The Bat [Blu-ray]

Overview

Vincent Price plays an unfortunate doctor who changes into a bat. With one claw and no face, the hideous mutation plans to steal a million dollars from a bank in between his series of throat ripping murders.

Product Details

Release Date:	10/20/2015
UPC:	0818522013169
Original Release:	1959
Rating:	NR
Source:	Film Detective
Region Code:	A
Presentation:	[B&W, Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital]
Language:	English
Time:	1:20:00
Sales rank:	28,434

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Vincent Price	Dr. Malcolm Wells
Agnes Moorehead	Cornelia van Gorder
Gavin Gordon	Lt. Andy Anderson
John Sutton	Warner, the chauffeur
Lenita Lane	Lizzie Allen
Elaine Edwards	Dale Dailey
Darla Hood	Judy Hollender
John Bryant	Mark Fleming
Harvey Stephens	Carter Fleming
Mike Steele	Jack Bailey
Riza Royce	Mrs. Patterson
Robert B. Williams	Detective
William Janssen	Clerk
Virginia Linden	Customer
Louis Forbes	Composer
Alvino Rey	Composer

Technical Credits

Crane Wilbur

Mary Roberts Rinehart

Avery Hopwood

Crane Wilbur	Director,Screenwriter
C.J. Tevlin	Producer
Mary Roberts Rinehart	Screenwriter
Avery Hopwood	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

Despite the title and the presence of horror-meister Vincent Price, The Bat is actually a murder mystery rather than a horror film. While it's all done in a by-the-numbers manner, there's more than enough here to entertain whodunit fans. Those looking for deep meaning or surprising characterization will need to look elsewhere; the plot takes center stage in The Bat, and surprises are relegated to its many twists and turns. Fortunately, the screenplay is very well structured, if a trifle confusing, and while it's "scare quotient" may be fairly low, it does keep the viewer interested. Crane Wilbur's direction is fairly static, although he does make effective visual use of the deep dark shadows that are part and parcel of these "old dark house" stories. He also gives his cast free rein, allowing Vincent Price and Agnes Moorehead to take the performing ball and run away with it. They're frequently over-the-top and occasionally campy, but so committed to what they're doing that they create a palpable sense of fun. The supporting cast is not as impressive, ranging from adequate to poor. Despite the efforts of the stars, the film lags in many places; the mechanical nature of the script and Wilbur's insufficiently imaginative direction drag it down. Still, The Bat is a diverting way to spend a stormy evening at home.