The 1930s were undeniably one of the most groundbreaking and lucrative time periods in Hollywood and a truly transcending decade for the horror genre, as beloved Universal Monster movies like Dracula, The Mummy, and Frankenstein made their spectacular debuts, terrifying audiences all across the world. While popular stars like Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, and Lon Chaney Jr. became certified movie stars after headlining the celebrated classics, there have been other lesser-known actors and films released during the ’30s that deserve just as much credit and adoration.
The 1933 sci-fi horror extravaganza The Invisible Man is one of these underrated releases from the decade that does not get enough love and appreciation, with the chilling H.G. Wells adaptation following the mayhem and murder a savvy scientist causes in an English village after he discovers a potion that turns him invisible, ultimately making him go mad. 91 years since its epic debut, The Invisible Man is finally available for streaming on Prime Video, and with spooky season upon us, now is the perfect time to watch the horror gem.
A Chilling Adaptation of an H.G. Wells Classic
Based on the trailblazing H.G. Wells classic, the 1933 sci-fi horror film The Invisible Man tells the spine-tingling tale of the brilliant scientist Dr. Jack Griffin (Claude Rains), who discovers a stunning formula that can make a human being become invisible, prompting him to test out the wondrous concoction on himself that leads to devastating consequences. Despite initially believing that his groundbreaking finding will bring him nothing but success in both his personal and professional life, Griffin quickly realizes that he has no way of reversing the transformation, causing his fiancée Flora (Gloria Stuart) to seek help in saving her beloved beau.
Griffin soon descends into madness and goes on a reign of terror as a result of the horrific experiment, as the scientist wreaks havoc on his English village and carries out pranks that become more and more violent, with his actions eventually leading to murder. When Griffin disappears and hides out at a local inn as a result of his insanity, both his former mentor, Dr. Cranley (Henry Travers), and his daughter, Flora, set out to save the mad doctor before he can hurt both himself and someone else. Naturally, the powerful and unhinged Griffin refuses to be deterred and makes it his mission to prove just how superior he is to those around him, leading to a fierce and heartbreaking showdown.
A Monstrous Decade for Universal Pictures
Between 1913 and 1956, Universal Pictures produced a series of hair-raising horror films that captivated and terrified audiences worldwide, as iconic movie monsters like the Phantom of the Opera, the Mummy, and Frankenstein were first introduced on the silver screen. From 1931 to 1941, Hollywood was creating hit-after-hit and released some of the cinema’s most lauded and unforgettable horror classics, as the decade spawned black-and-white masterpieces like Dracula, Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, and Bride of Frankenstein (among countless other groundbreaking sensations).
In the 1930s, Universal largely adapted the works of famous authors and horror pioneers such as Bram Stoker and Mary Shelley, with the novels’ respective villainous monsters swiftly emerging as pop culture icons and forever altering the face of filmmaking. 1931’s Dracula was both a critical and commercial success and led to numerous sequels and spin-offs, and that same year the electrifying Frankenstein also landed in theaters, earning $1.4 million during its initial run and an estimated $12 million by 1953 as a result of the spooky film being re-released numerous times.
The Mummy, The Invisible Man, and Bride of Frankenstein also premiered during the revolutionary decade, adding to the dazzling impact and legacy of Universal Monsters and serving up plenty of thrills and chills for moviegoers brave enough to see the spooky pictures. Many of the creatures featured in these undisputed classics would go on to be imitated and replicated in future cinematic installments, and while the ensuing decades would be profitable for the studio and the horror market, the ’30s remain a truly transcending period for not only the fan-favorite genre but Hollywood itself.
The Invisible Man Remains an Underrated Horror Hit
The Invisible Man was released on November 13, 1933, hot off the heels of the massively successful hits Dracula, Frankenstein, and The Mummy, though the studio had initially wanted the H.G. Wells adaptation to serve as a suitable follow-up to the Bela Lugosi-led vampire staple. Producers at Universal Pictures instead opted to go with Frankenstein as their next horror project, and The Invisible Man was temporarily shelved until 1933, with the studio eyeing legendary performer Boris Karloff to portray Dr. Jack Griffin.
Karloff ultimately passed on the role because his face would not be seen on the screen, though in actuality, it was due to his fallout with director James Whale (who helmed both Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein), who felt Griffin should be portrayed by an actor with a more “intellectual” voice. Wale then considered Colin Clive (famed for his role as Dr. Henry Frankenstein) for the titular character before ultimately taking a gamble on then-relative unknown Claude Rains while also enlisting the talents of Gloria Stuart, Henry Travers, and William Harrigan to round out the decorated cast.
The special effects implemented in The Invisible Man took two months to complete and were created decades before the green screen and CGI was first introduced, with supervisor and cinematographer John P. Fulton later revealing that they shot against an all-black set with the floors and walls covered in black velvet to ensure it was non-reflective; the final cost of the special effects amounted to $328,033. The Invisible Man was lauded for its technological achievements, dark humor, and ominous atmosphere, and it was declared by multiple media outlets as being one of the finest releases of the year.
Rain’s film debut in The Invisible Man and Whale’s masterful direction also attracted appreciation from critics and fans, as many appreciated the picture’s exceptional blend of sci-fi and horror and its wonderfully bizarre and creepy lead character. In the 91 years since the Universal classic’s epic debut, its legacy has only grown, and its reverence acknowledged, with filmmakers like John Carpenter and Joe Dante calling The Invisible Man one of the very finest of its genre and a transcending experience. In their retrospective review of the ’30s knockout, Film Inquiry wisely declared that “much of the film holds true in spite of its age. It is a stellar example of the craftsmanship of art and the passion that fueled a growing industry of the time.” Stream The Invisible Man on Prime Video.
