the Batman...

This is one of the best of Columbia's serials produced in the 40s. There's no Batmobile or Batplane but hey, this was 1943.

There's the usual assortment of narrow escapes, last minute rescues, zombies, an alligator pit and an endless supply of the villain's henchmen.

Also included are some great stuntwork and excellent fight scenes.

Lewis Wilson and Douglas Croft make an credible Batman and Robin and their alter-egos Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson. Two distinct advantages this serial has is it's wartime setting and the casting of the excellent J. Carroll Naish as the chief villain, Daka who is trying to install "The New Order" in America. Many serial and "B" movie veterans are cast in other roles. Look for George J. Lewis, Tom London and Dick Curtis as various henchmen and Charles Middleton, on the right side of the law for a change.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 July 1943 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Batman

Filming Locations:

Iverson Ranch - 1 Iverson Lane, Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

260 min (15 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1