THE INVISIBLE MAN Review

The monster in this movie isn't gruesomely disfigured like the Frankenstein monster, hairy like the wolf man, or tall, dark, and deadly like Dracula. In fact, he looks nothing like those guys, because he looks like nothing at all. Although, like the Mummy, he does have a fondness for bandages. It's THE INVISIBLE MAN, from 1933, based on the novel by HG Wells, directed by James Whale, and starring Claude Rains in the title role. Well, I should say starring the voice of Claude Rains, as his actual physical self doesn't get a whole lot of screen time. And what a voice it is. Check out his maniacal laughter once he starts to lose his mind. Now that's what I calls actin'.

The special effects in THE INVISIBLE MAN are still impressive today, especially considering they were done over 70 years ago, long before the use of green screens and CGI. The lighting, art direction, and camera work are also excellent, which is to be expected from James Whale, the director of FRANKENSTEIN and BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN. The movie has everything, horror, humor, suspense, and romance. Truly a classic of its kind.

The film tells the story of John Griffin, a brilliant scientist who creates a formula for invisibilty, but is undone by an unfortunate side effect of the serum: while it renders him invisible, it also drives him stark raving mad.

The star of THE INVISIBLE MAN, Claude Rains, once said, "Often we'd secretly like to do the very things we discipline ourselves against. Isn't that true? Well, here in the movies I can be as mean, as wicked as I want to - and all without hurting anybody. Look at that lovely girl I've just shot!" Claude Rains was one of the greatest character actors ever to appear on the silver screen. Born in London in 1889, his first major film role as THE INVISIBLE MAN came after years of stage experience. Among his other well-known roles are Prince John in THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD, Senator Joe Payne in MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON, Captain Renault in CASABLANCA, and as THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. He also made memorable appearances in THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER, NOTORIOUS, LAWRENCE OF ARABIA and THE WOLF MAN. Later in his career, he did a lot of work on TV, guest-starring on five different episodes of ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS, as well as such shows as RAWHIDE, PLAYHOUSE 90, and THE NAKED CITY. He died in New Hampshire in 1967 of an intestinal hemorrhage at the age of 77.

His love interest, Flora Cranley, is played by Gloria Stuart, who you may remember as "Old Rose," the elderly version of Kate Winslet's character in 1997's TITANIC. Or you may remember her from her unforgettable role as a bag lady in an episode of the 1983 TV series MANIMAL.

THE INVISIBLE MAN is one of the most perfectly realized Universal horror films, way ahead of its time visually, and featuring an incredible performance by Rains. It was followed up by several sequels, THE INVISIBLE MAN RETURNS, THE INVISIBLE WOMAN, THE INVISIBLE MAN's REVENGE and THE INVISIBLE AGENT.

Available as part of Universal's THE INVISIBLE MAN COLLECITON.