The Invisible Man Returns (1940)
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89% of critics liked it
(9 reviews) -
50% of users liked it
(2,294 ratings)
A semi-sequel to the 1933 Universal horror masterwork The Invisible Man, The Invisible Man Returns stars Vincent Price in the title role. Condemned for a murder he did not commit, Price begs doctor John Sutton to inject him with the invisibility serum invented by Claude Rains in the first film.… More A semi-sequel to the 1933 Universal horror masterwork The Invisible Man, The Invisible Man Returns stars Vincent Price in the title role. Condemned for a murder he did not commit, Price begs doctor John Sutton to inject him with the invisibility serum invented by Claude Rains in the first film. Sutton does so, even though he warns Price that the serum will very likely drive him insane. Sir Cedric Hardwicke co-stars as the genuine murderer, a colliery owner who framed Price. Though his behavior veers dangerously close to homicidal, Price is able to mete out retribution to Hardwicke without stooping to murder. As he gradually weakens, Price is recaptured and rushed to the hospital, where his life is saved by an emergency blood transfusion. Price's face is revealed to us for the first time as he vows his undying love to leading lady Nan Grey. Taking a less playful approach to the grim goings-on than director James Whale had in The Invisible Man, The Invisible Man Returns is a grim little morality play, containing vestiges of The Count of Monte Cristo and distinguished by an odd preoccupation with the mechanics and minutiae of death (a characteristic trait in the screenplays of Curt Siodmak). The film helped to solidify the cinematic reputation of Vincent Price, though it would be years before he'd specialize in horror on a full-time basis. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Joe May
- Written By
- Curt Siodmak, Lester Cole
- Genres
- Drama, Horror, Mystery & Suspense, Classics, Science Fiction & Fantasy
- In Theaters
- Jan 12, 1940 Wide
- On DVD
- Mar 15, 2005
- Studio
- Passport
Critic Reviews
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James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
Lots of fun
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Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
Fun Universal programmer, original is of course better
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Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
Another wonderful Universal B-horror film with Vincent Price giving a wonderful vocal performance; as usual the special effects are first-rate for the era.
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Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Good, but not great sequel to the original Whale classic.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A very good sequel to "The Invisible Man (33)," though not as imaginative as the original.
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Cast
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Cedric Hardwicke
as Richard Cobb
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Vincent Price
as Geoffrey Radcliffe
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Nan Grey
as Helen Manson
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John Sutton
as Dr. Frank Griffin
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Cecil Kellaway
as Inspector Sampson
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Alan Napier
as Willie Spears
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Forrester Harvey
as Ben Jenkins
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Ernie S. Adams
as Man
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Jimmy Aubrey
as Plainclothesman
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Matthew Boulton
as Policeman
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Louise Brien
as Griffin's Secretary
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Harry Cording
as Shopworker
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Edward Fielding
as Governor
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Mary Gordon
as Cook
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Frank S. Hagney
as Bill a Policeman
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Leyland Hodgson
as Chauffeur
- Ellis Irving
- George Kirby
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Bruce Lister
as Chaplain
- George Lloyd
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Edmund MacDonald
as Mineworker
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Frances Robinson
as Nurse
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Ivan Simpson
as Cotton
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Harry Stubbs
as Constable Dukesbury
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David Thursby
as Bob a Warden
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Eric Wilton
as Fingerprint Man
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Mary Field
as Woman
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Frank O'Connor
as Policeman at Colliery
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Paul England
as Detective
- Denis Tankard
