Woodsy and Fellow Bat-nuts (errr, I mean Moonbasers),
Here's the second on-screen Batmobile from 1949's 'BATMAN AND ROBIN' serial. This one is smaller and less ostentatious than the first one from six years prior. Again, it's an everyday runner - no special gadgets that I'm aware of (although I have to admit it's been a l-o-n-g time since I watched all 15 episodes and maybe there's something I missed).
To me this looks like it could be a 1949 Mercury and some years back I bought a diecast 1/24 scale version from Washington Mint to post as a contender for the title. However, it is still in the unopened box! The model is quite close and may be the only 1949 Mercury offered by any toy company. What do you guys think - Batmobile or no?
From Vegas Bat Cave
Ed
Surely that's not so much a Batmobile as, well, a car !
ReplyDeleteI think you've got the right one though, i.e. the Mercury.
My contention is: if Batman rode in it to fight crime it counts as a Batmobile. But yes, these serials were made on seriously short budgets and they used what they had available. Bruce Wayne was supposed to be a millionaire, but from the first serial in 1943 to the second serial in 1949 he actually downgraded from a Caddy to a Mercury - no budget for a Caddy I guess LOL While the comics had already begun to define the Batmobile as a special vehicle by 1944, on-screen versions would have to wait until the advent of the 'Batman' TV series in 1966 for something special.
DeleteVery nice, thank you. I have never seen the Hawk name on a die-cast model before. They started out making wooden kits, and then moved in to plastic kits. The brand is still around, although it has changed hands several times over the years.
ReplyDeleteThese early Batmobile posts are fascinating. Thanks guys!
ReplyDeleteThe Batman serials were so wonderfully cheesy! Low-budget and mostly fist-fights! But you gotta love ‘em! That 48 Mercury model is sweet! SFX
ReplyDeleteNever seen 'em SF. My life is seriously wanting!
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