Feature1930·83m·6.6

The Bat Whispers

Greatest All Talking Thriller

MysteryComedyCrimeHorror

Infamous burglar "The Bat" commits a daring jewelry theft despite heavy police presence. Soon after, a bank theft occurs, which may be the work of the criminal as well. Meanwhile, Cornelia Van Gorder has various people arrive at her old mansion, including her niece, Dale, a bank employee, and police detective Anderson. When guests start turning up dead, Cornelia begins to suspect that The Bat may be lurking around the estate.

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Cast

Chester Morris

Detective Anderson

Chance Ward

Police lieutenant

Una Merkel

Dale Van Gorder

Richard Tucker

Mr. Bell

Wilson Benge

The Butler

DeWitt Jennings

Police Captain

Sidney D'Albrook

Police Sergeant

S.E. Jennings

Man in Black Mask

Grayce Hampton

Miss Cornelia van Gorder

Maude Eburne

Lizzie Allen

Spencer Charters

The Caretaker

William Bakewell

Brook

Gustav von Seyffertitz

Dr. Venrees

Hugh Huntley

Richard Fleming

Charles Dow Clark

Detective Jones

Ben Bard

The Unknown

Details

Status
Released
Original language
English
Languages
English
Budget
Revenue
Age rating
Quality
4K UHD · HDR10 · Dolby Vision
Production
Art Cinema CorporationJoseph M. Schenck Productions

Crew

Director

Roland West

Writers

Mary Roberts Rinehart, Avery Hopwood, Roland West

Ray June

Director of Photography

Robert H. Planck

Director of Photography

Hal C. Kern

Editor

James Smith

Editor

Gallery

Reviews

CinemaSerf

6/13/2022

6.0

When a diamond necklace is stolen from under the very noses of the police, the perpetrator - "the Bat" - leaves them a note saying they can relax - he is off to pastures new... Shortly afterwards, suspicious things start going on at a country house where a mystery unfolds that leads the assembled group to try to track down a satchel with half a million bucks in it! The antics in the house are well paced and entertaining - especially the completely over the top Una Merkel "Dale van Gorder" who is quite literally scared by her own shadow. The lighting and settings are very stage bound, but in this instance that helps keep the production tight and engaging. The action is plentiful, if a little slapstick at times - and the ending straight out of a Laurel and Hardy film. It's worth sticking with it right to the ending though - quite an innovative invitation to the audience not to leak the identity of the "Bat" to their friends lest they, too, risk becoming his next victims. It's fun, this - not great, but fun.