Mon 17 Sep 2018
Archived Sci-Fi Movie Review: THE INVISIBLE WOMAN (1940)
Posted by Steve under Films: Comedy/Musicals , Reviews , SF & Fantasy films[7] Comments
THE INVISIBLE WOMAN. Universal Pictures, 1940. Virginia Bruce, John Barrymore, John Howard, Charlie Ruggles, Oscar Homolka, Donald MacBride, Margaret Hamilton, Shemp Howard, Anne Nagel. Director: A. Edward Sutherland.
This may be the only movie made by a major studio in the 1940s in which the leading lady spends most of her time on the screen totally nude. She even kisses the leading man in the same condition. We can’t see her, of course, but we’ve got imaginations, don’t we?
This movie is also (slightly less) famous for that noteworthy line, “You know, if women were invisible, life would be much less complicated.” It’s also the funniest movie I’ve seen in ages. If ever this shows up again on your favorite cable station, don’t miss it.
September 17th, 2018 at 4:07 pm
You’d think that having written a review as positive as this one is, I’d remember more of it than I do, but no, nothing’s there. I’m sure ready to watch it again, though!
September 17th, 2018 at 4:45 pm
I love this film, especially Barrymore, Bruce, and Holmolka all playing it brightly as a screwball comedy. The script is tight and the wisecracks snap, the camera effects are sexy and playful with Bruce managing to be sexy and funny even when we can’t see her.
It far exceeds any possible expectations you could have for it. I rewatch usually once a year just because it is a good fast paced entertainment.
September 17th, 2018 at 6:28 pm
I have never seen this film. Not much of a Barrymore fan, other than Counselor At Law. Need to rectify that.
September 17th, 2018 at 9:18 pm
The movie is available on DVD from Amazon but copies are offered only in the $30 and up range, which I am no longer willing to pay. The copy I watched was taped from cable TV, which means it was abandoned — but not discarded — when my last video recorder broke down.
I’ll come across it again one of these days!
September 23rd, 2018 at 3:47 am
I’ve just watched this, and it was great fun. Agree with David’s comments.
September 23rd, 2018 at 4:19 am
I’ve just finished reading the entries for this film in Wikipedia and IMDB, but most importantly, the entry in “universal horrors: classic studio films 19 31–1946”. There is a lot of fascinating stuff about this well budgeted B movie. The cast is full of so many familiar faces. One thing I noticed about the film was the number of pratfalls by Charlie Ruggles, by him rather than a stunt man. I tried to see if he had a stuntman background, but no luck. The gag about the gangsters having tenor voices after invisible ray treatment, doesn’t seem to get a mention anywhere, though it must’ve been a bit risque for the time.
September 23rd, 2018 at 12:44 pm
Moe
I’d like to see the movie again now all the more!