"A master criminal known as 'The Bat' has held the city in a grip of error during his crime spree. His latest caper involves some embezzled bank money that apparently is hidden in the bank president's mansion. A reclusive woman and her niece are currently renting the mansion
Our villain must find a way to frighten off the unsuspecting boarders in order to find the stolen money, as well as try to stay one step ahead of the law," according to the DVD sleeve's synopsis.
"Can you keep a secret?" the film begins, "Don't reveal the identity of 'The Bat'. Future audiences will fully enjoy this mystery play if left to find out for themselves." This excellent silent film should be much more highly regarded than it is, currently. Director Roland West, with cinematographers Arthur Edeson and Gregg Toland, creates a fine "Dark Night" setting for "The Batman"; the film either influenced, or inspired imitations which influenced, DC's comic book hero. One of the film's many imitators was Mr. West's own "The Bat Whispers" (1930).
Jack Pickford (as Brooks Bailey) and West's wife, Jewel Carmen (as Dale Ogden), lead the ensemble cast. This was Ms. Carmen's last feature film; she was a fairly big star, but worked less as her popularity grew. The even more popular Mr. Pickford (brother of Mary) is quite good; certainly, none of the problems which plagued Pickford in the late 1920s show up in his performance. Comedic maid Louise Fazenda (as Lizzie Allen) manages to stand out, despite datedness. And, Emily Fitzroy (as Cornelia Van Gorder) knits throughout.
******** The Bat (3/14/26) Roland West ~ Jack Pickford, Jewel Carmen, Louise Fazenda, Emily Fitzroy
"Can you keep a secret?" the film begins, "Don't reveal the identity of 'The Bat'. Future audiences will fully enjoy this mystery play if left to find out for themselves." This excellent silent film should be much more highly regarded than it is, currently. Director Roland West, with cinematographers Arthur Edeson and Gregg Toland, creates a fine "Dark Night" setting for "The Batman"; the film either influenced, or inspired imitations which influenced, DC's comic book hero. One of the film's many imitators was Mr. West's own "The Bat Whispers" (1930).
Jack Pickford (as Brooks Bailey) and West's wife, Jewel Carmen (as Dale Ogden), lead the ensemble cast. This was Ms. Carmen's last feature film; she was a fairly big star, but worked less as her popularity grew. The even more popular Mr. Pickford (brother of Mary) is quite good; certainly, none of the problems which plagued Pickford in the late 1920s show up in his performance. Comedic maid Louise Fazenda (as Lizzie Allen) manages to stand out, despite datedness. And, Emily Fitzroy (as Cornelia Van Gorder) knits throughout.
******** The Bat (3/14/26) Roland West ~ Jack Pickford, Jewel Carmen, Louise Fazenda, Emily Fitzroy