Invisible Man, The (1933)
Starring: Claude Rains, Gloria Stuart, Wm. Harrigan, Una O'Connor, Dudley Diggs
Director: James Whale
Synopsis: Vintage Special effects driven classic from the brilliant James Whale
Reviewed by: Omar Khan

This feast of special effects by James Whale is ranked along side The Mummy and the original Frankenstein as one of Universal Studio's classic monster movies, even though the protagonist in this feature is monstrous of mind rather than body.

The "creature" in this film is invisible and therefore the films success is largely dependent upon the special effects that the creators are able to muster up, and considering the film was made way back in the 30's, it is a marvel to behold.

As with most of James Whale's material, the film is laced with a considerable dosage of humour and the side characters are integral to the overall effect and indeed charm of the film. Claude Rains stars in the role that Boris Karloff turned down because he refused to jeopardize his status appearing in a movie where he wouldn't be seen throughout the movie. Claude Rains took on the challenge of the crazed scientist and never looked back as the movie turned him into a star overnight. Rains is quite excellent and is able to convey the scientists descent to drug induced megalomania followed by total lunacy.

The scientist experiments with monocaine with terrible results as he turns invisible and cannot seem to rematerailize. The side effect is that he develops a beastly temper and a vicious mocking sense of humour. He also develops a violent streak, cold heartedly squashing a police officer to death with his chemistry books!

Along with Rains, the special effects hold centre stage, and they are admirable indeed, especially the bits when the invisible man is smoking his cigar or walking through the footsteps or indeed when he is undoing his bandages to reveal nothing on the inside! He however looks his most marvellous in the trademark crepe bandages wrapped around his face with a pair of dark glasses bizarrely perched on his nose - very post-punk, highly swank indeed. He truly looks the part in his highly trendy pyjamas and polka dot dressing gown and rubber gloves.

Gloria Stuart looks unrecognisable from the shrivelled up oldie in Titanic - amazing. Here she is alluring and quite the nymph. The movie moves along rapidly and is so short that there is hardly a dull moment. Una O'Connor excels as the demented Inn Keepers shrewish wife who takes quite a battering from the very cranky invisible man. Its vintage, good natured fun with a great sense of humour and rightly earns its place as one of Universal's great classics.

It may not be scary even for a moment, but it is thoroughly entertaining from beginning to end and displays James Whale's marvellous cinematic style and tremendous wit. Quite a little gem, well worthy of its reputation and fairly reminiscent of some great movie to follow, namely The Fly old and new versions.