The Amazing Transparent Man (1960)

Even diehard fans of low-budget master Edgar G. Ulmer have to confess that The Amazing Transparent Man is a rotten picture. Shot in 11 days concurrently with another picture, Transparent is clearly not a film that Ulmer had any great personal connection to, and there's practically nothing here to recommend it. Those who truly wish to study every Ulmer film for his trademarks will find a few superficial ones here (such as his fondness for repeating motifs in architecture, demonstrated here in the rows of identical teller windows in the bank) -- but the reward for searching these out is pitiful indeed. Ulmer's direction is singularly unimaginative, due partially to budget and time constraints but also largely due to the horrible script, which boasts cringe-inducing dialogue, plot points that make no sense and characterizations that are strictly grade Z. The special effects are tacky in the extreme, with obvious wires in at least one scene. About the only things that survive this mess are Darrell Calker's score, which is not great but more than adequate, and Marguerite Chapman's performance. The actress can't really make sense of the mess she's asked to play, but she exudes a sexiness and assurance that go a long way under the circumstances. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide