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THE DEVIL BAT & THE CORPSE VANISHES
Bela Lugosi Double Feature
In the forties, the studios of Hollywood's Poverty Row used Bela Lugosi to lure audience into theatres. The dark promise of Lugosi's name never ceased to pack them in.
Lugosi made nine ictures for Sam Katzman and Monogram. The Corpse Vanishes (1942) might be the best. Bela's a scientist (aided by a sinister dwarf) who used the bodily fluids of virgin brides in his attempts to keep his ancient wife alive. This is just one of many, many films Wallace Fox directed for Monogram. He also did many
of the studio's East Side Kids and Bowery Boys pictures.
1941's The Devil Bat would be Lugosi's sole film for PRC (Producers' Releasing Corporation). Here, he plays the seemingly mild mannered Dr. Carruthers, who breeds murderous bats in thelaboratory/dungeon of his suburban home. He's trained the bats to suck the blood of anyone wearing his secret aftershave lotion. This is every bit as fun as it sounds. Jean Yarbrough also directed several Abbot & Costello films, Hillbillies In A Haunted House (1967) and episodes of The Addams Family. (There was a Lugosi-less sequel to The Devil Bat, Devil Bat's Daughter, in 1964.)
| Starring | Bela Lugosi | | Director | Wallace Fox (The Corpse Vanishes)
Jean Yarbrough (The Devil Bat) | | Year | 1942 (The Corpse Vanishes)
1941 (The Devil Bat) | | Vampire Shop price | £9.95 |
| DVD | | | Region | Region Free. Formatted for Worldwise Use |
Certificate
PG | General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children | | Running Time | Approx 131 minutes
Black and white |
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