Joe Dante on THE DEVIL BAT

Bela plays a small town chemist out for revenge in Jean Yarborough’s poverty row thriller for Producer’s Releasing Corporation (PRC). Lugosi’s scheme includes giant bats and aftershave lotion which should be enough to pique any movie fan’s interest. Dave O’Brien, a familiar face from Reefer Madness and a score of Pete Smith Specialties, plays the reporter on the mad scientist’s trail.
As always, you can find more commentary, more reviews, more podcasts, and more deep-dives into the films you don't know you love yet over on the Trailers From Hell mothership:
www.trailersfro...
On our podcast THE MOVIES THAT MADE ME, join Oscar-nominated screenwriter Josh Olson and TFH Fearless Leader Joe Dante in conversation with filmmakers, comedians, and all-around interesting people about the movies that made them who they are. Check it out now, and please subscribe wherever podcasts can be found.
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple...
Spotify: spotify.trailer...
Simplecast: themoviesthatm...
Google Play: googleplay.trai...

[@fredtheilig2710]

I saw this recently. Most improbable thing is Bela Lugosi as a kindly mid-western doctor. If nobody suspected him, that's on them.

[@Madbandit77]

So true.

[@mikesilva3868]

Never heard of this movie ☻

[@vestibulate]

One of my favorites. The premise is sublime- an aftershave lotion that attracts giant killer bats. What's not to love?

[@lylegorch5956]

Hell, yes!

[@queenglamazona8789]

The Perfect Weapon.

[@civilizedsatyr]

Joe Dante's back!

[@JoeLibby]

THE DEVIL BAT is no classic, but it's a lot of fun. Nobody seems to be taking it too seriously, which certainly helps. Bela gets some good laughs with some standard-issue mad doctor dialogue, and Arthur Q. Bryan (aka Elmer Fudd) is a hoot as a frustrated newspaper editor.

[@JoeLibby]

@TealCircle You know, I've been thinking about doing some of my own for a while. I should take action on that now. Thanks for the encouragement!

[@mattfritz1]

I remember seeing this film on one of those cheapie 4 pack dvds back in the early 2000s. I was actually watching it for my studies, as I was writing a 15-page essay on the downward trajectory of Lugosi’s career for my film class. I remember The Devil Bat being bad, but short enough and entertaining enough not to wear out its welcome.

[@mikesilva3868]

☻

[@juniorjames7076]

Oh man, I loved those value 4-pack dvds at Tower Records, Walmart or CVS. Now laptops don't even come with dvd players so I can't even buy them when I occasionally see them in some bargain bin.

[@gonzostick]

Bravo, Joe Dante!

[@ericzaldivar2205]

The Devil Bat prop would be reused 4 years later in a Buster Crabbe B-western, WILD HORSE PHANTOM (1944). Wonder if it was used elsewhere?

[@keithbearden1119]

I love that you know this. Really!

[@queenglamazona8789]

A Bat the Size of a Condor? Don't really remember it in any other Movie.

[@Fisk4life]

Not one of fav Lugosi movies, but still a fun watch!

[@cookiesontoast9981]

You've been doing these Joe Dante videos where he talks about films for years now.. Makes me wonder, do you know him on a personal level then? 🤔

[@only257]

Great job😊

[@garinsparks7041]

Good By Roy

[@cookiesontoast9981]

I saw this for the first time recently, I really enjoyed it! It wasn't amazing or anything but it was pretty much what I expected, a classic Bela Lugosi horror film, It's always great to see Bela in anything and he was really likable in this one, I wanted him to win... Of course he just HAD to die and fail in killing all of his intended victims though, I wish we would have won, killed everyone he wanted to and then got away scot free to live the rest of his days with his pet bat, and I enjoyed the bat itself, I know it was just close ups of a real bat and then a shoddily made puppet that doesn't move much while flying around but still I have very low standards when it comes to classic horror films, I don't care how bad the effects are, the bat in this looks way better than a lot of other films I've seen (and I would always rather watch puppets, stop motion and people in suits than I would CGI) I enjoyed the idea of the story too. And I love how the bat screams so obsurdly while flying around! Haha.

[@dimkon77]

This movie was played almost every week by the greek tv in the early 90's. I guess cause the film is a public domain title. A favorite of mine btw

[@HazeAnderson]

Spoiler: he releases the bat.

[@queenglamazona8789]

This Movie Needed Abbot & Costello to Provide Some Amusement and Entertainment. Most of the Characters were So Dull and Irritating, That I Was Actually Rooting For Lugosi's Giant Bat.

[@mauricenpa9292]

Who's with me on this. Joe Dante should remake The Devil Bat!

[@justindenney-hall5875]

Maurice Npa I'm with you all the way !

[@dangale123]

British ITV sports commentator Jim Rosenthal should play Lugosi’s role. They could be twins.

[@queenglamazona8789]

It would have to be a Comedy.

[@CJBrowninLV]

When I Flies, Someone Dies (sounds like a true warning against Trump?)🤣👍🏻

[@ennesshay5040]

Trump / American Embassy moved to Jerusalem / Recognises that city as the capital of Israel !!? Ad popped up for March 2024's 'Marathon for Israel.' [ ''Come Run With Us.'' ] mmm. I think the Palestinians are running FROM their blitzgrieg !!!

[@dbitgood1]

How many of todays' movies will still be enjoyed 60 or 70 years later?