During the late-silent, early-sound period, Roland West was a well-known director of stylish, innovative films. Casting the visual flourishes of German Expressionism across macabre storylines, he made comedic thrillers that stressed craft over craftiness. West's penchant for technological innovation was surely sated by the production of The Bat Whispers. Having completed a silent version in 1926, he set about a sound remake, starring Chester Morris and Una Merkel. But this time it was shot in Magnifilm, a short-lived 65mm system, giving West a wide swathe of screen 22 years before Cinemascope. The Bat Whispers is set in an "old dark house" where danger lurks and the shadows are painted on the sets, à la Caligari. The story tells of a mysterious master criminal known as "The Bat" who follows a rival thief to an estate rented by a rich old woman (Grayce Hampton). A closetful of crusty characters converge on this manse only to discover that they have The Bat in the belfry. Fourteen minutes of restored footage were added to tonight's print. And though it's only a 35mm Cinemascope version of the original Magnifilm print, there's still plenty of screen for the screams.