Calling all Batman fans! Early silent comedy/mystery to be shown with live music; inspired Bob Kane to create Batman superhero
It’s a rarely screened movie credited with inspiring comic book artist Bob Kane to create the iconic ‘Batman’ character.
It’s ‘The Bat’ (1926), a silent comedy/mystery directed by Roland West. We’ll be screening on Sunday, Oct. 27 at 2 p.m.
The screening will feature live accompaniment by Jeff Rapsis, a New Hampshire-based composer who specializes in creating music for silent films.
The show will allow audiences to experience ‘The Bat’ the way its makers originally intended: on the big screen, with live music, and with an audience.
The story: throughout the city a mysterious thief known only as The Bat is looting the wealthy. The Bat, who wears a full-head bat mask and cape, enjoys toying with his prey by sending notes telling where he is going to strike next.
As the search intensifies, at the country estate of the recently deceased bank owner, Courtleigh Fleming, a disparate group assembles, each with their own agenda.
When Courtleigh Fleming’s nephew is shot to death on the mansion’s grand staircase, the race is on to unmask the killer, stop The Bat, and find a fortune in stolen money hidden within the house.
‘The Bat’ was originally a popular stage play by Mary Roberts Rinehart before being transformed into a movie during Hollywood’s silent film era.
The cast, which includes period favorites Louise Fazenda, Arthur Housman, Jack Pickford, and Jewel Carmen, supports the ominous mood while providing plenty of amusement.
Director Roland West was a master visual stylist with a penchant for the macabre. In ‘The Bat,’ he expertly manipulated light and shadow.
West also assembled a top notch production crew that included art direction by William Cameron Menzies and photography by Gregg Toland, who would later shoot ‘Citizen Kane’ (1941) with Orson Welles.
‘The Bat’ was a hit when first released, and was also influential, as the masked figure of ‘The Bat’ had a profound effect on young artist Bob Kane, who cited the film as one of his main inspirations for the creation of Batman.
Rapsis, a composer who specializes in film music, will create a score for ‘The Bat’ on the spot, improvising the music as the movie unfolds to enhance the on-screen action as well as respond to audience reactions.
Rapsis performs the music on a digital synthesizer, which is capable of producing a wide range of theatre organ and orchestral textures.
“Live music was an integral part of the silent film experience,” Rapsis said. “At the time, most films weren’t released with sheet music or scores. Studios relied on local musicians to come up with an effective score that was different in every theater. At its best, this approach created an energy and a connection that added a great deal to a film’s impact. That’s what I try to recreate,” Rapsis said.
Admission $17 adults; $13 members; $12 seniors/children. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.somervilletheatre.com.