Titreenp SERIOUSLY. This is what the crap Hollywood still puts out?

Matialth Good concept, poorly executed.

Sexyloutak Absolutely the worst movie.

Kidskycom It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.

Nigel P I had not noticed before how reminiscent the opening music to 'The Invisible Man' is to the repeatedly used scores from the 1940's Universal monster films.The tavern into which the heavily dressed be-hatted figure of Griffin enters, ushering with him billows of snow, could be tailor-made for the cliché legend 'We don't like strangers about these parts.' Indeed, there are few stranger than Griffin: monosyllabic, wrapped in overcoat, bandages, gloves and hat. And yet the sinewy collection of cadaverous locals huddled up for warmth in 'The Lion's Head' seem more eccentric yet. Una O'Connor, who would tone down her performance not one iota for Minnie in 1935's 'The Bride of Frankenstein' plays landlady Jenny Hall as a shrieking willowy old cockney. When EE Clive is introduced as the village 'bobby', with a 'here, wot's all this?' the conglomerate of grotesques is complete – suddenly, Griffin seems almost straight-laced by comparison.Onto this tapestry, the mysterious newcomer reveals the secret of the mystery that appears to surround him. "You're crazy to know who I am, aren't you?" he growls as, with a merciless onslaught of John P Fulton's magnificent special effects, his secret is revealed. "He's invisible, that's what's the matter with 'im," concludes Constable Jaffers.After this truly peerless first act, the rest of the film doesn't quite match up. How could it? It is, nevertheless, hugely entertaining throughout as second-billed Gloria Stuart is introduced as fiancée Flora Cranleigh and William Harrigan as the unfortunate Kemp.And yet it is Claude Rains, mostly unseen, who retains the acting honours as a character who traverses suspicion, hilarity, madness and ultimately tragedy in the title role. From his first appearance trudging through show that clings like porridge (perhaps that is what it was – whatever, the snowbound scenes are incredibly convincing) to his maudlin final act, he deserves every word of the praise heaped upon him. As does Director James Whale and effects man Fulton (and his team), both very much at the top of their game.There would be recasts for subsequent sequels featuring invisible relatives, but as with every other Universal horror franchise (excluding possibly 'Frankenstein', which to my mind was trumped by its first sequel) this remains a classic unsurpassed.

bkoganbing As I write this review I'm noting that there is a planned remake for The Invisible Man that will star Johnny Depp. It will have to go some in taking on what I believe is an impossible task of trying to duplicate Claude Rains in the unseen role.Carl Laemmle at Universal Pictures knew that instinctively that one would have to have one special voice that could hold the attention of the audience as half of the actor's tools, body language and facial expressions are not available to one playing the part. Laemmle certainly got his money's worth in obtaining the services of Claude Rains for the lead. Rains was possessor of one of the great classically trained voices ever on the screen.In this film based on the H.G. Wells story Rains working on his own while employed by Henry Travers on the secret of transparency. The secret ingredient is some Hollywood invented stuff called Monocane which does render living things transparent. It also drives them mad as Travers learns when he translated some German experimentation. But Rains doesn't know that as he takes some rooms at an inn to work in isolation. When the curious led by landlady Una O'Connor get too much he lets them in for more than they bargained for. The Invisible Man is unleashed on the world. By the way Una O'Connor is worth seeing this film alone for with her reactions to Rains.Both Travers and his daughter Gloria Stuart are truly concerned for Rains. Stuart is truly frightened as is Travers's other assistant William Harrigan who also likes Stuart. Stuart is frightened for Rains and the world as Rains explains the possibilities of what invisibility allows him to do.Harrigan has an interesting role and doesn't get enough praise for it. I'm sure he's not a person of any great courage. But he certainly isn't a villain here. Rains forces himself on Harrigan because he needs a confederate and one with scientific training certainly helps. But it's precisely because he is also a scientist that Harrigan is frightened of him. He may act cowardly, but I dare say not too many of us would react differently. I think his part as Doctor Kemp might have been William Harrigan's career role.James Whale best known for directing Frankenstein and Showboat got the most out of his fine ensemble, but especially with Rains whom you feel sympathy for as his experiment has truly isolated him from the human race.The Invisible Man holds up well today and this was one auspicious beginning in the film career of Claude Rains whom we never see till the very end.

SimonJack For all the technological advances in moving making well into the 21st century, few films can match the special effects achievement of Universal Studios in this 1933 fantasy, sci-fi movie. "The Invisible Man" is a classic in the genre. The scenes of an invisible man, and partly invisible man are astounding. The cast for the film is excellent, and the story of finding Claud Rains to play Dr. Jack Griffin (aka, the invisible man), is fascinating. Rains had been an accomplished stage actor for some time in England. He had come to America for a Broadway play and while here, he made a screen test for movies. Apparently it was terrible, but when director James Whale heard his voice, he said Rains was the person to play the lead. Considering that the star would be so seldom seen in the film, Whale wanted a distinctive voice that would set the invisible man apart. Rains was perfect for the part and got the role.He is superb here, and this led to a highly successful Hollywood career in which he starred mostly as the second male lead. But his roles were substantial. He may be best known by fans as the French captain of police, Louis Renault, in "Casablanca." Rains had some great roles, playing with leading men and women of Hollywood over four decades. The rest of the cast all give very good performances. An interesting aspect of this film is that it shows the British police as being astute and clever in their pursuit of the man. This is a memorable film and good early example of outstanding cinematography and special effects. It makes a good addition to any serious film library.

Leofwine_draca James Whale's dark tale of scientific experiments gone awry and insanity is full of the director's usual touches, including the black strokes of comedy he so loved to have in his films. And it remains the original, and best, film about invisibility, forget all the myriad sequels and remakes that followed (MEMOIRS OF AN INVISIBLE MAN, anyone? I thought not). What makes this film interesting is that it is not only about invisibility, but a story of madness and insanity too, giving the film a human touch which not only provokes further chills, but also makes the viewer sympathise with the scientist involved too.Of course, the usual negative points are here in abundance, from the stupid comic relief touches to the increasingly irritating old woman who screams all the time. Also the romantic leads who possess little or no depth or charisma. These points can be forgiven as by-products of the time this film was produced though, and at least the film concentrates on the invisible man himself, not on the young couple caught up in the chaos (as, say, Dracula did). Claude Rains gives an good vocal performance, and his cultured tones are just right as he attacks and murders people, insanely laughing. The plot has enough going on to retain attention, charting Rains' gradual descent into murder, then the police's attempts to catch him. It's good to see that Rains is one step ahead of the law at all times.The special effects are the things that remain in the viewer's mind after watching this film, and it's almost impossible to believe that this film was created 67 years ago and yet the special effects still look fresh and realistic today. Whale inserts lots of images like a pair of trousers skipping along, a bicycle riding of its own accord, classic scenes which show the director's brilliance. The film also has one of those memorable unmasking scenes, where the invisible man removes his bandages to show that there is nothing underneath; just like in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA or MYSTERY OF THE WAX MUSEUM, this is a show-stopping moment and it's good to see that the effects are used here in abundance, instead of sparingly. You always hear about SFX men showing their work only in glimpses to give it more impact, well that really is not the case in this film. THE INVISIBLE MAN is yet another Universal classic, and a fun one at that.