PATRICK1962

The Nazi housekeeper is played by Fern Emmet, not Minerva Urecal.

Oh my goodness, this film was boring! I learned after seeing it that Kim Novack was the original star. I would have preferred her over Deborah Kerr. No offense to Ms. Kerr (who was sensational in THE INNOCENTS), but she was too dowdy here. Likewise, David Niven was miscast. They seemed too old to have such young children. I like black & white movies, but I'm surprised that an MGM film produced in 1966 was shot in black and white. It must have seemed dated at the time (although the plot was most likely more effective then). The malevolent presence of Donald Pleasence, Sharon Tate and David Hemmings is the greatest asset, but they have too little screen time. The Deborah Kerr character dominates the film. Kerr is miscast and the character is too much of a ninny. For 1960s Gothic, Hammer Films, WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE, SPIDER BABY, ROSEMARY'S BABY, and even Roger Corman are more satisfying. The film is good looking, though.

This film is so much fun. I just watched it again for the first time in 3 years. It's a great role for Lugosi and he gives his all (as usual). It's his only PRC film and is better than all his Monogram pics. Lugosi is perfect as vengeful Dr. Carruthers...his intonation, facial expressions, screen presence...this is a Bela Lugosi vehicle all the way. The only other cast member who makes any impression at all is Dave O'Brien as intrepid reporter Johnny Layton. Tall, handsome and humorous, he is leagues ahead of Wallace Ford and other actors who played similar parts. The actor who plays McGinty (Layton's boss) is Arthur Q. Bryan. Bryan provided the voice for "Elmer Fudd" and it's a delight listening to him! Leading lady Suzanne Kaaren (Mrs. Sidney Blackmer) gained fame decades later when she successfully took on Donald Trump. The titular Devil Bat (actually there are two) is pretty phony looking, but the shots of it in flight are impressive, all things considered. The hapless victims are played by John Ellis, Alan Baldwin, Gene O'Donnell and Guy Usher. A highlight is Lugosi bidding them goodbye, knowing they are about to meet a horrible fate. THE DEVIL BAT is a joy for Lugosi fans. The print shown on Turner Classic Movies (TCM) is quite good.