Sometimes, there is much fun to be had from viewing a bad movie--this poverty-row turkey would be an exception. Sometimes, you just have to call a spade a spade or (in this case) call the "The Devil Bat" for what it is; a lousy movie.
The only noteworthy thing about the movie is, of course, the presence of Bela Lugosi, a consummate professional who always gave it his all, even in this Z-grade production, making it all the more sadder how the major studios--Universal in particular--were so blind to Lugosi's talent that they couldn't offer him meaty roles & top billing during this period--his two turns as "Ygor" in the Frankenstein series being one of the rare exceptions (aside from the billing). For a guy like Lugosi, who truly loved acting and was getting next to nothing but bits in films like "The Black Cat" (1941), and "The Wolf Man", you can understand why he succumbed to accepting contracts from outfits like PRC and Monogram. As shabby as these films were, at least Lugosi was getting the lead.
In the end, it's all a matter of taste. If you're a purveyor of B-cinema "schlock" or you feel the need to view all things Lugosi, "The Devil Bat" may provide you some amusement. I think I'll be generous and rate it a three.
The only noteworthy thing about the movie is, of course, the presence of Bela Lugosi, a consummate professional who always gave it his all, even in this Z-grade production, making it all the more sadder how the major studios--Universal in particular--were so blind to Lugosi's talent that they couldn't offer him meaty roles & top billing during this period--his two turns as "Ygor" in the Frankenstein series being one of the rare exceptions (aside from the billing). For a guy like Lugosi, who truly loved acting and was getting next to nothing but bits in films like "The Black Cat" (1941), and "The Wolf Man", you can understand why he succumbed to accepting contracts from outfits like PRC and Monogram. As shabby as these films were, at least Lugosi was getting the lead.
In the end, it's all a matter of taste. If you're a purveyor of B-cinema "schlock" or you feel the need to view all things Lugosi, "The Devil Bat" may provide you some amusement. I think I'll be generous and rate it a three.