The Bat Whispers (1930)

A woman (Grayce Hampton) has rented a secluded country mansion for the summer. But a notorious killer known as The Bat begins terrorizing her household. It seems a large amount of money is hidden in the household. But just who is The Bat? Based on the play by Mary Roberts Rinehart and Avery Hopwood (previously filmed in 1926) and directed by Roland West (ALIBI). This version of THE BAT WHISPERS was filmed twice, once in 35 millimeter academy ratio (1.37) and once in 65 millimeter wide screen ratio (2:1) in a process named Magnifilm (wide screen wouldn't become the norm until 1953 when CinemaScope debuted). I watched the wide screen version and it looks gorgeous! Robert H. Planck (Ray June shot the 35mm) makes excellent use of the wide screen format and his crisp B&W lensing is a treat for the eye. As to the film itself, it creaks and the narrative is overcomplicated and the frantic acting plays to the balcony. I could have done without the comic relief of Maude Eburne's shrieking maid. I was hoping she would be one of The Bat's first victims but no such luck! THE BAT would be remade in 1959 as a film and done for television in 1960. With Chester Morris, Una Merkel, Gustav von Seyffertitz, Spencer Charters and William Bakewell.