superasdke

"You left me near madness with your peering through the keyholes, and gaping through the curtains, and now you'll suffer for it! You're crazy to know who I am, aren't you? Alright, I'll show you!"

I'll be honest I probably have a huge bias for this movie because it's the first Universal horror movie I watched. In Junior High our class read "The Invisible Man" by H. G Wells, then we watched this movie, and what can I say other than it's left quite the impact on me. From what I recall this movie does stay very faithful to the book, while changing a few things to keep the movie more interesting.

I personally can't find any major flaws with this movie, maybe it's nostalgia or the fact that this movie inspires me so much, I'm not sure.

Well I guess I'll start with the director, James Whale. Personally this is the first movie I would consider a "James Whale" movie, while he did direct 'Frankenstein' and 'The Old Dark House.' This movie right here sets all the bases of a typical James Whale movie, a blend of horror and comedy, and a bizarre amount of attention of the side characters, the side characters who tend to do strange things. From Una O'Connor's constant screaming to E. E Clive's lack of awareness. This film is filled with unnecessary scenes of characters in a state of panic that gives the movie a vibe that has really been unmatched. This is also probably the first actual horror comedy. Whale's directed the movie in a way that shows all the towns folk and police in the grips of a mad man, while showing the mad man is just insane and comedic. It's not funny in the typical way a movie of this age would be, it's not funny with bad effects, bad acting (though it does have instances of that), or things that haven't aged well. But legit comedy from the strange situations the characters are placed in.

I also have to bring up Claude Rains, as the Invisible Man. He's great, with a voice that is perfectly whimsy and can become gravely when he needs to sound tough. It's great, and I have to also give him credit for actually appearing in a movie where you can't see his face. Many actors especially at this time would not do such a thing, they want the whole world to see them, but Rains took the chance and it paid off. Though later in his career he wouldn't hide his face for other films such as Phantom of the Opera (1943). Claude Rains also doesn't appear in many Universal horror films, unlike Bela Lugosi, or Boris Karloff who have multiple roles under their belt. I also think he looks great in costume, a lot of Invisible Man style movies have actors who I don't think look great in the Invisible Man bandages and coat, but Rains fits perfectly, though I guess that credit has to go to the wardrobe department.

This movie has also become a Halloween tradition for a buddy and I. Every Halloween we watch this movie, the black and white cinematography is great for when it's dark outside, and where we live it's not unheard of for it to snow on or around Halloween, so this movie has a great snowy October vibe. I also have the ability to remember quotes from this movie. Also the music is great, I love the Invisible Man theme, quite underrated.

Honestly, I could talk about this film all day. But instead how about you check it out for yourself. It's my favorite Universal horror film, and it was my first. So if you haven't watched one before why not start with this classic?