The Bat (1926) Movie Script
THE BACan you keep a secret?
Do not reveal the identity of the "Bat".
Future audiences will enjoy the mystery
more if they discover it for themselves.
Gideon Bell, lover of rare jewelry,
famous owner
Esmeraldas Favre.
GIDEON BELL --
AT MIDNIGHT I WILL STEAL
THE FAVRE EMERALDS.
I KNOW YOU NOTIFIED THE POLICE.
NEITHER THEY NOR ANYTHING WILL STOP ME --
THE BATO THE CHIEF OF POLICE
GOODBYE - I WILL GO TO THE FIELD
FOR A SHORT HOLIDAY
THE BA"Send it to Detective Moletti -
quick! He'll catch 'The Bat'!"
"I will send 'The Bat' to chess,
even if it's the last thing I do!"
The lonely mansion designed
and built by Courtleigh Fleming,
President of the Oakdale Bank.
Cornelia Van Gorder of New York rented
Fleming's property in
search of peace and quiet.
Lizzie Allen, Cornelia's maid -
thinks Man Without a Country isn't as bad as
Woman Without a City.
"I see from the newspapers that
'The Bat' is everywhere.
I'm setting you a bear trap."
"Bat" Outwits the Police;
Fly Away with the Famous Esmeraldas Favre
Detective Moletti said that "Bat"
Must be a Merchant,
Lawyer or Doctor
During the Day
"Who put that ladder
in the laundry chute?"
"This is the happy home of the Heebee-Jeebees.
Doors slam -
furtive footprints roam around -
lights go out -"
"The lights go out because they
had problems with the power well."
"For 20 years I was by your side
going through Socialism, Theosophism
and Rheumatism
-- but I can't stand Fantasmism!"
"THE BAT!"
THE POLICE HUNTS THE GUY
BOX BROOKS BAILEY
The Oakdale Bank Robbery
Was a Total of $200,000.00
Courtleigh Fleming, the President,
Dies in Colorado
The news of the death of
President Moves the Local Bank
and Social Circles
Richard Fleming, the
banker's spendthrift nephew.
"He wasted no time
renting his uncle's house.
I would steal the money anyway -
to pay off your gambling debts -"
"There are reasons why that
house should not be occupied now.
We have to scare that Van Gorder
and her niece into getting lost."
"Get away from them, dear -
you will be recognized.
"I wonder why you do
all this for me, Dale?"
"Because - I love you!"
"Maybe he's 'The Bat'!"
"That Japanese butler
gives me the creeps.
The Flemings left him with the
rent -- but I would expel him! "
Auntie, I will ask the Jobs
send you a new gardener."
"There's no point in getting help. The house
is haunted - we'll send for the detectives."
"A man here -- his name is Brooks --
He's the new gardener."
"Let me look at your references, young man."
Auntie, the Agency recommended
Brooks very favorably --"
"Do you know anything about perennials?"
"Yes -- perennial plants are those that
keep their leaves during the winter --"
"Some experience with
Alopecia --"
"-Urticaria-"
"-- or Rubella?"
"Well - it's - they - it's -
they lose their leaves in the summer!"
"Billy will show you your room."
"Maybe he's 'The Bat'!"
"I know he's not a gardener.
Alopecia, Urticaria and Rubella
mean Baldness,
Diphtheria and Measles!
YOU ARE WARNED
LEAVE THIS HOUSE IMMEDIATELY
"Dr. Wells -- Fleming's doctor
-- you'll see."
"Someone is trying to kick
me out of this house, doctor."
"Merchant - Lawyer -"
"--Doctor--"
"-- BAT!"
"Would you please
close that window?"
"Doctor, you didn't close it."
"A man here - his name is Moletti -
Detective."
MOLETTI
DETECTIVE SERGEAN"This house belonged to the late Courtleigh
Fleming, president of the Oakdale Bank -"
"You might see strange things under
this roof. If anything happens, call me."
"I wouldn't look for now, dear -
There's a detective downstairs."
"What's your full name?"
"Lizzie Allen - whether you
want it complete or not."
"How old are you?"
"Twenty-two years."
"She's forty!"
"When this house was built,
I overheard the architect and Courtleigh
Fleming discussing
a hidden room."
"Could there be some connection between
what happened here and the bank robbery?"
"I believe the Bank's money is
in a hidden room in this house!"
"A face with twenty eyes - I
counted them - went up that ladder!"
"A hidden room would be shown on the plans.
They're in the old trunk in the dining room."
"If this money is here - do you think
I'm foolish enough to give it to you?"
"It belongs to the Bank!"
"What a Bank, what a nothing! If
there's any money here, it's mine!"
"I want that piece of the plant."
"Go to H--1!"
"There's a detective here.
If you climb those stairs, I'll call you!"
"Give me that plant!"
"It's Richard Fleming!
Someone shot him from the stairs --"
"It's the new gardener."
"A shot was fired
with that revolver."
"I shot it myself,
last night."
"Quick reflection, Miss Van Gorder -
but I must arrest your niece.
"You can't arrest her
without a coroner's verdict --
and you will have to go to
Doctor Wells for that.
"What happened to the rest of that?"
"Where's the torn piece?"
"The missing piece
shows the hidden room --
and you shot
Fleming to get it!
"I didn't do it -
I didnt do it I tell you!
"Who cast this piano?"
"Who are you?"
"Who am I? The Hound Anderson -
Oakdale County Super Detective!"
"Did you hire this guy?"
"I'm sorry to say that I did - over the phone -
of the Judkins Detective Agency."
DETECTIVE SERGEAN"Did you look around outside?"
"My favorite way of working
is from the outside in."
"Dick Fleming? Who did this?"
"That's what you're
being paid to find out!"
"Leave him to me. I will certainly
find out everything, everything! "
Horrible groans -- someone
is in terrible distress --"
"It's the garage intercom!"
"Look!
The Shadow of a Bat!"
"Why don't you check who this is?"
"Lots of excitement for
a miller in a lighthouse!"
"Tell me exactly how
Dick Fleming died."
"Do you have a pocket flashlight?"
"Auntie, take that
flashlight and go upstairs."
"- but I managed to
get part of the plant --"
"I put it on a roll Parker
House on the tray and --"
"Don't worry about the detective suspecting
your niece. I'll take care of things."
"Get out of there!"
"Brooks Bailey -- the
missing Oakdale Bank teller!"
"I arrest him for theft,
murder, impersonation and -- and --"
There is no need to arrest this young man. He
is my employee, and I will be responsible for him."
"Brooks and I are engaged.
They arrested him for the bank
robbery - he's here to find the
money and clean himself up."
"When you want to
deceive your Aunt, dear,
don't bring a gardener
with well-manicured nails."
H.E. WELLS MEDICAL DIAGNOSTICS
"I'm in charge of this case, Doctor.
I'll bother you for that piece of plant."
"I wonder where this
hidden room could be --"
"I have no idea."
"The conversation leads
straight to the haunted ballroom!"
"Candles won't be lit here --
something erases them!"
"Have you seen Detective Moletti?"
"No. Maybe he's on the porch - I'll check."
"Who are you? What are you doing here?"
"There's nothing in his pockets to identify him."
"It's better to look outside."
"You'd better go with him."
"There's no point in
taking unnecessary risks.
One is enough
for the sacrifice!
"Banker Fleming is alive - I just
saw him go through the roof!"
"Stay here, Japa. Watch that
invalid in the other room."
"Try that window on
the side of the roof."
"Don't panic, Hound. Ill tie
the other end around my waist!
"I'm fine."
"Be quiet - or I will -"
"I want the
combination to this safe!"
"What is he looking at?"
"Stop this man! It's 'The Bat'!"
"Not dazed -- Hes just acting!
"When you handcuff a man -
always take the key from your pocket."
"- He blew out that candle
and left 'The Bat' escape!"
"I resolve with you - and resolve
it well and properly later!
"If he's not 'The Bat,'
is in cahoots with him!
"- and you can't tell us who
he is or how he got here!"
"Do you know me?"
"Heard about the
Detective Moletti before?
"Do you have a gun?"
"If he makes any wrong
move - shoot to kill!"
"Did you see -- there's nothing here.
Your niece was imagining things."
"Someone is going to cross the skylight!"
"I just wanted to get rid
of these stupid detectives."
"C.F. stands for Courtleigh Fleming!"
"I'm convinced that Dale is right.
Fleming is here - and we will find him."
"Don't open it - there
might be a bomb inside!"
"Courtleigh Fleming dead!"
"Open that briefcase!"
"If that's the $200,000,
Fleming robbed his own bank!"
"--and Doctor
Wells was his ally--
forging that death
certificate in Colorado.
"- they planned to split the
money and blame it on me --"
"The garage is on fire!"
"If they value their lives,
Do as I say!"
"'The Bat' set fire to the garage -
a trick to get them out of the house --"
"Turn off the lights!"
"Remember -- he's a murderer --"
"He's coming back for that
briefcase with the money!"
"Look for him!"
"You thought you got rid of me
when he knocked me down
and tied me up in the garage!"
"I arrest you for murder,
robbery, arson - and - and -"
"I'm Moletti. He locked me in the garage --
stole my documents -- and impersonated me."
"You -- hands up!"
"Why should I? I removed the
ammunition from that gun ten minutes ago!"
"My first lie in a
once immaculate life!"
END
Do not reveal the identity of the "Bat".
Future audiences will enjoy the mystery
more if they discover it for themselves.
Gideon Bell, lover of rare jewelry,
famous owner
Esmeraldas Favre.
GIDEON BELL --
AT MIDNIGHT I WILL STEAL
THE FAVRE EMERALDS.
I KNOW YOU NOTIFIED THE POLICE.
NEITHER THEY NOR ANYTHING WILL STOP ME --
THE BATO THE CHIEF OF POLICE
GOODBYE - I WILL GO TO THE FIELD
FOR A SHORT HOLIDAY
THE BA"Send it to Detective Moletti -
quick! He'll catch 'The Bat'!"
"I will send 'The Bat' to chess,
even if it's the last thing I do!"
The lonely mansion designed
and built by Courtleigh Fleming,
President of the Oakdale Bank.
Cornelia Van Gorder of New York rented
Fleming's property in
search of peace and quiet.
Lizzie Allen, Cornelia's maid -
thinks Man Without a Country isn't as bad as
Woman Without a City.
"I see from the newspapers that
'The Bat' is everywhere.
I'm setting you a bear trap."
"Bat" Outwits the Police;
Fly Away with the Famous Esmeraldas Favre
Detective Moletti said that "Bat"
Must be a Merchant,
Lawyer or Doctor
During the Day
"Who put that ladder
in the laundry chute?"
"This is the happy home of the Heebee-Jeebees.
Doors slam -
furtive footprints roam around -
lights go out -"
"The lights go out because they
had problems with the power well."
"For 20 years I was by your side
going through Socialism, Theosophism
and Rheumatism
-- but I can't stand Fantasmism!"
"THE BAT!"
THE POLICE HUNTS THE GUY
BOX BROOKS BAILEY
The Oakdale Bank Robbery
Was a Total of $200,000.00
Courtleigh Fleming, the President,
Dies in Colorado
The news of the death of
President Moves the Local Bank
and Social Circles
Richard Fleming, the
banker's spendthrift nephew.
"He wasted no time
renting his uncle's house.
I would steal the money anyway -
to pay off your gambling debts -"
"There are reasons why that
house should not be occupied now.
We have to scare that Van Gorder
and her niece into getting lost."
"Get away from them, dear -
you will be recognized.
"I wonder why you do
all this for me, Dale?"
"Because - I love you!"
"Maybe he's 'The Bat'!"
"That Japanese butler
gives me the creeps.
The Flemings left him with the
rent -- but I would expel him! "
Auntie, I will ask the Jobs
send you a new gardener."
"There's no point in getting help. The house
is haunted - we'll send for the detectives."
"A man here -- his name is Brooks --
He's the new gardener."
"Let me look at your references, young man."
Auntie, the Agency recommended
Brooks very favorably --"
"Do you know anything about perennials?"
"Yes -- perennial plants are those that
keep their leaves during the winter --"
"Some experience with
Alopecia --"
"-Urticaria-"
"-- or Rubella?"
"Well - it's - they - it's -
they lose their leaves in the summer!"
"Billy will show you your room."
"Maybe he's 'The Bat'!"
"I know he's not a gardener.
Alopecia, Urticaria and Rubella
mean Baldness,
Diphtheria and Measles!
YOU ARE WARNED
LEAVE THIS HOUSE IMMEDIATELY
"Dr. Wells -- Fleming's doctor
-- you'll see."
"Someone is trying to kick
me out of this house, doctor."
"Merchant - Lawyer -"
"--Doctor--"
"-- BAT!"
"Would you please
close that window?"
"Doctor, you didn't close it."
"A man here - his name is Moletti -
Detective."
MOLETTI
DETECTIVE SERGEAN"This house belonged to the late Courtleigh
Fleming, president of the Oakdale Bank -"
"You might see strange things under
this roof. If anything happens, call me."
"I wouldn't look for now, dear -
There's a detective downstairs."
"What's your full name?"
"Lizzie Allen - whether you
want it complete or not."
"How old are you?"
"Twenty-two years."
"She's forty!"
"When this house was built,
I overheard the architect and Courtleigh
Fleming discussing
a hidden room."
"Could there be some connection between
what happened here and the bank robbery?"
"I believe the Bank's money is
in a hidden room in this house!"
"A face with twenty eyes - I
counted them - went up that ladder!"
"A hidden room would be shown on the plans.
They're in the old trunk in the dining room."
"If this money is here - do you think
I'm foolish enough to give it to you?"
"It belongs to the Bank!"
"What a Bank, what a nothing! If
there's any money here, it's mine!"
"I want that piece of the plant."
"Go to H--1!"
"There's a detective here.
If you climb those stairs, I'll call you!"
"Give me that plant!"
"It's Richard Fleming!
Someone shot him from the stairs --"
"It's the new gardener."
"A shot was fired
with that revolver."
"I shot it myself,
last night."
"Quick reflection, Miss Van Gorder -
but I must arrest your niece.
"You can't arrest her
without a coroner's verdict --
and you will have to go to
Doctor Wells for that.
"What happened to the rest of that?"
"Where's the torn piece?"
"The missing piece
shows the hidden room --
and you shot
Fleming to get it!
"I didn't do it -
I didnt do it I tell you!
"Who cast this piano?"
"Who are you?"
"Who am I? The Hound Anderson -
Oakdale County Super Detective!"
"Did you hire this guy?"
"I'm sorry to say that I did - over the phone -
of the Judkins Detective Agency."
DETECTIVE SERGEAN"Did you look around outside?"
"My favorite way of working
is from the outside in."
"Dick Fleming? Who did this?"
"That's what you're
being paid to find out!"
"Leave him to me. I will certainly
find out everything, everything! "
Horrible groans -- someone
is in terrible distress --"
"It's the garage intercom!"
"Look!
The Shadow of a Bat!"
"Why don't you check who this is?"
"Lots of excitement for
a miller in a lighthouse!"
"Tell me exactly how
Dick Fleming died."
"Do you have a pocket flashlight?"
"Auntie, take that
flashlight and go upstairs."
"- but I managed to
get part of the plant --"
"I put it on a roll Parker
House on the tray and --"
"Don't worry about the detective suspecting
your niece. I'll take care of things."
"Get out of there!"
"Brooks Bailey -- the
missing Oakdale Bank teller!"
"I arrest him for theft,
murder, impersonation and -- and --"
There is no need to arrest this young man. He
is my employee, and I will be responsible for him."
"Brooks and I are engaged.
They arrested him for the bank
robbery - he's here to find the
money and clean himself up."
"When you want to
deceive your Aunt, dear,
don't bring a gardener
with well-manicured nails."
H.E. WELLS MEDICAL DIAGNOSTICS
"I'm in charge of this case, Doctor.
I'll bother you for that piece of plant."
"I wonder where this
hidden room could be --"
"I have no idea."
"The conversation leads
straight to the haunted ballroom!"
"Candles won't be lit here --
something erases them!"
"Have you seen Detective Moletti?"
"No. Maybe he's on the porch - I'll check."
"Who are you? What are you doing here?"
"There's nothing in his pockets to identify him."
"It's better to look outside."
"You'd better go with him."
"There's no point in
taking unnecessary risks.
One is enough
for the sacrifice!
"Banker Fleming is alive - I just
saw him go through the roof!"
"Stay here, Japa. Watch that
invalid in the other room."
"Try that window on
the side of the roof."
"Don't panic, Hound. Ill tie
the other end around my waist!
"I'm fine."
"Be quiet - or I will -"
"I want the
combination to this safe!"
"What is he looking at?"
"Stop this man! It's 'The Bat'!"
"Not dazed -- Hes just acting!
"When you handcuff a man -
always take the key from your pocket."
"- He blew out that candle
and left 'The Bat' escape!"
"I resolve with you - and resolve
it well and properly later!
"If he's not 'The Bat,'
is in cahoots with him!
"- and you can't tell us who
he is or how he got here!"
"Do you know me?"
"Heard about the
Detective Moletti before?
"Do you have a gun?"
"If he makes any wrong
move - shoot to kill!"
"Did you see -- there's nothing here.
Your niece was imagining things."
"Someone is going to cross the skylight!"
"I just wanted to get rid
of these stupid detectives."
"C.F. stands for Courtleigh Fleming!"
"I'm convinced that Dale is right.
Fleming is here - and we will find him."
"Don't open it - there
might be a bomb inside!"
"Courtleigh Fleming dead!"
"Open that briefcase!"
"If that's the $200,000,
Fleming robbed his own bank!"
"--and Doctor
Wells was his ally--
forging that death
certificate in Colorado.
"- they planned to split the
money and blame it on me --"
"The garage is on fire!"
"If they value their lives,
Do as I say!"
"'The Bat' set fire to the garage -
a trick to get them out of the house --"
"Turn off the lights!"
"Remember -- he's a murderer --"
"He's coming back for that
briefcase with the money!"
"Look for him!"
"You thought you got rid of me
when he knocked me down
and tied me up in the garage!"
"I arrest you for murder,
robbery, arson - and - and -"
"I'm Moletti. He locked me in the garage --
stole my documents -- and impersonated me."
"You -- hands up!"
"Why should I? I removed the
ammunition from that gun ten minutes ago!"
"My first lie in a
once immaculate life!"
END