Reptileenbu
Did you people see the same film I saw?
Humbersi
The first must-see film of the year.
Derry Herrera
Not sure how, but this is easily one of the best movies all summer. Multiple levels of funny, never takes itself seriously, super colorful, and creative.
Woodyanders
Brassy model Kitty Carroll (a delightfully vivacious performance by Virginia Bruce) volunteers to be a guinea pig for an invisibility experiment conducted by dotty old duffer Professor Gibbs (an endearingly eccentric portrayal by John Barrymore). Complications ensue when three bumbling gangsters steal Gibbs's invisibility machine so they can make their nefarious boss Black Cole (Oskar Homolka in fine oily form) invisible.Director A. Edward Sutherland relates the enjoyably silly story at a brisk pace and maintains an amiable lighthearted tone throughout. Moreover, it's acted with zest by an enthusiastic cast: John Howard as smooth playboy Richard Russell, Charles Ruggles as blundering butler George, Margaret Hamilton as shrewish housekeeper Mrs. Jackson, Charles Lane as the sadistic Mr. Growley, Shemp Howard as the klutzy Frankie, and Donald McBride as the doltish Foghorn. The clever script by Robert Lees, Gertrude Purcell, and Frederic I. Rinaldo offers a wealth of witty dialogue. The practical old school special effects possess a certain quaint charm. Kudos are also in order for Frank Skinner's bouncy score and Elwood Breden's crisp black and white cinematography. A frothy'n'funny romp.
dougdoepke
Delightful comedy from start to finish, with plenty of bounce and throw-away lines. Of course, invisible people can be the stuff of horror, but there's plenty of shtick in the idea, as well. For example, the Topper series (1953-55) made good comedic appeal in TV's early days, while Abbott and Costello spoofed the idea in maybe their best " A&C Meet__" (1951).Here, it's a first-rate cast, including some of Hollywood's most colorful lugs— including, Ed Brophy, Donald McBride, Shemp Howard, and mugging it up comedically, John Barrymore. Seems Barrymore's invented a fade-away gizmo that he wants patented, but first has to get seed money from playboy John Howard. Then too he needs to hire a human guinea pig to prove that the gizmo works, and that's dress-model Virginia Bruce who's out for revenge against her cruel boss (Lane). Naturally crooks get wind of the invention and want to hijack it. So, amusing mayhem ensues.Note the lengths the script manages to avoid that awful word "naked". Instead a number of Code euphemisms are employed. Still, the shtick makes funny use of Bruce's being naked when invisible. In fact, the writers go to some lengths making her occasional lack of clothes realistic— e.g. she gets cold up at the cabin. Anyway, the well-timed gags fly thick and fast, along with expert pacing from director Sutherland. At the same time, Charlie Ruggles almost steals the show as the impeccable butler. All in all, this Universal production amounts to a genuine sleeper despite the darkish title, and definitely deserves more frequent revival.
lynpalmer1
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.
blanche-2
Virginia Bruce is "The Invisible Woman" in this 1940 comedy that has nothing to do with the classic "The Invisible Man." The sad part for me is seeing John Barrymore, one of the greatest actors who ever lived, in a character role in this B+ film (budgeted at a whopping $300,000, a great deal more than usual B movies), even though he was excellent and the film is very enjoyable.Bruce plays Kitty Carroll, a department store model. She and the other models at the store are badly treated by their boss (Charles Lane) -- if they come in two minutes late, they're docked an hour, if they're sick, they're fired - he's a beast.John Barrymore is Professor Gibbs, a scientist who has invented a machine that will render people invisible. His patron, the wealthy Robert Russell (John Howard) is now broke thanks to all the lawsuits he's lost to girlfriends, and tells Gibbs that he can no longer support him. Gibbs desperately needs to make a human person invisible so he can patent his machine and both he and Russell can make some money. He advertises and gets Kitty, who has a particular agenda in mind.The Bruce role was intended for Margaret Sullavan, who refused to do it. Bruce is delightful, but with her in the lead, one thinks this was intended as a B movie when it wasn't at all. There are some wonderful characters on board, some of whom play gangsters trying to get their hands on this all-important machine: Oskar Homolka, Charles Ruggles, Shemp Howard, and Maria Montez. Margaret Hamilton is on hand as the Russell maid.What can I say about John Barrymore, except the man was adept at both drama and comedy and adds a great deal to this movie.Entertaining.
