The Best Live Action Boy Wonder?
I grew up watching a lot of Batman. I thoroughly enjoyed the 1989 Tim Burton film and when I wasn't at school trying to scare the other children in my classroom, episodes of the 1960's Adam West and Burt Ward series were always a wonderful treat! And although I was terrified of Batman Returns when my parents took the family to the old Sundown Drive-In theater to see it, I eventually warmed up to the film as the performances were quite epic. There of course were some disappointments along the way such as two post Tim Burton films, but nonetheless I have always cherished my childhood feelings of nostalgia and Batman took a HUGE part in that.
Batman fans have had their fair share of live action actors playing the roles of Batman and Robin. The latest attempt of a live action Robin was to re-imagine him by showing Joseph Gordon-Levitt training to become Robin at the end of Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy. We have generally had adult actors play the role of Robin, making them look tougher and established as Batman’s sidekick. Such as Chris O’Donnell who arguably was the worst version, adding to the awfulness of the 1997 film Batman & Robin, while it's predecessor Batman Forever was viewed as mediocre which he also played in. We rarely have had an accurate version of Robin in regards to the comics. In fact I only recall one depiction which is closely accurate to Robin whereas even in the 1960’s late Adam West series, Burt Ward didn’t appear to be a teenager even though he played the role so comically well.
In the comics, Dick Grayson was an 8-year-old acrobat and the youngest of a family act called the Flying Graysons. A gangster named Boss Zucco, loosely based on actor Edward G. Robinson's Little Caesar character, had been extorting money from the circus and killed Grayson's parents, John and Mary, by sabotaging their trapeze equipment as a warning against defiance. Batman investigated the crime and, as his alter ego billionaire Bruce Wayne, had Dick put under his custody as a legal ward. Together they investigated Zucco and collected the evidence needed to bring him to justice. From his debut appearance in 1940 through 1969, Robin was known as the Boy Wonder. Batman creates a costume for Dick, consisting of a red tunic, yellow cape, green gloves, green boots, green spandex briefs, and a utility belt. As he grew older, graduated from high school, and enrolled in Hudson University, Robin continued his career as the Teen Wonder, from 1970 into the early 1980's.
The character was rediscovered by a new generation of fans during the 1980's because of the success of The New Teen Titans, in which he left Batman's shadow entirely to assume the identity of Nightwing. He aids Batman throughout the later story-line regarding the several conflicts with Jason Todd until he makes his final return as the Red Hood. Grayson temporarily took over as Batman (while Wayne was traveling through time), using the aid of Damian Wayne, making his newish appearance as Robin, to defeat and imprison Todd. With Bruce Wayne's return, Grayson went back to being Nightwing.
I believe that not calling teenage depictions of Robin, the Teen Wonder is rather forgivable as he was originally the Boy Wonder and teen males are still technically boys... Thus I am claiming that Douglas Croft of the 15 chapter 1943 Batman serial is the best depicted Robin in his supporting role.
Croft was 16 when we acted as the Boy Wonder and he had been acting nearly all of his life beforehand. His acting was very well done and better than the actor who played Batman. He didn’t seem to try too hard to seem like a professional actor, but instead somehow embraced his youthfulness as Robin. Giving us a more natural portrayal of the Boy Wonder.
Batman fans have had their fair share of live action actors playing the roles of Batman and Robin. The latest attempt of a live action Robin was to re-imagine him by showing Joseph Gordon-Levitt training to become Robin at the end of Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy. We have generally had adult actors play the role of Robin, making them look tougher and established as Batman’s sidekick. Such as Chris O’Donnell who arguably was the worst version, adding to the awfulness of the 1997 film Batman & Robin, while it's predecessor Batman Forever was viewed as mediocre which he also played in. We rarely have had an accurate version of Robin in regards to the comics. In fact I only recall one depiction which is closely accurate to Robin whereas even in the 1960’s late Adam West series, Burt Ward didn’t appear to be a teenager even though he played the role so comically well.
In the comics, Dick Grayson was an 8-year-old acrobat and the youngest of a family act called the Flying Graysons. A gangster named Boss Zucco, loosely based on actor Edward G. Robinson's Little Caesar character, had been extorting money from the circus and killed Grayson's parents, John and Mary, by sabotaging their trapeze equipment as a warning against defiance. Batman investigated the crime and, as his alter ego billionaire Bruce Wayne, had Dick put under his custody as a legal ward. Together they investigated Zucco and collected the evidence needed to bring him to justice. From his debut appearance in 1940 through 1969, Robin was known as the Boy Wonder. Batman creates a costume for Dick, consisting of a red tunic, yellow cape, green gloves, green boots, green spandex briefs, and a utility belt. As he grew older, graduated from high school, and enrolled in Hudson University, Robin continued his career as the Teen Wonder, from 1970 into the early 1980's.
The character was rediscovered by a new generation of fans during the 1980's because of the success of The New Teen Titans, in which he left Batman's shadow entirely to assume the identity of Nightwing. He aids Batman throughout the later story-line regarding the several conflicts with Jason Todd until he makes his final return as the Red Hood. Grayson temporarily took over as Batman (while Wayne was traveling through time), using the aid of Damian Wayne, making his newish appearance as Robin, to defeat and imprison Todd. With Bruce Wayne's return, Grayson went back to being Nightwing.
I believe that not calling teenage depictions of Robin, the Teen Wonder is rather forgivable as he was originally the Boy Wonder and teen males are still technically boys... Thus I am claiming that Douglas Croft of the 15 chapter 1943 Batman serial is the best depicted Robin in his supporting role.
Croft was 16 when we acted as the Boy Wonder and he had been acting nearly all of his life beforehand. His acting was very well done and better than the actor who played Batman. He didn’t seem to try too hard to seem like a professional actor, but instead somehow embraced his youthfulness as Robin. Giving us a more natural portrayal of the Boy Wonder.
The serial in it’s
entirety in no way adds up to the 1960’s Batman which eventually followed after
another serial was released in 1949 starring adult actors for both Batman and
Robin. However, it’s worth it to watch
the occasional chapter of the 1943 serial just to see a great dramatic Robin performance in a more serious role rather than a campy one-liner version of Robin. Of course, I
cannot discredit Burt Ward’s performance in the 1960’s series. As far as I’m concerned the comic value of
the entire 1960’s series was epic and even children today continue
to watch and enjoy it. The way the action words
appear on screen is like something right out of a comic book, something the
serials were obviously unable to do for their time.
Adam West and Burt Ward were perfect together and there has never been a better live action version of a Batman and Robin duo since. I'm comfortable saying that Burt Ward was the most memorable and the best comedic version of the Boy Wonder. While Douglas Croft on the other hand pulled of an amazing dramatic performance as the Boy Wonder and I think that was something a little more remarkable. Especially for the 40's!
A little more information on Douglas Croft… We all know how tragic the lives of child actors end up sometimes. However Croft’s tragedy was likely linked to his service in the army… Croft was born in Seattle, Washington. He served in the Army during World War II. During his brief career, he was involved in many film roles playing the younger versions of characters or famous people. This includes portrayals of George M. Cohanin Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942) and Lou Gehrig as a boy in The Pride of the Yankees (1942).
Adam West and Burt Ward were perfect together and there has never been a better live action version of a Batman and Robin duo since. I'm comfortable saying that Burt Ward was the most memorable and the best comedic version of the Boy Wonder. While Douglas Croft on the other hand pulled of an amazing dramatic performance as the Boy Wonder and I think that was something a little more remarkable. Especially for the 40's!
A little more information on Douglas Croft… We all know how tragic the lives of child actors end up sometimes. However Croft’s tragedy was likely linked to his service in the army… Croft was born in Seattle, Washington. He served in the Army during World War II. During his brief career, he was involved in many film roles playing the younger versions of characters or famous people. This includes portrayals of George M. Cohanin Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942) and Lou Gehrig as a boy in The Pride of the Yankees (1942).
According to a Yahoo Questions answer, “Douglas aka (Croft) Wheatcroft was an alcoholic. Having started drinking in his teens. He died of a heart attack after visiting a prostitute in Hollywood, California. After being an actor he worked for Hughes aircraft and is buried at naval cemetery in San Diego, California. He left behind a widow and young daughter.”
According to a Pinterest Pin, it was “Head injuries sustained from a fall while on location in China.” (may not be likely, as he “dropped out of sight and was not working in film prior to his demise).
Weminoredinfilm states: “The first ever Robin, Wilson’s cast-mate Douglas Croft from the 1943 serial, was out of acting within 7 years of Batman, dying at the young age of 38 in 1963, at which point he was working as a short order restaurant cook.” However Wikipedia sources say Croft died on October 24, 1963 in Los Angeles, California, before his birthday which would have made him 37 .
The actual cause of death, heart attack, head trauma from a fall, may never be known, but his resume of acting and service to the US makes him a most memorable actor. Nevertheless, a tragic end for arguably the best Boy Wonder in film history… I will always remember his performance and am happy that my friend Dan introduced me to this serial by letting me borrow his DVD copy.
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Croft
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_(comics)
https://www.quora.com/How-did-Douglas-Croft-die
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