The Bat (1959)

the audience applauded

Sadly Over-hyped

Blistering performances.

I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

Okay,so it isn't really scary,but it is well made.Agnes Morehead and Vinny Price are the stars,but there are so many great supporting actors.John Sutton as the chauffeur promoted to butler,Gavin Gordon as the cop,Lenita Lane as Lizzie the companion to Cornelia.Price is as much the star as Morehead and I loved every second he was on screen!Knew right away who was The Bat,but watching this film unfold was a great experience.Have the DowHour Of Great Mystery version with Helen Hays,so will have to watch,but what little I saw of that version didn't compare.Will also look at the 1941 film The Black Cat again,as this reminds me of that LOL film.

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.

Enjoyable old dark house movie. Agnes Moorehead stars as the mystery writer who becomes wrapped up in a real-life mystery. Sort of a precursor to Jessica Fletcher. She and her comic relief sidekick (Lenita Lane) find themselves targeted by the murderous Bat. You know, Moorehead was never known as a great beauty but I've always thought she was a handsome woman and she looks particularly lovely in this film. She was always a great actress and she's very good in this, a rare starring role for her.The cast is solid. In addition to Moorehead and Lane, there's Vincent Price and Gavin Gordon. Price is terrific as always, if a little subdued. Gordon is good but every time I see him in a role I am reminded of his Lord Byron from the Bride of Frankenstein prologue and I snicker a little. Also in the cast in a minor role (and her last) is Darla from The Little Rascals.It's a pretty basic story and based on a play that's been made for film a few other times. Most notably 1926 and 1930. Both of those were entertaining for different reasons. This version I've always had a soft spot for. I watch it again every couple of years or so. I recommend anybody who enjoys these types of old films give it a shot.

While Vincent Price got top billing he is killed about half way through the movie. Agnes Moorehead is the real star of this movie. She plays a mystery writer who rents a "haunted house" for her next book. She moves in with her assistant and a couple of other women who show up later. There is a bad character called the Bat who kills people by ripping their throats. He turns out to be the police lieutenant who has been promising protection and a solution to the cases. There are secret hidey holes and everyone suspects several people until the Bat is actually revealed. Not a bad movie all in all but not the usual occult/horror movies Price is noted for.