Greetings,
This topic represents my first post to the present group of respondents.
Poverty Row Horrors features a chapter devoted to PRC's 1940 production The Devil Bat.
An appendix to that splendid book displays a poll, contributed to by a who's who of horror genre experts, that appraises Bela Lugosi's Monogram Studios series of films. Our author mentions that The Devil Bat may have been rated first in the poll, if not for the fact that is was not a Monogram title.
Devil Bat first came to my attention around 1982-1983 when it was featured in the PBS series Matinee at the Bijou. The feature was augmented by a Hallowe'en-themed cartoon, soundie, and even a dental health PSA that characterized tooth decay as creepy monsters.
Many of my inquiries delve into the business and financial history aspects of our favorite classic horror films. To that end, I am wondering about those facets of The Devil Bat.
Clearly, PRC was happy to have Lugosi under contract, and Bela, following a rough patch of spotty employment, was pleased to receive the star treatment again even if it was under the auspices of a modest studio.
Sources show that contemporary Universal programmers, such as The Mummy's Hand or Man Made Monster were budgeted at about $80,000. Shooting schedules were limited to two weeks or less.
How much do you think it cost to make The Devil Bat? We know that Bela received $500.00 per week for Son of Frankenstein, and that his payout was augmented in that Rowland V. Lee kept our hero on the payroll for the course of the picture. How much would PRC offer Lugosi for the leading role of Dr. Carruthers? Would Lugosi receive a weekly salary, or a flat rate for his appearance. And what about the other players? Union scale? Director, cinematographer, crew? Were all of them on contract, or were some paid a daily rate?
It seems as if The Devil Bat convered its expenses, and then some, in revenue.
In 1940, anybody who took home $150.00 per month could live comfortably. A new house could be had for $5,000, and a new car ran around $800.00.
It remains astonishing to me that film industry employees could not struggle along if they only made a few movies annually, sold one script, composed one score, shot one film, or kept up their union dues.
Please let me know your intelligence regarding The Devil Bat!
With every best wish,
Andy in Vancouver.
This topic represents my first post to the present group of respondents.
Poverty Row Horrors features a chapter devoted to PRC's 1940 production The Devil Bat.
An appendix to that splendid book displays a poll, contributed to by a who's who of horror genre experts, that appraises Bela Lugosi's Monogram Studios series of films. Our author mentions that The Devil Bat may have been rated first in the poll, if not for the fact that is was not a Monogram title.
Devil Bat first came to my attention around 1982-1983 when it was featured in the PBS series Matinee at the Bijou. The feature was augmented by a Hallowe'en-themed cartoon, soundie, and even a dental health PSA that characterized tooth decay as creepy monsters.
Many of my inquiries delve into the business and financial history aspects of our favorite classic horror films. To that end, I am wondering about those facets of The Devil Bat.
Clearly, PRC was happy to have Lugosi under contract, and Bela, following a rough patch of spotty employment, was pleased to receive the star treatment again even if it was under the auspices of a modest studio.
Sources show that contemporary Universal programmers, such as The Mummy's Hand or Man Made Monster were budgeted at about $80,000. Shooting schedules were limited to two weeks or less.
How much do you think it cost to make The Devil Bat? We know that Bela received $500.00 per week for Son of Frankenstein, and that his payout was augmented in that Rowland V. Lee kept our hero on the payroll for the course of the picture. How much would PRC offer Lugosi for the leading role of Dr. Carruthers? Would Lugosi receive a weekly salary, or a flat rate for his appearance. And what about the other players? Union scale? Director, cinematographer, crew? Were all of them on contract, or were some paid a daily rate?
It seems as if The Devil Bat convered its expenses, and then some, in revenue.
In 1940, anybody who took home $150.00 per month could live comfortably. A new house could be had for $5,000, and a new car ran around $800.00.
It remains astonishing to me that film industry employees could not struggle along if they only made a few movies annually, sold one script, composed one score, shot one film, or kept up their union dues.
Please let me know your intelligence regarding The Devil Bat!
With every best wish,
Andy in Vancouver.
