IMDb RATING
6.0/10
5.6K
YOUR RATING
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
- Writers
- Crane Wilbur(screen story by)
- Mary Roberts Rinehart(based on the play by)
- Avery Hopwood(based on the play by)
- Stars
- Director
- Writers
- Crane Wilbur(screen story by)
- Mary Roberts Rinehart(based on the play by)
- Avery Hopwood(based on the play by)
- Stars
William Janssen
- Clerk
- (uncredited)
Virginia Linden
- Customer
- (uncredited)
- Director
- 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
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaIn 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."
- GoofsWhen 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.
- ConnectionsEdited into The Our Gang Story (1994)
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.
** 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•92
- Michael_Elliott
- Oct 7, 2015
Details
- Runtime1 hour 20 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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