The Invisible Man Returns (1940)
starring Vincent Price, Sir Cedric Hardwicke, Nan Grey. Directed by Joe May.
Screenplay by Curt Siodmak and Lester Cole. Suggested by the novel The
Invisible Man by H. G. Wells (London, 1897). Associate Producer: Ken Goldsmith.
Run time: 82 minutes. Black and White. USA. Horror.
As an actor, Vincent Price is best
remembered for his roles in horror films. One of his earliest roles in such a
film came in The Invisible Man Returns, a sequel to The Invisible Man,
which had come out seven years prior.
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, including W.P. Lipscomb, and directors, including Rowland V. Lee,
before choosing Lester K. Cole and Curt Siodmak to write the script and Joe May
to direct.
The production, which got underway on October 19, 1939, was apparently plagued from the start. By the second week, it was already behind schedule. The $243,750 budget and the 27-day planned production days were not adequate for the special effects. Production ended on November 11 and was followed by three to four days of post-production work needed to be done for the special effects. The film would be released on January 12, 1940.
