This old Vincent Price film makes a fun time out of the 'old, dark house' type movie. A murderer known as 'The Bat' is on the prowl in a mysterious mansion being rented by a writer and her female servant. It seems this killer had killed off some past residents of the manor known as The Oaks a few years earlier, then disappeared. The house belongs to the head of the local bank, who just so happens to have robbed a million dollars worth of stocks from the bank and has left on a hunting trip with his doctor played by Vincent Price. He has plans to get the money without being caught and wants the Dr.'s help, willingly or not. Knowing where the money is hidden and wanting to save his own ass, the Dr. shoots the threatening banker and heads back home with a secret. Dr. Price also seems to have a strange fascination with bats. Soon, The Bat arrives on the scene to terrorize the female renters and fulfill his foul goals. Who is The Bat? It all points to the DR., until he's found dead. The police chief always seems to arrive right after the killer leaves. The butler seems strange and has a past criminal record, he's never around when The Bat is near. The plot twists and atmosphere keep you guessing until the end. The Bat sports a wicked hooked metal-clawed glove many, many years before Freddy would dawn his own knife fingered toy. I'm not saying The Bat influenced that idea, but you never really know. This film might be old, but it works well as a mystery and has enough spooky elements for the horror buff. It's a must-see for those that love old, spooky house films and Price fans won't be disappointed either.
This old Vincent Price film makes a fun time out of the 'old, dark house' type movie. A murderer known as 'The Bat' is on the prowl in a mysterious mansion being rented by a writer and her female servant. It seems this killer had killed off some past residents of the manor known as The Oaks a few years earlier, then disappeared. The house belongs to the head of the local bank, who just so happens to have robbed a million dollars worth of stocks from the bank and has left on a hunting trip with his doctor played by Vincent Price. He has plans to get the money without being caught and wants the Dr.'s help, willingly or not. Knowing where the money is hidden and wanting to save his own ass, the Dr. shoots the threatening banker and heads back home with a secret. Dr. Price also seems to have a strange fascination with bats. Soon, The Bat arrives on the scene to terrorize the female renters and fulfill his foul goals. Who is The Bat? It all points to the DR., until he's found dead. The police chief always seems to arrive right after the killer leaves. The butler seems strange and has a past criminal record, he's never around when The Bat is near. The plot twists and atmosphere keep you guessing until the end. The Bat sports a wicked hooked metal-clawed glove many, many years before Freddy would dawn his own knife fingered toy. I'm not saying The Bat influenced that idea, but you never really know. This film might be old, but it works well as a mystery and has enough spooky elements for the horror buff. It's a must-see for those that love old, spooky house films and Price fans won't be disappointed either.
