The Invisible Man Returns (1940)
You think Hollywood’s fascination with pre-established properties is bad today? At least now filmmakers let you know when there’s more to come with sequel hooks and open endings. Back when Universal did it in the ‘40s and ‘50s, they’d just retcon whatever was necessary to make a second movie happen. I went into The Invisible Man Returns scoffing. He died at the end of the last movie! What kind of ludicrous explanation would they give to validate his “return”? To my surprise, they pulled it off.
Sir Geoffrey Radcliffe (Vincent Price) has been sentenced to death for a murder he didn't commit. Dr. Frank Griffin (John Sutton), the brother of the original Invisible Man, injects his friend with the invisibility formula - allowing him to escape his cell. Now, Radcliffe must find the true murderer before the solution which has given him his freedom also drives him mad.
Aside from the revelation that Jack Griffin had a brother, everything about this story feels natural. Even if the person who developed a way for someone to become invisible was killed and the method he used "lost", the discovery would change EVERYTHING. It’s made world news, meaning the police (led by Cecil Kellaway as Scotland Yard Detective Sampson) rapidly figure out Dr. Griffin was an accessory to Radcliffe’s escape. He’s trying to hide his involvement while also attempting to put the finishing touches on a way to undo the invisibility formula. Meanwhile, Radcliffe’s fiancé, Helen (Nan Grey) is trying to help her beloved, while avoiding suspicion and becoming worried he'll turn on her. The last Invisible Man went on a reign of terror that killed at least a hundred people. Even with the authorities employing sophisticated techniques to try and find Radcliffe, he’s on the loose. How long before he commits the crime he was sentenced for? You’ve got a mystery, a ticking clock and all these players trying to carefully navigate around each other. It’s all the essentials for a great thriller.
Like the original film, The Invisible Man Returns contains amazing special effects. In fact, this follow-up outdoes its predecessor in a few scenes. I have no idea how they did it with the limited technology of the time.
At a brisk 81 minutes, the picture is exciting even before you realize Vincent Price voices the titular character. It’s a good story that takes things in a different and welcome direction while offering the same dazzling visuals as before. If you’re a fan of Universal’s classic monster movies, you probably own this one as part of a collection but have been avoiding it because you sat through a few too many lousy sequels and figure this would be more of the same. That's far from the case. The Invisible Man Returns is a worthy successor to the original masterpiece. (On DVD, February 26, 2020)
