"The Vampire Bat" was turned out in 1933 by a small poverty row studio called Majestic Pictures. It is better than most independent pictures of this type and compares favorably with productions being produced by Universal at the same time. The settings and atmosphere are as good as any displayed in the latter's more expensive productions.
The story is about a small German village whose citizens are turning up dead drained of their blood and showing the familiar two tell-tale puncture wounds on their necks suggesting the work of a vampire. Who is behind these sinister actions?
The townfolk led by police chief Melvyn Douglas suspect the dim-witted Herman (Dwight Frye). "Respectable" doctor Lionel Atwill and his assistant Fay Wray are among the concerned citizens. Herman is driven to his death however, the killings continue. So who really is to blame?
It's not to hard to figure out who is behind the killings. The suspense builds nicely in the first half of the film only to be let down by the uninspired ending and resolution of the mystery. The reason for all of the killings although explained, is not really explored in any detail (i.e. no monsters or the like). The dispatching of the villain is done off screen and as a result, the viewer feels cheated.
For all of its faults, "The Vampire Bat" is still an enjoyable little film if for no other reason than to enjoy Melvyn Douglas in an early pre-MGM role and Fay Wray just before she found her 15 minutes of fame in "King Kong" the same year.
The story is about a small German village whose citizens are turning up dead drained of their blood and showing the familiar two tell-tale puncture wounds on their necks suggesting the work of a vampire. Who is behind these sinister actions?
The townfolk led by police chief Melvyn Douglas suspect the dim-witted Herman (Dwight Frye). "Respectable" doctor Lionel Atwill and his assistant Fay Wray are among the concerned citizens. Herman is driven to his death however, the killings continue. So who really is to blame?
It's not to hard to figure out who is behind the killings. The suspense builds nicely in the first half of the film only to be let down by the uninspired ending and resolution of the mystery. The reason for all of the killings although explained, is not really explored in any detail (i.e. no monsters or the like). The dispatching of the villain is done off screen and as a result, the viewer feels cheated.
For all of its faults, "The Vampire Bat" is still an enjoyable little film if for no other reason than to enjoy Melvyn Douglas in an early pre-MGM role and Fay Wray just before she found her 15 minutes of fame in "King Kong" the same year.