The Bat People (It Lives By Night) (It's Alive) (1974)

9% of users liked it
(448 ratings)

One of the least interesting efforts from American International Pictures, this dreary monster flick involves a scientist who is bitten by a rabid vampire bat while honeymooning in the desert, thereby transforming into a vampire-like creature (well, really more of a "were-bat") and setting out on… More One of the least interesting efforts from American International Pictures, this dreary monster flick involves a scientist who is bitten by a rabid vampire bat while honeymooning in the desert, thereby transforming into a vampire-like creature (well, really more of a "were-bat") and setting out on nightly blood-drinking binges. He eventually puts the bite on his bride, and she undergoes a similar transformation. Apart from atmospheric photography, neat desert settings and some clever effects work from Stan Winston (mostly lost to sloppy editing), this dismal creature feature will probably lose viewers' interest long before the gory climax. Originally released as It Lives By Night. ~ Cavett Binion, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 35 min.
Directed By: Jerry Jameson, Philippe Mora
Genres: Classics, Horror

In Theaters: Mar 20, 1974 Wide
On DVD: Aug 12, 2008
Studio: MGM

No Critic Reviews Found…

Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

This is an okay monster/scientist movie, it's actually pretty good most of the time, and I liked the end, but it could have done a lot more with the story than it did, and it could have have better actors and script. Overall, it's pretty good, though.
Bruce B

I expected this movie to be in Black & White with a title like that. But to my disappointment it was not. Can't give this one more then 2 Stars. I guess this was made for the Drive-In or maybe TV. My Copy came in a MGM Midnite Movie Double Feature. Starts of with Dr John beck… More
I expected this movie to be in Black & White with a title like that. But to my disappointment it was not. Can't give this one more then 2 Stars. I guess this was made for the Drive-In or maybe TV. My Copy came in a MGM Midnite Movie Double Feature. Starts of with Dr John beck and his Wife Cathy Exploring the Caverns of New Mexico in the desert, Well the honeymoon has just begun and Cathy gets a case of the horny?s and wants to go do the wild thing off away from the group tour, wham she slips down a shaft and rather then hubby standing at the top of the shaft and maybe get a rope, he joins her, then he is bitten by a bat and his nightmares begin. He runs around in his pajamas killing women as he turns into a Batman (Not the Bruce Wayne Type). He smashes up a beautiful Cadillac Ambulance. It takes a hour and 20 minutes to see what he look like when he changes. The top 3 actors went on to play many TV Series. Dr John Beck Played by Stewart Moss played in Baa Baa Black Sheep, Six Million Dollar man, Barnaby Jones, And Arcie Bunkers Place. Cathy Beck was played by Marrianne McAndrew who went on to play Quincy ME, Murder She Wrote, and Cannon,. And the all knowing sheriff who knew the bad guy from the start, played by Michael Pataki played in Rocky IV, Air wolf, and Star Trek, All 3 actors played in a lot more just wanted to give you an idea of there talent, but this movie didn?t take much. The sheriff ran around with a cigarette holder in his mouth most of the movie, guess that was cool in 74. I?d pass this one up if you have anything better to do, like wash the dishes.
Dr Blood

Another total bomb. It's slow, the script is dull, and the creature that the doctor turns into is ridiculous. Having a big beard does not make you into a bat-creature! It's sort of like a werewolf film but with bats instead of lycanthropes. That's about as close to a… More
Another total bomb. It's slow, the script is dull, and the creature that the doctor turns into is ridiculous. Having a big beard does not make you into a bat-creature! It's sort of like a werewolf film but with bats instead of lycanthropes. That's about as close to a plot as it gets and the characterisation is pretty much non-existent too. It isn't gory, sexy or horrific in any way.