One should always be wary of horror films like Crane Wilbur's The Bat: films shot like television shows instead of actual movies with ubiquitous three-walled sets and super-bright lighting that swallows most shadows (although to be fair the second half does have more dynamic lighting since it takes place at night in an old mansion). Many early scenes that attempt dramatic lighting frequently result in the foreground objects and characters being drowned out in harsh white light. But that's not even the best part...it's that there are prop bats literally held up with strings. Based on a famous play by Mary Roberts Rinehart and Avery Hopwood, The Bat certainly feels like a filmed play. It's a shame that Vincent Price is never given enough material to work with in order to turn in anything other than a mediocre performance.
5/10
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