Invisible Man Returns [VHS]
This belated and semi-inspired sequel to 1933'sThe Invisible Manfinds the earlier film's Claude Rains replaced in the title role by Vincent Price, appearing in his first starring role just two years after making his Hollywood debut in the now-forgotten 1938 comedyService De Luxe. Rather than repeat the scenario of the Invisible Man going mad from the effects of his own invisibility serum, this engaging mystery begins when a murderer (Cedric Hardwicke) plots to frame his brother (Price), who then uses the invisibility serum to escape from jail and clear his name. Price is a fine replacement for Rains, since both men were blessed with a mellifluous voice that would become the focus of their performances. Once again, John P. Fulton provided the groundbreaking (and still impressive) special effects, and the film contains a few eerily clever surprises that distract from the obvious symptoms of that most persistent of Hollywood maladies: sequelitis.--Jeff Shannon