The Invisible Man
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Movie Reviews of The Invisible Man
Movie Review: The Invisible Man attacks!
Summary: 4 Stars
Among classic horror movies, "The Invisible Man" has never really loomed as large as Dracula, Frankenstein or the Wolf-Man. However, this classic adaptation of H.G. Wells' sci-fi novel is still a pretty entertaining affair, with an increasingly crazed Claude Rains chewing the scenery with invisible teeth. I just wish they hadn't added a token love interest.
A strange man (Rains) arrives at a hotel in Iping, wrapped up in goggles, bandages, scarves, and heavy clothes. He spends most of his time hidden away in his room, doing odd scientific experiments -- but after a fight with his landlord, he reveals that he is actually invisible. Up next: After shedding his clothes and bandages, he goes on a rampage through the town... still totally unseen.
The invisible man -- aka Dr. Jack Griffin -- escapes to the house of Dr. Kemp, a former coworker whom he turns into his frightened "partner." Just like anybody who's turned invisible would, Griffin plans a reign of terror over the entire world. As the police begin a country-wide hunt for a man they're unable to see, there is only one way that Griffin can be drawn out...
"The Invisible Man" isn't quite as well-known as Universal's vampires, monsters and werewolves, mainly because he's just an average guy who turned invisible. It's still a freaky idea, though -- not only is Griffin unable to become visible again, but ordinary people are being tormented by a criminal that could literally be anywhere. Except a paint factory.
And classic director James Whale manages to insert plenty of ghastly moments, such as a crazily laughing Griffin removing his false nose and goggles, turning his bandaged face into a skull-like mask. And he maintains some of the weird humor from H.G. Wells' original story, which you pretty much expect from a person who's invisible -- at one point Griffin dances down the street, wearing only a pair of pants and singing "Here we go gathering nuts in May!"
The downside? Some of the deviations from Wells' original story weaken the movie badly, especially the inclusion of Gloria Stuart as Griffin's girlfriend. All she does is cry, mope and make doe eyes. Seriously, what was the point of that character?
Fortunately, Claude Rains manages to single-handedly carry the entire movie -- he's grandiose, insanely malicious, and chews the scenery with unseen teeth. He's a little hammy at times, mainly because his face is invisible for 99% of the movie, but it's a truly spellbinding performance. There are a lot of good smaller performances among the villagers and the police, although that landlady's grating screech makes me wish the Invisible Man had bandaged HER head.
"The Invisible Man" isn't quite as memorable as the other Universal monster flicks, but it's still an effective piece of sci-fi horror -- and Claude Rains puts in a great performance without showing his face.
Movie Review: A lot of old "classics" can be slow and boring, but this was
Summary: 4 Stars
This movie is usually categorized as a horror film, but it is more of a sci-fi film than horror. There are also a few good comic moments (intentional) that work in this film. Oh, and Claude Raines also gives the performance of his career in the title role. I recently watched the dvd released from Universal of this film and I must say that I was quite impressed. I had not seen the movie in probably twenty years and it was really good! A lot of old "classics" can be slow and boring, but this was entertaining and I never even thought about fast forwarding through any of it, like I would in say, a Jess Franco film. The movie starts out with a bang when a mysterious man appears at an inn during a howling snowstorm. He is bundled up and and demands a room and food. After he is settled in his room, we see (or don't see) the first glimpses of the invisible man.
The name of the mysterious invisible man we find out is Dr. Jack Griffin. He has a fiancee, Flora Cranley (played by Gloria Stuart who was nominated for an Oscar for her performance as the old woman in the Titantic), and Flora and her father are very concerned for the missing invisible man, but his former partner, Dr. Kemp, sees this as a chance try and move in on Flora, but Kemp's advances are rebuffed.
Later on Kemp is visited by the invisible guy and under duress, offers cloths, food and a place to sleep for Griffin. This is when Claude Raines really gets to shine, telling Kemp about his megolimania like plans to control the world through criminal mischief. The rest of the story is somewhat of a moral tale that mixes suspense and humor.
The film was released in 1933 and was right in the middle of James Whale's wonderful run of great movies for Universal. He directed the smash hit Frankenstein that was released in 1931 and followed that up with The Old Dark House which also starred Boris Karloff. They teamed up again in 1935 for the Bride of Frankenstein which ended up being the directors last great horror film. He did manage to direct some future great horror actors in Vincent Price and Peter Cushing in the late 30's, but his career was pretty much over by 1939.
The dvd is part of Universal Studios Classic Horror Collection which means that it includes a great documentary and also a commentary by film historian Rudy Behlmer. The special effects in this movie are great, especially considering they are 70 years old. I really can't recommend this dvd highly enough for anyone who cares for early classic horror or sci-fi. I got it as part of the 8 dvd Classic Monster Collection which is still available at amazon.com, but the individual dvd is currently out of print.
Movie Review: The Solitary Outcast Has No Lasting Power
Summary: 4 Stars
Claude Raines began a long and distinguished career as an actor who could mesmerize with his rich and resonant voice. In THE INVISIBLE MAN, it is his voice that captures the audience even as his body is either buried in a mummy wrap or cavorts about the countryside unseen. The special effects of 1933 were quite primitive but director Jack Whale makes effective use of the ordinary: unwrapping of bandages to reveal blank space, doors opening and closing, and footsteps appearing in the snow. The film closely follows the novel by H. G. Wells as it presents in a thinly veiled allegory the wasted potential of one man however powerful to challenge the world. Raines is scientist Jack Griffin, who tests a new and unproven drug on himself, the result of which is to render him invisible. An unexpected side effect is that the user goes unmistakeably mad. His fiance Flora (Gloria Stuart) tries to stand by his side but all she can do is to hear him rant about how he will make the world grovel at his feet. The film is divided into two clear parts. In the first, we see Griffin as a man who seeks the solitude needed to find a cure for his then unwanted invisibility. As he takes a room, he is irritable, grumpy, and just plain mean to his landlady (Una O'Connor), who, through her habit of non stop screaming and whining, swiftly justifies his harshness toward her. One would think that had Griffin sublimated his need to wax nasty, then he might have convinced her to allow him to finish his experiments in peace. Kemp (William Harrigan), Griffin's fellow scientist, is intimidated enough to try to help Griffin, not just to find a cure but to create an army of invisible soldiers whose leaders will pay handsomely for the secret. The second half allegorically and occasionally humorously depicts the fate of anyone who challenges the world alone. Griffin escapes from the police and sets tricks and traps that amuse, but in a frenzy of mania, he derails a train causing the deaths of hundreds. No one can escape the collective power of established society, and his inevitable fate punctuates the finality of those who try. THE INVISIBLE MAN is a stunning film that, despite the irritating screaming of Miss O'Connor, is as spellbinding today in its implications of the one against the many as it was way back in 1933.Movie Review: An Allegory of the Outcasts of Society
Summary: 4 Stars
Jack Griffin is a brilliant scientist who has some ideas that his peers think dangerous and unethical. Not one to be dissuaded, Griffin successfully experiments on himself, becoming the first human to be rendered invisible. Unfortunately, prolonged invisibility--or possibly the invisibility drug itself, as his peers had warned--begins to deteriorate Griffin's mind, and he soon becomes a power-hungry killer bent on revenge.Though rarely seen in the film due to the special effects and costuming demanded by the part, Claude Rains does a dynamic job in the role of Jack Griffin. His gravelly voice and vocal histrionics serve perfectly in delivering to the audience Griffin's descent into emotional hell. And James Whale's direction is as brilliant as ever, creating the appropriate mood and atmosphere as we follow a madman's ravaging of the English countryside.
One of only four Horror films directed by James Whale for Universal, THE INVISIBLE MAN is a work that some historians and critics regard as a veiled allegory of the director's own publically covert homosexuality. While FRANKENSTEIN and BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN also depict societal outcasts in a sympathetic light, the eponymous character in THE INVISIBLE MAN is a character in a situation that is most like Whale's own--a respected genius in the public eye, but a person whose true self must remain invisible.
Even if you don't buy that particular historical perspective, THE INVISIBLE MAN still works as an allegory of any societal pariah. We all have traits that we sometimes hide from others; we all have masks that we wear. And at the times when we dwell on the things we keep hidden behind those masks, we may feel just a little "invisible" to others. So in watching THE INVISIBLE MAN, Jack Griffin becomes a metaphor for our own private identities, and we care about what happens to him. As with many of Whale's films, this pathos for the protagonist becomes a skeleton on which hangs the overall plot.
Compared to contemporary movies, the special effects in this film might seem a little dated. But the script is good, the directing is great, and the acting is superb. Anyone who enjoyes a well-crafted movie certainly won't be disappointed.
Movie Review: Impressive Early Horror Film
Summary: 4 Stars
The original INVISBLE MAN is now 70 years old, and obviously it shows some age by being a bit static and talky. Overall, however, I was pretty impressed with how enjoyable it is in light of today's action movies. The film was directed by James Whale, who made "Frankenstein" and was the subject of "Gods and Monsters."Claude Rains, in his first major role, plays a scientist who meddles with invisibility. His experiments work, except now he can't reverse the results, and he's slowing going mad. Gloria Stuart (old Rose from Titanic) plays his love interest who tries to talk him back to sanity. The special effects still work pretty well - apparently the invisiblity scenes were filmed by having Rains in a black velvet body stocking and filmed in front of a black velvet backdrop (an early precursor to our bluescreen special effects). Some of the acting is pretty hammy but doesn't detract too much from the main story. Finally, it's a surprisingly humorous movie - I laughed out loud more than once! Highly recommended for fans of early horror films and classic films in general.