Rarely screened thriller 'The Bat' to take wing on Oct. 25

"The Bat" is a rarely screened movie credited with inspiring comic book artist Bob Kane to create the iconic character Batman. The 1926 silent comedy/mystery directed by Roland West will be shown at Wilton Town Hall Theatre on Sunday Oct. 25, at 2 p.m., and feature live musical accompaniment. Admission is free. Donations are gladly accepted to support the silent film series, with $10 per person suggested. The screening will feature live accompaniment by Jeff Rapsis, a New Hampshire-based composer who specializes in creating scores 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 recently deceased bank owner Courtleigh Fleming, a disparate group assembles, each with their own agenda. When 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. West was a master visual stylist as a director 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 can produce a wide range of theater 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." For more information, call 603-654-3456. For more information on the music, visit jeffrapsis.com.