- More
The Bat Whispers (Atlantic, R-1930s). One Sheet (27" X 41").. ...
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.Description
The Bat Whispers (Atlantic, R-1930s). One Sheet (27" X 41").An early entry in the "old dark house" genre (it predates James Whale's aptly titled The Old Dark House by two years), this is the story of a master criminal, known only as "The Bat," who terrorizes the inhabitants of a lonely country estate. Starring Chester Morris as the detective assigned to get to the bottom of things, the film was originally shot in a wide-screen format known as "Grandeur," but most exhibitors, struggling after making a recent - and very expensive - investment in sound technology, simply showed the picture in standard 35mm, resulting in the loss of some breathtaking cinematography. What is perhaps most intriguing about this picture, however, is its connection to one of the 20th century's leading pop cultural icons. Writing in his autobiography, Batman and Me, Bob Kane, the creator of the Caped Crusader and a self-professed movie buff, remembers, "The third influence [after the drawings of Leonardo DaVinci and the classic Douglas Fairbanks film, The Mark of Zorro (1920)] on Batman was a movie I saw when I was fourteen called The Bat Whispers. It was a remake of a silent film called The Bat, which itself had been an adaptation of a novel by the great mystery writer Mary Roberts Rinehart. In the 1931 sound version Chester Morris, who played Boston Blackie in films, had a dual role: he was a detective who tried to track down the mysterious Bat, and was revealed to be the killer himself at the end of the film. The story concerned a number of murders which took place in an old mansion. I remember his shadowy outline on the wall when he was about to kill somebody. They caught up with him in the attic - he wore a costume that looked a little like my early Batman's, with a black robe and a bat-shaped head. This made him look like a bat - very ominous. The film not only helped inspire Batman's costume but also the bat-signal, a prototype of which appeared on the wall when the Bat announced his next victim." Offered in this lot is an early reissue of the famous film done is beautiful stone litho. There are pinholes in the corners and several in the borders and artwork. There is small crossfold wear and fold wear. Folded, Fine/Very Fine.
More information about Ozark Ike.
Please see full-color, enlargeable images above for more details.
View movie details on IMDB
View movie details on AllMovie
Auction Info
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
19.5% of the successful bid (minimum $19) per lot.
Calculate Standard Domestic Shipping Sales Tax information
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms | Movie Posters Grading Tutorial
Floor auctions
Open for bidding: (View All)Historical
Ends on 02/28/2021
Sports Collectibles
Ends on 02/28/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Ends on 02/28/2021
Currency
Ends on 02/28/2021
Fine Art
Ends on 03/03/2021
Fine Art
Ends on 03/04/2021
Jewelry & Timepieces
Ends on 03/05/2021
US Coins
Ends on 03/08/2021
Photography
Ends on 03/10/2021
Fine Art
Ends on 03/11/2021
Decorative Art
Ends on 03/11/2021
Fine & Rare Wine
Ends on 03/12/2021
Western & Texas Art
Ends on 03/12/2021
Comics & Comic Art
Ends on 03/13/2021
US Coins
Ends on 03/15/2021
Decorative Art
Ends on 03/16/2021
Fine Art
Ends on 03/17/2021
Nature & Science
Ends on 03/19/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Ends on 03/21/2021
US Coins
Ends on 03/22/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Ends on 03/25/2021
Comics & Comic Art
Ends on 03/25/2021
US Coins
Opens about 02/26/2021
Sports Collectibles
Opens about 03/04/2021
Luxury Real Estate
Opens about 01/22/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 03/03/2021
Jewelry & Timepieces
Opens about 03/08/2021
Movie Posters
Opens about 03/05/2021
Comics & Comic Art
Opens about 03/12/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Opens about 03/07/2021
Currency
Opens about 03/08/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 03/17/2021
Comics & Comic Art
Opens about 03/19/2021
Decorative Art
Opens about 03/18/2021
US Coins
Opens about 03/08/2021
Jewelry & Timepieces
Opens about 02/24/2021
Photography
Opens about 03/19/2021
Musical Instruments
Opens about 03/23/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 03/23/2021
Photography
Opens about 03/24/2021
Currency
Opens about 03/26/2021
US Coins
Opens about 03/16/2021
Decorative Art
Opens about 03/26/2021
Historical
Opens about 03/29/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Opens about 03/21/2021
US Coins
Opens about 04/02/2021
Currency
Opens about 04/02/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 03/31/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 04/01/2021
US Coins
Opens about 03/22/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Opens about 03/28/2021
Decorative Art
Opens about 04/06/2021
Heritage membership
- Past Auction Values (prices, photos, full descriptions, etc.)
- Bid online
- Free Collector newsletter
- Want List with instant e-mail notifications
- Reduced auction commissions when you resell your
winnings
- Cash Advances
- More Bidders
- Trusted Experts
- Over 200,000 Satisfied Consignors Since 1976
Learn about consigning with us
Grey is a true asset to Heritage Auctions and Heritage Auctions are a true asset to the Movie Poster Hobby.View More Testimonials
HA.com receives more traffic than any other auction house website. (Source: Similarweb.com)
Auction #162108 spotlights
The Glass Key (Paramount, 1942). Fine. Lobby Card
BID NOW
Mothra (Columbia, 1962). Folded, Very Fine. One Sheet
BID NOW
Enter the Dragon (Warner Bros., 1973). Folded, Very Fine-. One Sheet
BID NOW
The Endless Summer (Bruce Brown Films, 1965). Rolled, Very Fine+. Special Poster
BID NOW
Bombshell (MGM, 1933). Very Fine/Near Mint. Lobby Card
BID NOW
Murder By Television (Imperial-Cameo, 1935). Fine-. Title Lobby Card
BID NOW
Brother Orchid (Warner Bros., 1940). Fine/Very Fine on Linen. One Sheet
BID NOW
Duck Soup (Paramount, 1933). Fine-. Lobby Card
BID NOW
Video tutorial
Getting the most out of search