The Vampire Bat (1933) is an American Pre‑Code horror film directed by Frank R. Strayer and produced by Majestic Pictures. Set in the German village of Kleinschloss, the story follows a series of mysterious deaths in which victims are found drained of blood. While frightened villagers suspect vampirism, Police Inspector Karl Brettschneider remains skeptical, believing a human killer is responsible.
Meanwhile, the eccentric Herman Gleib — who adores bats and behaves strangely — becomes the prime suspect in the villagers’ eyes. As panic spreads, Dr. Otto von Niemann conducts his own investigations, which ultimately reveal a scientific, rather than supernatural, explanation behind the killings. The film is notable for its atmospheric sets (some reused from Frankenstein and The Old Dark House) and its strong cast, including Fay Wray and Lionel Atwill, making it one of the standout Poverty Row horror films of the early 1930s.
Film Details
Title: The Vampire Bat
Year: 1933
Genre: Horror / Mystery / Pre‑Code
Director: Frank R. Strayer
Writer: Edward T. Lowe Jr.
Producers: Phil Goldstone, Larry Darmour
Starring:
Lionel Atwill as Dr. Otto von Niemann
Fay Wray as Ruth Bertin
Melvyn Douglas as Karl Brettschneider
Dwight Frye as Herman Gleib
Maude Eburne as Aunt Gussie Schnappmann
Cinematography: Ira H. Morgan
Edited by: Otis Garrett
Music: Charles Dunworth
Studio: Majestic Pictures
Release Date: January 10, 1933
Runtime: 63 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English
#TheVampireBat1933 #FayWray #LionelAtwill #MelvynDouglas #DwightFrye #FrankRStrayer #PreCodeHorror #PovertyRow #ClassicHorror #1930sCinema
Meanwhile, the eccentric Herman Gleib — who adores bats and behaves strangely — becomes the prime suspect in the villagers’ eyes. As panic spreads, Dr. Otto von Niemann conducts his own investigations, which ultimately reveal a scientific, rather than supernatural, explanation behind the killings. The film is notable for its atmospheric sets (some reused from Frankenstein and The Old Dark House) and its strong cast, including Fay Wray and Lionel Atwill, making it one of the standout Poverty Row horror films of the early 1930s.
Film Details
Title: The Vampire Bat
Year: 1933
Genre: Horror / Mystery / Pre‑Code
Director: Frank R. Strayer
Writer: Edward T. Lowe Jr.
Producers: Phil Goldstone, Larry Darmour
Starring:
Lionel Atwill as Dr. Otto von Niemann
Fay Wray as Ruth Bertin
Melvyn Douglas as Karl Brettschneider
Dwight Frye as Herman Gleib
Maude Eburne as Aunt Gussie Schnappmann
Cinematography: Ira H. Morgan
Edited by: Otis Garrett
Music: Charles Dunworth
Studio: Majestic Pictures
Release Date: January 10, 1933
Runtime: 63 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English
#TheVampireBat1933 #FayWray #LionelAtwill #MelvynDouglas #DwightFrye #FrankRStrayer #PreCodeHorror #PovertyRow #ClassicHorror #1930sCinema
Category
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Short filmTranscript
00:00:01The End
00:00:34The End
00:01:03The End
00:01:35The End
00:02:28The End
00:02:43The End
00:02:57The End
00:03:00Even so!
00:03:01Oh, now we're switching to bats again.
00:03:03There was an epidemic of giant bats in Kleinschloss in 1643.
00:03:08And at the same time, there was an outbreak of vampirism.
00:03:12Rot.
00:03:13Why, this record from the town article...
00:03:15Let's prove it.
00:03:16It says it, not prose it.
00:03:18Well, I'll show you.
00:03:20I'll show you.
00:03:22Now, here it is.
00:03:24The end, and on this day was a new build.
00:03:27And on this day was von Hausmann hanged from a gibbet in the public square after being convicted on a
00:03:31proven charge of vampirism.
00:03:33And on this same day, there did occur the departure of the bats.
00:03:38Thousands of horrible flying creatures which infested the town for weeks.
00:03:42And on the night of this same day, February 13, in the year of our Lord, 1643,
00:03:48was there a stake driven through von Hausmann's heart
00:03:51and his head cut off with a gravedigger's shovel.
00:03:54There.
00:03:55Well, all the wreckers in the world can't make me believe in vampires.
00:03:59There are blood-sucking bats, yes, in South America,
00:04:02thousands of miles from here, but not in Kleinschloss.
00:04:05But bats fly.
00:04:07They could fly here.
00:04:08You saw the bodies.
00:04:10All of them.
00:04:11Two wounds on the neck right at the jugular vein.
00:04:14Two wounds on the neck, pierced and spread apart just as if two fang-like teeth
00:04:18had bitten through the flesh and right into the veins.
00:04:22And in every case, a blood clot eight inches from the victim's neck.
00:04:28The mark of the feast.
00:04:30The devil's signature.
00:04:32Does that appear the mark of a human being?
00:04:35Or a demon's?
00:04:37God save us, the devils.
00:04:41You ought to make a pretty fair meal for a vampire.
00:04:44But let's be consistent.
00:04:46Are these human vampires or... or bats?
00:04:50Vampires can take the shape of a human or a bat just as they choose.
00:04:54Oh, they're magicians.
00:04:58Well, it doesn't make sense to me.
00:05:00The whole village is in terror.
00:05:02We live in closed houses, behind locked doors and bolted shutters,
00:05:07not daring to close our eyes,
00:05:09fearful lest this unseen silent death may find us in our sleep,
00:05:13for it is then that it strikes, swiftly, silently, ghastly.
00:05:18My room is tightly closed, the windows are barred, nailed down.
00:05:24Nothing can get in.
00:05:25Nothing.
00:05:27But they tell me vampires can go through stone walls like that.
00:05:31God save me.
00:05:32So they can.
00:05:34We've got to do something, I tell you.
00:05:36Kleinsloss will become a deserted village.
00:05:39Well, you might catch all the bats and drown them in the river.
00:05:43Carl, Carl!
00:05:44While you're hunting for vampires and chasing bats,
00:05:46I'm looking for a human being.
00:05:47A murderer, a fiend.
00:05:48Well, then do just about it.
00:05:50Do something.
00:05:50I'm trying to.
00:05:52Every hour, every day, every night since this thing started.
00:06:02Do you hear it?
00:06:04Hear it?
00:06:05Yes.
00:06:07Night after night.
00:06:08Lying awake until dawn.
00:06:11Waiting.
00:06:12For what?
00:06:14I don't know.
00:06:16That's what I thought.
00:06:21Good night, gentlemen.
00:06:23Don't let the vampires get you.
00:07:06Are your kisses dynamite?
00:07:09Don't you like my kisses?
00:07:17Well, how's my mastermind this evening?
00:07:20Well, if you want the truth, not so good.
00:07:23The burgemeister and his grand council still stick to the vampire theory.
00:07:27Stick to it?
00:07:28They're quoting history to prove it.
00:07:31I think you and Dr. von Niemann are the only sane people left in the village.
00:07:35And you?
00:07:35What about you?
00:07:36Me?
00:07:37Well, I'm beginning to think I'm seven different kinds of a fool.
00:07:41Murders are being done under my very nose.
00:07:45I must be as blind as the bats themselves.
00:07:48I can't find a single clue.
00:07:50Oh, but you will, Carl.
00:07:51You will.
00:07:51Well, I haven't.
00:07:52Oh, Ruth!
00:07:58And here comes dear Aunt Gussie to spread good cheer and hope.
00:08:03Just what I thought.
00:08:04Slaving your life away in this awful place.
00:08:06It hasn't got that nice, clean, wholesome smell of a hospital.
00:08:11How are you, Carl?
00:08:12Oh, quite well, thank you.
00:08:13Well, I'm not.
00:08:14This clammy old place is bound to give me pericarditis, andricarditis, neuritis, this is...
00:08:20Well, anyway, rheumatism.
00:08:21Do you have some coffee?
00:08:22No, no, thank you, Frau Schnappmann.
00:08:24No, it's just as well.
00:08:25There's only two cups.
00:08:26Here, dear.
00:08:27That'll take the chill out of your bowl.
00:08:29Speaking of chills, Frau Schnappmann, did you know the village is supposed to be infested
00:08:33with ghouls and vampires?
00:08:35Oh, Carl.
00:08:36Vampires.
00:08:38Pariahs among fiends.
00:08:40Demoniacal creatures with huge canine teeth who bite deeply into the necks of their victims
00:08:46to quaff and gorge on blood, warm human blood.
00:08:51There's no such thing as a vampire, Carl Brett Snyder.
00:08:54I don't believe in it.
00:08:55You're just saying that to frighten me, and I just won't be frightened.
00:08:59I'm entirely too sensible to believe in such rubbish.
00:09:02I beg you, Martin.
00:09:03Oh, so much you.
00:09:04I'm sorry if I frightened you.
00:09:06Who said you frightened me?
00:09:08I'm not afraid of anything.
00:09:10Could you tell me where Dr. von Nieman is?
00:09:11Well, he drove to the village to see Martha, the old apple woman.
00:09:43Is this what Dr. Haup described?
00:09:45Yes, sir.
00:09:46She takes it in water.
00:09:51Well, continue giving it to her.
00:09:53Yes, sir.
00:10:23It's stifling in here.
00:10:25Open these windows.
00:10:26Herman, open windows. Me do. Me do.
00:10:38Well, she'll sleep well now, poor soul.
00:10:41It won't be necessary of you to stay here.
00:10:44A good night's sleep will work wonders for her.
00:10:46It was kind of you to come, Doctor.
00:10:48Oh.
00:10:50Martha has sold me apple for many years.
00:10:52Always a good, ripe, juicy one.
00:10:55Martha, give me apples. I like.
00:11:00Oh, it's a thing. Oh, my goodness.
00:11:04She wants her cross.
00:11:06Herman, get. Herman, get. Here. Here. Now. For Martha. There.
00:11:13Oh.
00:11:16She won't let it out of her sight.
00:11:19A terrible experience.
00:11:20To be attacked by a giant bears enough to shatter anyone's nerves.
00:11:24She talks about it all the time.
00:11:26How it flew in her face and tried to sink its teeth in her throat.
00:11:30No, no, no, no. That's no do.
00:11:34They soft like cat.
00:11:37They not bite Herman.
00:11:39Be quiet, Herman. See what you've done.
00:11:42There, there, there, Martha. There.
00:11:49She'll be all right. If she isn't, let me know.
00:11:53Thank you. Thank you for coming, Doctor.
00:11:55That's all right. Good night.
00:11:57Good night.
00:12:00Run along, Herman. You can see Martha tomorrow.
00:12:04Oh.
00:12:22Hi. Dr. von Neemann.
00:12:24Ah, Crington. How are you?
00:12:25Much better, thank you, kindly sir, since you prescribed for me.
00:12:28That's right.
00:12:31Go to bed, Herman. Go to bed.
00:12:33You shouldn't be following on the street. It's dangerous.
00:12:36Oh.
00:12:38I'm afraid.
00:12:40Afraid? Afraid of what, Crington?
00:12:42The bats, sir.
00:12:43Big giant bats with wingings like an eagle's.
00:12:47You saw this bat, you say?
00:12:49I saw it swooping down the street.
00:12:51It came directly from my throat, sir.
00:12:53When was this, Crington?
00:12:55Last night when they came to take von Els.
00:12:57It was a big monstrous thing.
00:12:59I saw it leap across the alley and into a window.
00:13:02I ran just as fast as my legs could carry me.
00:13:05You said nothing about this?
00:13:06There's enough fear in the village already.
00:13:09Maybe I should.
00:13:11Maybe I should.
00:13:13I will.
00:13:14I'll tell the burgermeister.
00:13:15Yes, Crington.
00:13:16That's the thing to do.
00:13:17No.
00:13:19Bats.
00:13:20Bats good.
00:13:22They not hurt Herman.
00:13:24He plays with them.
00:13:26You, you no tell?
00:13:28No.
00:13:29No, no, no, no. Go to bed, Herman.
00:13:31Go on.
00:13:32Go on. Go to bed.
00:13:36You say he plays with bats?
00:13:40His garret is filled with them.
00:13:42He makes pets of them.
00:13:44That's odd.
00:13:46Very odd.
00:13:48Maybe...
00:13:51Maybe he's it.
00:13:54Herman prowls around the streets all hours of the night.
00:13:56Just like an animal.
00:13:58Maybe he's the vampire.
00:13:59Don't start any gossip with that, Crington.
00:14:01Heaven only knows where it might end.
00:14:04Good night.
00:14:06Good night, sir.
00:14:27There.
00:14:30Now.
00:14:32Soft.
00:14:33Nice.
00:14:35There.
00:14:37See?
00:14:38What did I tell you?
00:14:39Perhaps there's something in what Crington says.
00:14:42Seems strange that a human being should want to play with bats.
00:15:00He isn't human, I tell you.
00:15:02He's in league with the devil.
00:15:03Yes.
00:15:10Put it on.
00:15:11Put it on.
00:15:14There.
00:15:14Thanks.
00:15:16Now go to sleep.
00:15:16You'll be all right in a few days with Dr. Cesso.
00:15:19Close the window.
00:15:21Close the window.
00:15:22I'm afraid.
00:15:23The vampire.
00:15:25He said leave them open.
00:15:27But I'd have them closed.
00:15:42Do you want the light?
00:15:43Leave the light.
00:15:44I'm afraid.
00:15:46I can't blame you for that either.
00:15:49I'll turn it down a little.
00:15:51Good night.
00:15:52If you want me, just pound on the floor.
00:15:55I'll hear you.
00:15:56All right.
00:15:57Good night.
00:15:58Good night, Martha.
00:15:59Good night, Martha.
00:16:01Oh.
00:16:12Hail Brett Schneider is here to see you, sir.
00:16:14He's in the laboratory with Miss Burton.
00:16:16Oh, thank you.
00:16:22Ah, here you are.
00:16:24Good evening, Doctor.
00:16:26Good evening, Ruth.
00:16:27How are you, Carl?
00:16:28Well, I'd feel a lot better if I could find a solution to these murders.
00:16:31You don't believe in this vampire theory, then?
00:16:33Of course not, do you?
00:16:36There are many strange happenings, my boy.
00:16:39Many mysteries beyond the power of the human mind to comprehend.
00:16:43Have you a theory which might explain these deaths?
00:16:46Well, I'll be pleased to discuss it with you, but not now, not now.
00:16:50I have some very important work to do.
00:16:52Tomorrow, then?
00:16:53Tomorrow? Yes, yes, perhaps. We'll see.
00:16:57Oh, this isn't so important, Miss Bertine, that you can't let it go till tomorrow.
00:17:00All right, thank you, Doctor.
00:17:03Oh, how about Martha?
00:17:05Huh? Oh, nothing serious. Just a case of nerves, that's all.
00:17:09Good night. Good night, Doctor.
00:17:11Good night, Carl.
00:17:25Good night.
00:18:01Name.
00:18:03Martha Muller.
00:18:06Age.
00:18:07I don't know.
00:18:10Cause of death.
00:18:11Like all the rest.
00:18:13The vampire.
00:18:14Yes, yes, that's right.
00:18:16When I said I was going to tell you, his eyes glowed up like coals of fire.
00:18:20His hand reached out towards me as if he were going to sink it into my throat.
00:18:24And weigh this well.
00:18:25He never works and never begs.
00:18:28And yet he appears well fed always.
00:18:30That's so he does.
00:18:32But what does he live on then?
00:18:35I'll wager as Kringen says.
00:18:38And my wound was in Martha's room tonight when Herman put a flower in her hand.
00:18:43Strange business if you ask me.
00:18:45Mighty strange.
00:18:46I hate to be in your shoes, Kringen.
00:18:49Yes, after what happened tonight, I'd lock myself in my room and pray God to protect me from the devil.
00:18:56And that was a good boy.
00:19:12Sir.
00:19:14Oh.
00:19:16OK.
00:19:17Oh, my God.
00:19:17Oh, it's good.
00:19:20Oh.
00:19:21Oh, my God.
00:19:22Oh, my God.
00:19:24Oh.
00:19:24Oh, my God.
00:19:25Oh, my God.
00:19:26Oh, my God.
00:19:27Dr. Bonhiemann.
00:19:57Yes, sir.
00:20:08Vampire!
00:20:13Well, what do you make of it, Doctor?
00:20:19Are these two wounds similar to those found on the other bodies?
00:20:23Dr. Haupt can answer that for you, sir.
00:20:26Yes, they were the same in every case.
00:20:30This is a strange condition, Carl.
00:20:33So strange that I doubt the evidence in my eyes.
00:20:37What was your conclusion, Haupt?
00:20:39I diagnosed the wounds as having been made by needle-sharp teeth.
00:20:45Punches are clean-cut, penetrating into, but not beyond, the jugular vein.
00:20:51Do you mean to say that you also believe they could have been made by teeth?
00:20:55Frankly, I do.
00:20:56Aha! You see, Bret Schneider?
00:20:59What kind of teeth, Doctor?
00:21:01An animal of some sort.
00:21:03It's hard to say.
00:21:04The fangs of a wolf, perhaps.
00:21:06A werewolf?
00:21:08Could they have been made by, well, a bat, for instance?
00:21:11A certain species, yes.
00:21:14There are vampire bats.
00:21:17Dr. William Jamison, who explored many of the tributaries of the upper Amazon,
00:21:22states that blood-sucking bats do exist.
00:21:24He further asserts that the victims often become blood-drinkers themselves,
00:21:29citing a case in which he saw a native tortured to death on an antel by his tribe brothers.
00:21:34They swore he had become a human bat.
00:21:37And, states Jamison, he confessed it.
00:21:41Do you mean to say that such a thing as a human vampire is possible?
00:21:45Well, who can say?
00:21:47Historic records would have us believe that an evil soul, assuming there is such,
00:21:52can take any shape it pleases.
00:21:54So why not then to that of a human being?
00:21:57Eh, Carl?
00:21:58Why not?
00:22:00Have you any literature on the subject, Doctor?
00:22:02Yes, I have many interesting volumes on my shelves and my proof very enlightening.
00:22:08I'm glad to show them to you.
00:22:09I don't mind admitting that I'm up a tree. Stumped.
00:22:14Well, we'll see what can be done, my boy.
00:22:16Eh, no, no, no, Herman. This is no place for you. Go away, my boy. Go away.
00:22:20Good night, John.
00:22:21Good night, Doctor.
00:22:22Good night, Hal.
00:22:22Good night, Doctor.
00:22:23Good morning, Carl.
00:22:24Thank you, Doctor.
00:22:25I'm sorry to have dragged you out at such an ungodly hour.
00:22:28Oh, that's all right. That's all right.
00:22:41A child fleeing in horror from the sight of death.
00:22:44There goes the vampire. Arrest him. Lock him up. Kill him.
00:22:48Has the entire village gone mad?
00:22:51Herman wouldn't harm a baby, and you know it.
00:22:53I've walked the streets of this village for over 40 years, but tonight's the end.
00:22:57He knows that I've told he plays with bats.
00:22:59He knows that I saw him sneak into Martha's house just before midnight.
00:23:02Perhaps he was taking her another flower, Cringdon.
00:23:04The boy had brought her one this evening while I was there.
00:23:06He killed her just like he did all the rest, and now he's gonna kill me.
00:23:11Unless he's killing a snake driven through his heart, I'm a doomed man.
00:23:15He'll kill me. He'll kill me. I'm doomed. He'll kill me.
00:23:20He'll kill me. I'm a doomed man. He'll kill me.
00:23:36I'll kill you. All right.
00:23:38He'll kill him. He'll kill me. I haven't killed himself at six, huh?
00:23:57Let the blues need dogs Burton? He'll kill me now.
00:23:58He'll kill me. I will kill him. He'll kill you.
00:24:12Good morning, Mr. Bretschneider.
00:24:14What brings you to Kleinschloss so early?
00:24:16You.
00:24:17Bibber, I heard the doctor tell Georgiana he expected you.
00:24:21I knew there was something else.
00:24:23You're a delightful prevaricator, Carl, but not a very convincing one.
00:24:41Oh, you don't mind me using your stethoscope, do you, doctor?
00:24:45Not at all, Frau Schnappen.
00:24:46But what seems to be the ailment this morning?
00:24:48What's that?
00:24:51Oh.
00:24:52What seems to be the ailment this morning?
00:24:54Well, doctor, I am positive that I have valvular degleage of the iota.
00:24:59Or maybe it's the, um, the right ventricle.
00:25:03There is something wrong with my heart.
00:25:05I can hear it beat, thump, thump, thump, thump, just like the book says.
00:25:09Well, if you didn't hear it beating, thump, thump, thump, just as the book says,
00:25:12I would say there is something wrong.
00:25:15What? Without a moon?
00:25:17You have a heart of stone.
00:25:19All right, then. Close your eyes.
00:25:25No.
00:25:29Oh, so, young lady.
00:25:31It's too early in the morning, Carl, much too early.
00:25:33Oh, is it?
00:25:35Oh, there's Aunt Gussie.
00:25:39Mm, she would show up just at a time like this.
00:25:49Well, Aunt Gussie, what's the matter now?
00:25:52I have palpitation of the auricular, ventricular, microvalves.
00:25:57There's a cordial tendency.
00:25:59You mean your heart's beating?
00:26:01Of course it's beating.
00:26:03Dr. Von Neelan tried to assure me, but I know, I know it's serious.
00:26:08I'm liable to go just like that.
00:26:09Did he prescribe for you, dear?
00:26:11Yes.
00:26:12Monacid, ester, salicylic acid.
00:26:14You mean salicylic acid, don't you?
00:26:16Well, salicylic or salicylic, it's helped me.
00:26:18My heart is much quieter.
00:26:21Hello, Carl.
00:26:22Hello.
00:26:23Oh, Carl, you'll be good to her when I'm gone, won't you?
00:26:26Yes, of course I will, Frau Schnappmann.
00:26:28Well, I'm not gone yet.
00:26:30You can't marry her unless I say so.
00:26:32Don't forget that.
00:26:34Oh, my heart.
00:26:35There, Andy, you'll be all right.
00:26:37Just rest a while.
00:26:38But you'll need a...
00:26:39What?
00:26:40Rest, dear.
00:26:41Quiet.
00:26:54And Gussie has a heart like a steam engine.
00:26:57Carl.
00:26:59Oh, my God.
00:27:11What?
00:27:27Meow.
00:27:33Come on, Kitty Pood.
00:27:38Come on, come on, Kitty Pood.
00:27:40Daddy, baby, come on.
00:27:42Come on, kitty, kitty, kitty, kitty, kitty.
00:27:44Oh, dear dad, baby.
00:27:47Come on, kitty, kitty.
00:27:48Come on.
00:27:52You retweeted, ugly, you nasty little beast.
00:28:06Don't you know it's wrong to steal?
00:28:09No, you've cut yourself.
00:28:10See?
00:28:11Blood.
00:28:13Yes.
00:28:13Stop it, stop it.
00:28:15No hurt me.
00:28:16No hurt.
00:28:17No, you poor thing.
00:28:18Now you wait right here and I'll run in the house and get something for that finger.
00:28:21A subcutaneous wound like that might easily result in a tetanus infection.
00:28:27Tetan, tetan...
00:28:27Tetanus lockjaw.
00:28:30Not that you need be afraid.
00:28:32The way you talk, I think you've got it already.
00:28:35Look, here's a nice juicy apple for you.
00:28:53Ah, this is it.
00:28:56Threates sur les appréciants des esprits et sur les vampires
00:28:59by Augustin d'Homme Calamé in 1746.
00:29:05Hmm.
00:29:07Let us suppose that these corpses do not actually stir from their tombs,
00:29:10that only the ghosts or spirits appear to the living.
00:29:14Wherefore do these phantoms present themselves,
00:29:16and what is it that energizes them?
00:29:18Is it actually the soul of the dead man,
00:29:20which has not yet departed to its final destination?
00:29:23Threates.
00:29:25Now, how could a corpse buried under four or five feet of birth
00:29:28get out to do any such foolishness?
00:29:30I don't believe it.
00:29:31It's a fair question, Doctor.
00:29:33How could it?
00:29:35Well, according to accepted theory,
00:29:36the vampire dematerializes its body
00:29:39and reintegrates it outside the grave.
00:29:42It's a good explanation, if you can believe it.
00:29:44And while I'm standing here listening to all this rubbish,
00:29:47there's a poor man in the garden in danger of a tetanus infection.
00:29:50Now, what should I do for him, Doctor?
00:29:52Shall I apply a microchrome or a 2% solution of bichloride?
00:29:55Well, either will do.
00:29:56Get some gauze and some microchrome.
00:29:59Thank you, Doctor. I'll wait here.
00:30:01Difficult to believe, isn't it?
00:30:03It's impossible to believe.
00:30:06And yet, it would explain these deaths, wouldn't it?
00:30:14Ah, Breckschneider.
00:30:16Pardon their intrusion, Doctor von Niemann.
00:30:18But after what you saw last night,
00:30:20you'll be interested in this as well.
00:30:22Well, what's happened?
00:30:23Kringen was found dead an hour ago
00:30:26with the two punctures in his neck
00:30:28and not a drop of blood in his body.
00:30:31And what's more,
00:30:33Herman Gleib has disappeared.
00:30:36What?
00:30:37Now are you convinced that we were right and you were wrong?
00:30:39That'd be proof enough for anybody.
00:30:42Kringen said Herman would get him, and he did.
00:30:44Well, Breckschneider?
00:30:46I appoint you, my deputy.
00:30:48Organize a searching party
00:30:49and comb this countryside from one end to the other.
00:30:52Find Herman Gleib and bring him in,
00:30:53but don't harm him.
00:30:54Do you understand?
00:30:55What good will that do?
00:30:57He's a vampire.
00:30:58There's only one thing for us to do when we find him.
00:31:01Kill him and drive a stake through his arc.
00:31:03Herman Gleib will be tried by a court of law.
00:31:06If the charge against him is proven true,
00:31:08the law will decide what to do with him, not you.
00:31:10I'll get your men together and do as I tell you.
00:31:12That's the way to talk.
00:31:15I'm going into town for a little while, Doctor.
00:31:17Would you care to come along?
00:31:18Oh, I hardly believe so.
00:31:20As little to be done until they find the boy.
00:31:22If you need me then, I'll...
00:31:23All right, thanks.
00:31:24I'll let you know.
00:31:32I feel as though I was going to faint.
00:31:34Oh, dear, Auntie.
00:31:34There's nothing here to be afraid of.
00:31:36Here comes Emil with your mercurochromid bandages.
00:31:39Run along now and take care of that patient of yours.
00:31:42Oh, heavens, I forgot all about him.
00:31:44Oh.
00:31:45Oh, my heart.
00:31:47Oh.
00:31:49Poor Auntie.
00:31:50She's had every ailment in the book.
00:31:52There's a lot that aren't, I'm afraid.
00:31:54Particularly a palpitation of the auriculoventricular tricuspid
00:31:58and mitral valves, Doctor.
00:32:01Well, I had to tell her something to satisfy her.
00:32:13Here, here.
00:32:14You mustn't do that.
00:32:17Now, where's that finger?
00:32:24You're good like Martha.
00:32:27She give me apples.
00:32:31Herman like you.
00:32:34Are you Herman?
00:32:36Me, Herman?
00:32:39You give me apple?
00:32:42Herman give you nice, soft bat.
00:32:46Here, here.
00:32:57Here.
00:33:06Ah!
00:33:10Ah!
00:33:11Ah!
00:33:12Ah!
00:33:12Ah!
00:33:12Ah!
00:33:12Ah!
00:33:13Ah!
00:33:36I don't know.
00:33:44Oh, Herman! Now you go away, Herman! I know you!
00:33:46I know you! Don't you touch me! I know you, Herman!
00:33:54Go away now, Herman! Go away!
00:34:22What is it, Georgiana?
00:34:24I just found this in Emil's room.
00:34:27Well?
00:34:28It belonged to my friend, Martha Mueller.
00:34:31Are you certain?
00:34:32I gave it to her myself.
00:34:34Martha died last night.
00:34:35I find her crucifix in Emil's room.
00:34:38Doesn't that mean Emil is the one Herr Bret Schneider is seeking?
00:34:41This amazes me, Georgiana.
00:34:44It is impossible.
00:34:46It rained the night Von Els died.
00:34:48There was mud on Emil's shoes the next morning.
00:34:51Have you mentioned this to anyone?
00:34:53I intend to tell Herr Bret Schneider when he calls again.
00:34:55I can't believe it.
00:34:59Leave this with me.
00:35:01I want to talk to Emil before you say anything to anyone.
00:35:04The burgermeister should know at once.
00:35:05Yes, all in good time.
00:35:07Emil has been with me too long for us to jump to conclusions.
00:35:13Don't say anything until I tell you.
00:35:14Now send Emil to me.
00:35:17Very well, Doctor.
00:35:29That's for the neuritis.
00:35:32And the pepsin.
00:35:33That house and fabric was tougher than shoe leather.
00:35:36And sweet spirits of lighter.
00:35:37That'll help.
00:35:38At least won't do any harm.
00:35:39And, uh, ginger.
00:35:42That'll warm us, Tom.
00:35:44And now a little pipe out of soda.
00:35:46That's being's.
00:35:53Oh!
00:35:54Oh!
00:36:11Oh!
00:36:12Oh!
00:36:12Oh!
00:36:13Oh!
00:36:14Oh!
00:36:14Come on!
00:36:21We'll get him now.
00:37:07Come on, men.
00:37:10We've got him. He can't get away from me now.
00:37:12Some of you's around that way.
00:37:14Go ahead.
00:37:15Enemy, try to get faster. You know what to do.
00:37:29Come on, men.
00:37:32Get out of here.
00:37:46There they are.
00:37:48Here, boys.
00:37:53Herman, you're going back to the village with us.
00:37:56Come on.
00:37:58We won't hurt you.
00:38:00No. No, we won't go.
00:38:03Herman, I'm afraid.
00:38:05Come on.
00:38:07You're going with us, Herman.
00:38:09No.
00:38:10You're going with us.
00:38:12No.
00:38:13Come on, Herman.
00:38:14Come on.
00:38:15Get him.
00:38:15No.
00:38:18Come on, Herman. We won't hurt you.
00:38:20Come on.
00:38:21No.
00:38:22No.
00:38:23No.
00:38:24No.
00:38:41Come. That settles him.
00:38:42Yes.
00:38:43Let's go.
00:38:52We've got to make sure.
00:38:54certain.
00:38:54I won't go down there.
00:38:57Nobody asked you to.
00:39:00I'll go myself.
00:39:02Can you see him?
00:39:04He's on a ledge about 50 feet down.
00:39:09I'll get a rope.
00:39:11We've got to make certain, I tell you.
00:39:28You must be careful, Emil.
00:39:32Very careful.
00:40:01No.
00:40:03It must be. It must be.
00:40:07She's no better than the rest.
00:40:10I've got to go on.
00:40:26All right.
00:40:26Let me see you.
00:40:35I can hang, sir.
00:40:35.
00:40:38Right.
00:40:53I can hang.
00:40:54I think this is oddly I have to wait, sir.
00:42:34Oh, it's you, Doctor.
00:42:35I'm sorry to have to disturb you, Doctor, but we simply couldn't make Georgiana hear the bell.
00:42:39That's quite all right, my dear.
00:42:40Georgiana's becoming careless.
00:42:42Very careless.
00:42:43Yes, I've noticed that, too.
00:42:44In my opinion, she has Nagana.
00:42:47That's sleeping sickness.
00:42:48You know the symptoms, Doctor.
00:42:50At first, I thought it was creeping paralysis.
00:42:52So I stuck a pin in her leg to see.
00:42:54And there was a splendid reaction of the reflex motor nerve.
00:42:56Why, Auntie, you're shocked.
00:42:59So is she.
00:43:00Won't you join me in some coffee?
00:43:02Yes, thanks, Doctor.
00:43:02We will.
00:43:03There are a few questions I'd like to ask you, Paul.
00:43:05About blood and murders and vampires, I suppose.
00:43:08Yes, I'm afraid so.
00:43:09So am I.
00:43:10Well, good night.
00:43:12If such a thing is possible, I'm going to bed.
00:43:14Won't you join us, too, French-Napman?
00:43:15Coffee at this hour of the night?
00:43:17No, thank you.
00:43:18I'm going to stick to my monacidester, psilicallic salad.
00:43:21Acid, Doctor.
00:43:22Acid.
00:43:23Good night.
00:43:29What's the news in the village, Carl?
00:43:31Have they located Hermann yet?
00:43:33No, not a trace of him.
00:43:35I hate to think of that poor misfit being hunted down like a dog.
00:43:40Do you know, I simply can't bring myself to believe in that vampire theory.
00:43:44Will you pour, Ruth?
00:43:45Certainly.
00:43:46I know, Carl.
00:43:48Our sena, calmer judgment tells us that such things can't be.
00:43:52And yet, here, for instance, in this ponderous tome,
00:43:56are cited a thousand and one phobias and complexes
00:44:00that human beings are heir to.
00:44:01Some of them are strange,
00:44:03more untenable even than werewolves and vampires.
00:44:08Could I have some more, please?
00:44:09You drink entirely too much coffee.
00:44:12Well, it's my one weakness.
00:44:13And also my excuse for tolerating Georgiana's laxity in other things.
00:44:17She does know how to make good coffee.
00:44:21She brings it to me every night at exactly ten o'clock.
00:44:24And when I've drunk it all,
00:44:26then I know it's time to quit.
00:44:28Yes, and eat breakfast so you can have more coffee.
00:44:31Oh.
00:44:42Georgiana, you mustn't lie like that.
00:44:48You'll get yourself a tarticoolist.
00:44:50No, sit next.
00:44:52Georgiana.
00:44:57That was auntie.
00:45:09Auntie.
00:45:13Oh, my God.
00:45:15I'm all right.
00:45:16I'm all right now.
00:45:17Oh, it's just my...
00:45:18David, help Frau Schnappegorl.
00:45:20I'm silly imagination.
00:45:22I...
00:45:22I imagine...
00:45:23Oh, Georgiana.
00:45:25It's all right.
00:45:27Help me.
00:45:36The same two wounds, Doctor.
00:45:40My last words to her were angry ones.
00:45:43A petulant reprimand of being late with my coffee.
00:45:45What time is that?
00:45:47About two, three minutes after ten.
00:45:49She's been dead then about 45 minutes.
00:45:55Bloodless like the rest.
00:45:59It passes all belief.
00:46:04Ruth's aunt saw Herman Gleib in the garden this morning.
00:46:08Could it be that he...
00:46:20You were the first one here.
00:46:22What happened?
00:46:23I was in my room reading.
00:46:25My door was open.
00:46:27I must have dozed off for a minute or so
00:46:29because I awoke to hear Frau Schnappegorl scream.
00:46:31You say your door was open?
00:46:33Yes, my room is very poorly ventilated.
00:46:35And you saw nothing?
00:46:36Heard nothing unusual?
00:46:38Nothing.
00:46:42What is it?
00:46:43What is it?
00:46:45This crucifix.
00:46:46It belonged to Martha.
00:46:50See you.
00:46:50It is, Emil.
00:46:54Can you positively identify this as belonging to Martha?
00:46:56Without a doubt.
00:46:58I saw it in her room the night she died.
00:47:01How in the world did it get here?
00:47:02Herman Gleib was in her room.
00:47:04He had that crucifix in his hands.
00:47:07And Herman was here.
00:47:08I saw it in her room the night she died.
00:47:09Today.
00:47:12Maybe here now, for all we know.
00:47:25Who is it?
00:47:26Ah.
00:47:27Oh.
00:47:31How is she?
00:47:32She's had a real shock this time, but she'll be all right.
00:47:34I'm putting her to bed.
00:47:35Leave her there.
00:47:36Don't let her out of this room.
00:47:37And don't you leave it either.
00:47:39Why, what do you mean?
00:47:40It looks as if Herman Gleib is the killer after all.
00:47:43It's possible he may be hiding here in the castle.
00:47:46Why, what makes you think so?
00:47:47I'll tell you later.
00:47:48Stay in your room.
00:47:49And keep your door locked.
00:47:51Don't worry about that.
00:47:58I heard every word he said.
00:48:00And I don't think there's any use of them searching for Herman.
00:48:02They should look for a dog.
00:48:04A human-faced dog.
00:48:05Andy, the doors and windows are all locked.
00:48:07There's nothing to be afraid of now.
00:48:08Why?
00:48:09Who said I was afraid?
00:48:10I'm not a bit afraid.
00:48:11No, of course you're not afraid, but you must get some rest.
00:48:14Rest in this awful place?
00:48:16With dog-faced Hermans and human-faced bats and blood and murders and vampires.
00:48:32Find anything, Carl?
00:48:34There's an unbroken cobweb in that window.
00:48:37If Herman did it, he came through the door.
00:48:39He must have.
00:48:40And yet I don't understand how he could find his way up here without us hearing him.
00:48:44Yet Emil was asleep, and I was in the library.
00:48:48Yes, he could have done it.
00:48:50The facts all point to it.
00:48:53What was it, Emil?
00:48:55The burgermeister.
00:48:56He has news for her Brettschneider about Herman.
00:49:01Oh.
00:49:12Pardon the intrusion, Doctor. Pardon the intrusion.
00:49:14I knew Carl was here, and I thought you wouldn't mind if I ran in to tell him the news.
00:49:19About Herman?
00:49:19Yes.
00:49:20He fell into the devil's well in the cave.
00:49:23He's dead?
00:49:25Dead does a doornail.
00:49:26This ends our troubles, Carl.
00:49:28The vampire's dead.
00:49:30I can feel it in my bones.
00:49:33Well, your bones may be wrong.
00:49:36What time did this happen?
00:49:37Quite early, about nine o'clock.
00:49:39The cave is nearly two hours from here.
00:49:41That's why we didn't hear it sooner.
00:49:44Well, it may interest you to know that there's been another death.
00:49:47After your vampire died.
00:49:50Who?
00:49:50Who?
00:49:51Dr. von Niemann's housekeeper.
00:49:52Right here in her own room.
00:49:54Mother of mercy!
00:49:56What are we going to do?
00:49:57But a natural death wouldn't kill a vampire, Carl.
00:50:00You know the accepted theory.
00:50:01A stake driven through the heart.
00:50:03Oh, yes.
00:50:04That's the theory, all right.
00:50:05But, but, but...
00:50:06But what?
00:50:07But they did.
00:50:08They drove a stake through his heart.
00:50:11Good God!
00:50:12Are we living in the Middle Ages?
00:50:13It wasn't through my sanction, Carl.
00:50:15Basauer did it.
00:50:17He told me so himself.
00:50:20Well, that ends the vampire theory as far as I'm concerned.
00:50:24Herman Gleib died in the accepted fashion for killing a vampire.
00:50:28Oh, no.
00:50:28There's some human agency at work here, Doctor.
00:50:30A madman who kills to satisfy some violent, sadistic urge.
00:50:35Yes, you're right, Carl.
00:50:36I've been a fool.
00:50:37A superstitious fool.
00:50:41Did they leave his body in the cave?
00:50:42Yes.
00:50:43Yes, they did.
00:50:46Well, in view of what's happened, don't you think you owe him a decent burial?
00:50:49You're right.
00:50:50In view of what has happened, we do owe him that, Carl.
00:50:54I'll see to it at once, this very instant.
00:50:56And I'll make arrangements for Georgiana's removal to the morgue.
00:51:00Good night, Doctor.
00:51:01Pardon the intrusion.
00:51:02Good night, Gustav.
00:51:08Well, here I am, just where I started weeks ago.
00:51:12There isn't a single theory that doesn't lead straight into a stone wall.
00:51:17I've jested about this vampire business because my better judgment told me it was a lot of nonsense.
00:51:22Then I reached the point where I was willing to accept even that.
00:51:26Because it seemed to satisfy the equation.
00:51:29All of it would have been superstitious.
00:51:31I don't know which way to turn.
00:51:33Where to look?
00:51:34What to look for?
00:51:36Why should anyone want human blood?
00:51:39Why?
00:51:40Why?
00:51:41Calm yourself, Carl.
00:51:42Calm myself.
00:51:44Calm myself.
00:51:45With all these unsolved murders staring me in the face and no solution in sight?
00:51:53How much blood is there in the human body, Doctor?
00:51:56About six liters, approximately.
00:52:00Can you think of any purpose for which that amount of blood might be used?
00:52:05No.
00:52:06Not even in transfusions.
00:52:08That's the point which stops me.
00:52:10There isn't any other use for human blood.
00:52:15Murderers leave clues.
00:52:17And these atrocities are murders, Doctor.
00:52:19Those simple fools in the village can believe what they like.
00:52:21But you and I are sane-thinking people.
00:52:23And you know and I know, Doctor, that these are murders.
00:52:28The last one was done here.
00:52:30In this very house, right under this roof.
00:52:34All right, I'll start here.
00:52:36I'm going over every foot of this place, both inside and out.
00:52:39Nobody, sane or insane, is clever enough to get away with murder without leaving a clue of some sort.
00:52:43And I'm going to find that clue.
00:52:45Now, come, Carl.
00:52:46You mustn't let your nerves run away with you.
00:52:48Here.
00:52:50These...
00:52:53These will help to give you a good night's sleep.
00:52:59If there are any clues, they'll be here in the morning when your nerves are calm and your...
00:53:05your mind is clear.
00:53:07Take my advice and go home and rest.
00:53:09I imagine a thousand demons were after me as I came down those stairs.
00:53:13Ruth, didn't I tell you to stay in your room?
00:53:14Yes, but I wanted the doctor to come up and quiet at him.
00:53:17You know, it isn't her imagination this time.
00:53:19Of course, Ruth. I'll come right away.
00:53:21Take my advice, young man.
00:53:22Go home and go to bed.
00:53:25Good night, Carl.
00:53:27Good night, Ruth.
00:53:35Good night, Carl.
00:53:37Good night, Doctor.
00:53:55Good night, everyone.
00:53:59Good night, everybody.
00:54:03Good night.
00:54:06Good night.
00:54:53If his lights are on, he must wait, Emil.
00:55:00Wait until he has gone to bed.
00:56:43Handle him as you did the others, Emil.
00:56:48You are strong.
00:56:51Very strong.
00:56:56I am waiting for you.
00:57:00Waiting for you to bring him to the laboratory.
00:57:40You.
00:57:42You're the one.
00:57:43What mad thing are you doing?
00:57:45Mad?
00:57:46Is one who has solved the secret of life to be considered mad?
00:57:49Life created in the laboratory.
00:57:52No mere crystalline growth, but tissue.
00:57:55Living, growing tissue.
00:57:57Life that moves, pulsates, and demands food for its continued growth.
00:58:03You shudder in horror.
00:58:05You shudder in horror.
00:58:05So did I the first time.
00:58:07But what will a few lies be weighed in the balance against the achievement of biological science?
00:58:11Think of it.
00:58:13Think of it.
00:58:13I have lifted the veil.
00:58:15I have created life.
00:58:17Rested the secret of life from life.
00:58:19Now do you understand?
00:58:21Now do you understand?
00:58:21For the lives of those who have gone before, I have created life.
00:58:25I'll tell Carl.
00:58:28You may.
00:58:30For tonight, Carl's name will be added to yours.
00:58:34And all of those who miss achievement will immortalize.
00:58:49What?
00:59:00You're in love with the bullies.
00:59:03And all the other things I see.
00:59:09I will see a little they can achieve conflict.
00:59:11I will be asked by.
00:59:11If you have been told, you will have to see a little bit.
00:59:12But if you are able to see a little bit.
00:59:12You have to hear a little bit.
00:59:13Well, I do?
00:59:13I'll tell you about it.
00:59:18So are you?
00:59:18I'll tell you what?
01:00:06I didn't take your sleeping tablets, Doctor.
01:00:20I didn't take them.
01:00:47I didn't take them.
01:00:48I didn't take them.
01:00:48But I didn't take them.
01:00:48Oh, you've got them.
01:00:49I've got a chance to tell everything, Doctor.
01:01:02I'll take care of her, Neiman. Get her out of here.
01:01:28I'll take care of her.
01:01:29You stay here.
01:01:45Von Neiman and Emil.
01:01:51Doctor, Doctor Von Neiman.
01:01:53Oh, she mustn't see them.
01:01:58Where is Doctor Von Neiman? I must see him immediately.
01:02:00Aunt Gussie, you can't. He can't be disturbed.
01:02:03Oh, but I must see him. I simply must.
01:02:05That hydrous magnesium sulfate he gave me is affecting me most peculiarly.
01:02:11You'll pardon me?
01:02:16Hydrous magnesium sulfate.
01:02:19Well, that's Epsom salts.
01:02:21Well, that's Epsom salts.
01:02:35Who believes me.
01:02:36We can never do this.
01:02:36I think we can be doing the same thing for both us.
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