Death, mystery, and good old creepy mayhem come on leathery wings in 1959's The Bat! More of a murder mystery thriller than straight horror, The Bat is an adaption of a stage play of the same name. There was also another version of this film made in 1926 that was a silent movie.
This film is an enjoyable entry in the Old Dark House genre. Basically these types of films are murder mysteries or horror films where a group of people are all being bumped off or stalked and frightened by some sort of murderer or other paranormal entity while spending the night in a old dark house. This type of cinema, along with the backwoods/camp setting, is my favorite embodiment of the horror film. In fact, my favorite film is one of the creepiest Old Dark House movies ever made. It was also made in 1959. Look for that review later.
In this film Agnes Moorhead, a mystery writer, is renting a fancy summer home in the country. It is a creepy old building with a dark past. Accidents and other strange things have always seemed to come with the real estate. Agnes thinks nothing of it and intends to enjoy her time in the home writing her next novel. But when news of a serial killer named The Bat is thought to be back in the area all of Agnes' servants take off.
The Bat is a blank faced and black clothed figure who has claws on one of his hands. He uses these claws to leave his trademark killing, gouging out the persons throat, on all his victims. (Don't expect to actually see any throats ripped open in this film. Come on! It's only 1959! And that's what makes it great!)
This film is an enjoyable entry in the Old Dark House genre. Basically these types of films are murder mysteries or horror films where a group of people are all being bumped off or stalked and frightened by some sort of murderer or other paranormal entity while spending the night in a old dark house. This type of cinema, along with the backwoods/camp setting, is my favorite embodiment of the horror film. In fact, my favorite film is one of the creepiest Old Dark House movies ever made. It was also made in 1959. Look for that review later.
In this film Agnes Moorhead, a mystery writer, is renting a fancy summer home in the country. It is a creepy old building with a dark past. Accidents and other strange things have always seemed to come with the real estate. Agnes thinks nothing of it and intends to enjoy her time in the home writing her next novel. But when news of a serial killer named The Bat is thought to be back in the area all of Agnes' servants take off.
The Bat is a blank faced and black clothed figure who has claws on one of his hands. He uses these claws to leave his trademark killing, gouging out the persons throat, on all his victims. (Don't expect to actually see any throats ripped open in this film. Come on! It's only 1959! And that's what makes it great!)
When it is found out that there may be a large sum of money hidden away somewhere within the walls of the house, the bat takes the opportunity to stalk the women in the house and try to find the money. When a real bat, let loose by The Bat, attacks one of the ladies they call the doctor to come look at it. The doctor shows up and it is none other than our fabulously fiendish friend: Vincent Price.
Things get more serious when the ladies in the house stumble upon a secret closet that has, none other, than a dead body in it. The dead man has the marks of the The Bat on his throat. The police are set to watch the house day and night to protect the ladies and catch That Bat. But in the end it is the ladies who prevail and eventually uncover the menace.
Things get more serious when the ladies in the house stumble upon a secret closet that has, none other, than a dead body in it. The dead man has the marks of the The Bat on his throat. The police are set to watch the house day and night to protect the ladies and catch That Bat. But in the end it is the ladies who prevail and eventually uncover the menace.
I have few complaints about this film, but overall it takes a little too long to set up the story and get to the fun creepy parts. The Bat stalks around pretty early but the seeming catalyst of the story where the ladies find the body comes a little late in the story. I also wish Vincent Price's part had been a little more involved, but he does go out with a bang, all be it surprising as it was. There was another point where I was surprised when one of the characters dies so suddenly. I actually wanted to give the film makers props for doing it because I didn't think it would happen. But maybe its just me.
Summing it Up
This film is a fantastic piece of old chiller magic. The scenes with The Bat running about the house are creepy and fun. The house itself is pretty entertaining with its many secret rooms. And the acting is top notch from everyone in the cast.
Deaths: 5
Language: 0
Gore Factor: 0
Sex Factor: 0
Scare Factor: 2
Fun Factor: 5
Overall Rating: 4
Deaths: 5
Language: 0
Gore Factor: 0
Sex Factor: 0
Scare Factor: 2
Fun Factor: 5
Overall Rating: 4
To learn more about my rating system click here.