Invisible Man Returns, The (1940)

The Invisible Man Returns is an American feature film of the science fiction, horror and mystery-drama genres. It is the second installment in the Invisible Man film series and is the first sequel film, following 1933's The Invisible Man, directed by James Whale. It was succeeded in 1940 with the action/comedy sequel, The Invisible Woman. Characters and concepts within the film are based on The Invisible Man novel, which was written by author H. G. Wells and first published in serial format in 1897 in Pearson's Weekly.

The Invisible Man Returns was written and directed by Joe May and co-written by Lester Cole and Curt Siodmak (credited as Kurt Siodmak in the film). Additional dialogue was provided by Cedric Belfrage. The movie was produced by Universal Pictures and released theatrically in the United States on January 12th, 1940. The movie stars Cedric Hardwicke as Richard Cobb, Vincent Price as Geoffrey Radcliffe, Nan Grey as Helen Manson, John Sutton as Doctor Frank Griffin, Cecil Kellaway as Scotland Yard inspector Sampson, Alan Napier as Willie Spears and Forrester Harvey as Ben Jenkins.

The premise of the film centers around the character of Geoffrey Radcliffe, who has been falsely imprisoned for the murder of his brother, Michael. A man named Frank Griffin - brother of the original Invisible Man, visits Radcliffe and injects him with the invisibility formula. Gifted with the ability to move about undetected, Radcliffe escapes from prison and goes on a hunt for his brother's murderer.

Crew

 * Joe May - Director; Co-writer
 * Curt Siodmak - Writer
 * Lester Cole - Writer
 * Cedric Belfrage - Writer
 * Ken Goldsmith - Associate producer
 * Hans J. Salter - Composer
 * Frank Skinner - Composer
 * Milton R. Krasner - Cinematographer
 * Frank Gross - Editor
 * Jack Otterson - Art director


 * Russell A. Gausman - Set decorator
 * Vera West - Costume designer
 * Phil Karlson - Assistant director
 * Martin Obzina - Assistant art director
 * Bernard B. Brown - Sound supervisor
 * William Hedgcock - Sound technician
 * David S. Horsley - Special effects
 * John P. Fulton - Special photographic effects
 * Charles Previn - Musical director

Notes & Trivia

 * The Invisible Man Returns was part of a multi-picture deal that Universal Pictures signed with author H.G. Wells, who wrote the original Invisible Man novel, which was first published as a serial in 1897.


 * The Invisible Man Returns was filmed at Universal Studios at 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California.


 * The Invisible Man Returns is director/screenwriter Joe May's fifth American feature film and his eighty-second film as a director in total (including shorts). It is his only work in the science fiction genre.


 * The film was re-released theatrically in 1947 by Realart Pictures.


 * The Invisible Man Returns is included on the Invisible Man: The Legacy Collection DVD set by Universal Studios, which was released on October 19th, 2004.


 * This is Curt Siodmak's fourth American film project as a screenwriter.


 * This is the first science fiction film work for cinematographer Milton Krasner.


 * This is Lester Cole's thirtieth film project as a screenplay writer and/or story developer.


 * This is the first and only science fiction film work for associate producer Ken Goldsmith.


 * This is the first science fiction film work for actor Vincent Price.


 * The Invisible Man Returns was nominated at the 13th Academy Awards in 1941 for the category of Best Effects (photographic and sound). Recipients of the nomination include special effects photographer John P. Fulton, sound supervisor Bernard B. Brown and sound engineer William Hedgcock.


 * This is actor Cedric Hardwicke's first work in the Invisible Man film series. He will go on to play Conrad Stauffer in 1942's Invisible Agent.


 * Fans of the 1966 Batman television series might recognize actor Alan Napier, who plays Willie Spears in this film. On Batman, Napier played the role of Alfred - butler to Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson.


 * Actor Billy Bevan, who has the uncredited role of Jim in this film, will go on to play a Sergeant in The Invisible Man's Revenge.

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