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The Bat Whispers

  • 1930
  • Passed
  • 1h 23m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
1.3K
YOUR RATING
Gustav von Seyffertitz, Una Merkel, and Chester Morris in The Bat Whispers (1930)
WhodunnitCrimeDramaHorrorMysteryThriller

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
    • Roland West
  • Writers
    • Mary Roberts Rinehart
    • Avery Hopwood
    • Roland West
  • Stars
    • Chester Morris
    • Una Merkel
    • William Bakewell
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    6.3/10
    1.3K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Roland West
    • Writers
      • Mary Roberts Rinehart
      • Avery Hopwood
      • Roland West
    • Stars
      • Chester Morris
      • Una Merkel
      • William Bakewell
    • 48User reviews
    • 25Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro

    • Photos60

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    + 56
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    Top cast16

    Edit
    Chester Morris
    Chester Morris
    • Detective Anderson
    Una Merkel
    Una Merkel
    • Dale Van Gorder
    William Bakewell
    William Bakewell
    • Brook
    Grayce Hampton
    Grayce Hampton
    • Miss Cornelia van Gorder
    Maude Eburne
    Maude Eburne
    • Lizzie Allen
    Gustav von Seyffertitz
    Gustav von Seyffertitz
    • Dr. Venrees
    Spencer Charters
    Spencer Charters
    • The Caretaker
    Charles Dow Clark
    Charles Dow Clark
    • Detective Jones
    Hugh Huntley
    • Richard Fleming
    DeWitt Jennings
    DeWitt Jennings
    • Police Captain
    Richard Tucker
    Richard Tucker
    • Mr. Bell
    Wilson Benge
    Wilson Benge
    • The Butler
    Chance Ward
    • Police Lieutenant
    Sidney D'Albrook
    Sidney D'Albrook
    • Police Sergeant
    S.E. Jennings
    • Man in Black Mask
    Ben Bard
    Ben Bard
    • The Unknown
    • Director
      • Roland West
    • Writers
      • Mary Roberts Rinehart
      • Avery Hopwood
      • Roland West
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      One of only a handful of films to be shot in the widescreen Magnifilm 65mm format (other studios were also experimenting with other wide formats at the time). The expense of upgrading theaters with new screens and projectors - after just having to install sound equipment - coupled with the Depression and the December 1930 edict from the MPPDA that the film industry not cause "the public's curiosity to be aroused about any new innovations for at least two years" effectively killed the new format. Widescreen formats did not return until the middle of the 1950s out of the necessity to compete with television.
    • Goofs
      After 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 credits
      After 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 versions
      This 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.
    • Connections
      Featured in Cinemassacre's Bat-a-Thon (2008)

    User reviews48

    Review
    Review
    Featured review

    Silly, Hokey, and Wonderful

    Yes, this film is dated. The acting is beyond hammy; only in the early talkies did movies contain this kind of unabashedly theatrical performing. Just when you think Chester Morris couldn't possibly twist his mouth--or curl his eyebrow--or twirl his finger--in a new way, he surprises you and offers a wholly different mugging expression he hadn't pulled out before. Along with the acting, the genre (the creepy old house with hidden panels etc.) became old hat by 1950. So, all right, this movie is stilted and creaks. However, for a film antiquarian, this motion picture is a joy. Its sets and lighting are breathtaking, and one gathers from it why the play was one of the longest running on Broadway at the time. I'll take it over the Vincent Price remake, THE BAT, anyday and I love Vincent Price.
    • patrick.hunter
    • Aug 2, 2000
    • Permalink

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    FAQ14

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 13, 1930 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Roland West's The Bat Whispers
    • Production company
      • Feature Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 23 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Mono

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    Gustav von Seyffertitz, Una Merkel, and Chester Morris in The Bat Whispers (1930)
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