Bat Whispers (1930)

On November 13, 1930, Roland V. West released Bat Whispers (1930), the talkie version of his silent classic, Bat (1926). The film follows faithfully the script of the original. Siiski, West is able to experiment with film techniques like tracking shots, still a novelty in early sound cinema. Editing still dominated as the continuity and story moving technique.

In this film, the master criminal “Bat” has evaded the police’s attempt to arrest him. In his latest crime, “Bat” murders and steals jewelry from an industrialist, while police officer sit in the next room.

Pr. Cornelia van Gorder, played by Grayce Hampton, has rented an isolated country manor, where the loot from a bank robbery may be hidden. The lure of stolen money brings “Bat” to the country estate with the hope of finding it in the cavernous house.

Pr. van Gorder is joined by her niece, maid, caretaker and a group of other visitors. One of the visitors is Detective Anderson, played by Chester Morris, who intends to trap “Bat”.

Roland V. West, who directed this film, cast his close friend Chester Morris in most of his later films. Classic film fans probably remember Morris as “Boston Blackie” from the popular 1940s “B” film seeria. Siiski, Morris made several classic feature films with West including Alibi (1929) ja Corsairs (1931). Both West and Morris (Best Actor) were nominated for Academy Awards at the 2nd Academy Awards in 1930 for their work on Alibi.

Bat Whispers (affiliate link) jookseb umbes 85 protokoll. The end of the film contains a plea from Morris not to give away the ending of the film to film goers, who have not seen the film yet.

Which film did you prefer, Bat või Bat Whispers? You can leave a comment or ask a question about this or any post on my Facebook lehele ja Twitter profiili.

Pin It