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The Bat Whispers

Play trailer Poster for The Bat Whispers Released Nov 13, 1930 1h 22m Mystery & Thriller Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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67% Tomatometer 12 Reviews 54% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
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 (Grayce Hampton) has various people arrive at her old mansion, including her niece, Dale (Una Merkel), a bank employee, and police detective Anderson (Chester Morris). When guests start turning up dead, Cornelia begins to suspect that The Bat may be lurking around the estate.

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The Bat Whispers

Critics Reviews

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TIME Magazine Size is the only new thing about The Bat Whispers. Oct 19, 2016 Full Review Variety Staff Variety A good picture in the class division, for shivers and smiles. Jul 7, 2010 Full Review Fred Camper Chicago Reader Culturally it may be most noteworthy for its title arch-criminal, who influenced the creation of Batman. Apr 5, 2010 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Where to begin when discussing The Bat Whispers, a motion picture whose relative obscurity today belies the fact that it had once been largely influential on a handful of fronts? Rated: 2.5/4 Aug 20, 2024 Full Review Alan Jones Radio Times [It] is by far the best movie adaptation of the stock spoof horror play set in a creepy mansion where masked menace lurks. It's also a superior mystery chiller in its own right. Rated: 3/5 Oct 19, 2016 Full Review TV Guide The sets are top-notch, presenting the proper eerie atmosphere. Rated: 3/5 Oct 19, 2016 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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nick s Really good effort put into the opening sequences but then the movie started to fade. Some of the actors were good, some hard to watch. The movie ended up resembling a stage play with one dominating set. Cool to see the inspiration for batman, particularly the bat silhouette on the building walls. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/17/25 Full Review Steve D Historical but not remotely good. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/26/24 Full Review Lorenz L Probably the grandaddy of the Old Dark House genre, and it holds up amazingly well. The main attractions are the technical aspects: the long tracking shots (in 1930!), the use of the sets, camera angles, and most surprising of all: the aspect ratio. West made two versions of the film at the same time (same cast, same sets, different cinematographers). One is shot in Academy Aspect (1.33:1) in 35mm, but the second version was shot in 65mm with an aspect ratio of 2:1, making it the equivalent of today's widescreen aspect ratios. The use of the exaggerated horizontal screen makes for some thrilling camerawork and staging. Yeah, some of the performances are going to garner laughs as the film approaches its 100th birthday, but it is well worth watching for the introduction of so many innovations – many of which were not further explored or developed for decades – and a few good chuckles, and some real thrills, too! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/16/23 Full Review andy f A forgotten gem, The Bat Whispers is an innovative early talkie. With some breath taking camera work and a dazling script - this movie has scares, mystery, humour and adventure. Terrific stuff. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member In my opinion better than its predecessor and its 1950's remake starring Vincent price. Pretty fun movie. Just watch it, you'll have a good time. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/11/23 Full Review Audience Member descent B movie suspenser and pre-code early talkie Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Bat Whispers

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Cast & Crew

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Roland West

Director

Chester Morris

Detective Anderson

Una Merkel

Dale Van Gorder

Maude Eburne

Lizzie Allen

Chance Ward

Police lieutenant

Richard Tucker

Mr. Bell

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The Bat Whispers

The Bat Whispers (1930) The Bat Whispers (1930) The Bat Whispers (1930) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis 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 (Grayce Hampton) has various people arrive at her old mansion, including her niece, Dale (Una Merkel), a bank employee, and police detective Anderson (Chester Morris). When guests start turning up dead, Cornelia begins to suspect that The Bat may be lurking around the estate.
Director
Roland West
Producer
Joseph M. Schenck
Screenwriter
Avery Hopwood, Mary Roberts Rinehart, Roland West
Distributor
Grapevine Video, United Artists
Production Co
United Artists
Genre
Mystery & Thriller, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 13, 1930, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
May 24, 2018
Runtime
1h 22m
Sound Mix
Mono
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