The Bat (1959)

Agnes Moorehead and Lenita Lane are “roommates” in the 1959 thriller THE BAT. Today’s post was written by film critic and horror expert Dr. Heather O. Petrocelli (@queerforfear on Instagram). Be sure to follow their Instagram page for all things queer + horror.

THE BAT

1959. USA.

 Director: Crane Wilbur

Screenplay: Crane Wilbur

Based on: “The Circular Staircase” (1908) and “The Bat” (1920) by Mary Roberts Rinehart

Starring: Agnes Moorehead, Vincent Price, Lenita Lane, Elaine Edwards, Darla Hood, Gavin Gordon, John Sutton and John Bryant

‘The Bat’ (1959), a murder mystery whodunit, is a wonderful way to spend a chilly, rainy night with Queer Horror Icons® Agnes Moorehead and Vincent Price. Because of these real-life queer stars, the film oozes queerness. Agnes's Cornelia Van Gorder shares some serious sapphic energy with her "maid," Lizzie Allen, while velvet-voiced Vincent has a little wrestle with "a man with no face" and "steel claws." 

Moorehead was only given two opportunities to be the lead in a feature film—and both are horror films. Of course, she's wonderful in both, which makes this particular travesty more egregious. Do yourself a favor and create a horror double feature by watching 'The Bat' and 'Dear Dead Delilah' (1972) this holigay season.

THE BAT is streaming on Prime (Canada/UK/USA), Hoopla & Tubi (Canada/USA), Tubi (Mexico), for rent/purchase on AppleTV and Amazon, and also available on DVD/Blu-ray – it’s also streaming for free on YouTube.