The Invisible Man Appears

A kitschy but oh-so catchy double-feature of early Japanese sci-fi, Arrow Video's debut of The Invisible Man Appears (1949) and The Invisible Man vs The Human Fly (1957) is an unexpected treat for fans of the obscure, featuring a noirish black-and-white visual palette and special effects work by the future father of Godzilla, Eiji Tsuburaya, to create the film's transparent visual gags and gimmicks.  Although both films feature more heists than horror, they're a piece of H.G. Wells inspired history that have never been seen outside of Japan.

 

When Professor Nakazato's invisibility potion goes missing - along with the Professor himself - the police have no choice but to name him the lead suspect in a mysterious case of assaults and robberies revolving around a priceless diamond necklace.  Appearing in his signature bandages and trench coat, the Invisible Man makes fools of the police and uses his stolen super-science to wreak havoc in Kobe!

 

Opening and closing with a warning about the evils of abusing scientific advances (a familiar refrain that would become even more prevalent with the sci-fi monster flicks of the '50s), The Invisible Man Appears is a bit stodgy when the effects work aren't on display, revolving around the usual lab coated researchers fighting over the Professor's daughter.  But some of the simpler gags, like an invisible cat that knocks over antiques and leaves prints around the house, work as well as anything from the Universal original.

 

It's the sequel (which starts from scratch with no relation to the first film) that uses the concept more effectively, even adding in a pint-size nemesis, The Human Fly, who can reduce and enlarge himself Ant Man-style thanks to a vial of government-produced gas.  The victims are all related to a secret project shut down after the war, with a list of shrinking suspects that grown smaller every day.  This time around, the invisibility ray is used for good as an ambitious researcher volunteers to use his transparency to hunt down the pesky killer.

 

Goofy in all the right ways, The Invisible Man vs The Human Fly has a surprisingly high body count and a disturbing sexual angle that gives off an anything-goes vibe.  The effects are somewhat weaker and the scientific details downright ridiculous (why does our villain make a buzzing sound if he has no wings?!), but the plot moves along at such a brisk pace that there's barely any time to complain.  This is a seriously wild movie that doesn't take itself seriously.

 

Arrow's Blu-ray makes apologies up-front for the visual presentation, explaining that the sources for both films are 16mm release prints, but no other surviving elements were available.  There's definitely some wear and shudder on the first feature, but things eventually settle down...and the sequel is acceptable from start to finish.  If you're even slightly interested, this shouldn't be a deal breaker.  Extras include image galleries, trailers, a collector's booklet and interview with historian Kim Newman.

 

 

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