---
title: "The Devil Bat"
year: 1940
canonical_url: "https://www.archytele.com/show/the-devil-bat-1940"
media_type: "movie"
tmdb_id: 41021
imdb_id: "tt0032390"
status: "Released"
runtime_minutes: 68
community_rating: 5.3
vote_count: 88
content_rating: "NR"
---

# The Devil Bat (1940) — Television & Cinema Intelligence Dossier

> **Archytele Living Vault Canonical Record**: https://www.archytele.com/show/the-devil-bat-1940

## Executive Summary & Cultural Positioning

The Devil Bat is a 1940 black-and-white American horror film produced by Producers Releasing Corporation and directed by Jean Yarborough. The story follows Dr. Paul Carruthers, who seeks revenge against his employers after believing they cheated him out of company profits, leading him to alter bats to twice their normal size and train them to attack targets wearing his custom perfume. 

Cultural significance stems from its place as a classic horror feature starring Bela Lugosi alongside Suzanne Kaaren, Guy Usher, Yolande Mallott, and the comic team of Dave O'Brien and Donald Kerr. The film combines horror, science fiction, and crime elements with a runtime of 1 hour and 8 minutes, following a newspaper reporter who decides to investigate the mysterious deaths.

## The Hook & The Verdict

**The Hook**: "A disgruntled doctor breeds giant, scent-trained bats to murder his employers for revenge."

### Why Watch
- Stars Bela Lugosi as the vengeful Dr. Paul Carruthers
- Features a unique plot involving giant bats trained to attack using a custom perfume
- Includes investigative elements driven by a newspaper reporter

### Caveats & Content Note
- The provided text and sources do not contain specific audience criticisms to list a verified con.
- Tone & Suitability: The film is a 1940 black-and-white American horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 8 minutes.

**Micro-Themes & Vibe Matrix**: #mad-scientist, #revenge-plot, #killer-bats, #classic-horror, #newspaper-investigation, #scent-triggered-attack

## Streaming Availability Matrix

| Region | Stream (Subscription) | Free / Ads | Rent / Buy |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **United States (US)** | fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, Brew, MGM Plus, Screambox Amazon Channel, FlixFling, Midnight Pulp Amazon Channel, Bloodstream, Artiflix | Kanopy, Hoopla, FlixHouse, Public Domain Movies, Fawesome, Bloodstream | Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Brew |
| **United Kingdom (GB)** | Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Bloodstream, Artiflix, Brew | Bloodstream | Amazon Video, Brew, Apple TV Store |
| **Canada (CA)** | FlixFling, Bloodstream, Artiflix, Brew | Hoopla, Bloodstream | Apple TV Store, FlixFling, Brew |
| **Australia (AU)** | Bloodstream, Artiflix, Brew | Bloodstream | Amazon Video, Brew |

## Creative Credits

- **Directed by**: Jean Yarbrough
- **Networks / Studios**: PRC

## Key Cast Continuity

- **Bela Lugosi** as *Dr. Paul Carruthers*
- **Suzanne Kaaren** as *Mary Heath*
- **Dave O'Brien** as *Johnny Layton*
- **Guy Usher** as *Henry Morton*
- **Yolande Donlan** as *Maxine*
- **Donald Kerr** as *'One-Shot' McGuire*
- **Edmund Mortimer** as *Martin Heath*
- **Gene O'Donnell** as *Don Morton*
- **Alan Baldwin** as *Tommy Heath*
- **John Ellis** as *Roy Heath*

## Canonical Frequently Asked Questions

### Q: Where to stream The Devil Bat?
According to available sources, the film has been listed on streaming services including Bloodstream and Artiflix.

### Q: Whether it is worth watching?
It is a 1940 black-and-white American horror film starring Bela Lugosi that features a unique plot about scent-trained giant bats.

### Q: What is the runtime or binge duration?
The film has a runtime of 1 hour and 8 minutes.

### Q: What are the essential episodes?
The Devil Bat is a feature film rather than a series with episodes.

## Grounded Source Citations

- [The Devil Bat — The Movie Database (TMDB)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/41021)
- [The Devil Bat - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Devil_Bat)
- [The Devil Bat (1940) - Full cast & crew - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032390/fullcredits/)
- [The Devil Bat (1940) - Cast & Crew — The Movie Database (TMDB)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/41021-the-devil-bat/cast)
- [The Devil Bat (1940) Full Cast & Crew - Plex](https://watch.plex.tv/movie/the-devil-bat/credits)
- [The Devil Bat](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3520610)

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*Generated by Archytele Open Intelligence Systems. Data verified against TMDB and JustWatch APIs.*