The Sea Bat is a 1930 American pre-Code melodrama film directed by Wesley Ruggles, starring Raquel Torres, Charles Bickford. Part of the film was filmed on location in Mazatlán, Mexico. The film was originally intended as a vehicle for Lon Chaney, who died on August 26, 1930. The film concerns a community of sponge divers who are harassed by a large and hostile manta ray.
Cast
Raquel Torres as Nina
Charles Bickford as Reverend Sims
Nils Asther as Carl
George F. Marion as Antone
John Miljan as Juan
Boris Karloff as Corsican
Gibson Gowland as Limey
Edmund Breese as Maddocks
Mathilde Comont as Mimba
Mack Swain as Dutchy
James Dime as the sailor
Production
The film was originally announced for filming in early 1929 as a collaboration between Lon Chaney and Tod Browning. By August 31, 1929, Victor Fleming had taken over as the director, but was replaced by Hunt Stromberg by October 2, 1929, and finally by Wesley Ruggles, as of January 20, 1930. Some contemporary reports state that Lionel Barrymore as an additional director, but his name is not mentioned in any trades at the time of the production.
Filming had begun by February 8, 1930, on location at Mazatlan, Mexico.
Release
The Sea Bat was released July 5, 1930. It was released in both sound and silent versions.
Reception
From contemporary reviews, Photoplay declared the film as "Just another talkie, ho-hum!" Variety felt the film started and ended with exciting scenes but that the middle of the film "sags from lack of expected action, especially following the humdinger opening." The Bioscope praised the acting and the scenery as did Harrison's Reports, who praised the sea scenes and battles with the sea bat. Motion Picture News praised the film for its pacing and location shooting.
From retrospective reviews, Michael R. Pitts stated in his book Thrills Untapped that despite scenery and cinematography, the film was slow-paced and "a pale combination of Sadie Thompson (1928) and White Shadows in the South Seas (1928).