The Devil Bat (1940) -- ***spoilers***

[Ted C]

The Devil Bat is a nice little thriller from 1940, starring Bela Legosi as Dr. Paul Carruthers, a chemist who works for a cosmetics company. Some time ago, he developed some perfumes for his company that were wildly successful. At the time, he chose to take a cash payment for his his work instead of a share of the profits. This choice meant that when the owners of the company became extremely wealthy from the sales, Dr. Carruthers was left behind. Carruthers has secretly resented them ever since.

Carruthers's plan for revenge revolves around giant bats that he has bred using a special growth formula that he feeds them. He has also trained them to attack anyone wearing a particular cologne or perfume scent that he has created. He offers his enemies samples of this scent to wear, and when he know that they are wearing it at night, he releases one of his giant bats to assassinate them.

The plot is opposed by investigative reporter Johnny Layton, who appears to be far more effective than any police detective at uncovering clues in a murder mystery. The police are also surprisingly agreeable to such civilian assistance (different times, i guess).

It's a peculiar way to try to kill people, but I suppose it does have some merit for keeping your involvement a secret. When three people from the same family have been attacked, though, the notion that the bat attacks are random isn't going to fly.

While quite watchable, there's nothing spectacular about The Devil Bat. About the only thing about it that makes it worth mentioning is that it's written to exploit Legosi's vampire cred.

[RCMerchant]

Of Bela's low budget shockers from the 40's,this is the most fun. He really takes great pleasure in his mad revenge!


http://youtu.be/Po2gOa1VcQ4

[Chainsawmidget]

Other than Bela, it's not that great, but Bela makes it work. 

[Ticonderoga 64]

This film was as good as PRC Studios was ever going to get, but Bela livens up the proceedings 100% and it's surely a cool little gem because of his presence here. The dire sequel, DEVIL BAT'S DAUGHTER(1946), revises things so that events of this film surely didnt happen and Lugosi's character is seen to have been framed! ugh.