“The Bat” is a mystery film directed by Crane Wilbur. The film’s tagline was “When it flies, someone dies!” The film was based on the 1920 Broadway play “The Bat by Avery Hopwood” and Mary Roberts “Rinehart”, which was previously filmed as “The Bat” (1926) and as “The Bat Whispers” (1930), both directed by Roland West.
Cornelia Van Gorder (Agnes Moorehead) is a mystery author who lives in a town terrorized by a mysterious murderer known only as “The Bat”. The Bat is said to be a man with no face who murders women at night by ripping out their throats with steel claws. Early in the film, The Bat enters Van Gorder’s house and releases a bat, which bites van Gorder’s maid Lizzy (Lenita Lane). With Lizzy in a panic, fearing she may now have contracted “the rabies”, an outbreak of which local papers have reported, Van Gorder calls her doctor, Dr Malcolm Wells (Vincent Price), who is conducting research on bats.
Meanwhile, the whole town is searching for a million-dollar stash of looted bank securities that were recently stolen. Dr. Wells discovers the location of the treasure when the thief confides in him. Wells then murders the thief in cold blood, presumably so that he can take the treasure for himself, which he believes to be hidden in van Gorder’s house.
A series of break-ins and murders by The Bat brings the local chief of detectives, Andy Anderson (Gavin Gordon) to the Van Gorder house. The Bat then murders two people in the Van Gorder house, Mark Fleming (John Bryant) and Judy Hollander (Darla Hood). Anderson attempts to determine the identity of The Bat, suspecting both Wells and Van Gorder’s new butler, Warner (John Sutton). Wells is removed from suspicion, however, when he is murdered by The Bat in his lab.
Miss Van Gorder cleverly manages to capture The Bat inside the secret room in her house. The Bat shoots a detective named Davenport (Robert Williams), he is then shot by Warner. Warner unmasks The Bat and he is revealed to be Lieutenant Anderson.
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Directed by Crane Wilbur, produced by C.J. Tevlin, written by Avery Hopwood, Mary Roberts Rinehart and Crane Wilbur, starring Vincent Price, Agnes Moorehead, Gavin Gordon, John Sutton, Lenita Lane, Elaine Edwards, Darla Hood, John Bryant and Harvey Stephens.
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Source: “The Bat (1959 film)” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.. 14 March 2013. Web. 16 August 2013. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bat_(film).
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still love it.
the cops did a good job.the guy cut a hole in the door.was that a clue?
really good book..free download on KIndle
the MOM IN LAW from Bewitched
It was that dark, nasty-looking claw coming from behind the door that freaked me out as a kid. This is probably my 3rd time seeing this, and it's still fun. How could it not be with Agnes Moorhead and Vincent Price in it?
This must be what they called a "B-movie" back in the '50s. Horrible acting and script, but very campy. Ms. Moorehead must have been in a career slump to take this one!!!!
Poor Darla. Who would have thought one of the Little Rascals, would be killed by a bat.
excellent thanks for posting
Do you have the wasp woman from 1959.. With Susan Cabot…??
Thank you for the upload..!!
"I am going to get rabies"..XD
I have watched this movie at least 10 times. Love it. These old black and white mysteries may be corny but they beat the hell out of today's movies.
First movie I remember as a kid.
And i would have gotten away with it too if weren't for that pesky Endora …
It should be noted that Darla Wood was Alfalfa's steady girlfriend in the latter, "Our Gang" comedies from MGM Studio
They didn't make 50 dollar bills back then?
A more appropriate title for this movie would be "The Two Old Bats"
I think she violated all 4 gun safety rules with that pistol especially the muzzle swiping and finger on trigger constantly
I wish they still made long (to the floor) night wear. Everything is just to the ankles.
Somewhat entertaining, despite the hokey comedic lines.
good move
Loved it I've seen it on DVD or Cable not sure Love this movie Agnes Moorehead is a good actress These type of b-w movies are fun I love old mysteries They can keep the new ones
Love, Love LOVE this movie! Thanks for posting!
It's truly sad that the writings of Mary Roberts Rinehart are neglected today. She wrote great mysteries, including "The Spiral Staircase", and one of her sons became the famous publisher. BTW–Mrs. Rinehart always wrote her books out longhand and then had a secretary transcribe it.
Ok, nice to see an adult Darla Hood in the movie. Yup, a "doll" she was [no disrespect intended]. Now, where is Spanky, Alfalfa & Buckweat?
Agnes Moorhead was so hot.
Good movie..i love these old movies ..for one… it's not fill with allot of stupid sex scenes..
This should of been a series, it was so good.
Who is the The Bat? I wonder. Is it just the Lieutenant Andersen or both the Doctor Wells and the Lieutenant? How can you explain the wound in the neck from the Doctor Wells?
Vincent price sucks, his always the same. Only in Edward scissorhands en Michael Jacksons thriller his memorable.