GRAND THEATRE

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18890, 4 January 1927, Page 14

GRAND THEATRE

"THE BAT."

EFFECTIVE MYSTERY DRAMA,

"The Bat," in its stage version was » successful and thoroughly mysterious play, and in its adaptation to the screen it has gained in effect. The slight hint of thu supernatural which is so cloverly worked by fading lights and mysteriously extinguished candles is quite sufficient to send a thrilldown all tho feminine spines in the audience, and there is enough of the detection of crime to interest those.who have a penchant iu that direction. There are two sinister influences at work in the Courtleigh' Floming mansion, a building full of secret chambers and winding stairs—Tho Bat, a scientific criminal, with no respect for. human lives; and Courtleigh Fleming, the banker, who has robbed his owu bank, with his accomplice, the doctor. The money taken from the bank has been secreted in the house, and hunting for it are the cashier, the doctor, a man who introduces himself as Detective-Sergeant Moletti, and another detective (a very amateur one), who hal been .engaged from an agency. The Hat is a weird person, who perpetrates surprising and difficult crimes, and always leaves his mark, a bat, at the: scehe of the theft. Jewels anJ money find their way to his possession, and their owners are killed if they Bttompt, to protect their belongings. He .wears a.costume which makes him resemble a fearsome bat-like creature, and he performs surprisingly acrobatic feats; while breaking into buildings. . ; The inhabitants of the maison Fleming, a maiden 'lady, who has leased it, her niece, a maid, and a Japanese butler, aro put through trying ordeals during the night in which the action of the play takes place, because the banker and his accomplice are attempting to frighten them away from the. .building,- and The Bat is searching for the blue prints which will show him the location of tho hidden room wherein is secreted the stolen money. The I element of comedy is. weir sustained by Louise Fazenda, as the maid, and a stout gentleman, who plays the part of the country detective, "Bloodhound." After'two men have been killed, and the real ■ Detective Moletti nearly killed, it is discovered that The Bat is the man who had successfully impersonated the detective. The malefactor is secured, the character of the cashier is; cleared, and tho photo-play finishes on a... delightful line of comedy.

Among the supporting films are news reels showing events of topical interest all, over the' world, and a cartoon shoeing Felix, 'the pedestrian cat, in one of his numerous love affairs'. ......