The Invisible Man's Recent Activity - Spout

Film:The Invisible Man

Tue, 12 May 2009 02:40:06 GMT

Title: The Invisible Man
Year: 1933
Director: James Whale
Plot: A mysterious stranger, his face swathed in bandages and his eyes obscured by dark spectacles, has taken a room at a cozy inn in the British village of Ipping. Never leaving his quarters, the stranger demands that the staff leave him completely alone. Working unmolested with his test tubes, the stranger does not notice when the landlady inadvertently walks into his room one morning. But she notices that her guest seemingly has no head! The stranger, one Jack Griffin, is a scientist, who'd left Ipping several months earlier while conducting a series of tests with a strange new drug called monocane. He returns to the laboratory of his mentor, Dr. Cranley (Henry Travers), where he reveals his secret to onetime partner Dr. Kemp (William Harrigan) and former fiancee Flora Cranley (Gloria Stuart). Monocane is a formula for invisibility, and has rendered Griffin's entire body undetectable to the human eye. Alas, monocane has also had the side effect of driving Griffin insane. With megalomanic glee, Griffin takes Kemp into his confidence, explaining how he plans to prove his superiority over other humans by wreaking as much havoc as possible. At first, his pranks are harmless; then, without batting an eyelash, he turns to murder, beginning with the strangling of a comic-relief constable. When Kemp tries to turn Griffin over to the police, he himself is marked for death. Despite elaborate measures taken by the police, Griffin is able to murder Kemp, considerately taking the time to describe his homicidal methods to his helpless victim. After a reign of terror costing hundreds of lives, Griffin is cornered in a barn, his movements betrayed by his footsteps in the snow. Mortally wounded by police bullets, Griffin is taken to a hospital, where he regretfully tells Flora that he's paying the price for meddling into Things Men Should Not Know. As Griffin dies, his face becomes slowly visible: first the skull, then the nerve endings, then layer upon layer of raw flesh, until he is revealed to be Claude Rains, making his first American film appearance. So forceful was Rains' verbal performance as "The Invisible One" that he became an overnight movie star (after nearly twenty years on stage). Wittily scripted by R.C. Sherriff and an uncredited Philip Wylie, and brilliantly directed by James Whale, The Invisible Man is a near-untoppable combination of horror and humor. Also deserving of unqualified praise are the thorouhgly convincing special effects by John P. Fulton and John Mescall. With the exception of The Invisible Man Returns, none of the sequels came anywhere close to the quality of the 1933 original. Trivia alert: watch for Dwight "Renfield" Frye as a bespectacled reporter, Walter Brennan as the man whose bicycle was stolen, and John Carradine as the fellow in the phone booth who's "gawt a plan to ketch the h'invisible man." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Times Tagged: 8
Number of Lists: 7
Number of blog posts: 3
Number of discussion threads: 6
SpoutRating: 3

Spout Post: Re:Weekly Theme for January 26: Female Hysteria

Sat, 31 Jan 2009 15:09:00 GMT

Post By: Risselada
Post To: Weekly Theme
Post Date: 1/31/2009 10:09:00 AM
Body: Hey if you are interested and you didn't happen to find it already, there is actually a group on spout devoted to this topic: Female Hysteria Beyond that I'd say Una O'Connor in The Invisible Man gives a good little hysterical performance.

Spout Post: Sci-Fi Boys Reunited. Clip of the Day

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:00:52 GMT

Post By: SpoutBlog
Post To: SpoutBlog on spout.com
Post Date: 12/8/2008 12:00:52 PM
Body: Fanzine pioneer (and credited coiner of the term “sci-fi”) Forrest J. Ackerman died last week at the age of 92, so I thought it appropriate to showcase a bittersweet clip from the documentary The Sci-Fi Boys. Though I panned the film when it premiered at Tribeca a few years back (and got a lot of crap from readers as a result), I do recognize it as primarily a showcase for Ackerman’s celebration of and influence on genre filmmaking. If you’re looking for something to watch to pay tribute to the guy, this may be it. Or, you could use this as a springboard with which to begin a marathon of Forry’s favorite sci-fi films. He lists them in this clip as being Metropolis, Things to Come, The War of the Worlds, The Invisible Man and The Time Machine. Also in this clip, filmed in 2003, Ackerman visits the grave of legendary sci-fi filmmaker George Pal and mentions that he’d recently almost joined the producer/director in the afterlife. Fortunately, fans got to enjoy Ackerman and his memorabilia museum home (the “Acker-mini-mansion”) for another five years. Now, though, “Forry” has gone and met up with Pal, and they’re likely having great conversations about H.G. Wells and the current state of sci-fi/fantasy. Check out the clip of Ackerman and Sci-Fi Boys director Paul Davids after the jump. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog

Spout Post: movie year countdown #74 - 1933 - The Invisible Man

Wed, 28 May 2008 20:25:28 GMT

Post By: Risselada
Post To: Risselada Blog
Post Date: 5/28/2008 4:25:28 PM
Body: This blog entry is part of my “movie year countdown”. To read more about that check out my first Spout filmblog entry. The Invisible Man I've seen a handful of the old Universal monster movies now, and the ones by James Whale have certainly been my favorite. I read the original The Invisible Man novel by H.G. Wells which was a compelling little read and liked the movie as well. There are some differences. Of course they had to throw a little love story into the movie which wasn't in the book because every Hollywood needs a love story apparently. It doesn't really work, but it's not too intrusive so it's not a big deal. Also the motives between the main character in the movie and the book seem to be different. I think the character in the book is slightly more sympathetic, even though just as deranged. You get a bigger picture of his struggle and his motives. The character in the movie just seems to want power. And supposedly he's turned this way because of the drugs he took to make him invisible. The description of how he became invisible in the book is more interesting. Although the more ruthless movie character can make for a bit more excitement. He's ruthless enough to murder his old partner by sending him off a cliff in a car. It's kind of fun to see old special effects. And to see Una O'Connor go completely hysterical. And Claude Rains has a great voice. Rating: 8/10

Spout Post: Re:The Invisible Man

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 15:39:07 GMT

Post By: Risselada
Post To: HORROR MOVIES 101
Post Date: 4/18/2008 11:39:07 AM
Body: [quote user="Dr_Gor"]I cannot let this one just go by ... The Invisible Man was a GREAT movie! Directed by the same insane genious who gave us Frankenstein and The Bride Of Frankenstein . The title character was played by a very young Claude Raines who later went on to become Lawrence Talbot's father in The Wolf Man . I am happy that you enjoyed this movie, Rizzo, and I notice that you have been watching a few of these 'oldies-but-goodies' of late and you seem to be enjoying them.... I have to ask you about this. Do you think these movies are pretty cool or what? Have you watched The Hunchback Of Notre Dame yet?[/quote]Yes, I have been watching many of these lately, and I have been enjoying some of them. So far those three directed by James Whale are definitely my favorite.I have not yet watched The Hunchback of Notre Dame, although I have been meaning to. I have been thinking I'll like it a lot actually. One because it's rated so well on sites where people can rate movies, but also because it's directed by William Dieterle. And although I've only seen one other movie by him so far, The Devil and Daniel Webster, it's one of my very favorite movies.I notice that there is also a version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame that was released in 1923 staring Lon Chaney. Have you seen this one? How does it stack up?[quote user="Dr_Gor"]Anyhow, I think there was only one official 'Universal' sequel to The Invisible Man and that was The Invisible Man Returns . I think there were a few remakes and TV shows but those don't really count as 'sequels'. Unfortunately, or rather Fortunately, The Invisible Man was never included in any of the great 'monster-mash' movies of the 30's and 40's . Each and every one of these movies counted as a sequel to The Wolfman, Dracula, and The Frankenstein Monster. He did 'show up' in that Abbott and Costello movie... [/quote]Well the featurette on the The Invisible Man DVD mentiones The Invisible Woman, Invisible Agent, and The Invisible Man's Revenge as all being sequels. And they were all made by Universal. Have you seen any of them? They say the effects in the last one were some of the best.[quote user="Dr_Gor"]And, yeah, the Invisible Man is really not very scary ... he is nothing but a man only you cant see him. Have you ever tried to fight someone in total darkness to where you can't see at all? It is not pleasant but it can be done. Who would you rather be locked in a room with; The Invisible Man, Hannibal Lector or Dracula?[/quote]I don't know. The Invisible Man does have a lot of abnormal strength and is quite megomaniacally deranged. Although if you think about it, he is totally naked so he probably gets cold and more suseptible to blows to his testicles. I guess the last question would depend on further context. Why are we in the room? What kind of a room is it? What's in the room? Things like that. But I'd love to play your game, so give me some specifics.

Spout Post: Re:The Invisible Man

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:06:02 GMT

Post By: Dr_Gor
Post To: HORROR MOVIES 101
Post Date: 4/17/2008 8:06:02 PM
Body: [quote user="Risselada"] So we've talked in this group about many of the classic monsters usually associated with the Universal classic horror movies such as Dracula, Frankenstein and his monster, and the Wolfman.I recently just saw The Invisible Man after reading the H.G. Wells novel. Would you say this character fits into the same category as the above named monsters? I noticed that there are actually more Invisible Man sequels than Wolf Man sequels, and maybe just as many as there are Dracula sequels.I think he's actually potentially the most frightening of all of these villians.[/quote]I cannot let this one just go by ... The Invisible Man was a GREAT movie! Directed by the same insane genious who gave us Frankenstein and The Bride Of Frankenstein . The title character was played by a very young Claude Raines who later went on to become Lawrence Talbot's father in The Wolf Man . I am happy that you enjoyed this movie, Rizzo, and I notice that you have been watching a few of these 'oldies-but-goodies' of late and you seem to be enjoying them.... I have to ask you about this. Do you think these movies are pretty cool or what? Have you watched The Hunchback Of Notre Dame yet? Anyhow, I think there was only one official 'Universal' sequel to The Invisible Man and that was The Invisible Man Returns . I think there were a few remakes and TV shows but those don't really count as 'sequels'. Unfortunately, or rather Fortunately, The Invisible Man was never included in any of the great 'monster-mash' movies of the 30's and 40's . Each and every one of these movies counted as a sequel to The Wolfman, Dracula, and The Frankenstein Monster. He did 'show up' in that Abbott and Costello movie... And, yeah, the Invisible Man is really not very scary ... he is nothing but a man only you cant see him. Have you ever tried to fight someone in total darkness to where you can't see at all? It is not pleasant but it can be done. Who would you rather be locked in a room with; The Invisible Man, Hannibal Lector or Dracula? < GOR >

Spout Post: The Invisible Man

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 21:58:09 GMT

Post By: Risselada
Post To: HORROR MOVIES 101
Post Date: 4/17/2008 5:58:09 PM
Body: So we've talked in this group about many of the classic monsters usually associated with the Universal classic horror movies such as Dracula, Frankenstein and his monster, and the Wolfman.I recently just saw The Invisible Man after reading the H.G. Wells novel. Would you say this character fits into the same category as the above named monsters? I noticed that there are actually more Invisible Man sequels than Wolf Man sequels, and maybe just as many as there are Dracula sequels.I think he's actually potentially the most frightening of all of these villians.

Spout Post: Re:The idea of female hysteria in films

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:47:35 GMT

Post By: Risselada
Post To: Female Hysteria
Post Date: 4/15/2008 12:47:35 PM
Body: I just saw The Invisible Man and I think we can add Una O'Connor to this list. Seriously, check this out if you haven't seen it? I would consider this hysterics.

Spout Post: Re:Scary Movie Quotes

Sat, 23 Feb 2008 20:42:22 GMT

Post By: Dr_Gor
Post To: HORROR MOVIES 101
Post Date: 2/23/2008 3:42:22 PM
Body: [quote user="apostasy"] Great job Dr. Your turn![/quote] Ok. Since you guys won't take it easy on me, I will return the favor... Here is a rather obscure one from the Doctor's vault of forgotten horror's... Think back to the 'golden age' ... * "Please don't think I'm ungrateful. Time after time people have tried to help me. Time after time they have failed. If this fails I..." * "It won't fail, Larry. You must believe that it won't." Good luck...

Spout Post: Movie year countdown viewing project

Sat, 17 Feb 2007 16:57:00 GMT

Post By: Risselada
Post To: Risselada Blog
Post Date: 2/17/2007 11:57:00 AM
Body: Here’s the dilemma. I have a list of well over three thousand movies I want to see saved on IMDB. I have a subscription to Netflix and recently every time I return a DVD it has been an extremely arduous task to make the decision as to which movie I should see next. In an effort to narrow down my choices and make the process of choosing slightly less overwhelming I have devised a system, almost a bit of a game for me. Here’s how it goes.For my first film selection, I have narrowed the options down to only films that were released in the year 2006. Then after I have watched that movie, my next selection would have to be a film released in 2005. Then I would see a film from 2004, then 2003, etc. The process of deciding is still laborious, but actually quite a bit more exciting. (I'm going by IMDB as my source for release years)I have already been making a list and have also already begun watching the films. I decided this might be a good time to start fooling around with this spoutblog I have until now left unutilized. So I’ll try to start writing a little blurb or so about each movie I watch in this process.My only limitation here is of course movies that are available on Netflix. Which sadly excludes several I know are available on DVD, and have been longing to see for a long time, but Netflix just doesn’t seem to have available. It’d sort of annoying how they do list quite a few movies that that you can put in your queue under “saved”, yet they obviously do not have available. I have countless movies in that unavailable but saved queue, and I’m not sure that a single one has ever become available. What’s the point I wonder.But if anyone has any recommendations, I'll take that into consideration. THANK YOU!---------------------------------------------------------------------------------New addition to this post:Today is Tuesday March 13, and I have completed a preliminary list of all of the movie I will be watching. Unfortunately many of them were not available on Netflix. I will hunt those down some day. I'm don't doubt that as I make my way through the list I will make a few more changes depending on my mood and other factors, but for now, here it is:1. Art School Confidential (2006)2. The Comedians of Comedy (2005)3. The Passion of the Christ (2004)4. Ruang rak noi nid mahasan (Last Life in the Universe) (2003)5. Im toten Winkel - Hitlers Sekretärin (Blind Spot. Hitler's Secretary) (2002)6. El Espinazo del diablo (The Devil's Backbone) (2001)7. Werckmeister harmóniák (Werckmeister Harmonies) (2000)8. The Virgin Suicides (1999)9. Buffalo '66 (1998)10. In the Company of Men (1997)11. Hard Core Logo (1996)12. Welcome to the Dollhouse (1995)13. Hoop Dreams (1994)14. Short Cuts (1993)15. In the Soup (1992)16. Surviving Desire (1991)17. Misery (1990)18. Der Siebente Kontinent (The Seventh Continent) (1989)19. Topio stin omichli (Landscape in the Mist) (1988)20. Evil Dead II (1987)21. Ying hung boon sik (1986)22. Sans toit ni loi (Vagabond) (1985)23. Sixteen Candles (1984)24. Videodrome (1983)25. Chan Is Missing (1982)26. Coup de torchon (1981)27. The Ninth Configuration (1980)28. Hardcore (1979)29. Halloween (1978)30. Pumping Iron (1977)31. Logan's Run (1976)32. Tommy (1975)33. The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974)34. The Exorcist (1973)35. Kozure Ôkami: Kowokashi udekashi tsukamatsuru (Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance) (1972)36. Get Carter (1971)37. Il Conformista (The Conformist) (1970)38. Hsia nu (A Touch of Zen) (1969)39. Fando y Lis (1968)40. Dutchman (1967)41. Kenka erejii (Fighting Elegy) (1966)42. Rekopis znaleziony w Saragossie (The Saragossa Manuscript) (1965)43. Sei donne per l'assassino (Blood and Black Lace) (1964)44. The Great Escape (1963)45. Cape Fear (1962)46. Yojimbo (1961)47. Plein soleil (Purple Noon) (1960)48. Some Like It Hot (1959)49. Mon oncle (1958)50. Sweet Smell of Success (1957)51. Biruma no tategoto (The Burmese Harp) (1956)52. Rebel Without a Cause (1955)53. Gojira (Godzilla) (1954)54. Ugetsu monogatari (1953)55. Ikiru (1952)56. A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)57. D.O.A. (1950)58. White Heat (1949)59. Rope (1948)60. Born to Kill (1947)61. Black Narcissus (1946)62. And Then There Were None (1945)63. The Miracle of Morgan's Creek (1944)64. Le Corbeau (1943)65. Cat People (1942)66. The Wolf Man (1941)67. Road to Singapore (1940)68. Gone with the Wind (1939)69. The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)70. Drôle de drame ou L'étrange aventure de Docteur Molyneux (1937)71. Flash Gordon (1936/I)72. Triumph des Willens (Triumph of the Will) (1935)73. The Thin Man (1934)74. The Invisible Man (1933)75. Trouble in Paradise (1932)76. City Lights (1931)77. Der Blaue Engel (The Blue Angel) (1930)78. Chelovek s kino-apparatom (The Man with a Movie Camera) (1929)79. La Chute de la maison Usher (The Fall of the House of Usher) (1928)80. The King of Kings (1927)81. Die Abenteuer des Prinzen Achmed (The Adventures of Prince Achmed) (1926)82. Stachka (Strike) (1925)83. The Thief of Bagdad (1924)84. The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923)85. Häxan (1922)86. Seven Years Bad Luck (1921)87. Der Golem, wie er in die Welt kam (1920)88. Blind Husbands (1919)

Spout Tag:Classic

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 22:54:36 GMT

Classic
Number of films tagged: 816

Number of people who tagged: 312

Number of times used: 1453

Spout Tag:murder

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 02:57:25 GMT

murder
Number of films tagged: 8748

Number of people who tagged: 157

Number of times used: 830

Spout Tag:insanity

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:02:27 GMT

insanity
Number of films tagged: 258

Number of people who tagged: 35

Number of times used: 47

Spout Tag:must-see

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:26:12 GMT

must-see
Number of films tagged: 59

Number of people who tagged: 20

Number of times used: 67

Spout Tag:rampage

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:08:16 GMT

rampage
Number of films tagged: 1183

Number of people who tagged: 9

Number of times used: 16

Spout Tag:madscientist

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:03:11 GMT

madscientist
Number of films tagged: 431

Number of people who tagged: 8

Number of times used: 10

Spout Tag:invisibility

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:56:29 GMT

invisibility
Number of films tagged: 72

Number of people who tagged: 4

Number of times used: 5

Spout Tag:claude-rains

Wed, 08 Aug 2007 01:16:58 GMT

claude-rains
Number of films tagged: 1

Number of people who tagged: 1

Number of times used: 1

Spout Tag:humanlaboratory

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 13:53:18 GMT

humanlaboratory
Number of films tagged: 1

Number of people who tagged: 1

Number of times used: 1

Spout Tag:mass-hysteria

Wed, 28 May 2008 20:29:32 GMT

mass-hysteria
Number of films tagged: 1

Number of people who tagged: 1

Number of times used: 1

Spout Tag:monocane

Wed, 28 May 2008 21:47:34 GMT

monocane
Number of films tagged: 1

Number of people who tagged: 1

Number of times used: 1

Spout Tag:must-see-scifi-horror

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 23:50:03 GMT

must-see-scifi-horror
Number of films tagged: 1

Number of people who tagged: 1

Number of times used: 1