"THE INVISIBLE MAN"

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21702, 18 January 1934, Page 12

"THE INVISIBLE MAN"

FANTASY AT THE REGENT Of air the characters' in .the realms of fantasy who have left a definite mark in the annals of the screen, "The Invisible Man" is without precedent. The film is the screen version of one of the novels of H. G. Wells, and will "be shown at the Regent Theatre for the first time' on Friday. This well-known and popular writer is a master in the' art of fantasia, and "The Invisible Man" undoubtedly does much to enhance his reputation as such. A carefully selected cast of talented players gives tho film its dramatic value, while the direction was given to James "Whale, wlio earned his excellent reputation in the direction of such successful films as "Journey's End," ''Waterloo Bridge" and "Frankenstein." Just as the dark is. a compelling fear because of tho unknown which may lurk itj its gloom, so is .the scientist Jack Griffin, of H. G. Wells' story, who can blend his bodily substance into the air, and wait, and plan, and then execute his wishes at his will. The theme of the picture is based on tho discovery by a young chemist of how the human body may be made invisible. Tho story opens with tho disappearance of Jtock Griffin, the assistant of a doctor of chemistry, while, coinciding with his disappearance, is the arrival of a mvsterious man at a country village. Thismysterious person, assaults an inn-, keeper, and when help is called tho stranger defies anyono to molest him by peeling off his garments and revealing emptiness—each garment appears to come from no bodily substance. So "Tho Invisible Man" is introduced to the audience for the first time. From then to the conclusion of. the picture, this mysterious being creates a reign of terror. Ho picks on an associate 'to give him his human representation, but kills him later for treachery. The police are completely baffled by their invisible adversary and the account of tho exploits to capture the menace forms an unparalleled story of fascination and excitement. The principal part is taken by Claude Rains, whose performance marks him as an actor of distinct ability, while the subsidiary 'roles are capably portrayed by Gloria Stuart and William JJarrigan,.