The Invisible Man's Revenge (1944) Reviews

• Universal's second-best Invisible Man movie

  mgconlan-12008-11-01

  Generally speaking, the horror films from the "New Universal" period (1937-1946) aren't as good as the ones from the era when Carl Laemmle, Sr. and Jr., were still in control of the studio (though "Son of Dracula," a moody masterpiece, is not only the best in Universal's vampire cycle but the finest vampire film ever made in the U.S.). "The Invisible Man's Revenge" isn't the equal of the peerless 1933 Laemmle-era original, but it's certainly better than the previous run of "New Universal" Invisible Man movies. Jon Hall, relatively dull as the hero in "Invisible Agent," proves surprisingly effective as a full-throated villain (in this version he's a psychotic madman BEFORE becoming invisible); Leon Errol's dry wit is several cuts above the usual un-funny "comic relief" in these films; Lester Matthews and Gale Sondergaard make a nice guilt-ridden couple for the Invisible Man to have his titular revenge on; Alan Curtis and Evelyn Ankers are certainly more than competent as the romantic leads; John Carradine is in good form as the rather dotty scientist with the invisibility formula; and the direction by Ford Beebe, usually a name associated with Universal serials, is convincingly Gothic and well-paced. Universal was on the downgrade as a horror studio by then (and their only further foray into invisible man-dom would be an Abbott and Costello vehicle in 1953) and some of the effects work is sloppy, but on the whole this film is convincing and vividly atmospheric. Incidentally, in "The Face of Marble" from Monogram two years later (another underrated film with a fine sense of atmosphere even though its plot doesn't make a lick of sense even by the meager standards of horror fantasies!), John Carradine also played a mad scientist who had a dog named Brutus.

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• Leon Errol meets the Invisible Man

  JohnHowardReid2006-11-18

  Here's Jon Hall, fresh from his triumphs as 1942's Invisible Agent, back in a rather odd addition to Universal's Invisible Man saga. At first it seems that Jon is the heroic victim of villainous schemers Matthews and Sondergaard (and certainly they seem a rather dubious pair). Halfway through the action, however, the screenplay has Jon change sides (or perhaps just reveal his real obnoxious character). The blackguards then become the victims, but only temporarily. At film's end, we are led to believe (by a chief constable who fails to mention them at all in his summing up) they have been whitewashed, presumably to set the heroine free to marry the movie's real hero, Alan Curtis (who makes a rather belated entrance when the movie is more than half over). Adding to the story confusion is Leon Errol in a major comedy role as a Cockney spiv who befriends the Hall character, and does a fair number of mildly amusing turns, including a happy scene in which he attempts to blackmail the villain who persistently outwits him; and a long, almost completely irrelevant sequence in the local pub in which he challenges the local champion to a game of darts and then tries out various throwing combinations that will have special effects fans really cheering him on. Yet, for all that, Errol is sidelined in the all-action climax where he might have proved useful. As for heroine, Evelyn Ankers, she may as well have stayed at home. If she has more than five or six lines of dialogue in the whole movie, I'd be surprised. My guess is that the script was made up on the run. It certainly plays that way. Only John Carradine's scenes seem to have a formal scenario (necessary because of the special effects), enabling the actor to invest his role with dignity and even credibility. Mind you, Hall does play the heavy rather well, even if it does come as a bit of a shock. By the humble standards of producer/director Ford "Bomba" Beebe, the movie comes over as a fairly creditable production, although lensed on a considerably lesser budget than Frank Lloyd's Invisible Agent.

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• Don't intimidate a man you can not see.

  michaelRokeefe2001-09-08

  Directed and produced by Ford Beebe, this invisible man installment is quite interesting. Robert Griffin(Jon Hall) returns from the "left for dead" only to find out his business partners have cheated him out of a fortune. Griffin practically stumbles into the helping hands of Dr. Drury(John Carradine), who experiments with a new formula that makes animals invisible. Griffin feels if he himself was invisible he could better seek his revenge on his double crossers. After becoming invisible, the weird doctor is in no hurry to return Griffin to normal. I have always liked Hall even though he is not an overly exciting actor. Along with Carradine there is a very able supporting cast that includes: Lester Matthews, Leyland Hodgson, Evelyn Ankers and Leon Errol. Very creative for a small budget film. Well worth watching.

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• Under-appreciated Gem of the Genre

  lodger32001-03-09

  This, the last of the Universal 'Invisible Man' series (before meeting Abbott & Costello), is a very enjoyable film that showed there was still life left in the concept. I won't outline the entire plot here, but be warned that spoilers will follow. Jon Hall, in his second invisible outing, plays a criminal named Robert Griffin who uses a formula for invisibility to exact his revenge on those that wronged him. It is interesting to note that in all the other films in the series it is the potion that affects the mentality of the respective invisible men, but in this film Griffin is unhinged to begin with and uses the opportunity invisibility allows him to realize his mad ambitions. In this particular aspect, and in a few other instances, this film is closer to the book than the other films (although the first film is an unrivaled masterpiece). As an audience we feel no real sympathy for the Griffin in 'Revenge', only fear. This is a dangerous man from the start who will do whatever it takes to get what he wants. Another enjoyable feature of this entry is the very creative use of special effects, something that each film toyed with in new ways. Although the budget must have been pretty small for a film of this type (the matte effect isn't as perfect as in other films) the crew still managed to perform some amazing tricks. Of particular note is the scene where Griffin puts his invisible arm into an aquarium, the arm becoming visible like a bubble, and then confronting his foes with water outlining his invisible face. Very eerie and very effective. This film has something to offer any fan of classic horror. Granted, computer effects have done away with the types of effects done decades ago, this film did more with them that other invisible man movies have in later years (especially the hollow attempt done recently) and remains enjoyable to this day.

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• Experiment in Terror

  lugonian2008-02-09

  THE INVISIBLE MAN'S REVENGE (Universal, 1944), a promising title, directed by Ford Beebe, suggested by "The Invisible Man" by H.G. Wells, returns Jon Hall, recently from THE INVISIBLE AGENT (1942), in another caper revolving around the no-sight and sound about a man out for avenge those who had done him wrong. The story opens on the docks of London where Robert Griffin (Jon Hall) returns after five years of memory loss following a diamond field expedition in Africa. Moments later, a newspaper clipping reveals Griffin to be a homicidal maniac who had escaped from a Capetown Asylum. After acquiring new clothing and a shave, he locates Sir Jasper and Lady Irene Herrick (Lester Matthews and Gale Sondergaard), friends and former partners of the expedition who had left him for dead, to their luxurious mansion and founders of Herrick Mines Ltd., demanding the share of the fortune due him. While talking things over a few drinks, Griffin not only discovers their daughter, Julie (Evelyn Ankers), his former girlfriend, to be engaged to Mark Foster (Alan Curtis), a reporter for the Courier, but finds he's been drugged. Unable to function, Griffin is escorted out by their butler, Cleghorn (Halliwell Hobbes). Half crazed, Griffin is offered assistance by Herbert Higgins (Leon Errol), a drunkard. Afterwards, Griffin stumbles upon the home of Professor Drury (John Carradine), a scientist who has discovered the formula of invisibility. Witnessing his experiment where Drury's dog and other animals are heard but not seen, Griffin volunteers on becoming Drury's human subject. As an invisible man, Griffin gets his revenge, but in the process, does become what he is accused of being, a homicidal maniac. With this being the third "invisible man" story of the 1940s, not counting the comedy outing of "The Invisible Woman" (1940) starring Virginia Bruce in the title role, this latest installment gives some indication that the writers were attempting an original concept to an already unoriginal scenario. With comedian Leon Errol assuming second billing, it's evident he's around for comedy relief. One scene finds him impressing his friends at the pub in a friendly game of darts by hitting a target every time, compliments of his invisible friend. Evelyn Ankers, Universal's resident performer in the horror genre, who arrives 48 minutes into the story, is given little to do, compare to her secondary roles opposite Lon Chaney Jr. in "The Wolf Man" (1941); "The Ghost of Frankenstein" (1942) and "Son of Dracula" (1943), In fact, it's a wonder why Chaney never had the opportunity to assume the role as an invisible man, considering that he's played everything else in regards to Universal monsters. Gale Sondergaard and Lester Matthews do well as friendly thieves, while Leyland Hodgeson as Sir Frederick Travers, Doris Lloyd as Maud, and a dog named Grey Shadow lend some moral support.          An average production that contradicts its predecessors, the screenplay by Bertram Millhauser fails to mention Jack Griffin (Claude Rains) from THE INVISIBLE MAN (1933), to be the true inventor of the invisible formula, thus giving credit to another scientist, Drury. Secondly, Robert Griffin doesn't appear to be related to any of the previous Griffins from the earlier "Invisible Man" stories. His only connection is that he becomes invisible, and the use of the traditional bandages and sunglasses over his head to be seen by others. It would have been logical had Carradine's character been a distant relative to Jack Griffin carrying on his experiment, and using his formula on a human subject, played by Hall, assuming another surname besides Griffin. Had it not been for these inconsistencies, THE INVISIBLE MAN'S REVENGE might have been hailed as a satisfactory entry. Overlooking that, it actually is. Jon Hall may not have the charisma of Rains nor the distinctive voice of Vincent Price, but he does have the distinction of being the only actor to twice play an invisible man on screen, aside the fact that he was playing two different characters bearing the name of Griffin. Formerly available on video and currently on DVD as part of the "Invisble Man" collection, THE INVISIBLE MAN'S REVENGE did have occasional revivals on cable television's Sci-Fi Channel (1990s) and American Movie Classics (2001). Not quite the closing chapter nor the finish of John Fulton's special effects department, Universal concluded this science fiction series with the comedy of ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET THE INVISIBLE MAN (1951), which they most certainly did. (**1/2)

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