(1940)
In the first sequel to the popular Invisible Man series industrialist Geoffrey Radcliffe is on death row, framed for the murder of his brother. When he summons a visit from his friend and employee, Dr. Frank Miller, the chemist brother of the original invisible man, Dr. Miller injects Geoffrey with the invisibility serum and Geoffrey vanishes from his prison cell seeking to clear his name. Erudite Scotland Yard detective, Sampson, figures out how Geoffrey escaped and makes it his mission to apprehend the (new) invisible man using some clever techniques to out his unseen nemesis.
Meanwhile suspicions are raised when a recently hired employee is quickly promoted within Geoffrey’s family’s mining company. Following an invisible shake-down Geoffrey learns the truth about his brother’s murder. Unfortunately getting others to believe the truth proves difficult as Geoffrey slowly succumbs to the madness the invisible serum seems to induce in its recipients. Will Geoffrey be able to clear his name and regain his sanity before it’s too late?
The Invisible Man Returns has been credited for launching Vincent Price’s horror career. Because Price is “invisible” for the majority of the story, the film became a showcase for his creepy voice. Price’s Geoffrey is a more sympathetic character than the original invisible man and the invisibility effects continue to improve. You will still find yourself looking for the strings as objects levitate across the room, but there are a few standout moments that I’m certain wowed 1940 audiences. The Invisible Man Returns is a fun, effective b-movie that moves briskly towards a surprisingly violent climax. It’s a worthy installment to the “invisible” franchise.
