“The Vampire Bat” is a horror movie released in 1933, directed by Frank R. Strayer and starring Lionel Atwill, Fay Wray, and Melvyn Douglas. The movie takes place in a small German village called Kleinschloss, where a string of gruesome murders have been happening, with the victims having their throats bitten and drained of blood. The townspeople believe that a vampire is responsible for the killings and suspect a mysterious and reclusive man, Dr. Otto von Niemann (Atwill).
Inspector Karl Brettschneider (Douglas) is brought in to investigate the murders, along with his assistant, Kringen (Dwight Frye). They soon discover that the real culprit is not a supernatural creature but a deranged human who has been using bat blood to mimic the effects of vampirism. However, before they can catch the killer, several more murders occur, and the townspeople become increasingly panicked.
Meanwhile, the local doctor, Dr. von Niemann, has been conducting strange experiments in his laboratory, leading many to suspect him even further. The inspector and his team eventually discover that von Niemann is not the murderer but has been working to create a serum that can control bats. The real killer is revealed to be Herman (John Wray), a mentally ill man who works as a janitor and has been using the serum to control the bats and carry out his killings.
In the end, Herman is caught, and Dr. von Niemann’s serum is destroyed. The town is finally at peace, and the inspector and his assistant leave Kleinschloss, relieved that the vampire legend has been put to rest.
Directors:
Frank R. Strayer
Writer:
Edward T. Lowe Jr.
Stars:
Lionel Atwill, Fay Wray, Melvyn Douglas
