Customer Reviews

The Invisible Man (Universal Studios Classic Monster Collection)

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

This movie is 1 of of the 6 classic monsters

i saw it 3 in a half years ago on AMC'S Monster fest 2000
not that bad of a movie i liked it then i kept seeing it pop up on AMC throughout the weeks to come .. its really hit the spot light of Special Effects and even a little bitta humor in the movie i like it and i think every1 should buy the private collection movie of this classic universal SHOCKER

'Invisible Man, The' is one of the most sucessful Universal monster movies of the thirties, along with 'Frankstein' and 'Dracula'. A superior adaptation of a H.G. Welles novel, the movie has humour, suspense and a excelent development of the story that made this movie actual for all ages.
Claude Rains (the actor that made 'Phantom of the Opera) gives life to Jack Griffin, a young scientist that discover a strange formula to turn himself invisible and goes crazy along the process. The movie has some great scenes,like the tricks that Griffin plays with the people of a little village and the persecutions of the police, always confused by the inteligent and unusual invisible enemy. Great special effects for the time makes the movies even more valuable and Rains gives a strong and convincible performance, although all the time 'invisible' for the public.

The Invisible Man is one of the most impressive Universal "monster" films of the 1930s, a motion picture masterpiece still as vibrant and engaging now as it was in 1933. It is also a representative of the rarest of movies - one which succeeds much better than the novel upon which it was based. Don't get me wrong - H.G. Wells was a brilliant writer, one of the two founding fathers of science fiction, but The Invisible Man left me as cold as the invisible man must have felt running around naked in the bitterly cold countryside. The invisible man is thoroughly unlikable in the novel, much more so than he is here. A running time of just 71 minutes and a brilliant tour de force of a film debut by Claude Raines make Jack Griffin a fascinating albeit quite mad character who never completely turns the viewer off with his misguided antics. Of course, the sword cuts both ways. In the novel, one gets a much deeper appreciation of the pain and struggle the man faces trying to restore himself to visibility. In the movie, the transition to raving megalomaniac occurs much more quickly, with several palliative dashes of humor thrown into the mix early on.

There isn't that much to the story, really. A man wrapped in bandages and clothed in a long overcoat, glasses, and hat suddenly enters the Lion's Head pub and inn one snowy night demanding a room. He makes it very clear that he wants privacy and soon begins performing chemical experiments. The fellow is a scientist named Jack Griffin (Claude Rains), a young chap who, after five years of private work, discovered the secret of invisibility; unfortunately for him, he has yet to figure out an antidote, as becomes evident when he begins to shed his clothes and bandages - yep, the title was right, he really is the invisible man. Now most fellows, were they to become invisible, would probably run right out and try to see the girl next door in her birthday suit, but Griffin is different. That special ingredient in the potion tends to make a person just a little bit insane, and Griffin has already begun forming plans to get filthy rich and make the world grovel at his invisible feet. His surly attitude and just plain weirdness soon get him evicted, and soon his secret is out. He has a jolly good time playing pranks on local villagers, but his pranks soon turn to mass murder. The police dragnet is fun to watch (it isn't easy to catch an invisible man), but the movie takes a continually darker tone as the inevitable conclusion approaches. I am of the belief that the story of The Invisible Man really doesn't teach any sort of lesson with it, although others are certainly free to voice their own interpretations of the story. Griffin is just too disagreeable to teach me anything (apart from the ubiquitous "don't meddle in God's domain" thing).

The special effects in the film are actually quite amazing. Many of them are rather simple but well-done, and the central bits featuring clothes walking around on their own serve the story very well indeed. There is one scene featuring a pair of pants skipping down the road accompanied by Griffin singing the kind of ditty a madman might be prone to sing that is absolutely priceless. Alongside Dracula and Frankenstein, The Invisible Man completes the threesome of truly must-see 1930s Universal "monster" films, even though we all know it's really pure science fiction and not horror.

Even though we don't see him till the very last scene, Claude Raines gives probably his best performance. This was by far the best invisible man themed movie that I have seen.

There are some really tense parts especially after Raines tells Kemp he is going to kill him. There is also some extremely amusing scenes (Raines going through the countryside with nothing but a basket and singing a children's song while scarring all the townfolk.

Though this marvelous film was made 70 years ago, it holds up beautifully today. The primary reason is the riveting performance by Claude Rains, who is seen on screen full face for only a few seconds at the conclusion of the piece. His voice virtually carries the picture and his performance is dynamic, comic and quite masterful. In contrast, the weakness of the film are the supporting players, with the exception of those in the British tavern.

Gloria Stuart, recently "re-discovered" in her role as the elderly Rose in Cameron's "Titanic," is singularly awful in her role as the Invisible Man's (Jack's) girlfriend. Though beautiful, she overacts and puts on a childish display in every scene. She adds virtually nothing to the narrative except a pretty face. William Harrigan plays Jack's partner and reluctant accomplice and he is also dreadful and theatrical. Henry Travers is excellent and pay special attention to catch an uncredited Walter Brennan in a brief speaking role in the tavern.

The script is excellent and provides many hilarious moments. The special effects are similarly good and leagues ahead of their time. Though a trifle awkward in spots, one must remember this is 1933 and the effects must have stunned and delighted audiences of that era. This is a must-see classic movie, made memorable by the riveting concept and a seering performance by Claude Rains.

THE INVISIBLE MAN can be an enjoyable movie - particularly if you don't take it too seriously. By the standards of the early 1930's the special effects are good enough and the acting by Claude Rains as the invisible man is superb.

The story by H.G. Wells about a scientist who develops a method of becoming invisible and then gradually goes insane is unique. Local police who try to capture the invisible man provide much slapstick humor.

Gloria Stuart who played the girl friend of the invisible man also acted in REBECCA OF SUNNYBROOK FARM and THE THREE MUSKETEERS in the 1930's as well as TITANIC and THE LOVE LETTER in the 1990's. Director James Whale directed FRANKENSTEIN and BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN in the 1930's.

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.

The Invisible Man is a great flim! It stars Claude Rains as thne invisible one, Griffin. And during the end of the middle his partner calls the police while his is staying in his house. Then Griffin promised to kill him the next day at 10:00p.m. And that is a PROMISE! I wont say anything more. People would say why would he go mad? He only turned invisible but during the movie it says in the chemicals he uses there is a drug and mixed with the other chemicals it abvously creates invisibility. But the drug can hurt people drive them a little mad. This happens to Griffin. This was found by anciet times when they used this drug and the other assitiant points out thats why they have not used it since. This movie has an ending that makes you say how was there two sequels to The Invisible Man unless the invisible man is not Griffin or there was a miricle but otherwise this movie is TERRIFIC. So I highly reccomend this movie to anyone who spots a good eye on it. So may I end this review in:
This Movie Was Terrific

James Whale was one of Universal's best directors in the 1930s; hell, let's just say he was one of Hollywood's best directors. Besides "Frankenstein" and "The Bride of Frankenstein," he also directed this first sound adaptation of H.G. Wells's thriller. And in it he provided a Hollywood debut for English actor Claude Rains. Rains is marvelous as the Invisible One (as he's identified in the opening credits), a fabulously over-the-top performance reveling in the character's madness and wit. Rains is aptly partnered by a young Gloria Stuart (who went on to play the old lady in James Cameron's "Titanic" about 60 years later, as well as lead an extraordinarily interesting life as an artist and a friend to the wonderful writer MFK Fisher, but I digress!) and Henry Travers (aka the angel wannabe Clarence in Capra's "It's A Wonderful Life.") But the real scene stealer in this thoroughly entertaining, masterfully paced film is the great Una O'Connor as the Inn-keeper's wife. Just watching this woman's face is one of the great delights of going to the movies, even at home. Good screen adaptation from the writers and excellent camera work, but it's Whale's show and the direction displays all his trademark creepy atmospherics and sly wit. A real gem, and with marvelous DVD bonus features to boot!