THE BAT WHISPERS (1930) Special 65mm Widescreen Edition

THE BAT WHISPERS (1930) Special 65mm Widescreen Edition
(info from Imbd site)

A master criminal terrorizes the occupants of an isolated country mansion. The Bat, a master criminal, steals a necklace from the safe in the house of a rich socialite. He leaves a note saying he is going to the country to give the police a rest. Pausing only to rob a bank at Oakdale, he proceeds to terrorise the occupants of a lonely country mansion, in a mixture of thrills, chills and laughs.

Director: Roland West
Writers: Mary Roberts Rinehart (based upon a stage play by), Avery Hopwood (based upon a stage play by), Roland West (uncredited)
Stars: Chester Morris, Una Merkel, William Bakewell

Taglines
"DON'T MOVE!" The World's most cunning bad man spurns danger in a daring quest after a great fortune. You'll laugh and gasp; throb and thrill. (Print Ad- Otsego Farmer, ((Cooperstown, NY)) 30 January 1931)

Trivia
This is allegedly the film that inspired Bob Kane to create Batman.

Goofs
After the bank robbery, there is a obvious slot in the "road" where the miniature car travels.

Quotes
Police captain: [after The Bat has committed a daring crime under the noses of the police] Get me Detective Anderson! No cheap crook is going to make a monkey out of me and get away with it!

Crazy credits
After the film an actor comes onto a movie house stage and implores the audience to withhold the identity of the bat from family and friends so they can also enjoy the movie.

Alternate versions
This film was shot in two versions with a different director of photography for each. One is in standard 35mm and the other in an early 65mm process. The 65mm version is considered "stagebound" (it was actually based on a popular play) while the 35mm version is considered more "cinematic". Prints of both versions still exist.

Connections
Featured in Cinemassacre's Bat-a-Thon (2008)