The Bat

Plot synopsis:
Murder-mystery writer Cornelia van Gorder [Agnes Moorehead] has leased a large country
house called "The Oaks". After being in the house for only a few days,
Cornelia's longtime maid, Lizzie Allen [Lenita Lane], informs her that the servants are
upset over rumors they have heard about the murders committed in the house
last winter by the archcriminal who goes by the name of The Bat. They fear
he is back, and they're also concerned about rabid bats that have
supposedly been released by The Bat. That's hysterical nonsense, Cornelia
says as she heads into Zenith to conduct some business at the Zenith City
bank. She has another surprise when vice-president and head cashier of the
bank, Victor Bailey [Mike Steele], mentions that the bank president and owner of The
Oaks, John Fleming [Harvey Stephens], once said that he would never rent the house. Again,
Cornelia is not concerned since she rented the house from his nephew, Mark
Fleming [John Bryant].As Cornelia chats with Victor's wife Dale [Elaine Edwards] and Lieutenant "Andy"
Anderson [Gavin Gordon],a detective with the Zenith City Police Department and a member
of the board of directors of the Zenith Bank, Victor is informed that the
bank has been looted of over $1,000,000 in bonds and negotiable
securities. Since the only two people with access to the vault are Victor
himself and bank president John Fleming, who is currently away on a
hunting trip in the Northwoods, Victor is arrested and attempts are made
to contact Fleming.Meanwhile, at his lodge in the Northwoods, John Fleming informs his
hunting partner and physician, Doctor Malcolm Wells [Vincent Price], that he has just
embezzled over $1,000,000 from the bank and he needs help in covering it
up. His plan is to murder their hunting guide and disfigure the body
enough that Wells can pass it off as Fleming. After "Fleming" is declared
dead and buried, the two of them will split the million. The money is
currently hidden in the Fleming family crypt in Zenith, he explains. Wells
recalls a time, however, when Fleming was very sick and, in fever, talked
about hiding the money in a hidden room in The Oaks. When Fleming
announces that, if Wells doesn't go for the deal, he'll kill Wells and
call it a "hunting accident," Wells turns his shotgun on Fleming.I ain't afraid of ghosts, Lizzie tells Cornelia when they read in the
paper of John Fleming's death. Although the rest of the staff, except for
Warner [John Sutton], the chauffeur, have quit their jobs, Lizzie intends to stay with
"Miss Corny" under any circumstances. Because there's a storm brewing,
Lizzie and Cornelia check to be sure all the doors and windows are shut.
Lizzie suddenly sees a black-clawed hand reach through the front door,
just about to grab Cornelia's throat. Lizzie's screams scare him off;
Cornelia calls the police. They send someone over to check the grounds,
but no one is found.Cornelia and Lizzie go upstairs and lock themselves in a bedroom.
Meanwhile, The Bat has cut a hole in the front-door window, unlocked the
door, and entered the house. As Cornelia and Lizzie try to sleep, he opens
the transom into their room and releases a bat that flits around for a
moment, lands on Lizzie's arm, and bites her. Concerned that the bat may
be rabid, Cornelia phones Dr Wells. He's in his laboratory conducting an
experiment (on a bat!), but he comes over to look at Lizzie. He dresses
her arm and gives her a sleeping pill. After examining the bat, he
proclaims that it doesn't look sick but that he won't know for sure until
he examines its brain under a microscope. Meanwhile, Lt Andy has taken
advantage of Dr Wells' absence and let himself into the lab where he
snoops around and notices the experimental bat and a figure of a large bat
in one of the windows. Andy then drives over to The Oaks, arriving just as
Wells is leaving. Andy points out the hole in the glass where The Bat
gained entrance and assures Cornelia that an officer will keep watch on
the house for the rest of the night.Several days/weeks? have gone by, and Victor Bailey's trial is coming
up. His secretary, Judy Hollister [Darla Hood], apparently has some information that
will help to acquit him, so people are beginning to suspect that John
Fleming robbed his own bank. Lt Anderson, concerned that his holdings at
the bank will be wiped out if the money isn't found, pays a visit to Mark
Fleming. Mark reveals that he hasn't received a dime of his inheritance
from his uncle because the money is nowhere to be found. Meanwhile,
Cornelia has managed to retain John Fleming's old maid, Jane Patterson [Riza Royce].
When Dr Wells, Dale Bailey, and Judy Hollister drop by for tea, they all
discuss the possibility that it was John Fleming who actually robbed the
bank. Cornelia suggests that Fleming may have hidden the money in The
Oaks, and Dale phones Mark to see whether there are any floorplans of the
house. Mark isn't sure why she would want the floorplan, so Lt Andy
suggests that maybe Uncle John DID steal the money and hid it in the
house. Mark agrees to come over that evening and help look for the plans.Come over Mark does, but he lets himself into the house with his own
key while Cornelia, Dale, and Judy are eating dinner. He moves aside a
grandfather clock and opens a panel to a secret closet. While he looks
over the floorplans, The Bat enters the house and sneaks up behind,
clobbers Mark, and makes off with the floorplans. After dinner, Cornelia
is amazed to hear the grandfather clock striking the hour, when it hasn't
done so in years. They notice that the clock has been moved, then Dale
sees the panel behind it. They open the panel to find Mark Fleming...dead.
Lt Anderson and Dr Wells are notified after the police are called. After
seeing the claw marks on Mark's throat, Anderson proclaims it the work of
The Bat.Later that night, after the police have combed the house for clues
and Mark's body has been taken to the morgue, Lt Anderson remains to make
sure all the windows and doors are locked. As he checks the rooms, he
doesn't notice that Warner is watching him. After the ladies have gone to
sleep, Cornelia and Lizzie in one room, Judy and Dale in another, The Bat
comes in through the unlocked front door. First, he cuts the phone line.
He then goes up to the third floor and into a storage room where he starts
tapping on the walls. The noise wakes up Judy and Dale. Thinking she may
be able to find the hidden money and clear her husband, Dale sneaks up to
the third floor. The Bat locks her in the room and runs downstairs. On the
way down, he runs into Judy and kills her, then he flees out the front
door, after first being struck in the neck by a poker thrown by Cornelia.Shortly thereafter, Lt Andy comes in the front door. He explains that
he was chasing someone on the grounds and asks as to the whereabouts of
Warner the chauffeur. Warner suddenly comes in the front door and explains
that he was following Anderson when he was suddenly hit on the head. It's
then that Anderson remembers seeing a wanted poster with Warner's picture
on it, but Warner says that he was tried and acquitted. He vehemently
denies being The Bat. Suddenly, Dr Wells walks in the front door. He had
an accident about a mile down the road, he says, and walked back to the
house to use the phone. Andy notices blood on Wells' neck. Hmmm, could Dr
Wells be The Bat?Several nights later, after the house had been searched from top to
bottom without finding any money or a hidden room, Cornelia decides to
conduct an investigation of her own. When the detective on duty falls
asleep in his chair, Cornelia goes up to the third floor to look around in
the storage room where The Bat was tapping on the walls. Measuring the
distance between the storage room and the room next to it, Cornelia
notices a loss of about five feet between the two rooms. She pounds on the
walls, then on the panels of a fireplace. Suddenly, one of the panels
opens up, revealing a switch that allows the fireplace to swing open.
Cornelia has found the hidden room. It is empty, except for a safe in the
wall. As she kneels before the safe, the fireplace swings closed, trapping
her in the room.Meanwhile, The Bat has gone to Dr Wells' lab where he hangs a note on
the wall. It says: "Here lies The Bat -- threatened with exposure he
destroyed himself." As The Bat turns around, Wells walks into the room with
his gun drawn. The doctor taunts The Bat with the fact that he knows where
the money is hidden and that he's going to shoot The Bat and put his own
sign on his own chest. Just as Wells cocks the gun, The Bat leaps at him.
They struggle, the gun goes off, and it is Wells who is shot.Cornelia's pounding on the walls wakes Lizzie, who notices that
Cornelia's bed is empty. She goes down to the parlor and tries to wake up
Detective Davenport [Robert Williams], only to find him drugged into sleep. Lizzie wakes
the maid who goes to get Warner, only to find him missing. The detective
calls headquarters to alert Lt Anderson only to find that he's been sent
to investigate the death of Dr Wells. The three of them -- Lizzie, Jane,
and Davenport -- look outside for Cornelia, but she doesn't answer their
calls. Suddenly, Lizzie notices a light on the third floor and redirects
everyone up there. The air in the hidden room is rapidly depleting.
Cornelia can barely manage call out. She tells them to hit the panels over
the fireplace and then passes out. Lizzie gives each panel a pound, finds
the switch, and opens the fireplace just in the nick of time.Outside the house, The Bat is slinking around in the bushes. He has
started the garage on fire, but Cornelia is wise to him. That fire was set
to get us out of the house, she tells everyone. Instead of leaving, they
turn out the lights and wait. A few minutes later, The Bat appears. When
The Bat enters the hidden room, Davenport fires a shot. But The Bat is
quicker and shoots Davenport. He then turns to the ladies who are hiding
behind some boxes. Just as he's about to open fire on the ladies, he is
shot from behind. Warner enters the room, his gun smoking. They remove the
hood from over the Bat's face to find ... Lt Anderson. [Original synopsis by bj_kuehl]

Tags: murder

Review:
Although shot on an extremely limited budget, The Bat is a pretty good little thriller, thanks in large part to the performances of Vincent Price and Agnes Moorehead and a pretty good script.
Agnes Moorhead shows plenty of spunk, and the great Vincent Price steals every scene in which he appears.The cinematography of this film is excellent...note the use of dark shadows to conceal and hide peoples' identities, just as the dark mask hides the Bat's face.
Her only reliance is upon her tough (and slightly butch!) maid, and her independence has garnered admiration by her female houseguests (one of which is played by Little Rascal Darla Hood).Unfortunately, the movie doesn't really capitalize much on the potential of its "big creepy house with a claw-gloved murderer on the loose" premise, and seems to run out of fuel towards the end.
Price evidently grew as an actor throughout the 60's and 70's, but his early performances always have that x-factor that would go on to instill the man in the hearts of horror fans forever, and his performance here has that also.The story itself has lots of room for tension and intrigue, and it makes best use of it as the film is constantly intriguing, and many scenes, particularly the ones involving the menacing bad guy, are filled with suspense.
The question is, we know Vincent is a murderous doctor with an unhealthy interest in bats, but does that actually make him The Bat, a serial killer who's also started snooping around the mansion with his clawed hand and mask, scaring the life out of famous crime writer and her sidekick who merely rented the house for a bit of peace.This film is almost giallo-like in the way it plays out.
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.
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.
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.
This version also turns the titular character into something far more sinister than a mere jewel thief—a psychotic serial killer with a penchant for vulnerable women—making it a darker affair overall.Top-billed horror star Vincent Price is, as always, simply great and easily steals every scene he is in, but his role as devious Dr. Malcolm Wells is merely a supporting one, the focus of the film being on thriller author Cornelia van Gorder (Agnes Moorhead), who finds herself at the centre of a real life murder/mystery when it transpires that there is a fortune hidden somewhere inside the mansion in which she currently resides.
Moorhead puts in a strong performance, her character being extremely feisty, unflappable, and resourceful, but most importantly of all, likable.Creepy, thrilling, and genuinely scary in parts (The Bat, with his hat, mask and clawed glove, looks like a murderer straight out of a giallo), this is one 'old dark house' that you'll have fun exploring..
(as seen the American Pop Classics, Hulu page at http://www.hulu.com/watch/188641/the-bat) Agnes Moorehead stars as Cornelia Van Gorder in the movie, about murders and missing money.
The "Bat" circa 1958, is one of those good old fashioned b/w 'who done its' that keep you interested, not to mention the wonderful acting talent of the one and only, Vincent Price, and the equally great Agnes Moorhead.
It is very atmospheric, spooky old mansion, scared people, if you enjoy this sort of setting, then this is a good movie for you, It kind of reminds me of "Topper Returns" with the spooky old house setting, which I personally enjoy, featured in the cast is little "Rascal" Darla Hood, I am sure lots of fans remember the Little Rascals, she was the girl "Alfalpha" was in love with.
THE BAT (1959)directed by: Crane Wilburstarring: Agnes Moorhead, Vincent Price, Gavin Gordon, and Lenita Laneplot: Mystery writer Cornelia van Gorder (Agnes Moorhead) rents a creepy mansion called 'the Oaks' with her servant (Lenita Lane) in order to write another novel.
I had fun seeing the killer dressed in a bat/burglar suit stalking around the mansion, killing victims with his claw glove.The cast and characters fit very well in the story, and this also has a fun upbeat score that was sometimes laughable in a good way.The mystery was also very well done.
I had fun trying to guess who the killer was and his/her identity is very surprising, to me anyways.If you like Vincent Price movies, murder mysteries or just great 50's horror films then definitely check this fun film out!.
Famous murder mystery writer Cornelia Van Gorder, Agnes Moorehead, is taking time off from writing and spending the summer at the Oaks which she rented from Mark Flemming, John Bryant the nephew of Zenith Bank president John Flemming, Harvey Stephens.
Fleming is distracted Dr. Wells who shoots him making it look like his death was because of the forest fire, are the police in Zenith Township so incompetent that they wouldn't notice that Flaming died of a gunshot wound?The entire movie centers around the hidden stolen bank money in the Oaks which makes the Bat's, whoever he is, murders the previously year make no sense at all since there was no stolen money for him to look and kill for back then?
If the movie tried to be a little less complicated instead of a puzzle that someone from the high IQ MENSA Society couldn't even figure out it may well have held ones interests but by the last half of the movie you were so lost and confused by the plot that you lost all interest in who the killer was.This loss of interest seemed to be shared by the movies cast as well who went from being terrified of "The Bat" at the start of the film to giving the audience the impression towards the end that they just wanted it to be over so they could collect their checks for being in the movie and go home..
But the real stars of the show are Agnes Moorehead, as an eccentric mystery writer who decides to pull off the million-dollar bank heist, and the steel-clawed killer known only as "The Bat." Price's devious doctor is but one of a rogues' gallery of suspects that include a Johnny-on-the-spot police detective, a chauffeur turned butler with a checkered past, and a housekeeper with echoes of Rebecca's Mrs. Danvers.
So, it's up to her and her small band of helpers to unravel who is dressing up in silly garb (the mystery person in a black hood refers to himself as "The Bat"--hence the title of the film) and killing people in the house Ms. Morehead is renting.The film features decent writing and acting, but in many ways it's obvious that this was originally a stage production.
The creaking in the film is not from the house but the script and acting, no problem with Vincent Price who is always value for money but fans may be disappointed as he has very little screen time.The film appears to have had a budget of about £100 including processing at the local photo shop(quality of the print I saw was poor).
AGNES MOOREHEAD does about as well as can be expected under the trying circumstances and VINCENT PRICE is effective as the chief suspect, a man we know is anxious to get his hands on the enormous amount of money taken from a bank vault and hidden in the creepy old house.
Anyone can start nitpicking all the problems with the script, but nevertheless the film itself is entertaining as an "old dark house mystery" that's fun to solve, especially since the identity of The Bat isn't revealed until the final scene.Worth watching, but don't expect too much.
If you love spooky thrillers, old dark houses, and stormy tensions then this is for you.The film is well made and brilliantly acted throughout by the whole cast -- there are wonderful performances from the two leads: Vincent Price (Dr. Wells) and Agnes Moorehead (the mansion's tenant -- mystery writer Cornelia van Gorder), but don't overlook the little acting gems of Lenita Lane (Cornelia's personal maid, Lizzie) and Gavin Gordon (Lt. Anderson).Sometimes the script is a little "hammy" but in my opinion that only adds to the "charm" of this film.
Crane Wilbur both directed and wrote this mystery thriller that stars Agnes Moorhead as mystery writer Cornelia Van Gruder, who has rented a country house called "The Oaks", where a series of mysterious murders took place allegedly committed by a masked figure called "The Bat".
Vincent Price plays Dr. Malcolm Wells, a charming but murderous man who is after some embezzled bank money that is hidden somewhere in the house.
Cornelia van Gorder (Agnes Moorehead), a writer of mystery novels, rents a house formerly owned by a recently killed banker.
A serial killer known as 'the Bat' is on the loose and some people look for the money the former owner stole before dying, bringing mystery and murder to the scene.A typical horror/thriller from the 50's, with a lot of style and fun to watch but rather silly.
Agnes Moorhead (as the mystery writer) does that signature suspicious squinty-eye glare of hers at everything, and Vincent Price as a doctor seems to be laughing at the murderer's folly rather than be very concerned.There aren't too many clues given for the audience, except maybe for when a character is seen with the killer, and so can then be exonerated from the suspect list.
Famous mystery writer Cornelia Van Gorder (Moorehead) rents "The Oaks" mansion for the summer, just at the time a murderer known as "The Bat" is back terrorising the town.
A lady mystery writer rents a creepy old house "The Oaks" in the country, but encounters something more than fiction when a clawed, mask figure known as the "Bat" who likes to rip throats out stalks the estate in the search of some hidden money.
"The Bat"has great actors, including Vincent Price and Agnes Moorehead,who are just excellent at their roles, and really bring the sense of horror to thefilm, which it what the audience is lookingfor.
"The Bat" of 1959 is certainly not one of the greatest movies starring the brilliant Vincent Price, but it is definitely a highly entertaining mixture of 'Haunted House' film and murder mystery, and not nearly as bad as it is sometimes accused to be.
Part of this story are, amongst others, the almighty Vincent Price (as far as I am considered one of the greatest actors who ever lived) and Agnes Moorehead, who plays a mystery author who chooses the mansion as a domicile that, of course, turns out not to be as peaceful as she hoped, since 'The Bat' is on the loose.
THE BAT stars Agnes Moorehead (better known to me as Samantha's mom on "Bewitched") and Vincent Price in a whodunit murder mystery in a mansion.
Now it appears that someone is stalking the mansion" according to the DVD sleeve's synopsis.This lesser re-make is most appealing in that it stars enjoyable Agnes Moorehead (as Cornelia Van Gorder) and features fine support from Vincent Price (as Malcolm Wells) and Lenita Lane (as Lizzie Allen).
Little mystery, some suspense.**** The Bat (8/9/59) Crane Wilbur ~ Agnes Moorehead, Vincent Price, Gavin Gordon.
This one has an embezzlement plot, a double-cross, the eponymous serial killer, an old dark house full of frightened women, hidden rooms, and Vincent Price, and yet it still manages to be a bit of a clunker.
The servants become apprehensive about local news reports of a murderer called "the Bat" and mysterious happenings in the house and they all leave save one.At the same time the embezzling banker who owns the Oak is murdered by his accomplice Dr.Malcolm Welles (Price) who then begins to search for the hidden room in the Oak where the embezzled money is stashed.The whole situation provides natural fodder for the mystery writer's novel.A solid psychological thriller from top to bottom based on the terrific source material of the stage play filmed three times before (1915, 1927 and 1930).
i fo8und this to be a clever little murder mystery.i didn't find it scary,but it was very engrossing and well acted.Vincent Price and Agnes Moorehead were excellent,as was the supporting cast liked the setting:an isolated mansion.there was also a great mix of odd character,all whom acted suspicious and any one of them could have been the killer.i liked the fact that i was kept guessing to the end as to the killer's identity.i also thought the movie was very well pace,and never boring.the music was odd,but i did like it.for a black and white movie,this one had a very clear picture and crisp sound.all in all,a very entertaining movie.i highly recommend it.8.5/10.
All the ingredients are here: an isolated old mansion in the country, frightened servants, rumors about the return of an unknown killer calling himself the Bat, missing bank money, suspicious characters, a stormy night, and murder victims galore.Vincent Price has one of his best roles as a cryptic doctor who conducts bizarre experiments with bats in his laboratory.
His sly, politely insulting verbal duels with stern police Detective Anderson, ( Gavin Gordon) are a delight, as the two men exchange thinly veiled hostile remarks, with Anderson all but accusing Dr. Wells openly of being the Bat, something that seems to amuse the doctor no end.Agnes Moorehead is obviously enjoying herself as the doughty mystery writer investigating a real crime, with the aid of her skeptical maid, Lenita Lane.Most of the rest of the cast is fairly bland, but a fair amount of suspense is worked up, as the homicidal villain searches the old house for what he's after, and the plucky heroines plot to trap him.This is no classic, but it's quite enjoyable.
Feisty mystery writer Cornelia van Gorder (superbly played by Agnes Moorehead) rents a country house called the Oaks for the summer.
If you're a fan of 1950's "B" horror AND Vincent Price, there are three films on your must see list - "House on Haunted Hill" (1959), "The Fly" (1958), and this one - "The Bat".
When Fleming reveals that he's embezzled a million dollars from his bank and offers Wells half interest to find a suitable patsy, Wells simply reaches for a shotgun and declares himself the keeper of the entire fortune.Agnes Moorehead portrays murder mystery writer Cornelia Van Gorder, and she's just rented an estate mansion owned by Fleming from his nephew.
The Bat starts with famous murder mystery writer Cornelia Van Gorder (Agnes Moorehead) & her close friend & maid Lizzie Allen (Lenita Lane) moving into a isolated rural mansion called The Oaks having agreed to rent it from the owners nephew Mark Fleming (John Bryant).
The Bat has a good premise and two accomplished mystery/horror stars in Vincent Price and Agnes Moorehead.
Not totally a scare fest, but a well scripted thriller about a master criminal known as the "Bat" that lurks about a creepy mansion owned by mystery writer Cornelia van Gorder (Agnes Moorehead).
and there's a few other red herrings.The chances are you wont guess the bats identity straight away.All the suspects are roughly the same size,so you know it could turn out to be any one of them.The Bat is quite an enjoyable film all the more so because Vincent Price had such a strong screen presence,he always seemed to dominate any film he was in even though you knew most of the time he wasn't taking his parts very seriously.He always seemed to give these films more amusement,purely because you could see he was having fun.Agnes Moorhead is also good as the eccentric crime writer.This is a good who dun-nit set in a spooky old house, not as good as the earlier Cat And The Canary starring Bob Hope,but then none of these type of Black comedies set in haunted houses with killers at large, were.Well worth a watch though..
It has on board writer-director Crane Wilbur, who had done some thirty films, mostly unmemorable, & star & later horror icon Vincent Price.Like I mentioned above, The Bat was the last adaptation made on the play to date – and for good reason.
Cornelia van Gorder(Agnes Moorehead) and her unflappable maid, Lizzie(Lenita Lane)occupy the residence of bank president John Fleming(Harvey Stephens), during the summer season to write another novel, understanding that a series of savage murders by a killer known as The Bat have occurred inside this mansion.
And if the film is not quite as frightening as some of those other Price films just mentioned (especially "House on Haunted Hill," which remains, for me and many other boomers, I have a feeling, one of the scariest films ever made), and does reveal its origin as a stage vehicle, it yet remains a lot of fun.In the film, Moorehead plays the part of Cornelia van Gorder, a mystery writer who has rented a creepy old mansion known as The Oaks to do her summer work.