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IMDbPro

The Bat

  • 19591959
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 20m
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
5.6K
YOUR RATING
Vincent Price in The Bat (1959)
A crazed killer known as "The Bat" is on the loose in a mansion full of people.
Play trailer2:16
1 Video
99+ Photos
HorrorMysteryThriller
A crazed killer known as "The Bat" is on the loose in a mansion full of people.A crazed killer known as "The Bat" is on the loose in a mansion full of people.A crazed killer known as "The Bat" is on the loose in a mansion full of people.
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
5.6K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Crane Wilbur
  • Writers
    • Crane Wilbur(screen story by)
    • Mary Roberts Rinehart(based on the play by)
    • Avery Hopwood(based on the play by)
  • Stars
    • Vincent Price
    • Agnes Moorehead
    • Gavin Gordon
  • Director
    • Crane Wilbur
  • Writers
    • Crane Wilbur(screen story by)
    • Mary Roberts Rinehart(based on the play by)
    • Avery Hopwood(based on the play by)
  • Stars
    • Vincent Price
    • Agnes Moorehead
    • Gavin Gordon
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 125User reviews
    • 85Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:16
    Watch Trailer

    Photos104

    Vincent Price in The Bat (1959)
    The Bat (1959)
    The Bat (1959)
    The Bat (1959)
    The Bat (1959)
    John Bryant in The Bat (1959)
    The Bat (1959)
    The Bat (1959)
    Agnes Moorehead in The Bat (1959)
    The Bat (1959)
    Agnes Moorehead and Lenita Lane in The Bat (1959)
    The Bat (1959)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Vincent Price
    Vincent Price
    • Dr. Malcolm Wells
    Agnes Moorehead
    Agnes Moorehead
    • Cornelia van Gorder
    Gavin Gordon
    Gavin Gordon
    • Lt. Andy Anderson
    John Sutton
    John Sutton
    • Warner - The Chauffeur
    Lenita Lane
    Lenita Lane
    • Lizzie Allen
    Elaine Edwards
    Elaine Edwards
    • Dale Bailey
    Darla Hood
    Darla Hood
    • Judy Hollander
    John Bryant
    John Bryant
    • Mark Fleming
    Harvey Stephens
    Harvey Stephens
    • John Fleming
    Mike Steele
    • Victor Bailey
    Riza Royce
    Riza Royce
    • Jane Patterson
    Robert B. Williams
    Robert B. Williams
    • Detective Davenport
    William Janssen
    • Clerk
    • (uncredited)
    Virginia Linden
    • Customer
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Crane Wilbur
    • Writers
      • Crane Wilbur(screen story by) (screenplay by)
      • Mary Roberts Rinehart(based on the play by)
      • Avery Hopwood(based on the play by)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In a 1987 interview on Sinister Image (1987), Vincent Price revealed that the stage version had terrified him as a child. He accepted the film role in because he thought the filmmakers "would revive it and bring it up to date", but he was disappointed with the final result because "It wasn't a good script."
    • Goofs
      When Cornelia is trapped in the hidden room, she runs out of oxygen far too quickly. The room is large enough to have plenty of air, especially with the others searching the house for her.
    • Quotes

      Dr. Malcolm Wells: In my report I shall state that death was caused by a stunning blow followed by severe laceration and hemorrhage.

      Lt. Andy Anderson: In plain English, he didn't know what hit him.

      Dr. Malcolm Wells: Oh he knew, but he didn't have time to think about it.

    • Connections
      Edited into The Our Gang Story (1994)

    User reviews125

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    Fun Little Mystery
    The Bat (1959)

    ** 1/2 (out of 4)

    Mystery writer Cornelia Van Gorder (Agnes Moorehead) moves into a creepy old house with her chicken secretary and soon afterwards they realize the house was the setting for several murders by a mysterious figure known as The Bat. Pretty soon there's some missing money and the threat of more murders and a variety of suspects including a doctor (Vincent Price) and a banker's nephew (John Bryant).

    Previously filmed in 1926 and 1930, THE BAT isn't a complete success but I think it's a somewhat charming mystery that has quite a few interesting things going for it but the rather weak direction by Crane Wilbur keeps it from being better. I think the biggest problem is the actual feel of the picture because it really does seem as if you're watching a television pilot from the era. There's just nothing here that really screams out as a theatrical feature and there's just a low-rent quality about the entire thing.

    With that said, there's a lot to enjoy here including the comic timing. I'm sure some might object that the movie isn't a lot darker than it is but I thought the comedy aspect was rather good and there's just something charming about the two women and their back-and-forth talks about the various spooks and chills. It also doesn't hurt that we're given some very good performances with both Price and Moorehead really standing out.

    The film has all the trappings that you'd expect from an "old dark house" picture including the mysterious figure in black, which was a terrific look for The Bat. I found his look to be quite effective and then there's the various plot twists throughout. THE BAT isn't a complete success but it's certainly a lot better than many films of its genre.
    helpful•9
    2
    • Michael_Elliott
    • Oct 7, 2015

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 9, 1959 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Das Biest
    • Filming locations
      • Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA(Studio)
    • Production company
      • Liberty Pictures (IV)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 20 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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