Movie serials were very popular from the 1920s into the 1950s. Fans, especially kids, loved them and would go religiously to theaters each week to see each installment. However, something a bit unusual took place with the serials made during the WWII era...the usual villains were now Axis villains...working for the enemy, Japan or Germany.
In "Batman", then, it's not surprising that the villain, Dr. Daka (J. Carrol Naish) is an evil Japanese baddie...intent on destroying America.
"Batman" not only marks the first film where Batman and Robin fight the Axis but it's the first film with the crimefighters. Because it's the first, it has a few issues fans today might dislike...the duo wear pretty cheesy outfits, Batman is hardly invicible and is no tougher than other serial stars such as Spysmasher, and Alfred is much more active in the film...and was created by the studio (Columbia Pictures) and later was incorporated into the comics.
So is this LONG serial (nearly 4 and 1/2 hours) any good? Yes, but it also seems not particularly different from the average serial of the day. In other words, it has the usual narrow escapes, the usual fist fights (many of which Batman actually loses) and looks much like a typical Columbia serial.
Now I should give you a word of warning. While the film is well made, it's clearly meant as a propaganda piece to bolster the American war effort and get the pubic to hate the enemy. So, you'll hear things such as 'sland-eyed devils' and folks talking about how GOOD the Japanese internment is...a sad chapter in American history. As for me, I used to teach history and didn't freak out or wet myself over this...it IS the way films were during this period. So, either get over this (as well as that Naish is about as Japanese as a burrito), or don't watch.
In "Batman", then, it's not surprising that the villain, Dr. Daka (J. Carrol Naish) is an evil Japanese baddie...intent on destroying America.
"Batman" not only marks the first film where Batman and Robin fight the Axis but it's the first film with the crimefighters. Because it's the first, it has a few issues fans today might dislike...the duo wear pretty cheesy outfits, Batman is hardly invicible and is no tougher than other serial stars such as Spysmasher, and Alfred is much more active in the film...and was created by the studio (Columbia Pictures) and later was incorporated into the comics.
So is this LONG serial (nearly 4 and 1/2 hours) any good? Yes, but it also seems not particularly different from the average serial of the day. In other words, it has the usual narrow escapes, the usual fist fights (many of which Batman actually loses) and looks much like a typical Columbia serial.
Now I should give you a word of warning. While the film is well made, it's clearly meant as a propaganda piece to bolster the American war effort and get the pubic to hate the enemy. So, you'll hear things such as 'sland-eyed devils' and folks talking about how GOOD the Japanese internment is...a sad chapter in American history. As for me, I used to teach history and didn't freak out or wet myself over this...it IS the way films were during this period. So, either get over this (as well as that Naish is about as Japanese as a burrito), or don't watch.