(http://www.dvddrive-in.com/images/a-d/batmanandrobin.jpg) (http://xoomer.alice.it/amasoni2002/shl/dc/batman_and_robin_(1949)/06.jpg) (http://xoomer.alice.it/amasoni2002/shl/dc/batman_and_robin_(1949)/02.jpg) (http://www.dvddrive-in.com/images/a-d/batmanandrobin5.jpg) (http://www.dvddrive-in.com/images/a-d/batmanandrobin6.jpg) (http://www.dvddrive-in.com/images/a-d/batmanandrobin3.jpg)
I finished watching all 15 chapters of the 1943 BATMAN serial and started watching the 1949 BATMAN AND ROBIN. After watching the first 2 chapters, here are my impressions:
* The 1949 serial appears to have been shot on a slightly bigger budget than the 1943 serial (but both of them are very cheesy)
* Robin is tougher in the 1949 version. He was pretty much a wimp in the 1943 serial.
* The nose on Batman's mask in the 1949 version is much too long and pointy. He looks more like Woodpecker Man.
* The ears on Batman's cowl are too long and pointy in both versions. It looks like he is wearing a devil costume or has Martian antennae.
* The villain in the 1949 version is cool. He is called THE WIZARD and wears a black costume. He has a remote control device that can take over cars, planes, and submarines. The 1943 villain was J. Carroll Naish as Japanese Dr. Daka. He was a decent villain, but they spent too much time dwelling on how evil the Japanese were (since it was made during World War II).
* In both versions there is no Batmobile. They just drive around in a regular car (and often change into their costumes inside the car).
i agree, this was one rollicking serial. i liked the characters, and the villain was great. it's too bad the costumes weren't a bit better, and that the director didn't make a better use of what could have been iconic bat-entrances.
David