Devil Bat
by Jean Yarbrough
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DVD details
Actor: Bela Lugosi, Dave O'Brien, Guy Usher, Suzanne Kaaren, Yolande DonlanDirector: Jean Yarbrough
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Black & White, DVD-Video, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 68 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-01-01
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Alpha Video
DVD Reviews of Devil Bat
DVD Review: "Must See For English Lit Majors"
Summary: 5 Stars
Commentators at this site have already done a good job singling out most of the memorable lines of this Gothic horror "classic." Never failing to amuse far beyond its utterer's, though perhaps not its screenwriter's, intentions are such unforgettable Lugosi gems as "Bombastic ignoramus!," "Rub it on the tender part of your neck," "Splendid! You shall be even greater than your unfortunate predecessor!" (intoned with Hungarian accent and full solemnity to Devil Bat # 2), and most of all, with reference to his latest concoction, a lethal aftershave lotion, "This strange oriental fragrance I came across among the Lamas during my journeys in Tibet."
This low budget film, I'm suggesting, might well have been an intentional satiric compendium of the Gothic Movement and the Elizabethan tropes studied in college by a slyly subversive screenwriter. First of all, at its center is a revenge-seeking creative artist of sorts (Lugosi) arranging the murders, by an enlarged bat he's devised, of certain folks in the local power structure, here a wicked industrial corporation which has exploited his "priceless" invention, a greaseless cold cream, for its own greedy ends. Trying to explain these mysterious, proliferating murders is a know-it-all science professor from the local university who dismisses the theory that they have been caused by an enormous bat since such creatures are "not indigenous to the area." The film thus attacks Enlightenment scientific values, entertainingly reminding us that "there are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in [the professor's] philosophy," a favorite position of Gothic horror writers and poets of the Romantic period. More exclusively Elizabethan, the film has a comic subplot, involving newspaper reporters and a fake bat of their own, which amusingly parallels the "murderous" action of the main. In its structure, two incongruous stories for the price of one, this riotously funny film, whether intentionally or not, winds up paying a 20th Century homage of sorts to a "splendid predecessor" of its own, Thomas Middleton's "The Changeling."
DVD Review: Bela does it again!
Summary: 4 Stars
Even though Bela's movies are "before my time," I can't help but appreciate his roles in these low budget flicks of yesteryear. I love the premise of this movie and can see a modern variation on this theme of giant bats that "sever the jugular" of their victims.
As a warning to all, do yourselves a favor and only buy the one which states that the movie was released by the Bela Lugosi Estate since this version uses the original film elements to present a nice, crisp picture. Bela Lugosi Jr. offers running commentary during the film as one of the Extras. He looks well preserved for his age if you get my drift.
Anyway, a fun movie to watch. Don't take it too seriously. After all, it is a 1940s B-Grade horror movie. Just sit back and enjoy the show. And don't forget the popcorn for crying out loud!
DVD Review: "Ah My Friend, Our Theory Of Glandular Stimulation Was Correct!"
Summary: 4 Stars
"The Devil Bat" is a 1940 classic starring Bela Lugosi as (surprise!) a mad scientist up to no good. Lugosi, as Dr. Paul Carruthers, seems like a model citizen, but evil lurks. Lugosi is a cosmetics researcher (who obviously participates in animal testing) out for vengeance, as he feels betrayed by his employers over money issues. He contrives a nefarious plot to enlarge bats with electricity in conformance with his "theory of glandular stimulation" and simultaneously teaches the bats to target a new shaving lotion he developed especially for people wishing to have their jugulars bisected by giant chiroptera.
Bela is exonerated by the police, but two newspaper reporters look into matters more carefully resulting in a match between Bela and his creation to resolve the movie. Please note the voice of the newspaper editor, Joe McGinty, played by Arthur Q. Bryan. If you think you recognize the voice but can't quite place it you're probably right. He is most widely known as the voice of Elmer Fudd.
The bats themselves are typical of special effects from the era, i.e. big silly contraptions on strings. Although they look better than a lot of later films like "The Giant Claw," flying creatures are hard to get right with models and this is no exception, so some suspension of disbelief will be required. Overall, though, this is a very enjoyable old fashioned horror movie, and fans of the genre and particularly Lugosi will love it; to those people I highly recommend the film.
DVD Review: "15 Frightful Horror Films ... Bela Lugosi ... Passport Video"
Summary: 5 Stars
Passport Video presents "The Bela Lugosi Box - 15 Frightful Films" (1942) --- (Dolby digitally remastered) --- B?la Lugosi was the stage name of actor B?la Ferenc Dezs Blask? (October 20, 1882 - August 16, 1956) --- Lugosi was born in Lugos, Hungary, at the time part of Austria-Hungary (now Lugoj, Romania), the youngest of four children of a baker --- best known for his portrayal of "Dracula" in the American Broadway stage production, and subsequent film, of Bram Stoker's classic vampire story.
Late in his life, he again received star billing in movies when filmmaker Edward D. Wood, Jr., a fan of Lugosi, found him living in obscurity and near-poverty and offered him roles in his films, such as "GLEN OR GLENDA?" (1953) (in which his role made no more sense than the rest of the movie) and as a Dr. Frankenstein-like mad scientist in "BRIDE OF THE MONSTER" (1955), during post-production of the latter, Lugosi entered treatment for his addiction, and the premier of the film was ostensibly intended to help pay for his treatment expenses. The extras on an early DVD release of "PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE" (1959) include an impromptu interview with Lugosi upon his exit from the treatment center, which provide some rare personal insights into the man --- this was one of Lugosi's most infamous roles was released after he was dead. Ed Wood (Director) features footage of Lugosi interspersed with a double --- Wood had taken a few minutes of silent footage of Lugosi, in his Dracula cape, for a planned vampire picture but was unable to find financing for the project --- Wood later conceived of Plan 9, Wood wrote the script to incorporate the Lugosi footage and hired his wife's chiropractor to double for Lugosi in additional shots --- notice however the "double" is thinner than Lugosi, and covers the lower half of his face with his cape in every shot --- Leonard Maltin (Famous Film Critic) was quoted - "Lugosi died during production, and it shows."
Lugosi died of a heart attack on August 16, 1956 while lying in bed in his Los Angeles home. He was 73 --- Bela Lugosi was buried wearing one of the many capes from the Dracula stageplay, as per the request of his son and fifth wife, in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California --- Contrary to popular belief, Lugosi never requested to be buried in his famous cloak; Bela Lugosi, Jr. has confirmed on numerous occasions that he and his mother, Lillian, arrived at their decision independently.
BIOS:
1. Bela Lugosi (aka: B?la Ferenc Dezs? Blask?)
Date of birth: 20 October 1882 - Lugos, Austria-Hungary. [now Lugoj, Romania]
Date of death: 16 August 1956 - Los Angeles, California
2. Edward D. Wood Jr. (Director, Writer and Producer)
Date of birth: 10 October 1924 - Poughkeepsie, New York
Date of death: 10 December 1978 - North Hollywood, California
This collection of "The Bela Lugosi Box - 15 Frightful Films" (1942) --- still has the magic that we remember from those bygone years --- but as long as we have the labels and networks who play and show these wonderful films of yesteryear, they will never be forgotten ... Plus the half-hour tribute "100 Years of Horror: Bela Lugosi", hosted by Christopher Lee --- and a great job by Passport Video for this release --- looking forward to more of the same from the '20s and '50s vintage...order your copy now from Amazon or Passport Video, stay tuned once again for more remarkable films from the vaults of classic television and Hollywood during the Golden Era of Entertaiment.
Total Time: 1034 mins on DVD ~ Passport Video #5260 ~ (9/05/2006)
DVD Review: A DVD From The Lugosi Estate
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a DVD put out by the estate of Bela Lugosi.I love it.I loved the audio commentary from Bela Lugosi Jr.While a lot of Lugosi fans tend to bash Bela Jr., I personally was enchanted by his commentary.It is basically a public domain film,repackaged.However, it conatains a rare radio program audio track within it that is worth the price of the DVD. I think Bela Jr. has done a fine job in producing this DVD.Kudos to Mr. Lugosi from an avid fan of your fathers!
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