Post by /\/\att on Mar 20, 2006 1:30:28 GMT -5
The last surviving star of the Batman serials of the 1940s is Mr. John Duncan. Johnny is an 83 year old screen veteran, and to this day is very proud of his roots as Robin.
(click here to visit the LoG Serial section if you aren't yet familiar with these!)
In this exclusive and exciting interview, we gave the fans a chance to submit their questions for this Batman legend....and we ended up using almost all those fan questions. This was a rare opportunity and we really wanted the fans to get the most out of it.
LoG: The Batman & Robin serial was shot in black & white , but what were the ACTUAL colours of the costumes?
Johnny Duncan: The Costumes were Maroon and Green like on the web site. I colonized the pictures because everyone wanted to know the colors
****************
LoG: How did your casting as Robin come about? Were you a Batman fan prior to getting the part?
Johnny Duncan: Yes I was always a fan because of the comic books. Columbia studios called me for an interview.
****************
LoG: Bob Kane selected you out of hundreds of would-be teenage Robins after you came for a screen test looking as young as you possibly could.
What was Kane's reaction upon finding out that you were older than what he originally wanted? Was he immediately willing to compromise or did Sam Katzman have to negotiate with him a bit more?
Johnny Duncan: Mr. Kane thought I was the Robin He wanted.
****************
LoG: Was there any source material available to the cast and crew on-location? Such a comics or reference guides?
Johnny Duncan: No we had a script. and that is what we used.
****************
LoG: How long did it take to shoot the serial? What was the daily schedule like? How many days per week did you shoot?
Johnny Duncan: It took 3 months 6 am to 6 or 7 pm 6 days a week
****************
LoG: Batman and Robin were newer characters in 1949 without the rich media history that they have today. Was there much consideration at the time given to interpreting the comics characters, or was this simply part of the movie serial machine?
Johnny Duncan: We made the picture like Kane wanted it. A lot of kids lined up a block long to see the picture
****************
LoG: What type of hype did the Batman & Robin Serial generate at the time of it's release? Did you guys do any promotion or events in conjunction with it? Were you recognized in the streets ever at the time as Robin?
Johnny Duncan: I would make a personal appearance at the theatres to promote the picture. I was recognized on the streets alot
****************
LoG: Since only topical original foes appeared in the serial...if you could have fought one villian from the comics in the serial who or what would it be?
Johnny Duncan: There were a lot of villians. Robin would take them all on it didn't matter who it was
****************
LoG: What did you think of the 1966 Batman tv series with Adam West and Burt Ward? Did you watch it?
Johnny Duncan: It was not real enough for me. The Pow and Wham. It was too cartoonish. I watched it sometimes.
****************
LoG: How do you feel about the present state of Batman in pop culture, as its really grown into a rich and enormous franchise? Did you ever think Batman would still be around and going strong 57 years later?
Johnny Duncan: When we were shooting the serials we never thought it would still be around. I think it is great. about every 10 years I am rejuvenated when the new kids are born
****************
LoG: Did you see the new, more serious, Batman Begins film last year? If so, what were your thoughts on this re-start of the Batman movie franchise that is sticking closer to the source material?
Johnny Duncan: Yes I saw it. I thought it was good.
****************
LoG: What was it like to work with Robert Lowery and with Lyle Talbot?
Johnny Duncan: They were a lot of fun and great guys. We had a lot of fun and laughs together.
****************
LoG: Is it true that you were friends with actors like Jimmy Cagney, Bogart and Clark Gable?!
Johnny Duncan: Yes it is true we had a lot of parties together. That was the thing to do was have parties at different peoples houses then or meet up somewhere together.
LoG: In closing, is there anything you'd like to say to the Batman fan community?
Johnny Duncan: I love all my fans and I will always be Robin
Thats a wrap! Thanks again to Mr. Duncan for taking the time to chat with us..it was truly an honor.
Be sure to visit Johnny's site to purchase PERSONALIZED autographed pictures and more! Its surprisingly cheap!
www.originalrobin1949.com
(click here to visit the LoG Serial section if you aren't yet familiar with these!)
(click here to visit the LoG Serial section if you aren't yet familiar with these!)
In this exclusive and exciting interview, we gave the fans a chance to submit their questions for this Batman legend....and we ended up using almost all those fan questions. This was a rare opportunity and we really wanted the fans to get the most out of it.
LoG: The Batman & Robin serial was shot in black & white , but what were the ACTUAL colours of the costumes?
Johnny Duncan: The Costumes were Maroon and Green like on the web site. I colonized the pictures because everyone wanted to know the colors
****************
LoG: How did your casting as Robin come about? Were you a Batman fan prior to getting the part?
Johnny Duncan: Yes I was always a fan because of the comic books. Columbia studios called me for an interview.
****************
LoG: Bob Kane selected you out of hundreds of would-be teenage Robins after you came for a screen test looking as young as you possibly could.
What was Kane's reaction upon finding out that you were older than what he originally wanted? Was he immediately willing to compromise or did Sam Katzman have to negotiate with him a bit more?
Johnny Duncan: Mr. Kane thought I was the Robin He wanted.
****************
LoG: Was there any source material available to the cast and crew on-location? Such a comics or reference guides?
Johnny Duncan: No we had a script. and that is what we used.
****************
LoG: How long did it take to shoot the serial? What was the daily schedule like? How many days per week did you shoot?
Johnny Duncan: It took 3 months 6 am to 6 or 7 pm 6 days a week
****************
LoG: Batman and Robin were newer characters in 1949 without the rich media history that they have today. Was there much consideration at the time given to interpreting the comics characters, or was this simply part of the movie serial machine?
Johnny Duncan: We made the picture like Kane wanted it. A lot of kids lined up a block long to see the picture
****************
LoG: What type of hype did the Batman & Robin Serial generate at the time of it's release? Did you guys do any promotion or events in conjunction with it? Were you recognized in the streets ever at the time as Robin?
Johnny Duncan: I would make a personal appearance at the theatres to promote the picture. I was recognized on the streets alot
****************
LoG: Since only topical original foes appeared in the serial...if you could have fought one villian from the comics in the serial who or what would it be?
Johnny Duncan: There were a lot of villians. Robin would take them all on it didn't matter who it was
****************
LoG: What did you think of the 1966 Batman tv series with Adam West and Burt Ward? Did you watch it?
Johnny Duncan: It was not real enough for me. The Pow and Wham. It was too cartoonish. I watched it sometimes.
****************
LoG: How do you feel about the present state of Batman in pop culture, as its really grown into a rich and enormous franchise? Did you ever think Batman would still be around and going strong 57 years later?
Johnny Duncan: When we were shooting the serials we never thought it would still be around. I think it is great. about every 10 years I am rejuvenated when the new kids are born
****************
LoG: Did you see the new, more serious, Batman Begins film last year? If so, what were your thoughts on this re-start of the Batman movie franchise that is sticking closer to the source material?
Johnny Duncan: Yes I saw it. I thought it was good.
****************
LoG: What was it like to work with Robert Lowery and with Lyle Talbot?
Johnny Duncan: They were a lot of fun and great guys. We had a lot of fun and laughs together.
****************
LoG: Is it true that you were friends with actors like Jimmy Cagney, Bogart and Clark Gable?!
Johnny Duncan: Yes it is true we had a lot of parties together. That was the thing to do was have parties at different peoples houses then or meet up somewhere together.
LoG: In closing, is there anything you'd like to say to the Batman fan community?
Johnny Duncan: I love all my fans and I will always be Robin
Thats a wrap! Thanks again to Mr. Duncan for taking the time to chat with us..it was truly an honor.
Be sure to visit Johnny's site to purchase PERSONALIZED autographed pictures and more! Its surprisingly cheap!
www.originalrobin1949.com
(click here to visit the LoG Serial section if you aren't yet familiar with these!)