Plot:
A small village loved the kindly Dr. Carruthers. However, they were unaware of his weird and horrifying experiments.
Dr. Carruthers is pouring chemicals together thus indicating SCIENCE. He enters a secret passage leading to a room with a bat hanging from what looks like a wire hanger. He takes
the small bat into another room and electrocutes it for it to grow.
A phone call takes Carruthers away from his work. The Morton Heath Cosmetics company executives have called to invite him to a party. He eventually agrees to come. The
executives are going to present him with a bonus check for all his work.
Carruthers returns to his bat. The bat revolts against a scent. Apparently, the scent will make the bat attack and kill.
The Mortons and Heaths are waiting for Dr. Carruthers. They are to keep the bonus check a secret until he gets it. Carruthers calls and is unable to come to the party. Roy will run
the check to the good doctor’s house.
Carruthers is surprised when Roy presents the check. However, he isn’t very happy about getting the check. Carruthers presents Roy with some of his new aftershave lotion. Roy
tries the lotion before leaving.
Say, wearing garlic on my neck keeps vampires away. Care to try it Doc?
Bela Lugosi narration ensues. The company built all their wealth because of Carruthers’s work. He releases the bat into the night sky.
Guy (never caught his name) wants to announce being engaged to Mary. However, Mary only loves him as a brother and not in the deep Southern hill way.
The bat attacks and kills Roy. It flies away. Dr. Carruthers is called to treat Roy but is too late and unaware of what happened.
A big city newspaper editor calls in Johnny Layton to investigate Roy’s death. Not write a story, he is to investigate the death.
In Heathville, Johnny and his photographer, One-Shot, visit the chief of police. The chief reveals every fact of the case. The victim had scratch marks. No wild animals have been
reported on the loose. The autopsy doctor’s opinion revealed the attack could be from a bird and mouse hair was found on Roy. Johnny realizes it could be a bat. A strange aroma
was on Roy that dissipated quickly. Johnny offers to help in any way he can and wants to talk with Mary.
Later, Johnny pays a visit with Mary when Dr. Carruthers arrives. One-Shot leaves to pitch woo at the French maid. Johnny is asking about Roy before having to leave to post
his story.
One-Shot has convinced Maxie the maid for a few cheesecake shots.
Carruthers convinces Tommy Morton to test his new aftershave lotion. He reacts almost violently when Tommy gets some lotion on him. Tommy leaves. Cry havoc let loose the
bats of war.
Johnny and One-Shot are still waiting when they find Mary. Tommy pulls up in at the house. Johnny is starting to doubt the killer animal idea and about to call it a night. Suddenly,
the bat attacks Tommy. Johnny rushes to Tommy’s side and opens fire. The bat flies home.
Johnny tells his editor about the giant bat. He wants Johnny to get back to the city. The editor also wants a picture of the bat. Johnny has a bright idea to have One-Shot get
a stuffed bat and used it for the picture.
Rotating newspaper montage ensues.
What happened to sensational headlines like this?
Donald Morton tries the aftershave lotion. When the bat is let out, Donald is killed.
One Shot has Maxie help him photograph the doctored bat. Chief of police comes by opening fire on the bat. He takes in One Shot to explain the Devil Bat.
Johnny covers with the Chief. He even shows the Chief the aftershave in Don’s medicine cabinet. The Chief recognizes it as the scent on the other victims. Johnny is sure that
is the connection.
In the hotel, One Shot explains how he can touch up the Devil Bat picture.
A radio newscaster interviews an animal expert who is skeptical of the Devil Bat. All the characters everywhere are listening to the broadcast. The expert reveals the photo was
a fake. The editor calls to fire Johnny and One-Shot. They’ll stay to solve the Devil Bat case. Mary calls Johnny and is embarrassed by the fake picture.
Johnny is showed the chemical analysis of the aftershave lotion. Apparently, Dr. Carruthers is the expert. The Chief can’t believe Bela is involved. Johnny knows the Morton
Heath empire was built on Carruther’s formula. He sold it for cash instead of keeping a percentage of the company. Johnny suspects Carruthers. Johnny and the Chief pay a visit
on the kindly doctor.
They ask Carruthers to analyze the aftershave. He admits to creating it. One of the key ingredients is from Tibet. Carruthers learns that Johnny was fired and is staying until the
case is solved. He gives some of the aftershave lotion to Johnny. The Chief refuses and is afraid of his wife realizing he smells good or has manly odors. They leave.
One Shot and Johnny are talking. The Devil Bat comes swooping down at them. Johnny is able to give it a slight lead transfusion.
Rotating newspaper montage ensues about Johnny killing the Devil Bat.
The doubting expert claims the Devil Bat is the last of its species.
Carruthers listens to the newscast. He starts working on another bat. Electro-bat growth acceleration ensues.
Johnny and One Shot are able to get their editor to practically crawl to rehire them. Mary comes by to apologize for doubting Johnny for him using a fake photo to exploit
hysteria.
Carruthers is still growing his bat. He trains it to attack the scent.
The next victim is Henry Morton. Carruthers gives Henry the aftershave lotion and barely gets him into trying it right at that moment. Henry makes the mistake of mentioning
how Carruthers could have been rich if he’d kept his interest in the company. Carruthers starts ranting about how great his work is and implies he’s behind the killings.
Would you trust him as your family doctor?
Henry calls his partner about having a lead on the murders. Does anyone ever tell anything on the phone? Henry can’t say much when Carruthers pops back in the office.
They drive off. Later, Bela releases the bat.
Bela calls on the Chief and Mr. Heath. Henry Morton staggers in and dies.
Another newspaper montage ensues.
Johnny and One Shot are staying at the Heath’s home. Bela scoffs at Johnny assertions about the bat going after the Heaths and Mortons.
Mary discovers a new perfume in one of her perfume bottles.
The bat is loosed but can’t get to Mary due to her having the window screen locked. Her screams bring Johnny, One Shot, and Heath. She tells them about the perfume. Johnny
has a plan.
Johnny calls Bela about something terrible befalling Mary.
His plan is for Mary to act sick and nervous to distract Bela long enough for Johnny to do some investigating.
At Bela’s house, Johnny is searching the lab and electro-room.
Bela has finished checking over Mary. One Shot tries distracting Bela to no avail.
Johnny is still snooping but manages to hide before Bela enters. He goes to his secret lab unaware of Johnny following him.
Bela lets the Devil Bat and the others out for the night. He’s afraid that visitors might find something.
A knock on the door brings Johnny. He asks for more aftershave lotion to lure the bat. Bela sees the reporter slather himself in the smelly stuff. All the victims were wearing
the aftershave. He plans to wait until the bat then hunting season. Bela is doubtful but go along as a witness.
In the Heath’s garden, Johnny and Bela are waiting. Bela is starting to get a bit antsy. Johnny sprays the lotion on Bela. Johnny reveals he knows the bat was let out of the
attic. He asks Bela about the Devil Bat.
Bela struggles with Johnny to keep him from shooting the bat. The Chief manages to drive the bat off. Bela escapes.
One Shot and Heath are to guard Mary. Johnny and Chief will search for Bela.
Mary finds Bela. He convinces her that Johnny was hurt.
Devil Bat dive bombs Bela and starts after Mary.
The Chief finally kills the bat. Mary learns that Bela was the murderer. Johnny and Mary embrace as the movie ends.
