The Invisible Man always struck me as the scariest of the Universal monsters, because he's basically like the Joker from Batman, only invisible. Sure, he has that fun side of him and he's a walking power fantasy, but he also has a dark side, willing to kill innocent people just for fun. I think the original movie would have been scarier if it had implied that maybe the formula hadn't made Griffin insane - that maybe just being invisible and being able to do anything he wanted was enough to corrupt him by itself...
That would ruin the mad science gone wrong angle though. The experiment probably unleashed his dark side and caused him to become more of a monster. You could suggest that the dark side was always there, but making him an irredeemable monster would ruin the idea of an experiment going wrong.
In the H.G. Wells story Griffin actually was a sociopath before becoming invisible, vivisecting a cat while it was alive at one point. Though becoming invisible definitely didn't help his mental state.
I feel it's symbolically appropriate that someone who becomes invisible becomes maniacal, because they can no longer see themselves or appreciate the results of their actions. If people think they're being observed, they tend to behave more in line with society, and someone who's invisible is one who literally can't be observed, so to me it makes sense that he'd lose touch with his humanity and become a maniac.
Camille Dinesen My bad it's been a while since I've read the book, Griffin still wasn't exactly a poster boy for mental health. The guy stole from his father, eventually driving him to suicide, and then admits that he feels no remorse.
I have so admired the acting brilliance of Claude Raines. His voice and range are unmatched and equaled only by his immense talent. I do a loving impression of Raines in this role making a lot of my fellow old timers laugh . I apply his manic behavior to everyday situations with great effect. .
Along with Whales' direction, I think Rains' performance is why the original "Invisible Man" holds up so well, even more than the amazing special effects. But the thought of Colin Clive as Griffin almost makes me wish he'd taken the role...almost. This is probably my favorite Raines performance of all I've seen so far.
That would have been an intriguing prospect. As it is, I love the Dracula film we have now, for the most part. Yes, parts of the cinemaphotography are weak, Lucy's staking is not shown, and a couple of the supporting characters like Harker are weak. But somehow, the film still creeps me out due to its lack of music, fantastic performances by Lugosi and Dwight Frye, brilliant atmosphere, and stillness of some shots allowing the viewer to see the horror play out.
@@connorbrennan4233 Also, seeing how Lugosi was booted from Frankenstein at Whale’s request, we may never have had his great performance. Although, he was Dracula in the stage version, so, he may still have played him.
That is a very cool idea, Whale would have demanded a better-edited film, and the shot selection would have been far superior. Whale's strong personality would have pushed Bela much more. I think Browning was too "wowed" by Lugosi's presence to direct him well, and was too hampered by the specter of the stage play on blocking.
@@superfit60 also, according to an interview with Manners, Tod Browning was "rarely" on set during filming. Now that's a problem that wouldn't occur with J. whale.
Am I the only one who thinks that Margaret Hamilton should have been the invisible woman? After playing the Wicked Witch of the West, it would have been perfect. Besides she would have looked good being invisible.
This first time I saw this movie I was shocked with how well it had aged, the dialogue, the special effects, the acting, The Story. I was truly compelled by Claude rains voice and the presence he gave the invincible man, this still remains my favorite version of the character.
Glad to see you covering this. This is, by far, my favorite of the Universal horrors. Like The Bride of Frankenstein it's a perfect display of Whale's penchant for wicked, subversive and barely veiled subtextual humor. Rains' megalomaniacal giddy glee at his free rampage almost feels liberating to watch. I adore it. Thanks for the fine video.
I love Griffin's dialogue to Kemp before he described what is about to happen... "I hope your insurance is paid up, Because you're about to have a nasty accident!!!!".
I love Claude Rains as Prince John in Errol Flynn's Robin Hood. The clear joy in his eyes that he's giving his older brother a hard time, rather than really being in charge.....it's perfect.
While the Invisible Man was Claude Raines' breakout role, it's also unlike any other performance he ever gave, so unhinged. I never understood why until I got the detail that he was a claustrophobe. A claustrophobe in bandages and that suffocating suit for the SFX...yeah, I get it now.
I was glad that this years Universal remake, was at least an actual genre film. So many of the previous attempts at relaunching the universal horror films- ended up being generic Michael Bay like action nonsense. The Invisible Man 2020 is if nothing else, a completely new story, that's actually rooted in suspense.
100% agree! I absolutely LOVED the new 2020 version for a number of reasons, but the fact that it was actually a horror movie, rather than a wannabe superhero action vehicle, is a major one. I loved how it figured out EXACTLY what makes the titular character so scary and threatening and applied it to a very real, and topical, scenario (domestic abuse and gaslighting).
How's that for a Hairbrush George Henry? Here's Ya Bloomin' bicycle! You can do what what you like with it! We do our part! How can I arrest a Blooming Shirt? My absolute favourite of the universal horror series. James Whales best picture by far! A classic and groundbreaking at the time with a wonderful performance by Claude Rains as the ghastly Griffin!
Griffin belongs to the same school as of Dr. Frankenstein and Dr. Moreau: doing the worst things with the best of intentions and the results backfires.
I hate to be contrarian, but I don't think Dr. Moreau had good intentions. He seems totally selfish and doesn't even have an end goal for his research. He seems to just want to see how far he can go. Frankenstein isn't an altruist either. He wants to create artificial life just to prove that he can.
This was great. Watching the first two films with my girlfriend this weekend. Showing this first for context as this covers all the information I'd probably want to proffer before screening time usually and this way no one has to hear my big mouth and watch me take up precious time holding the floor. Perfect for getting settled and properly inebriated. This is of some service and proportionally appreciated. Thanks from America.
If more monster reboots from Universal will mean more excellent videos like this from Dark Corners, I say, "Bring it on Universal! Churn out as much half-cooked tripe as you like!"
Thank you for making this! The Invisible Man is my favorite Universial monster and my favourite film from that line up. It's funny and scary all at once, and the special effects are just MIND BLOWING considering it was made in 1933!
As always, these deep dives are just the best! They are well made, well researched, informative, and hugely entertaining.Thank you for this close look at the Invisible Man. He may be my favorite Universal monster because he has so much personality. I never thought about it this way before, but you are right, you like him because you kind of want to be him. Keep up the good work!
I am 58 years old when I was a kid in the mid to late 60s and early 70s living in California they would play this movie and a number of other movies on Saturdays and Sundays , pretty much all day and myself and my brother were just so scared of this movie because if you couldn’t see him ! but we still kept watching (we loved it) these are classic movies universal really hard the pulse on horror movies in the day thank you for posting this I love this! Thanks for taking me back😎
A wonderful look at the entire series and while a couple of the Invisible Man sequels were not up to par with the original, you were still kind enough to point out their positives as well (i.e. Invisible Agent). Film-making is truly a team effort and The Invisible Man remains iconic through the acting, artistry and technical efforts of those involved. Thank you for putting together another entertaining look at a Universal Horror classic.
This isn't a horror movie.....it's more of a drama-suspense-dark comedy. Great classic....and how can anyone watch this film and not be rooting for the guy? It was so funny how he went after the people he did not like....
Another excellent Dark Corners Classics retrospective. Quite interesting that the Invisible Man franchise had quite a few reasonably budgeted sequels. If only the Frankenstein and Mummy franchises had been as lucky. I appreciate how you highlight that Virginia Bruce is the saving grace of The Invisible Woman. She does her best to bring personality to the character and it seemed like her actions against her boss would be part of a commentary on sexism in the workplace. But it was 1940, so of course that wasn't going to stick throughout the film. It's also too bad that she ends up with the jerk millionaire at the end. Edit: I just watched the 2020 film, and I loved it. Elisabeth Moss was brilliant and the scene where she says how her abusive ex has taken everything from her left me in tears. The film had no cheap jump scares and instead relied on quiet moments and patient cinematography to bring in the fright before the finale.
'The Murderer Invisible' is available on Amazon. This was Claude Rains's film debut. He'd been a stage actor, and Whale had to remind him that the blocking was different in movies.
I laughed so hard in places here, the film is a master piece and a classic, I can't see a remake being as good or as entertaining as this, Claude Rains and the other actors were what made this film so good, the best being you never saw Griffin until the end when he died. Thank you for a great review and historical background as well. Keep these classics coming.
I just watched this movie this weekend (along with Horror of Dracula, Corpse Bride, and Last Man on earth), and it was great! I was quite impressed with the special effects too. I probably saw this as a kid but forgot most of it as it's been a long time since I watched 'Shock Theater' on Saturdays in the 70s and early 80s, I'm playing catch up these days!
24:18 I hear the voice and accent of the fellow who just spoke and I immediately think of Arte Johnson doing his "It Is Written...." skit on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In.
For those that don't know it, I'll mention the superb spoof "Son of the Invisible Man" which forms part of the John Landis comedy sketch anthology movie "Amazon Women on the Moon". The pastiche makes many careful and respectful nods towards the original movie (it is also a Universal production) and is LOL funny. The clip can be found easily on TH-cam.
"The Communist Witch hunts", he says. "Those witches did not exist. Communists do." I'm quoting the wife of Elia Kazan. A former member of the Hollywood Communist Party.
The Invisible Man is one of the very first examples of a dark comedy in cinema. It’s laughs come from what Jack does in his acts of insanity, and while the film is still a horror story and has dark moments like the train crash, the film is also home to comedy, such as when the man steals a pair of trousers and starts singing, and when he steals the banks money and throws it in the street.
Thanks -- another brilliant, informed and informative retrospective. A couple of things, though: wasn't Peter Lorre actually Hungarian? Also -- hey, that's Charles Lane in Invisible Woman! He was still working into his 90s, quite recently. Surely worth a shout out?
I am mad about that original THE INVISIBLE MAN film. Rains reigns supreme. Such a wonderful combination of inventiveness, playfulness, and, er, madness! The others?---not so much, not so much at all. I think it is Whale's finest hour...an a half. (Never cared for BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN at all. Ugh...but it gets so much praise.) Thanks for the go-thru and commentary.
You could say that like in so many things Plato started it all, in his legend of the ring of Gyges in his greatest dialogue "The Republic". The ring gives the wearer the power to turn invisible and so the question arises as to whether that person would commit unjust acts for pleasure or personal advantage if they could avoid detection in doing so. The teller of the legend, Plato's brother Glaucon, argues that they would.
I saw the original Invisable Man when I was about 10 years old on Shock Theatre WPTA Channel 21 in Fort Wayne, Indiana about 1957. It scared the hell out of me.
2:32 Dear Robin Bailes, HG Wells: THE INVISIBLE MAN, was not satire at all. I read the book The new INVISIBLE MAN has nothing to do with such, it is a MeeToo Movement film, and no fun at all
Since you've now covered the Invisible Man, Frankenstein, and The Mummy oh, I hope that you have plans to cover Dracula, the Wolfman, and Creature from the Black Lagoon as well
Probably because HG Wells was alive when they made it and had final approval. With Dracula and Frankenstein they didn't have to worry about the authors involvement. Although it is funny how many classic elements from those movies are remembered even if they aren't from the books
@@kyleriches157 That drives me nuts sometimes. Especially when the movie changes eclipse the books and people assume that must be how the story goes. Dracula gets to me, particularly Mina. The book version is a more inspiring female character than pretty much any woman on screen I've seen in a long time using her wits and compassion to track down a literal monster, but most people I know see her as the chick who wants to get with Dracula. I know some alterations are needed to fit the limitations of a new medium but entire character personalities and motivations seems like a pointless move to me. it makes me wish more authors could be involved in their big screen debuts so even if it doesn't do that well at the box office we could get at least one fully accurate version for nitpicky whiners like me.
@@NegaHumanX I've never really understood it either because they usually choose to film these books and stories BECAUSE they are popular..... If they are already popular why change them and if they aren't why film them. I'm all for reinventing for modern audiences but you can still stay true to the original characters and story. The Sherlock series was great for updating everything for a modern audience but still staying true to the characters (most of the time)
@@kyleriches157 Exactly. The characters are the most important thing (in my opinion) to any adaption. But they seem like the first thing a Hollywood studio decides to throw out. I don't care if they reimagine Frankenstein as an anime style rom-com as long as the characters are who they where in their stories. Like how DBZ Abridged keeps all the personalities and attitudes of the characters but frames them in a comedic light. They could also run with new ideas based on the old. Like a continuation of the Daughter of Dracula since she is their own character they can twist however they like. Or just make anyone a werewolf.
Great retrospective! Whale did an excellent job at adapting Wells' story. As brutal as it was, I always wished that Whale had done the ending in the novel. Perhaps it was too brutal for it's time, but it would have been quite a crescendo for the character's end. And Whale would have done it justice and with similar pathos that he had shown the Monster in his Frankenstein films. Nonetheless, it's still one of my favorites of that golden Universal era.
I think the 2020 version is the freshest remake. They don't try to pander the original theory. It's fully updated for people to understand in our time. And honestly for anyone to feel creeped out in their home alone. Also for those who have been mentally or emotionally abused by anyone, it's a very real atmosphere. I think it was a good re make. There are extremely extremely few good remakes now a days.
My expectations were low for Whannell's THE INVISIBLE MAN - the surprise, then, for me, was just how well and how far he surpassed them. If you're going to abandon Wells's source material, you'd better come up with something spectacular - and he did! Splendidly!
Love your longer , documentary-like videos: they are chock full of interesting observations and facts .. your channel at his best... Keep the good work coming , personally I always pay a visit to Dark Corners whenever I log into YT...
P.S.- I seriously can't say enough how much I love this character; The Invisible Man is the definitely my favorite out of the Universal Horror Monsters.
I always wondered how they managed that effect. Steve Martin once walked on stage at the Oscars without a head to present an award. If he were simply wearing the velvet hood it would have been up to the entire live audience to play along with the gimmick. It was an auditorium full of actors after all. It must have been PR for his new film at the time where he played a man possessed by the spirit of Lilly Tomlin, "How dare you say _penis_ to a dead woman!" ...thats the only thing I remember from the film.
The 1989 film Santa Sangre also features a pretty prominent Invisible Man reference, so I would've included that one among those mentioned between 36:30 to 37:26.
I use Jack Griffin as a stage name in a few play groups I am in. This is a spectacular movie, and Raines is one of the finest most versatile and actors to ever walk the earth.
I am a minor fan of the Universal horror movies but never considered The Invisible Man to be a part of that "club"....yet it does fit. BTW, there was an Invisible Woman movie, and the British had an Invisible Man tv series. In the tv series The Invisible Man was a true hero, often going places that the police or security services couldn't go and it was almost like he had a Yellow Pages listing the way folks called him for his special help in every episode.
I must admit, I've never seen any of these films! My only experience of an invisible man character was Tony Curran in League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. I have to get on this!
"This is the life eh Griffin? This is the life." Poor Griffin really comes to an unpleasant end in Alan Moore & Kevin O'Neill's The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen comic.
It was the first film I watched from the 30s so it holds a special place for me and I was blown away by the reveal of the invisible it's exceptional all these years later.
Funny thing about the Mexican Invisible Man film: it's an unofficial remake of The Invisible Man Returns, only the Mexican version doesn't cop out at the end; that Invisible Man DOES go insane at the end, preparing to drop deadly bacillus into the local reservoir. Admittedly, the special effects can in no way be compared to the unique work of John P Fulton, but it satisfied.
Thank you. We a great success last year with our video on the Hammer Dracula series that more than doubled our subscriber count in a couple of months, it does feel like we are finally on the rise.
@@DarkCornersReviews Hope so! I was just watching Top Ten Lost Films yesterday and was thinking to myself "This is awesome, I wish he did more of these specials". Can't wait for the next one.
The original film will always be a landmark for the performance of Claude Rains, Whale’s direction, the brilliant source material and it’s translation to screen & yeah the effects can be dated if you look closely but they’re still impressive for a nearly 90 year old film
The Invisible Man always struck me as the scariest of the Universal monsters, because he's basically like the Joker from Batman, only invisible. Sure, he has that fun side of him and he's a walking power fantasy, but he also has a dark side, willing to kill innocent people just for fun. I think the original movie would have been scarier if it had implied that maybe the formula hadn't made Griffin insane - that maybe just being invisible and being able to do anything he wanted was enough to corrupt him by itself...
That would ruin the mad science gone wrong angle though. The experiment probably unleashed his dark side and caused him to become more of a monster. You could suggest that the dark side was always there, but making him an irredeemable monster would ruin the idea of an experiment going wrong.
In the H.G. Wells story Griffin actually was a sociopath before becoming invisible, vivisecting a cat while it was alive at one point. Though becoming invisible definitely didn't help his mental state.
I feel it's symbolically appropriate that someone who becomes invisible becomes maniacal, because they can no longer see themselves or appreciate the results of their actions. If people think they're being observed, they tend to behave more in line with society, and someone who's invisible is one who literally can't be observed, so to me it makes sense that he'd lose touch with his humanity and become a maniac.
@@robertwoodson3859 He didn't vivisect a cat. He was accused of vivisecting a cat. What he did was turn a cat invisible.
Camille Dinesen My bad it's been a while since I've read the book, Griffin still wasn't exactly a poster boy for mental health. The guy stole from his father, eventually driving him to suicide, and then admits that he feels no remorse.
I have so admired the acting brilliance of Claude Raines. His voice and range are unmatched and equaled only by his immense talent. I do a loving impression of Raines in this role making a lot of my fellow old timers laugh . I apply his manic behavior to everyday situations with great effect. .
Would you record some audios with Claude's voice for my short film? Lol
@@fernandomaron87 Absolutely, if I pass an audition. I do Griffin in his madness but can also do him as the scientist with less vigor.
He was a great actor!
Claude Rains had a voice like honey on sandpaper. One of the greats.
And great hair. More importantly, talent.
Mark hamills joker was inspired by him
Who could not like Claude Raines. He was excellent in every role he played. Truly one of the all time greats.
Along with Whales' direction, I think Rains' performance is why the original "Invisible Man" holds up so well, even more than the amazing special effects. But the thought of Colin Clive as Griffin almost makes me wish he'd taken the role...almost. This is probably my favorite Raines performance of all I've seen so far.
I can't express how much I love Universal horrors of this era. If only James Whale did Dracula...
That would have been an intriguing prospect. As it is, I love the Dracula film we have now, for the most part. Yes, parts of the cinemaphotography are weak, Lucy's staking is not shown, and a couple of the supporting characters like Harker are weak. But somehow, the film still creeps me out due to its lack of music, fantastic performances by Lugosi and Dwight Frye, brilliant atmosphere, and stillness of some shots allowing the viewer to see the horror play out.
@@connorbrennan4233 Also, seeing how Lugosi was booted from Frankenstein at Whale’s request, we may never have had his great performance. Although, he was Dracula in the stage version, so, he may still have played him.
That is a very cool idea, Whale would have demanded a better-edited film, and the shot selection would have been far superior. Whale's strong personality would have pushed Bela much more. I think Browning was too "wowed" by Lugosi's presence to direct him well, and was too hampered by the specter of the stage play on blocking.
@@superfit60
also, according to an interview with Manners, Tod Browning was "rarely" on set during filming. Now that's a problem that wouldn't occur with J. whale.
"The Invisible Man Appears"?
There's a joke here somewhere but I just can't see it.
Tskmaster
Ouch... and lol 😅
Am I the only one who thinks that Margaret Hamilton should have been the invisible woman? After playing the Wicked Witch of the West, it would have been perfect. Besides she would have looked good being invisible.
I can see right through your lame attempt at humor.
I can see what you did there
Nice
This first time I saw this movie I was shocked with how well it had aged, the dialogue, the special effects, the acting, The Story. I was truly compelled by Claude rains voice and the presence he gave the invincible man, this still remains my favorite version of the character.
Glad to see you covering this. This is, by far, my favorite of the Universal horrors. Like The Bride of Frankenstein it's a perfect display of Whale's penchant for wicked, subversive and barely veiled subtextual humor. Rains' megalomaniacal giddy glee at his free rampage almost feels liberating to watch. I adore it. Thanks for the fine video.
'I'm the Invisible man,
I'm the Invisible man,
Incredible how you can,
See right through me!'
@randall2020
Teal'c: I can see right through you O'neill
O'neill: Not fooling you am I?
Teal'c: You are very transparent
O'neill: Now hold on Teal'c
Queeenn 😂😂
But you won’t see me.....(you won’t see me)
@Hash Lee nnooooo
@Hash Lee that's fine, everyone has their own opinion 😂😂
These retrospectives are fantastic. I've loved every single one you all have done. I look forward to seeing even more of them.
I know right!! I don't understand how 29 people hit Dislike.
What is there to Dislike!?
I love Griffin's dialogue to Kemp before he described what is about to happen...
"I hope your insurance is paid up, Because you're about to have a nasty accident!!!!".
I love Claude Rains as Prince John in Errol Flynn's Robin Hood. The clear joy in his eyes that he's giving his older brother a hard time, rather than really being in charge.....it's perfect.
While the Invisible Man was Claude Raines' breakout role, it's also unlike any other performance he ever gave, so unhinged. I never understood why until I got the detail that he was a claustrophobe. A claustrophobe in bandages and that suffocating suit for the SFX...yeah, I get it now.
This was a great dive into the Invisible Man! Thank you!
I was glad that this years Universal remake, was at least an actual genre film. So many of the previous attempts at relaunching the universal horror films- ended up being generic Michael Bay like action nonsense. The Invisible Man 2020 is if nothing else, a completely new story, that's actually rooted in suspense.
100% agree! I absolutely LOVED the new 2020 version for a number of reasons, but the fact that it was actually a horror movie, rather than a wannabe superhero action vehicle, is a major one. I loved how it figured out EXACTLY what makes the titular character so scary and threatening and applied it to a very real, and topical, scenario (domestic abuse and gaslighting).
🤣
The 2020 remake
She's running away
Looking behind her to see an
INVISIBLE MAN chasing after her
So damn bad
@@SantaPorter420 Wasn't there a scene where she throws a can of paint on him and then it suddenly disappears a few seconds later?
How's that for a Hairbrush George Henry?
Here's Ya Bloomin' bicycle! You can do what what you like with it!
We do our part!
How can I arrest a Blooming Shirt?
My absolute favourite of the universal horror series. James Whales best picture by far!
A classic and groundbreaking at the time with a wonderful performance by Claude Rains as the ghastly Griffin!
Griffin belongs to the same school as of Dr. Frankenstein and Dr. Moreau: doing the worst things with the best of intentions and the results backfires.
One critical difference: Griffin did his experiment on himself. Frankenstein and Moreau inflicted theirs on others.
Johnathon Haney Yes, but in the end the results were the same: disgrace and terror.
I hate to be contrarian, but I don't think Dr. Moreau had good intentions. He seems totally selfish and doesn't even have an end goal for his research. He seems to just want to see how far he can go. Frankenstein isn't an altruist either. He wants to create artificial life just to prove that he can.
@@7superdaimajin The problem is that they became obsessed with their power and the worst part of them gets the better.
I’d also add Herbert west
This was great.
Watching the first two films with my girlfriend this weekend.
Showing this first for context as this covers all the information I'd probably want to proffer before screening time usually and this way no one has to hear my big mouth and watch me take up precious time holding the floor.
Perfect for getting settled and properly inebriated.
This is of some service and proportionally appreciated.
Thanks from America.
"Invisible Man can rrrrule the worrrld! He can hear everrry secrrrrret! He can RRRRROB, RRRRAPE AND KILL!!"
This was amazing. Thank you so very much. It is one of my favourite movies of James Whale and the performance that Claude Rains gave was perfection.
It's amazing what they were able to do in 1933. A great film.
If more monster reboots from Universal will mean more excellent videos like this from Dark Corners, I say, "Bring it on Universal! Churn out as much half-cooked tripe as you like!"
Thank you for making this! The Invisible Man is my favorite Universial monster and my favourite film from that line up. It's funny and scary all at once, and the special effects are just MIND BLOWING considering it was made in 1933!
As always, these deep dives are just the best! They are well made, well researched, informative, and hugely entertaining.Thank you for this close look at the Invisible Man. He may be my favorite Universal monster because he has so much personality. I never thought about it this way before, but you are right, you like him because you kind of want to be him. Keep up the good work!
I have just picked the complete legacy collection on Blu ray, looking forward to watch them all.
There's so much I still don't know about Vincent Price. Could I love him more?
I am 58 years old when I was a kid in the mid to late 60s and early 70s living in California they would play this movie and a number of other movies on Saturdays and Sundays , pretty much all day and myself and my brother were just so scared of this movie because if you couldn’t see him ! but we still kept watching (we loved it)
these are classic movies universal really hard
the pulse on horror movies in the day thank you for posting this I love this! Thanks for taking me back😎
You missed mentioning perhaps the best take on the character outside of the original - Ed Begley Jr in Amazon Women on the Moon
A wonderful look at the entire series and while a couple of the Invisible Man sequels were not up to par with the original, you were still kind enough to point out their positives as well (i.e. Invisible Agent). Film-making is truly a team effort and The Invisible Man remains iconic through the acting, artistry and technical efforts of those involved. Thank you for putting together another entertaining look at a Universal Horror classic.
These longer videos, are always documentary level detail. 👍
This isn't a horror movie.....it's more of a drama-suspense-dark comedy. Great classic....and how can anyone watch this film and not be rooting for the guy? It was so funny how he went after the people he did not like....
This is always been my favorite classic Universal monster movie. Thank you for doing this.
So love the longer episodes do incite full and packed with real love for the medium and it’s nuances
Another excellent Dark Corners Classics retrospective.
Quite interesting that the Invisible Man franchise had quite a few reasonably budgeted sequels. If only the Frankenstein and Mummy franchises had been as lucky.
I appreciate how you highlight that Virginia Bruce is the saving grace of The Invisible Woman. She does her best to bring personality to the character and it seemed like her actions against her boss would be part of a commentary on sexism in the workplace. But it was 1940, so of course that wasn't going to stick throughout the film. It's also too bad that she ends up with the jerk millionaire at the end.
Edit: I just watched the 2020 film, and I loved it. Elisabeth Moss was brilliant and the scene where she says how her abusive ex has taken everything from her left me in tears. The film had no cheap jump scares and instead relied on quiet moments and patient cinematography to bring in the fright before the finale.
'The Murderer Invisible' is available on Amazon.
This was Claude Rains's film debut. He'd been a stage actor, and Whale had to remind him that the blocking was different in movies.
It's actually his second movie. He was in a 1920 silent called Build Thy House, which is now lost.
My Universal monsters & my Hammer productions. Watched them with my grandma as a kid. Brilliant!
"A wish fulfillment horror" - that's a GREAT way of summing up this classic ;)
Fantastic retrospective of one of my favorite movies / stories / characters ever. Thank you!
A comprehensive documentary with great archival footage.
Love the Claude Rains' version.
I laughed so hard in places here, the film is a master piece and a classic, I can't see a remake being as good or as entertaining as this, Claude Rains and the other actors were what made this film so good, the best being you never saw Griffin until the end when he died. Thank you for a great review and historical background as well. Keep these classics coming.
🎼Claude Rains was the invisible Man!🎼
Very good Review , as usual.
I do love your deep dives into horror. Like watching a masterclass.
Thank you.
I just watched this movie this weekend (along with Horror of Dracula, Corpse Bride, and Last Man on earth), and it was great! I was quite impressed with the special effects too. I probably saw this as a kid but forgot most of it as it's been a long time since I watched 'Shock Theater' on Saturdays in the 70s and early 80s, I'm playing catch up these days!
Sounds like a great weekend.
An excellent, excellent review of the films. Thank you so much for this homage to them.
It's the laugh that sells him as a madman.
Yeah, the sheer manic glee mixed with the hatred tells you everything you need to know.
24:18 I hear the voice and accent of the fellow who just spoke and I immediately think of Arte Johnson doing his "It Is Written...." skit on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In.
Once again, excellent coverage of a popular and well-respected portion of the horror film genre. Your efforts are truly appreciated.
For those that don't know it, I'll mention the superb spoof "Son of the Invisible Man" which forms part of the John Landis comedy sketch anthology movie "Amazon Women on the Moon". The pastiche makes many careful and respectful nods towards the original movie (it is also a Universal production) and is LOL funny. The clip can be found easily on TH-cam.
Has anyone ever thought that 'The Invisible Man' could make an amazing stealth-centered video game?
"The Communist Witch hunts", he says.
"Those witches did not exist.
Communists do."
I'm quoting the wife of Elia Kazan. A former member of the Hollywood Communist Party.
The Invisible Man's revenge is my favorite sequel in which Griffin is vicious and completely mad.
The Invisible Man is one of the very first examples of a dark comedy in cinema. It’s laughs come from what Jack does in his acts of insanity, and while the film is still a horror story and has dark moments like the train crash, the film is also home to comedy, such as when the man steals a pair of trousers and starts singing, and when he steals the banks money and throws it in the street.
Look, 'e's all eaten away in the end! :) Excellent video!
This is the best analyze of this series i have ever seen. Your work is excellent, keep it up.
Thanks -- another brilliant, informed and informative retrospective. A couple of things, though: wasn't Peter Lorre actually Hungarian?
Also -- hey, that's Charles Lane in Invisible Woman! He was still working into his 90s, quite recently. Surely worth a shout out?
Another great job with the extended review. So informative.
loved this, listed to it with my friend, he always considers it his favoret of the original universal films
I am mad about that original THE INVISIBLE MAN film. Rains reigns supreme. Such a wonderful combination of inventiveness, playfulness, and, er, madness! The others?---not so much, not so much at all. I think it is Whale's finest hour...an a half. (Never cared for BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN at all. Ugh...but it gets so much praise.)
Thanks for the go-thru and commentary.
You could say that like in so many things Plato started it all, in his legend of the ring of Gyges in his greatest dialogue "The Republic". The ring gives the wearer the power to turn invisible and so the question arises as to whether that person would commit unjust acts for pleasure or personal advantage if they could avoid detection in doing so. The teller of the legend, Plato's brother Glaucon, argues that they would.
Always love your longer video essays - keep up the good work!
I saw the original Invisable Man when I was about 10 years old on Shock Theatre WPTA Channel 21 in Fort Wayne, Indiana about 1957. It scared the hell out of me.
2:32 Dear Robin Bailes, HG Wells: THE INVISIBLE MAN, was not satire at all. I read the book
The new INVISIBLE MAN has nothing to do with such, it is a MeeToo Movement film, and no fun at all
This video is marvellous! The Invisible Man is my favourite film of all time I love it so much and this video made me love it more
Since you've now covered the Invisible Man, Frankenstein, and The Mummy oh, I hope that you have plans to cover Dracula, the Wolfman, and Creature from the Black Lagoon as well
I feel the Invisible Man is the closest Universal movie to its book out of the big name monsters.
Probably because HG Wells was alive when they made it and had final approval. With Dracula and Frankenstein they didn't have to worry about the authors involvement. Although it is funny how many classic elements from those movies are remembered even if they aren't from the books
@@kyleriches157 That drives me nuts sometimes. Especially when the movie changes eclipse the books and people assume that must be how the story goes.
Dracula gets to me, particularly Mina. The book version is a more inspiring female character than pretty much any woman on screen I've seen in a long time using her wits and compassion to track down a literal monster, but most people I know see her as the chick who wants to get with Dracula. I know some alterations are needed to fit the limitations of a new medium but entire character personalities and motivations seems like a pointless move to me.
it makes me wish more authors could be involved in their big screen debuts so even if it doesn't do that well at the box office we could get at least one fully accurate version for nitpicky whiners like me.
@@NegaHumanX I've never really understood it either because they usually choose to film these books and stories BECAUSE they are popular..... If they are already popular why change them and if they aren't why film them. I'm all for reinventing for modern audiences but you can still stay true to the original characters and story. The Sherlock series was great for updating everything for a modern audience but still staying true to the characters (most of the time)
@@kyleriches157 Exactly. The characters are the most important thing (in my opinion) to any adaption. But they seem like the first thing a Hollywood studio decides to throw out. I don't care if they reimagine Frankenstein as an anime style rom-com as long as the characters are who they where in their stories. Like how DBZ Abridged keeps all the personalities and attitudes of the characters but frames them in a comedic light.
They could also run with new ideas based on the old. Like a continuation of the Daughter of Dracula since she is their own character they can twist however they like. Or just make anyone a werewolf.
MARVELOUS video. The Invisible Man is my personal favourite Universal.
Great retrospective! Whale did an excellent job at adapting Wells' story. As brutal as it was, I always wished that Whale had done the ending in the novel. Perhaps it was too brutal for it's time, but it would have been quite a crescendo for the character's end. And Whale would have done it justice and with similar pathos that he had shown the Monster in his Frankenstein films. Nonetheless, it's still one of my favorites of that golden Universal era.
I think the 2020 version is the freshest remake. They don't try to pander the original theory. It's fully updated for people to understand in our time. And honestly for anyone to feel creeped out in their home alone. Also for those who have been mentally or emotionally abused by anyone, it's a very real atmosphere. I think it was a good re make. There are extremely extremely few good remakes now a days.
I mean like updated for the masses. Because the average Joe would never bother with cinema history. Cause those folks are boring 👍🏻
My expectations were low for Whannell's THE INVISIBLE MAN - the surprise, then, for me, was just how well and how far he surpassed them. If you're going to abandon Wells's source material, you'd better come up with something spectacular - and he did! Splendidly!
39 minute about the Invisible Man?
I didn't see that coming!
Love your longer , documentary-like videos: they are chock full of interesting observations and facts .. your channel at his best... Keep the good work coming , personally I always pay a visit to Dark Corners whenever I log into YT...
An excellent and informative video! As a kid I first heard Claude Raines say "Kemp, I'm going to kill you" and I was hooked.
Thanks for the Invisible history lesson. Now I am looking forward to the new movie.
P.S.- I seriously can't say enough how much I love this character; The Invisible Man is the definitely my favorite out of the Universal Horror Monsters.
facts
Eeeee's awl eeetn awaii.Whats not to love about this film? One of everybody's favourites.
Can't wait to watch The invisible Man on Svengoolie this Saturday, February 13th, 2021.
I always wondered how they managed that effect. Steve Martin once walked on stage at the Oscars without a head to present an award. If he were simply wearing the velvet hood it would have been up to the entire live audience to play along with the gimmick. It was an auditorium full of actors after all. It must have been PR for his new film at the time where he played a man possessed by the spirit of Lilly Tomlin, "How dare you say _penis_ to a dead woman!" ...thats the only thing I remember from the film.
The 1989 film Santa Sangre also features a pretty prominent Invisible Man reference, so I would've included that one among those mentioned between 36:30 to 37:26.
I'm happy I stumbled upon your channel-doing killer work, love this!
Excellent documentary -- I really enjoyed it! I love it when you do longer videos.
At the end I see a fellow "wrapped up" in his work!😁
Henry Travers also garnered an Oscar nom for his supporting role in "Mrs. Miniver".
Excellent- made me want to seek out all the films, which surely is the point. Your book is very entertaining too, your best yet I think.
Philip Wylie also co-wrote with Edwin Balmer the 1932 classic science fiction novel When Worlds Collide which was made into a movie in 1951.
Another great docu, more please👍 you can see right through him though, the invisible man I mean...
I use Jack Griffin as a stage name in a few play groups I am in. This is a spectacular movie, and Raines is one of the finest most versatile and actors to ever walk the earth.
I am a minor fan of the Universal horror movies but never considered The Invisible Man to be a part of that "club"....yet it does fit.
BTW, there was an Invisible Woman movie, and the British had an Invisible Man tv series. In the tv series The Invisible Man was a true hero, often going places that the police or security services couldn't go and it was almost like he had a Yellow Pages listing the way folks called him for his special help in every episode.
fascinating video as always. love these history videos
Did not know about Collin Clive background. That was interesting . And I would have found a Clive Invisible Man very interesting .
Excellent job Robin, as usual.
I must admit, I've never seen any of these films! My only experience of an invisible man character was Tony Curran in League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. I have to get on this!
never seen the Invisible Man? No one has!
@@glowingunknown5625 Bah-dum-bump-chshhhh!!!
@@stillhuntre55 - thank you. thank. I'm here 'til Tuesday folks.
"This is the life eh Griffin? This is the life."
Poor Griffin really comes to an unpleasant end in Alan Moore & Kevin O'Neill's The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen comic.
It was the first film I watched from the 30s so it holds a special place for me and I was blown away by the reveal of the invisible it's exceptional all these years later.
Funny thing about the Mexican Invisible Man film: it's an unofficial remake of The Invisible Man Returns, only the Mexican version doesn't cop out at the end; that Invisible Man DOES go insane at the end, preparing to drop deadly bacillus into the local reservoir. Admittedly, the special effects can in no way be compared to the unique work of John P Fulton, but it satisfied.
I've been binge watching your videos lately and love your essays. You should have about 1 million more subscribers than you do.
Thank you. We a great success last year with our video on the Hammer Dracula series that more than doubled our subscriber count in a couple of months, it does feel like we are finally on the rise.
@@DarkCornersReviews Hope so! I was just watching Top Ten Lost Films yesterday and was thinking to myself "This is awesome, I wish he did more of these specials". Can't wait for the next one.
We do aim for one a month. But time is a factor and we keep trying raise the bar. Great responses like this inspire and motivate us to continue.
One of my favorite films ever
This is my favorite of the Monster verse movies.
I actually thought the first one had a horrid evil man who I didn't root for at all. I DO like your videos! Great stuff.
The original film will always be a landmark for the performance of Claude Rains, Whale’s direction, the brilliant source material and it’s translation to screen & yeah the effects can be dated if you look closely but they’re still impressive for a nearly 90 year old film
I have the entire Invisible Man series on DVD and own the Neca figure and let me tell you, they're all so good.
Excellent as always. :D