IMDb RATING
6.3/10
1.1K
YOUR RATING
A master criminal terrorizes the occupants of an isolated country mansion.A master criminal terrorizes the occupants of an isolated country mansion.A master criminal terrorizes the occupants of an isolated country mansion.
- Director
- Writers
- Mary Roberts Rinehart
- Avery Hopwood
- Roland West(uncredited)
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- GoofsAfter the bank robbery, there is a obvious slot in the "road" where the miniature car travels.
- Quotes
The Unknown: What I'd like to know is how did you get the dope from headquarters on this case?
Detective Anderson: The same way I get everything, with my mind. I've got the greatest brain that ever existed.
- Crazy creditsAfter the film an actor comes onto a movie house stage and implores the audience to withhold the identity of the bat from family and friends so they can also enjoy the movie.
- Alternate versionsThis film was shot in two versions with a different director of photography for each. One is in standard 35mm and the other in an early 65mm process. The 65mm version is considered "stagebound" (it was actually based on a popular play) while the 35mm version is considered more "cinematic". Prints of both versions still exist.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Cinemassacre's Bat-a-Thon (2008)
Featured review
Surprisingly scary early talkie with flowing camera movements...
No doubt about it, the silent screen acting technique is still present in this early talkie. Everyone behaves as though they had a case of first night stage jitters--and the supposedly comic moments are painfully obvious and tainted with smokehouse ham.
But aside from the theatrics of some of the cast, this is an entertaining and truly spooky old dark house kind of comedy-mystery that was so popular during the '30s and '40s. What is most amazing is the fluidity of the camerawork through the innovative use of miniatures and the camera's ability to zoom forward and slink along the exteriors of an old mansion like a prowling cat. It is worth seeing alone for the atmospheric sets and photography, especially considering that this was filmed in 1930 when sound itself was only two years old.
Only Chester Morris among the performers delivers a really credible performance acceptable by today's standards of acting. The others are way over the top--including Una Merkel and just about all of the supporting players with the exception of William Bakewell.
If you're a fan of Mary Roberts Rinehart stories, you'll enjoy this version of her successful play. It's far superior to the later remake with Vincent Price. Be sure to see this in the newly released Wide Screen Version. It's a pristine transfer from the restoration by the UCLA Film and Television Archive.
But aside from the theatrics of some of the cast, this is an entertaining and truly spooky old dark house kind of comedy-mystery that was so popular during the '30s and '40s. What is most amazing is the fluidity of the camerawork through the innovative use of miniatures and the camera's ability to zoom forward and slink along the exteriors of an old mansion like a prowling cat. It is worth seeing alone for the atmospheric sets and photography, especially considering that this was filmed in 1930 when sound itself was only two years old.
Only Chester Morris among the performers delivers a really credible performance acceptable by today's standards of acting. The others are way over the top--including Una Merkel and just about all of the supporting players with the exception of William Bakewell.
If you're a fan of Mary Roberts Rinehart stories, you'll enjoy this version of her successful play. It's far superior to the later remake with Vincent Price. Be sure to see this in the newly released Wide Screen Version. It's a pristine transfer from the restoration by the UCLA Film and Television Archive.
helpful•83
- Doylenf
- May 21, 2001
- How long is The Bat Whispers?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Roland West's The Bat Whispers
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 23 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
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