(1958/UK)
Review by Nick Frame Directed by Pennington Richards & Ralph Smart Starring: Tim Turner, Deborah Watling, Lisa Daniely, and Ernest Clark Source: Dark Sky Films (USA) (NTSC Region 0 | 5hrs 30mins | 2006)
Based on H.G. Wells legendary creation, the "Invisible Man" series, now given an outing by Dark Sky, bares very little resemblance to the novel or the 1930’s series of films starring Claude Rains. In fact, it was a series I’d heard very little about, despite perhaps surprisingly being a UK production and going on to have a good run for two seasons on CBS in the US.
Our adventure begins with Dr. Peter Brady, a great US scientist living and working in England, who has been carrying experiments concerning invisibility. One day in the lad, something goes awry, as not only does he manage to make a guinea pig disappear, but also himself. He’s done it, but how will he change back! With the lab in lockdown after the laboratory leak is discovered, he manages to flee in order to get some help from a fellow scientist. However he is betrayed by his friend who wants the invisibility formula for himself. The British government, who initially want to keep Brady under lock and key, begin to see the potential benefit of having an invisible man on their books. They help him get the formula back, and offer him the chance of becoming a secret agent of sorts while at the same time working on the cure. Throughout the remainder of the series he helps them out by undertaking some secret and daring missions.
This was a really fun series to discover and watch, and to have seen during its original run in 1958 must have been pretty thrilling. The episodes are exciting with element of science fiction, adventure and espionage. The special effects, although primitive by today’s standards, are very well done. Back then as a kid, I would have been totally enthralled, floating cigarettes, drawers opening and closing by themselves, driverless cars and best of all, our hero leaning forward to reveal an empty bandaged head. The Invisible Man has a real 1940’s boy’s own adventure feel to it, very much in the vein of "The Adventures of Captain Marvel" (another classic to track down). Indeed in keeping with the secretive feel, the credits do not disclose who plays our titular hero. However it transpires that in the main, Johnny Scripps played Dr. Brady with Tim Turner providing the voice. Although if you compare certain episodes, it’s clear that on occasion another actor was standing in as facial features seem different. Brady is ably supported by his sister Diane (Lisa Daniely) and her daughter Sally, (Deborah Watling), who both manage to get involved in a few scrapes themselves. Also watch out for some very familiar guest stars, in particular Honor Blackman (Goldfingers, Pussy Galore), Desmond Llewellyn (James Bond’s Q) and Peter Sallis (Wallace from Wallace and Gromit) amongst others.
There are 13 episodes to savour spread over 2 discs with each episode lasting around 25 minutes. Each episode is listed with the it’s original air date.
Episode Listing:
"Secret Experiment"
"Crisis in the Desert"
"Behind the Mask"
"The Locked Room"
"Picnic with Death"
"Play to Kill"
"Shadow on the Screen"
"The Mink Coat"
"Blind Justice"
"Jailbreak"
"Bank Raid"
"Odds against Death"
"Strange Partners"
Image quality is overall pretty good for such an old and obscure series. The 4:3 black and white image holds up very well with only the odd speck and scratch blemishing the picture. Overall an excellent job on a show that is almost 50 years old.
Audio too is excellent and is available in English Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 mono as well as Spanish and French 2.0 options. The 5.1 remix in particular is strong and a real improvement over the original mono. English subtitles are available as well.
There are no extras to speak of, but it does have cool hologram DVD cover with the "Invisible Man" disappearing before our very eyes! But $20 for around 5 and half hours of rip-roaring adventure is not bad at all!
Despite some hammy acting and dodgy effects it’s hard not to recommend picking this up, especially if you are a fan of adventure serials. Really good fun and roll on Season 2.
Story/Film - 4/5 Bitch Slaps Picture – 3/5 Bitch Slaps Sound – 3.5/5 Bitch Slaps Extras - 0/5 Bitch Slaps Overall DVD 3.5/5 – Bitch Slaps
-or-
© 2006 cinema-nocturna.com
