Rating: 
Summary: Great old flick
Review: If you don't read the credits, you'd swear The Invisible Man is Colin Clive, the original Dr. Frankenstein. They both have the same insane mannerisms. Maybe that has something to do with director James Whale who directed both.Great movie. For 1933 the special effects qar every good. And check out The Invisible Man's mentor, it's the angel Clarance from 'It's a Wonderful Life'! Check out the part when they finally catch him. The Invisible Man is only Invisible when he's completely naked right? Of course! But when he's running through the snow and the cops shoot him, check out the footprints. They are obviously prints made by a pair of shoes!! Not too scary for kids, so the whole family can enjoy it.
Rating: 
Summary: INVISIBLE RAINS
Review: In one of the most unusual film debuts of any actor (because the character is seen only briefly in the end), Claude Rains was obviously chosen for his impeccable speaking voice. Filmed in 1933, this is a macabre horror/comedy which has a resemblance to "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde". The invisibility was achieved by dressing a stuntman in black velvet and then removing the bancdages and clothes against ablack velvet background; Rains' appearance at the end, his head seemingly coming out of nowhere as he lays dying, was accomplished through elaborate stop motion.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Greatest Science Fiction Horror Movies
Review: Is it any wonder that people are frequently afraid of science when the unknown is exploited the way it is in "The Invisible Man?" Claude Rains powerfully and effectively fills the role of Dr. Griffen, the man who conducted experiments with a drug that was so dangerous that it was no longer produced. In the course of experimenting with the drug he managed to turn himself invisible. Naturally the excitement of being invisible wears off after a while and Dr. Griffen decides he would like to return to the world of the visible. There are only two minor problems with his return. First, he has no idea how to return. Second, the drug he used has the minor side effect of making the user insane.
Two aspects of this movie make it incredibly effective. First is Claude Rains outstanding voiceover. For many parts of the movie Dr. Griffen is invisible, moving through rooms and about town unseen. As Dr. Griffen does various things while invisible Claude Rains provides wonderfully emotional dialogue to support his actions. Rains manages to fill the invisible character of Dr. Griffen with incredible menace alternating with exasperation and even something pathos.
The other aspect is the fantastic special effects. There are a few glitches and inconsistencies, but the special effects in this 1933 film were phenomenal then and still impressive now. Sometimes you can guess how some of the items were moved though wires were not apparent. In other cases, such as when the bicycle is thrown at a crowd, the effect is wonderful and indiscernible. The special effects in combination with Claude Rains' performance create a classic science fiction based horror movie that is a classic for all ages.
Other actors may seem familiar to some. Gloria Stuart played the elderly Rose in the movie "Titanic." Henry Travers also played the angel Clarence in the movie "It's a Wonderful Life," a classic in its own right. Walter Brennan and John Carradine also make appearances. John Carradine would later be featured in many more horror movies.
Science fiction based horror movies continued to degrade soon after this classic film, leading to some incredibly cheesy films in the 50s and 60s and causing an aversion to science fiction horror. However, as this classic film shows, the genre had an outstanding beginning available to today's audience on DVD and VHS.
Rating:
Summary: A Classic Yes, but is it really the best print?
Review: It is without a doubt a classic. A great film, but the DVD has a lot of specks and white spots on the print. I know the film was made in 1933. I just wonder if this was really the best print or if it could have been cleaned up better. Anyway, I'd still buy it.
Rating:
Summary: The Invisible Man
Review: It was around 1934 when I first heard about this movie. Its debut came the same time as the Depression, therefore I never saw The Invisible Man in the movie theatre. While surfing the web I came across this movie at Amazon.com and to my amazement it was the original movie from 1934.
I had to order it immediately and it quickly arrived at my home.
I was very impressed with the movie. It has a good mix of comedy and suspense; the special effects are very realistic. The movie's theme is current with today, as it depicts a person who gain power over other people and then uses their powers for unjust purposes.
This is a truly a classic/entertaining movie and well worth the money.
Rating:
Summary: An Allegory of the Outcasts of Society
Review: Jack Griffin is a brilliant scientist who has some ideas that his peers think dangerous and unethical. Not one to be dissuaded, Griffin successfully experiments on himself, becoming the first human to be rendered invisible. Unfortunately, prolonged invisibility--or possibly the invisibility drug itself, as his peers had warned--begins to deteriorate Griffin's mind, and he soon becomes a power-hungry killer bent on revenge. Though rarely seen in the film due to the special effects and costuming demanded by the part, Claude Rains does a dynamic job in the role of Jack Griffin. His gravelly voice and vocal histrionics serve perfectly in delivering to the audience Griffin's descent into emotional hell. And James Whale's direction is as brilliant as ever, creating the appropriate mood and atmosphere as we follow a madman's ravaging of the English countryside. One of only four Horror films directed by James Whale for Universal, THE INVISIBLE MAN is a work that some historians and critics regard as a veiled allegory of the director's own publically covert homosexuality. While FRANKENSTEIN and BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN also depict societal outcasts in a sympathetic light, the eponymous character in THE INVISIBLE MAN is a character in a situation that is most like Whale's own--a respected genius in the public eye, but a person whose true self must remain invisible. Even if you don't buy that particular historical perspective, THE INVISIBLE MAN still works as an allegory of any societal pariah. We all have traits that we sometimes hide from others; we all have masks that we wear. And at the times when we dwell on the things we keep hidden behind those masks, we may feel just a little "invisible" to others. So in watching THE INVISIBLE MAN, Jack Griffin becomes a metaphor for our own private identities, and we care about what happens to him. As with many of Whale's films, this pathos for the protagonist becomes a skeleton on which hangs the overall plot. Compared to contemporary movies, the special effects in this film might seem a little dated. But the script is good, the directing is great, and the acting is superb. Anyone who enjoyes a well-crafted movie certainly won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Another Classic from James Whale
Review: James Whale was one of Universal's best directors in the 1930s; hell, let's just say he was one of Hollywood's best directors. Besides "Frankenstein" and "The Bride of Frankenstein," he also directed this first sound adaptation of H.G. Wells's thriller. And in it he provided a Hollywood debut for English actor Claude Rains. Rains is marvelous as the Invisible One (as he's identified in the opening credits), a fabulously over-the-top performance reveling in the character's madness and wit. Rains is aptly partnered by a young Gloria Stuart (who went on to play the old lady in James Cameron's "Titanic" about 60 years later, as well as lead an extraordinarily interesting life as an artist and a friend to the wonderful writer MFK Fisher, but I digress!) and Henry Travers (aka the angel wannabe Clarence in Capra's "It's A Wonderful Life.") But the real scene stealer in this thoroughly entertaining, masterfully paced film is the great Una O'Connor as the Inn-keeper's wife. Just watching this woman's face is one of the great delights of going to the movies, even at home. Good screen adaptation from the writers and excellent camera work, but it's Whale's show and the direction displays all his trademark creepy atmospherics and sly wit. A real gem, and with marvelous DVD bonus features to boot!
Rating:
Summary: Seeing is believing
Review: James Whale's interpretation of the HG Wells book is abrilliant piece of cinema. The effects are, considering the time, anastonishing achievement that really help make this movie work. This is Claude Rains film debut and while we only see his face for a few minutes, he manages to create a powerful impression as the sympathetic mad scientist. Of the Universal horror collection, this can only be matched by Whales' "Bride of Frankenstein" in terms of acting, direction, plot, and using special effects effectively. While it should have been one of the first Universal horror DVDs, let's be thankful this gem is finally available. END
Rating:
Summary: PERFECT FOR ALL AGES
Review: Mad scientist Jack Griffin (Claude Rains) has discovered how to make himself invisible. Problem is, a drug included in the formula has also driven him mad, and soon he is terrorizing the English countryside. One of the all-time great Universal chillers, huh? Well, I am reasonably impressed, even if I didn't find it particularly SCARY. It's fast-paced, well-acted (especially by Rains) and features special effects that are actually very good considering this film was made approximately seventy years ago. Best thing about these Universal monster movies is they're not long. They're over before you know it, and this movie is no different. Some people may even wish they were longer. Acting honors definitely go to Claude Rains (this was his film debut). Jack Griffin certainly qualifies as one of the more memorable madmen I've "seen" in motion pictures. By the way, for those of you who don't know, a much younger Gloria Stuart, who was so good as the old version of Rose in Titanic, is the leading lady here.
Rating:
Summary: CLASSIC that holds up just fine
Review: Most people balk at the prospect of sitting down for a 68 year old film. It can sometimes be an academic exercise. Not so with "The Invisible Man," one of the finest Universal fright flicks. I'll briefly explain why I think this film has held up particularly well: 1) Much praise has been given to Claude Rains performance, and it is totally justified. Rains is perfectly convincing as the raving scientist. 2) There is a lot of humor in this film. Sure, some of it is very broad and hasn't aged well. But most of it is fairly subtle and still works. 3) The special effects... There are a few shots that couldn't be improved much even today. And just about all the effects remain convincing. For 1933, this film was WAY ahead of it's time. As with the other films in Universal's initial batch of horror classics released to DVD (all available in the 8 disc boxset Classic Monsters Collection), this DVD features quality extras. The main features are the running commentary track from film historian Rudy Behlmer, and a 35 minute documentary that details the making of the film (as well as providing a good overview of director James Whale's career).
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