The Bat

Thoroughly enjoyable old dark house murder mystery with an excellent commentary option and a handful of old-time radio shows, horror and mystery, starring Vincent Price. Agnes Moorehead is absolutely wonderful as a crusty, middle-aged murder mystery writer. I would loved to have seen a series based on her character.BTW: Poster is highly misleading, i.e., no vampire, killer bat, etc., only an every day murderous psychopath.

Buy the Special Edition blu-ray copy that was released in 2022. The Film Detective released a Blu-ray copy several years ago, and when I purchased that copy it wouldn’t play on any player I tried. I had to return it for being defective. When The Film Detective released it again in 2022 as a Special Edition version (with better cover art, too), I thought I’d try it again. The Special Edition one works great, and the film is one of my favorite old dark house movies, and it’s likely the first genuine slasher film ever made since it came out before ’Peeping Tom’ and ‘Psycho’ although it flew under the radar and was not well-received back in its day. It’s still a cult classic! Camp value is still value!

While watching The Bat (1959) last night, I couldn't help notice a strong sense of familiarity developing as the story unfolded. I soon realized that I was watching a remake of the 1930 film The Bat Whispers, which I viewed and reviewed awhile back. Both films are based on a popular play written by Avery Hopwood and Mary Roberts Rinehart. Also, there is an earlier version, one, which I haven't seen yet, released in 1926, also titled The Bat.This version, adapted and directed by accomplished writer/director/actor Wilbur Crane, stars the venerable Vincent Price as Dr. Malcolm Wells and Agnes Moorehead as Cornelia Van Gorder (every time I heard some pronounce the that character's last name, I always heard it as Van Goiter, which made me think of a hideous growth caused by swelling of the thyroid gland and iodine deficiencies, but I digress). Also appearing in the film is actress Darla Hood, who began her career at a very young age appearing in the Hal Roach Our Gang shorts, sometimes known as The Little Rascals, as a character named Darla, the apple of Alfalfa's eye.The gist of the story is there's a large sum of money stolen from a local bank and hidden within a rather large, isolated house, and a killer, named The Bat, is on the loose, stopping at nothing, not even murder, to recovering the dough. Yes, it's all about the money...Moorehead's character Ms. Van Gorder, is a famous mystery writer who rents a house for the summer, a house with a reputation of spookiness, but soon lives up to the reputation as the bodies literally begin to pile up. Normally about this point in my reviews I break into a synopsis of the film, but doing that here would effectively destroy elements of the mystery, which I want to avoid. Instead I'll just speak to the elements of the story I liked, disliked, and general impressions overall, of the film and this particular release.What I liked about the film was the choice of Price and Moorehead to star in the movie. They are both wonderful, breathing a great deal of life into the proceedings, despite some rather wooden performances by some of the other actors. Crane took a number of liberties with the storyline, giving more emphasis to the characters of Ms. Van Gorder and Dr. Wells, presumably due to the big name stars playing the roles. I mean if you're going to feature stars of that caliber, you should make use of them, right? Another major change was drawing the story out over several nights, rather than having it all happen in one night. This element didn't work for me, as it only served to dilute the story and disrupt the flow. Some plot points seemed odd, like providing details for the bank robbery at the beginning, as we quickly learn who stole the money, and what that person's intentions for how they plan to get away with their crime. This was obviously done to set up the motive for one of the many suspects within the film. And that's another thing, the development of the suspects was so very clunky at times...instead of letting the clues develop and appear within the context of the story, allowing the viewer to feel as if they've stumble on something, here they are forced on us, abruptly, sticking out like sore thumbs. The presentation is as about as subtle as getting hit with a sledgehammer. And what would a mystery be without red herrings? Well, here, not much, as they became painfully obvious as the story progressed. They might as well have had the characters wearing sandwich boards proclaiming the fact. Another element played up for no other reason than to add a level of lurid fascination was that of the Bat being a vicious murderer, ripping the throats out of various victims. Overall, the whole production seemed to be presented to the audience in a patronizing way, like we wouldn't have the intelligence to discern the plot elements based on an inherit amount of intuition I feel most adults have, so everything was laid out in such a way as to require the least amount of thought from the audience. As far as the final scenes where the killer/thief is finally revealed, well, I had it figured out about halfway through, so it really wasn't a big surprise. In fact, the obviousness of the false suspects peppered throughout virtually guaranteed one with a basic amount of intelligence (even me) to be able to identify the culprit. One last note, after the less than explosive revelation of the identity of The Bat, you'll be left with a lot hanging plot threads, ones the director never had any intention of resolving, and were presented only to further the story in some ridiculous fashion.Despite my negative comments, I did enjoy certain elements...the comic relief in the form of Ms. Van Gorder's maid, Lizzie (played by Lenita Lane) survives nicely, and despite a bit of toning down from the 1930's version, and Price and Moorehead are fun to watch. I did notice that in the 30's version, the house was much darker and atmospheric, actually becoming a character within the film. Not as much emphasis seemed to be applied to that aspect in this film, the house serving a more utilitarian purpose of providing a background with not a lot of charm, comparatively speaking.The quality of the print on this Anchor Bay Entertainment release looks sharp, although I felt the audio was a bit soft. There are numerous releases of this film by different companies, all of varying degrees of quality, so it would be beneficial to potential buyers interested in this film to be wary of which release they decide to purchase. As far as special features are concerned, there is a theatrical trailer for the film, but that's it.Cookieman108

The Bat (1959). This is a real comfort movie for me, featuring an absolutely sublime Agnes Moorehead playing mystery writer Cornelia Van Gorder. Vincent Price is on hand, too, and while he definitely tosses some interesting twists into this efficient and entertaining film, this is Moorehead's vehicle. As always, She is very much in control of her surroundings, even when scared or otherwise on her heels. The relationship between her and her PA Lenita Lane is what really make me like this movie. They're funny, they're frightened, but they handle it. The Bat is really nicely lit, especially for something so delightfully pulpy, and Crane Wilbur directing from his own adapted script of The Circular Staircase and The Bat by Mary Roberts Rinehart and Avery Hopwood, really keeps things moving, delivering a perfectly compact expression of pacing. A steady stream of events, light location shifts, and plenty of spooky Old-Dark-House stuff makes for perfect engagement. The design of the antagonist is, quite frankly a thing of beauty, not just fearsome, but existentially upsetting, like a death shadow. Love this movie.

Film Detective releases on Blu-ray this old dark house, crazed and masked killer on the loose type of mystery from 1959 starring Vincent Price, Agnes Moorehead, and Gavin Gordon, looking quite nice in HD, an upgrade over the Film Chest 2013 barebones DVD, now including an audio commentary from film scholar Jason A. Nay, a featurette about the director and screenwriter Crane Wilbur, and also nine radio dramas featuring Vincent Price, primarily from the series "Suspense" and "Escape" that are worth a listen, some considered classics like 'Fugue in C Minor' and 'Three Skeleton Key'. Film itself is no classic but does have a good cast and setting, just don't think about plot logic too much....

This is the movie I enjoyed it’s not one of my favorites but it’s entertaining and that’s the main part of it is that it is entertaining and I do enjoy the two leads, Agnes Moorehead and Vincent Price, Vincent Price, who has been in so many horror, movies, and Agnes Moorehead, who is known for being in e Endora on bewitched, shows her talent don’t expect a lot, but try not to be disappointed either

The Bat is definitely a murder mystery without the gore. What it does have is a smart character played by Agnes Morehead and some definite twists. It has some good writing especially for Ms. Morehead's mystery writing character and the usual amount of suspects. Add Vincent price to the mix and you have a somewhat campy, fun movie that keeps you guessing.

The Bat, is not a vintage Vincent Price film. However, it is entertaining as a murder, mystery film.Edgar Wallace Mysteries meets The Twilight Zone.This version made in 1959 is the fourth film adaptation of the story which originally started off as a 1908 novel, The Circular Staircase by Mary Roberts Rinehart.Cornelia van Gorder (Agnes Moorehead - Endora in tv series Bewitched) is a murder, mystery writer who rents a property The Oaks from owner, John Fleming , a local bank manager. Fleming has embezzled one million dollars of bank securities and hidden them in The Oaks. The local area nearby has been terrorised by the killer, The Bat. The Bat who has no face murders women at night by ripping out their throats with his steel claws. His trademark is releasing bats when he has committed a crime. The Bat enters the Oaks one night and coincidentally Cornelia's maid Lizzy is attacked by a bat and her doctor Malcolm Wells (Vincent Price ) is contacted to attend to Lizzy. A couple of murders are committed as the Bat strikes again and Wells finds himself under suspicion as The Bat.The Bat filmed in black and white is a good film with some thrilling moments filled with suspense. One does not need highly special technical effects to scare your audience unlike most modern Hollywood horror films.Vincent Price is superb in his supporting role as the mysterious Dr Wells but Agnes Moorehead is excellent as murder, mystery writer Cornelia van Gorder. The Bat is an interesting murder mystery film from the past.

I have over the years had various copies of this movie in various formats most regretfully poor copies all 4.3. This version however is clear as crystal although not true HD still very acceptable. The picture and sound quality is brilliant considering the age of the material it has also been processed in widescreen. Although in a smaller role it is worth the viewing if you are a Vincent Price fan as I very much am. [Update 17th February 2016] I have watched this movie at least four times since receiving it and I never tire of it. Sad aint I. This movie still entertains me even though I have seen it so often I can almost voice the dialogue word for word. The acting is I must admit a little over the top in places. Not only am I a great Vincent Price fan but Agnes Moorehead is growing on me more and more though it is she who is doing most of the over acting. I love this movie to bits as you have already gathered.

Vincent Price stars in this 1959 thriller The Bat.along side Agnes MooreHead. The story centres on a country estate that becomes the site of a horrific murder. But who is the mysterious killer known as the Bat, That is the question in this mystery . PQ is sharp on this region free blu ray. Made in black & white. In 1.85:1 Ratio. Another vincent price film to add to the collection.

The BAT is a great old Black & White film, with Vincent Price and Agnes Morehead. This film keeps you guessing as to who the BAT is right up to the very end.The packaging and delivery of this DVD was first class.If you love Black & White Films and are a Vincent Price Fan, then the THE BAT is a must for your DVD collection.

More of a thriller....Prettig food flick.