The Vampire Bat (1933)

When the villagers of Klineschloss start dying of blood loss, the town fathers suspect a resurgence of vampirism. While police inspector Karl remains skeptical, scientist Dr. von Niemann ... See full summary »

Director:

Frank R. Strayer

Writer:

Edward T. Lowe Jr. (screen story)

Stars:

Lionel Atwill, Fay Wray, Melvyn Douglas

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Lionel Atwill	...	Dr. Otto von Niemann
Fay Wray	...	Ruth Bertin
Melvyn Douglas	...	Karl Brettschneider
Maude Eburne	...	Aunt Gussie Schnappmann
George E. Stone	...	Kringen
Dwight Frye	...	Herman Gleib
Robert Frazer	...	Emil Borst
Rita Carlyle	...	Martha Mueller (as Rita Carlisle)
Lionel Belmore	...	Bürgermeister Gustave Schoen
William V. Mong	...	Sauer
Stella Adams	...	Georgiana
Harrison Greene	...	Weingarten

Storyline

When the villagers of Klineschloss start dying of blood loss, the town fathers suspect a resurgence of vampirism. While police inspector Karl remains skeptical, scientist Dr. von Niemann cares for the vampire's victims one by one, and suspicion falls on simple-minded Herman Gleib because of his fondness for bats. A blood-thirsty mob hounds Gleib to his death, but the vampire attacks don't stop.

---

Plot Keywords:

police | death | police inspector | blood | bat | 

---

Taglines:

These are the TALONS of The Vampire Bat (original ad)

---

Genres:

Drama | Horror | Mystery | Romance | Sci-Fi

---

Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 January 1933 (USA)

Also Known As:

Blood Sucker

Filming Locations:

Bronson Caves, Bronson Canyon, Griffith Park - 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Majestic Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

65 min 64 min (2005 restoration) 65 min (copyright length)

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Photophone System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Filmed at night on Universal's European village set. The interior of Lionel Atwill's house is the set from The Old Dark House.

---

Quotes

Karl Brettschneider: Goodnight, gentlemen. Don't let the vampires get you.

---

Connections

Referenced in Cinemassacre's Monster Madness: The Screaming Skull (2010)

User Reviews

But bats fly - they could fly here

And the Oscar for the most under-rated classic horror actor goes to - Dwight Frye. Seriously his name should be stated with the same awe as Karloff, Lugosi, and Price, and this movie proves it. His character Herman was one of the 2 reasons I can give to watch this movie. Dwight gave this somewhat more than slightly disturbed misfit a lovable yet creepy demeanor that led you hoping for a larger role the entire movie.

The other reason is the comic relief of M. Eburne. Being in the medical profession myself I have to give kudos to the expert performance of a self-pity prone hypochondriac. Though other "medical mistakes" did give a brief chuckle especially when the good doctor samples his fellow physicians medication... "Well continue giving it to her" Unfortunately these 2 outstanding performances could not keep me awake through 3 attempts of sitting through this unbearably slow movie. The plot is predictable with only few minor twists. The filming while pulling off a legitimate spooky atmosphere was more productive at making me yawn - yes you can use too much shadow.

My recommendation - watch this once to see Frye and Eburne - but only when wide awake and with lots of caffeine.