The two Parker probably hasn’t seen are the 1940s serials. The first, Batman (1943) exhibits a blatant racism against its Japanese villain possible only in wartime. The second, Batman and Robin (1949), is an interesting step in the evolution of Batman on screen, particularly in his relationship with women. Both have the drawbacks of the movie serials of the era, but they are part of Batman’s cinematic past. Viewers who dare can find both on DVD.
Daniel M. Kimmel
Brookline
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