The Invisible Woman

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source: The Invisible Woman

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The Invisible Woman

A scientist (a sadly aged John Barrymore) invents a machine that can turn people invisible. He experiments on a young woman (Virginia Bruce) and it works. However the effect wears off after a while. Then some buffoonish gangsters get involved and the movie becomes unbearable. Squarely aimed at kids and full of violent unfunny slapstick. The cast (which also includes John Howard and Margaret Hamilton) are good but the material isn't there for them. The special effects are good but sparsely used (the film is only 70 minutes). The biggest problem in this film is seeing the great John Barrymore looking terrible in what was one of his last film roles. The role is clearly beneath him but he gives it his all. Still this is an unfunny and violent comedy that is forgettabke. Skip it.

Generally hilarious comedy, though not exactly a spoof on the "Invisible Man" series and, in fact, totally unrelated to the first two Universal films or the ones which followed it. A superb cast throws itself gleefully into the madcap proceedings, with Charlie Ruggles as the accident-prone butler and Oscar Homolka's homesick gangster coming off best. John Barrymore was one of the best actors of his generation and, while at this stage in his career he was mainly reduced to B-movie roles, he was never less than commanding and his comedic skills (as displayed so brilliantly in Howard Hawks' TWENTIETH CENTURY [1934]) are, quite simply, a joy to behold.

I watched this with low expectations even though it has plenty of well known actors in it. It seemed like one of those so bad there fun to watch low budget movies. Boy was I surprised. It was very funny and entertaining from start to finish. Very unusual part for a woman in those days. Sorta like watching Lucy. Every one of the actors know they are not playing Shakespeare and seem to be having a hoot. Special effects aren't too shabby either. The length is perfect with action from start to finish. Not a dull moment. Highly recommend this for anybody. If you can get kids to watch a B&W movie they will love this. Slapstick and sophisticated jokes all in one.

This movie is a winner all the way. Mad Scientist Barrymore with Margaret Hamilton as his housekeeper invents an invisibility formula for his patron. When a model, Virginia Bruce, gets a hold of it, all havoc breaks loose, from revenge on her tyrannical boss, Charles Lane, to Oskar Homolka and Shemp Howard, two villains trying to steal the formula for themselves. Charles Ruggles also provides hilarity as the butler/chauffer.