The Bat (1959) in Color — Starring Vincent Price & Agnes Moorehead

The Bat (1959) — Buy This Classic in Color

Discover The Bat, the 1959 mystery thriller directed by Crane Wilbur and starring Vincent Price and Agnes Moorehead, now available as a professionally colorized version. This chilling adaptation of Mary Roberts Rinehart’s famous play follows mystery writer Cornelia Van Gorder as she rents a country house that was recently the scene of murders committed by a criminal known as “The Bat.” When the house’s owner hides embezzled money in the house and is killed, Cornelia finds herself trapped in a mansion with a killer on the loose. Vincent Price delivers a menacing performance as Dr. Malcolm Wells, while Agnes Moorehead brings strength and intelligence to the role of the imperiled writer. Own this classic movie in color as a DRM-free MP4 digital download for just €15.00.

Plot Summary

Mystery writer Cornelia Van Gorder has rented a country house called “The Oaks” for a summer of writing and relaxation. The house has a dark history — it was recently the scene of several murders committed by a strange and violent criminal known as “The Bat,” a master criminal who has never been caught. Despite the house’s sinister reputation, Cornelia is undeterred, confident in her ability to handle danger and intrigued by the mystery that surrounds the property.

Meanwhile, the house’s owner, bank president John Fleming, has recently embezzled one million dollars in securities from his bank and hidden the proceeds in The Oaks. Before he can retrieve the stolen money, Fleming is killed, leaving the fortune hidden somewhere in the vast, labyrinthine mansion. The only person who knows the location of the money is Warner, Fleming’s chauffeur, who has his own plans for the fortune.

As night falls on The Oaks, the house becomes a trap. A storm cuts off the mansion from the outside world, and Cornelia discovers that someone has broken in. The Bat, the mysterious criminal who committed the previous murders, has returned to the house, searching for the embezzled money. Cornelia, along with her maid Lizzie and the young caretaker Dale, finds herself trapped in the mansion with a killer who will stop at nothing to find the hidden fortune.

The film builds to a climax as Cornelia uses her wits and courage to survive the night. She must determine who among the various characters in the house can be trusted and who might be The Bat in disguise. The tension mounts as the killer eliminates potential witnesses and narrows the circle of survivors. When the truth is finally revealed, it comes with a series of shocking twists that recontextualize everything that has come before. The film ends with the mystery solved and the killer unmasked, but not before Cornelia has proven herself equal to the challenge of facing one of cinema’s most terrifying villains.

Cast & Crew

Director: Crane Wilbur

Stars: Vincent Price, Agnes Moorehead, Gavin Gordon, John Sutton, Lenita Lane, Elaine Edwards, Darla Hood, John Bryant, Harvey Stephens, Mike Steele

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

The Bat was originally filmed in black and white, with cinematography that captured the gothic atmosphere of the old mansion and the shadowy corners where danger lurks. This professionally colorized restoration enhances every scene with frame-by-frame precision, from the elegant but ominous interiors of The Oaks to the stormy night that traps the characters inside. The colorized version reveals new visual richness in the thriller sequences, where the contrast between the mansion’s refined appearance and the violence that unfolds within becomes even more striking. Vincent Price, the master of horror cinema, gains additional menace in color, his expressive face conveying the subtle shifts between charm and threat that made him a legend. Agnes Moorehead, known for her distinctive voice and intense presence, brings strength and intelligence to the role of the imperiled writer. The 1950s gothic settings — the mansion, the secret passages, the stormy night — gain atmospheric detail that enhances the film’s suspense. Now also available in colour.

Buy The Bat in color today for just €15.00. Your DRM-free MP4 download is available for instant access.

Historical Significance

Released in 1959, The Bat is based on Mary Roberts Rinehart’s 1920 play “The Bat,” which was one of the most successful mystery plays of its time and helped establish the “old dark house” subgenre of mystery fiction. The play had been adapted to film several times before, most notably in 1926 and 1930, but this 1959 version is considered one of the definitive adaptations, benefiting from improved production values and the presence of Vincent Price, who had become a horror icon through films like “House of Wax” (1953) and “The Fly” (1958).

Vincent Price was at the height of his career in 1959, having established himself as the face of American horror cinema. His performance as Dr. Malcolm Wells showcases his ability to play characters who exist in the gray area between hero and villain, charming one moment and threatening the next. Price’s distinctive voice and elegant mannerisms made him perfect for this type of sophisticated thriller, where the threat is as much psychological as physical. Agnes Moorehead, best known for her role as Endora on “Bewitched” and her work in Orson Welles’s “Citizen Kane” (1941), brings her formidable presence and intelligence to the role of Cornelia, making her a protagonist who is capable and resourceful rather than merely a victim.

Director Crane Wilbur, who had worked in Hollywood since the silent era, brought experience with suspense and horror to this production. The film’s gothic atmosphere and claustrophobic setting reflect the influence of earlier horror films while anticipating the more psychological horror that would become prominent in the 1960s. The “old dark house” setting, a staple of mystery and horror since the 1920s, is used effectively to create a sense of isolation and danger. Through modern colorization, this classic thriller reaches new audiences who can appreciate Price’s iconic performance and the film’s contribution to the horror and mystery genres.

Technical Details

• Format: MP4 / MKV digital download
• Resolution: HD 720p
• Colorized: Professionally colorized from original black and white
• Audio: English original mono
• Runtime: 80 minutes
• DRM-free: Yes — watch on any device
• Instant download: Available immediately after purchase
• Price: €15.00

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Movie-Specific Questions

Q: Is The Bat based on a play?
A: Yes, the film is based on Mary Roberts Rinehart’s 1920 play “The Bat,” which was one of the most successful mystery plays of its time and helped establish the “old dark house” subgenre of mystery fiction.

Q: Who stars in The Bat?
A: Vincent Price stars as Dr. Malcolm Wells, with Agnes Moorehead as mystery writer Cornelia Van Gorder. Both actors were legendary figures in their respective genres — Price in horror and Moorehead in drama and television.

Q: What is the plot of The Bat?
A: The film follows mystery writer Cornelia Van Gorder as she rents a country house where a criminal known as “The Bat” has committed murders. When the house’s owner hides embezzled money in the house and is killed, Cornelia finds herself trapped with the killer searching for the fortune.

Digital Download Questions

Q: What format is the download?
A: The film is delivered as MP4 and MKV files that play on virtually any device.

Q: Is there DRM on the file?
A: No. The download is completely DRM-free so you can watch it on any device without restrictions.

Q: How quickly can I watch after purchase?
A: Your download link is available instantly after payment, so you can start watching within minutes.

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