The Bat (1959)
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51% of users liked it
(3,008 ratings)
This fourth film version of the Mary Roberts Rinehart-Avery Hopwood stage chestnut The Bat is so old-fashioned in its execution that one might suspect it was intended as "camp" (though that phrase wasn't in common usage in 1959). Agnes Moorehead plays mystery novelist Cornelia Van… More This fourth film version of the Mary Roberts Rinehart-Avery Hopwood stage chestnut The Bat is so old-fashioned in its execution that one might suspect it was intended as "camp" (though that phrase wasn't in common usage in 1959). Agnes Moorehead plays mystery novelist Cornelia Van Gorder, whose remote mansion is the scene for all sorts of diabolical goings-on. The "maguffin" is a million dollars' worth of securities, hidden away somewhere in the huge and foreboding estate. Vincent Price is seen committing a murder early on-but he's not the film's principal villain. Others in the cast include Gavin Gordon as an overly diligent detective, and former Our Gang star Darla Hood as a murder victim. The Bat was adapted for the screen by its director Crane Wilbur, himself a prolific "old dark house" scenarist and playright. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Crane Wilbur
- Written By
- Crane Wilbur
- Genres
- Mystery & Suspense, Horror
- In Theaters
- Aug 9, 1959 Wide
- Studio
- American Pop Classics
Critic Reviews
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The stars chew the scenery and the supporting cast give limited performances.
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Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Botched version of the famous play. Stick with 1926 and 1930 versions.
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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Vincent Price
as Dr. Malcolm Wells
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Agnes Moorehead
as Cornelia Van Gorder
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Gavin Gordon
as Lt. Anderson
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John Sutton
as Warner
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Lenita Lane
as Lizzie Allen
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Elaine Edwards
as Dale Dailey
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Darla Hood
as Judy Hollender
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John Bryant
as Mark Fleming
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Harvey Stephens
as Carter Fleming
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Mike Steele
as Jack Bailey
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Riza Royce
as Mrs. Patterson
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Robert B. Williams
as Detective