The Invisible Man Returns is a 1940 American horror science fiction film directed by Joe May. The film stars Cedric Hardwicke, Vincent Price, Nan Grey and John Sutton. The film is a sequel to the 1933 film The Invisible Man, and the second film in the Invisible Man film series. The film is about Sir Geoffrey Radcliffe (Price) who is condemned for a murder he did not commit, which leads to him begging Dr. Frank Griffin (Sutton) to inject him with the invisibility serum despite Griffin's warning that the serum will drive him mad.
Following the commercial success of Son of Frankenstein, Universal Studios announced the development of The Invisible Man Returns in March 1939. The film went through a few screenwriters and directors before choosing Joe May to direct and Lester K. Cole and Curt Siodmak to write the script. Production went behind schedule early into the production and led to late night filming and production ending in November. The film was released on January 12, 1940. The special effects by John P. Fulton, Bernard B. Brown and William Hedgcock received an Oscar nomination in the category Best Special Effects.
Plot
Sir Geoffrey Radcliffe (Vincent Price) is sentenced to death for the murder of his brother Michael, a crime he did not commit. Dr. Frank Griffin, the brother of the original invisible man injects the prisoner with an invisibility drug. As Radcliffe's execution nears, he suddenly vanishes from his cell. Detective Sampson (Cecil Kellaway) from Scotland Yard guesses the truth while Radcliffe searches for the real murderer before the drug causes him to go insane.
The Radcliffe family owns a mining operation. The recently hired employee Willie Spears (Alan Napier) is suddenly promoted within the company, stirring Radcliffe's suspicions. After forcing Spears' car off the road, Spears is frightened into revealing that Richard Cobb (Sir Cedric Hardwicke), Radcliffe's cousin, is the murderer. After a confrontation, a chase scene ensues during which Radcliffe is struck by a bullet from Sampson. Cobb is fatally injured by falling from a coal wagon but confesses to the murder before he dies.
Now cleared of all wrongdoing, Radcliffe, dying from blood loss and exposure, makes his way to Dr. Griffin. A number of Radcliffe's employees volunteer to donate blood to Radcliffe. The transfusion succeeds, making Radcliffe visible again, allowing the doctor to operate and save his life.
Cast
Production
Pre-production
Universal Pictures first announced the development of The Invisible Man Returns in March 1939, around the time Son of Frankenstein had found itself doing decently in the box office. In May, Joe May was announced as the director of the film with either Boris Karloff or Bela Lugosi hinted at playing the lead. Days after this announcement, Rowland V. Lee was then announced as the film's director.
The screenwriter also went through several different writers, with W.P. Lipscomb announced who had previously done the films Les Misérables, A Tale of Two Cities, and Pygmalion. Michael Hogan, who had worked on the adaptation of Rebecca, was later given screenwriting duties. May eventually became the director of the film. The film's screenplay was finally written by Curt Siodmak (credited as Kurt Siodmak) and Lester K. Cole based on a story by May, Siodmak and Cedric Belfrage.
On June 29, The Hollywood Reporter announced that Universal was looking for an unknown actor to fill the role, specifically noting they required a "young, good-looking contender even though he would remain invisible until the last reel". The three principal roles were given to actors who had recently completed work on Tower of London: Vincent Price, Nan Grey and John Sutton. Sir Cedric Hardwicke was given top billing in the film despite the role being a more supportive position. Price commented that working with director Joe May worked as "May was difficult to understand, as he spoke no English. I had something of a rapport with him because of my knowledge of German".
Filming
The Invisible Man Returns was described in the book Universal Horrors as "being plagued with production problems". The film's budget of $243,750 and 27-day filming schedule were not adequate for the special effects and May's time to direct. Filming began on October 13, 1939. The studios back lot was turned into an English mining town which included a coal pile and coal escalator that was 75 feet long. By the second week of shooting, the film was already behind schedule. By November the crew was working until midnight with little expectation that the film would be done on time.