Bat Whispers, The

Director: Roland West
USA. 1930.
85 minutes. Black & White.

Cast: Chester Morris, Una Merkel

The Bat, a hooded criminal mastermind who dares the police to catch him, has been terrifying the city. A bank is robbed, and the country estate of the aristocratic bank president becomes the center of mysterious happenings. Amidst thrills, chills and laughs, the stolen money is discovered and the Bat's secret identity is revealed! The Bat Whispers is a classic "old dark house" comedy/mystery, featuring plenty of atmosphere and many innovative and breathtaking photographic effects, including some elaborately designed and constructed miniatures.

Based on a play by Mary Roberts Rinehart and Avery Hopwood, The Bat Whispers is a sound remake of West's earlier silent film The Bat. Featured on the DVD is the experimental 65mm widescreen version restored by the UCLA Film & Television Archive.

Bonus Features

Also included is the standard 1:33 version from the 35mm master material held in the Mary Pickford Collection.

Reviews

"One of the ten best films of all time."

- Elliott Stein, Sight and Sound