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Invisible Ghost

  • 1941
  • Approved
  • 1h 4m
IMDb RATING
5.3/10
2.8K
YOUR RATING
Bela Lugosi and Polly Ann Young in Invisible Ghost (1941)
CrimeDramaHorrorThriller

The town's leading citizen becomes a homicidal maniac after his wife deserts him.The town's leading citizen becomes a homicidal maniac after his wife deserts him.The town's leading citizen becomes a homicidal maniac after his wife deserts him.

  • Director
    • Joseph H. Lewis
  • Writers
    • Helen Martin
    • Al Martin
  • Stars
    • Bela Lugosi
    • Polly Ann Young
    • John McGuire
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.3/10
    2.8K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Joseph H. Lewis
    • Writers
      • Helen Martin
      • Al Martin
    • Stars
      • Bela Lugosi
      • Polly Ann Young
      • John McGuire
    • 108User reviews
    • 42Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos10

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    Top cast15

    Edit
    Bela Lugosi
    Bela Lugosi
    • Mr. Kessler
    Polly Ann Young
    Polly Ann Young
    • Virginia
    John McGuire
    John McGuire
    • Ralph…
    Clarence Muse
    Clarence Muse
    • Evans
    Terry Walker
    Terry Walker
    • Cecile
    Betty Compson
    Betty Compson
    • Mrs. Kessler
    Ernie Adams
    Ernie Adams
    • Jules
    George Pembroke
    • Williams
    Ottola Nesmith
    Ottola Nesmith
    • Mrs. Mason
    • (as Ollola Nesmith)
    Fred Kelsey
    Fred Kelsey
    • Ryan
    Jack Mulhall
    Jack Mulhall
    • Tim
    Fred Aldrich
    Fred Aldrich
    • Guard at Ralph's Execution
    • (uncredited)
    Robert F. Hill
    Robert F. Hill
    • Trial Judge
    • (uncredited)
    Lloyd Ingraham
    Lloyd Ingraham
    • Psychiatrist
    • (uncredited)
    Robert Strange
    Robert Strange
    • Kirby - Coroner
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Joseph H. Lewis
    • Writers
      • Helen Martin
      • Al Martin
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews108

    5.32.8K
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    Featured reviews

    5Space_Mafune

    Good Atmosphere-Silly Story

    The best quality this film possesses is a genuine creepy atmosphere. Especially good use of the weather (rain, stormy nights) enhances certain scenes particularly those in which Bela Lugosi's character Dr. Kessler is visited by his ghostly long-thought dead wife. Following this, Dr. Kessler is driven to unwittingly become a mad strangler. Just the result you'd expect?...no I didn't think so either.

    Lugosi is actually quite good in the film and gives it his best effort. Also I felt Polly Ann Young, Betty Compson and Clarence Muse did fine jobs with what they had to work with.

    The Inspector (played by George Pembroke) is an incredibly silly stereotype who comes across as thoroughly incompetent. However I did laugh when the visiting psychiatrist suggests it may be the Inspector who needs help.
    435capade

    The invisible plot.

    Another cheapie from Monogram, once again casting Lugosi as a hypnotic murderer, lit from below as is expected. This time, however, he's the innocent victim, entranced by the sight of his 'dead' wife who appears beneath his window and seemingly 'commands' him to kill (rather surreptitiously and for a reason not fully explained). Indeed, most of the plot isn't really fully explained, but it's academic. Instead of the plot, concentrate on the director's unusual flair, and the writers' penchant for a decent gag or two. It's these that elevate this slightly above the rest of its kind. Some interesting panning between rooms, and behind furniture, and a memorable shot of Lugosi leering direct to camera from behind his black robe show that director Lewis had, at least, a modicum of creativity. There's also a wicked sense of humour that takes you by surprise, and is handled well enough to complement the thriller element. Sadly, the performances are mundane, especially Lugosi, who, once again mugs and grimaces his way through the part. The film is stolen by Clarence Muse, superb as the amenable butler, Evans - although he does get all the best lines.
    7ken-336

    Classic Poverty Row fare with Bela Lugosi!

    This murder shocker, featuring some typically hilarious plot twists and insane character reactions, is buoyed by that inimitable Lugosi magic. Also worth mentioning is the surprisingly inventive direction by Joseph H. Lewis, as is the comparatively dignified treatment of the black butler character, well played by Clarence Muse. Fans of old Monogram and PRC programmers will be well entertained.
    wdbasinger

    Great Old Dark House Spooker

    This is my favorite of Bela Lugosi's Monogram potboilers. This film is perfect in black and white because of the use of light and shadow as well as thunder and lightning in a creepy old house that has the feel of an old tomb. Throughout the film, the house setting with its weird shadows and spooky atmosphere sets the tone for the film

    A series of unsolved murders take place in this old house and the authorities fail to close it up due to legal technicalities. From the beginning, one knows that the guilty party is Bela Lugosi under the bizarre hypnotic influence of his estranged wife. The story rolls on with additional murders and an innocent suitor being sent to the electric chair for a murder he did not commit. After a few more people bite the dust, the real murderer is uncovered in one of the most bizarre climaxes in "B" movie history.

    Great late night fun.

    Dan Basinger
    6bensonmum2

    A fine performance from Lugosi

    If you haven't seen Invisible Ghost, I won't bother going into much of the plot. Most of it is silly and doesn't make much sense. Basically, the story involves a man who is driven to commit murder by seeing his supposedly dead wife. That's really all you need to know. And, it's not much of a spoiler as you discover most of this within the first ten minutes or so.

    Lugosi is great as the mad killer. A really first-rate acting job that is by far one of his best from the Poverty Row movies he made (that I've seen). He does an excellent job of alternating between the kindly Charles Kessler and the mad killer. Clarence Muse is also a standout as the butler, Evans. Muse played Evans as smart, calm, strong, and nothing like the typical black character you find in a 40s horror/mystery movie. I call him the anti-Mantan.

    Over the past few years, I've learned to enjoy the movies from the 40s that Monogram and others were putting out. Invisible Ghost is not the best of the bunch, but it's certainly not the worst. It's fun to watch if just to see Lugosi hamming it up. Just don't take these movies too seriously.

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    Related interests

    James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in The Sopranos (1999)
    Crime
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    Drama
    Mia Farrow in Rosemary's Baby (1968)
    Horror
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    Thriller

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      First of nine films made by Bela Lugosi under his contract with Sam Katzman for Monogram Pictures.
    • Goofs
      When Mrs. Mason (Ottola Nesmith) enters the coroner's office, she's greeted with "Hello, Mrs. Nesmith".
    • Quotes

      Charles Kessler: What's the matter with Miss Mannix?

      Evans the Butler: I thought she was doing her exercises, but she's dead.

    • Crazy credits
      Opening credits are composed of ghastly, ghostly, creepy letters.
    • Connections
      Edited into Deanimated (2002)

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    FAQ14

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 25, 1941 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Murder by the Stars
    • Production company
      • Sam Katzman Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 4m(64 min)
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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