Who saw it and was scared by it? - The Bat (1959) Discussion

[–] mttomb 19 years ago

If I saw it when I was 6 I probably would have been scared, too. I mean Moonlighting scared me when I was a kid! But I didn't get to see the movie until I was 21, so I wasn't scared by it.

In the tiki, tiki, tiki, tiki, tiki room!

reply

[–] WarpedRecord 16 years ago

If I had seen this movie as a child, it would have completely freaked me out, especially when the Bat cuts through the entrance and whenever you see his claws. Vincent Price's scenes with real bats were also quite chilling. Even as an adult, I found this extremely suspenseful.

reply

[–] novastar_6 16 years ago

It may seem like gloating but I feel kind of special that I did get to see this movie so young, it was always my favorite movie and by the time I was six I had the entire last part of it memorized from the time when Lizzie discovered Cornelia was missing. Oh as a kid I hated the scene between the Bat and Dr. Wells, I used to fast forward it as much as possible and I would have nightmares about that scene, and I really don't know why but ooh it took me a while to get over that and be able to watch the whole movie straight through.

reply

[–] WarpedRecord 16 years ago

You are very lucky to have seen this as a kid. I hadn't even heard of this film until a few months ago, when I found the DVD in a clearance bin. I finally watched it last week because I'm trying to catch up on my horror films before Halloween, and I've been on a Vincent Price bender. He's really only a supporting actor here, but that doesn't matter because this has an excellent ensemble cast that works very well together.

reply

[–] brand78 16 years ago

Yes, a good point. THE BAT is one of my favourite horror movies and I like the scene with the two ladies in the house with a storm raging outside (a little reminiscent of THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE.) As for Vincent Price handling a bat, this is not a thing I would care to do. What, I wonder, was the best movie he appeared in?

reply

[–] WarpedRecord 16 years ago

As far as Vincent Price's best movie, I would say "The Tingler" is the finest film I've seen him in -- but I have to admit I still have not seen three-fourths of his movies. "The Abominable Dr. Phibes" and "The Fly" and their sequels are excellent as well, as are the Poe adaptations, including "Pit and the Pendulum" and "House of Usher." "The Last Man on Earth" is very good also -- recently remade as "I Am Legend" (which doesn't look so great to me, but I haven't seen it).

Unfortunately, many of his films have never been released on DVD or even VHS, so there are large gaps in his catalog. Who knows: It may well be that his finest film is lost to us all!

reply

[–] brand78 16 years ago

Warped Record, many thanks for your observations: I overlooked the fact that Vincent Price appeared in THE FLY and I must get this on DVD. I have THE HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL which was made at the same time and he is so good in that. If you do find any more of his movies coming out on DVD I'd be so glad if you could let me know.

reply

[–] WarpedRecord 16 years ago

Hello, Brand78! Believe it or not, I've never seen "The House on Haunted Hill" or even "House of Wax." So unfortunately, I have a few gaps in my Vincent viewing. But I'll let you know if I hear of any new DVD releases!

reply

[–] novastar_6 16 years ago

Well, maybe I'm alone in this view, but I say, Vincent Price was never as good at any other time in his film career, than when he was in black and white, and he was NEVER anymore smooth of a character, than as Frederick Loren in House on Haunted Hill...I mean I loved him in this movie, this was the first thing I ever saw him in, but he really does his best work, as far as I'm concerned, in House on Haunted Hill, he knows EXACTLY what he's doing in that character.

reply

[–] WarpedRecord 16 years ago

Thanks for the mini-review! I love Vincent Price, and I'm sort of embarrassed to admit I haven't seen "House of Haunted Hill." I'll try to find it this weekend. Vincent was a great actor, and clearly his background in theater carried over to film. And though he was excellent in the horror genre, he also could handle any role well -- drama and the occasional comedy included, particulary black comedy. Happy Thanksgiving!

reply

[–] brand78 16 years ago

WarpedRecord, Thanks again - you have a treat in store. THE HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL was directed by William Castle by the way, and if you like it you may also care to try HOMICIDAL and MACABRE. If I discover any more VINCENT PRICE movies I'll certainly let you know; appreciate your reply.

reply

[–] WarpedRecord 16 years ago

Hello, brand. I love William Castle! "Straight-Jacket" and the original "13 Ghosts" are also a lot of fun. I hope your holidays are wickedly good.

reply

[–] brand78 16 years ago

WarpedRecords - thanks again; I have obtained TALES OF TERROR, three horror tales each of which stars Vincent Price; I watched this the other night and you will cetainly want to see it (released in 1962; you will also meet Peter Lorre and Basil Rathbone.) As for my holidays, I live in England and will be spending Christmas on the French Riviera. I also enjoyed THIRTEEN GHOSTS - I found the sequel which was made rather disappointing.

reply

[–] WarpedRecord 16 years ago

Hi, brand78.Thanks for the recommendation of "Tales of Terror." I'll definitely check it out. And I take it you mean the remake (not the sequel) to "Thirteen Ghosts." I saw that too (before I saw the original, actually), and I thought it was a gimmicky bore. It made me appreciate the original all the more.

reply

[–] brand78 16 years ago

Warped Record, so sorry, of course I meant the remake and not the sequel. By the way you will find some information about Vincent Price on the webside Find a Grave.com; you will see that he died in 1993, his remains were then cremated and scattered at sea. You will find this an interesting website.

reply

[–] WarpedRecord 16 years ago

Find a Grave is fascinating indeed! It's rather sad that there's no memorial to Vincent Price, but I guess his films serve as memorial. Of course, if there were a grave site, who knows what macabre element it would attract?

reply

[–] brand78 16 years ago

WarpedRecord, Very interesting and apposite! I would rather like to read a biography of Vincent Price - do you know if one has ever been published? If you know of one plese let me have the details; grateful for your help.

reply

[–] WarpedRecord 16 years ago

Hello, Brand! The only Vincent Price biography I know of was written by his daughter, Victoria, called "Vincent Price: A Daughter's Biography." I have not read it, but it looks like it could be worthwhile. I don't think it's widely available, so it's not cheap:

http://www.amazon.com/Vincent-Price-Daughters-Biography-Victoria/dp/03 12267894

reply

[–] brand78 16 years ago

WarpedRecord, Many thanks again - a really helpful reply. I shall ask my local library to obtain the book you mention - it appears to be one not to be missed. As I have been saying in another reply when I was in Baltimore a little while ago I visited the grave of Edgar Alan Poe. It is a ;pity, as you stated previously, that there is no memorial to Vincent Price.

reply

[–] WarpedRecord 16 years ago

You're very welcome, Brand. Let me know if you find the book. I will be on the lookout for it as well.

It is great that you were able to visit the grave of Edgar Allan Poe, which is legendary for having an anonymous guest drop by each year on the anniversary of his death with a bottle of cognac and three roses. It is indeed sad there is no physical memorial to Vincent Price, but this great actor shall live on in our hearts and minds ... and nightmares!

reply

[–] brand78 16 years ago

Many thanks WarpedRecord - I will definitely let you know about the biography when I have read it but it will probably take some time for my local library to procure a copy. I see by the way that a movie is about to be made about Edgar Allan Poe's life - this is another must see (Poe was brought to England and even attended school here for a while. He also visited Glasgow, Scotland, his stepfather being Scottish). A really fascinating character. Appreciate your reply.

reply

[–] WarpedRecord 16 years ago

Hello, Brand! I'm glad they're finally making a movie about Edgar Allan Poe, but I'm rather alarmed to learn that Sylvester Stallone is directing it. Is Robert Downey Jr. actually going to play Poe, or is that just a rumor?

reply

[–] brand78 16 years ago

WarpedRecord, Hello again. I believe you are right about Stallone directing the Poe movie, which is due for release in 2009, but am not sure about the actor for the leading part. Somewhat to my surprise my local library obtained the biography of VINCENT PRICE in two days and I have just started to read it (hardback, 498 pages, published in 1999). Next week I go to the French Riviera for the Christmas break but when I have finished reading it I'll drop you a line with my impressions. I see by the way that he was a student at Yale - very interesting. Have a good Christmas.

reply

[–] WarpedRecord 16 years ago

Hello, Brand! I'm amazed you were able to get the biography through your local library so quickly. I haven't had time to look for it because I've been dealing with family and work issues, but I have a lot of good used bookstores near me so I should be able to find it.

I know Vince was a very educated man and, from what I hear, also religious. I think a lot of people would be surprised to learn that his off-screen persona was nothing like the characters he portrayed in film.

Have a great Christmas and New Year's, enjoy the French Riviera, and let me know what you think of his daughter's book!

reply

[–] novastar_6 16 years ago

And isn't it funny? House on Haunted Hill, and The Tingler, both directed by William Castle and star Vincent Price, this movie was directed by Wilbur Crane, but somebody who reviewed it once commented that it's not a Castle movie but it's good enough that you could guess it as one.

reply

[–] brand78 16 years ago

Thanks a lot - I did not notice the coincidence. An interesting posting.

reply

[–] Xcalat3 16 years ago

I saw it when i was about 8 and it scared the hell out of me

When there's no more room in hell, The dead will walk the earth...

reply

[–] novastar_6 16 years ago

No kidding? What was the scene that got to you the most? Or did it all have about a balanced effect on you?

reply

[–] preciousbunnie 14 years ago

This movie was more creepy for me than scary. When I first watched it, about 8 or 9 years ago, I wasn't horrified while watching it.

But movies like this have a funny way of creeping up on you. Afterwards, I noticed I was a little paranoid thinking about The Bat...

"To hardly know someone is to know them well," Cary Grant, "The Philadelphia Story" 1940

reply

[–] MooseNugget 9 years ago

I'm 24 and just saw it this morning so it didn't scare me at all. It's an alright thriller though.

reply

[–] FridayOnElmStreet 9 years ago

Its pretty creepy.

reply

[–] CoriSCapnSkip (2755) 4 months ago

It's fairly scary for an adult. For one thing, it is a real life rather than a supernatural menace.

reply