There's some terrible acting in this Invisible Man sequel that is unlikely to slip by unnoticed (Forrester Harvey as Ben, I'm looking at you!), but even though the acting is sometimes questionable and the script nowhere near as solid as its predecessor, it's transparent that the The Invisible Man Returns is still a very entertaining B-movie.
The film starts as Geoffrey Radcliffe (Vincent Price) is about to be wrongfully hanged for the murder of his brother Michael. However, a final visit granted by the governor allows scientist Doctor Frank Griffin (brother of the original 'invisible man') to slip the condemned prisoner an invisibility serum that enables him to escape. The police, led by Scotland Yard detective Sampson (Cecil Kellaway), are soon on his tail -- can Radcliffe prove his innocence before he is captured or goes mad from the serum coursing through his veins?
The Invisible Man Returns is a rather routine potboiler, right down to the beautiful concerned fiancé (Nan Grey) desperate to help her beleaguered beau, but the real enjoyment to be had is not from the hackneyed storyline, but rather the special effects. There's everything from see-through guinea pigs (in harnesses) to Radcliffe becoming visible in rain and smoke (just like Hollow Man did sixty years later), and for the day, it's impressive stuff indeed.
The performances are also a lot of fun (even the bad ones), with a special mention for Kellaway, his determined detective being the most memorable character (blowing smoke from his cigar in an attempt to locate the invisible desperado). Those watching for Price (in his first leading role) may well be disappointed though: the legendary horror star might be in almost every scene, but we don't get to see much of him, if you catch my drift.
6.5/10, rounded up to 7 for IMDb.
The film starts as Geoffrey Radcliffe (Vincent Price) is about to be wrongfully hanged for the murder of his brother Michael. However, a final visit granted by the governor allows scientist Doctor Frank Griffin (brother of the original 'invisible man') to slip the condemned prisoner an invisibility serum that enables him to escape. The police, led by Scotland Yard detective Sampson (Cecil Kellaway), are soon on his tail -- can Radcliffe prove his innocence before he is captured or goes mad from the serum coursing through his veins?
The Invisible Man Returns is a rather routine potboiler, right down to the beautiful concerned fiancé (Nan Grey) desperate to help her beleaguered beau, but the real enjoyment to be had is not from the hackneyed storyline, but rather the special effects. There's everything from see-through guinea pigs (in harnesses) to Radcliffe becoming visible in rain and smoke (just like Hollow Man did sixty years later), and for the day, it's impressive stuff indeed.
The performances are also a lot of fun (even the bad ones), with a special mention for Kellaway, his determined detective being the most memorable character (blowing smoke from his cigar in an attempt to locate the invisible desperado). Those watching for Price (in his first leading role) may well be disappointed though: the legendary horror star might be in almost every scene, but we don't get to see much of him, if you catch my drift.
6.5/10, rounded up to 7 for IMDb.