The Invisible Man (1933 film)

The Invisible Man 1933 poster - Style B

The Invisible Man is a 1933 American science fiction horror film directed by James Whale. It is based on H. G. Wells' 1897 novel The Invisible Man and was produced by Universal Pictures. The film stars Claude Rains in his first American screen appearance as the titular character, with Gloria Stuart, William Harrigan, and Henry Travers in supporting roles.

Plot

The film follows the story of Dr. Jack Griffin, a scientist who discovers the secret of invisibility. Griffin's experiments lead him to become invisible, but the process also drives him insane. As he struggles to find a way to reverse the effects, he becomes increasingly violent and dangerous.

Griffin arrives at a small village, where he takes a room at an inn. His strange appearance and secretive behavior arouse suspicion among the villagers. As the police close in on him, Griffin's madness escalates, leading to a series of violent confrontations.

Cast

• Claude Rains as Dr. Jack Griffin / The Invisible Man
• Gloria Stuart as Flora Cranley
• William Harrigan as Dr. Arthur Kemp
• Henry Travers as Dr. Cranley
• Una O'Connor as Jenny Hall
• Forrester Harvey as Herbert Hall

Production

James Whale on the set of The Invisible Man

The film was directed by James Whale, who was known for his work on other Universal Monsters films such as Frankenstein and The Bride of Frankenstein. The screenplay was adapted by R.C. Sherriff, with contributions from Philip Wylie and Preston Sturges.

The special effects used to create the illusion of invisibility were groundbreaking for the time. Techniques included the use of black velvet and double exposure to achieve the effect of Griffin's disappearance.

Reception

Upon its release, The Invisible Man was a critical and commercial success. It was praised for its innovative special effects and Rains' performance, despite his face being unseen for most of the film. The film has since become a classic of the horror genre and is considered one of the best adaptations of Wells' novel.

Legacy

The Invisible Man has had a lasting impact on popular culture and has inspired numerous adaptations and references in other media. It is part of the Universal Monsters franchise, which includes other iconic films such as Dracula and The Wolf Man.

Related pages

• The Invisible Man (novel)
• Universal Monsters
• James Whale
• Claude Rains

Gloria Stuart, who played Flora Cranley