Consume All Media! Batman and Robin: "Chapter Five: Robin Rescues Batman!"

Joe Heath is a big fan of comic books and watching things in order. So they made this spreadsheet containing every serial, short, film, television episode, commercial, motion comic, and web series based on a comic book. Now they're watching them all. Previously, Joe watched the fourth chapter of Batman and Robin. This time, they continue with the fifth chapter.

Batman and Robin: “Chapter Five: Robin Rescues Batman!” - 17:32 (Available on Amazon)

Robin hides as the henchmen leave, then he goes and checks on Batman who says he didn't actually get electrocuted. But he definitely did. Also, Robin waking up Batman is the only thing that comes anywhere close to him rescuing Batman in this chapter. What is up with these titles?

The henchmen sneak out by climbing out of a window into the building next door.

However, Vicki spots them and takes a picture as they leave.

There's a brief car chase in which the henchmen ditch the police by switching out cars with an empty remote-controlled one.

One of the henchmen notices that Vicki took their picture, so they need to get it back. And in an interesting twist, we learn that Jimmy the henchman is Vicki's brother!

Jimmy calls Vicki who has already seen his face in the picture she developed. He says he'll explain everything, but she has to meet him in the park and bring any photos and negatives. Which isn't at all suspicious.

Vicki mentions all of this to Bruce. So obviously, Batman and Robin are going to keep tabs on it.

Vicki goes to the park but is jumped by a henchman. Batman and Robin jump out and start fighting henchmen. In the chaos, the photo gets kicked into a fire.

The henchmen get away, because Batman and Robin really suck at fighting.

Batman scoops the burnt remains of the photo out of the fire. Later, he puts those burnt remains into a glass dome and fills it with gas.

The gas does a science and now he can see the picture!

The writers of these serials clearly have no idea how photography works. Or maybe they do! I'm no scientist. Maybe it's 100% possible to resurrect a photo from the ashes.

Anyhow, Bruce says he's going to compare the photo to his "Rogues Gallery" and that's nowhere near as exciting as it could have been. He just rifles through some photos in a filing cabinet.

We don't even get to see the photos. Would have been a great place to put a Joker or a Penguin, but definitely not a Prince Daka.

The lead henchman, Nolan (Don Harvey), tells the Wizard that he burnt the photo and negative, so they have nothing to worry about because science can't fix that.

Actor Highlights

Don Harvey (1911-1963)

Other comic book media credits: Albor in Atom Man vs. Superman (1950) & Olaf in Blackhawk (1952)

Someone else named Nolan will direct a trilogy of more popular Batman movies, but we'll get there someday.

The Wizard asks Nolan to take out Jimmy. Nolan says "Maybe no? We kinda like Jimmy?" The Wizard says "Okay, but he's on thin ice."

Jimmy calls Vicki to say he's leaving town. She calls the operator back and has the call traced to the Harbor Club. So she goes to check it out.

Bruce finally finds one of the henchmen in his so-called Rogues Gallery. His name is Mac Lacey and he hangs out at the Harbor Club. Convenient.

Batman and Robin find Mac Lacey hanging around outside. Mac punches Batman in the face. Batman barely moves and deadpan says "That hurt." Then he knocks out Mac Lacey. This scene is phenomenal.

Vicki has also arrived and is immediately grabbed and taken out back to the docks. Batman hears her screaming and goes to rescue her. There's a brief shootout where gasoline is poured into the river. Then Vicki is thrown into the river. Batman jumps after her because I guess he thinks she can't swim?

Anyway, Nolan sets the water on fire.

Vicki (or maybe her stunt double?) looks incredibly bored throughout this entire scene.

Should you watch it, though? This chapter is a little better with its wacky science and an actually funny joke. Though the cliffhanger is poorly paced. And Robin didn't rescue Batman!

Tune in next time for Batman and Robin: "Chapter Six: Target - Robin!" (Available on Amazon.)

A version of this article was previously published on The Dipp.

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