At one time, I actually had a rubber chicken, long before it became popular, thanks to "Svengoolie." I wish I still had it.
Last week, Svengoolie showed Universals's 1940 "The Invisible Man Returns." Nowhere near as good as the Claude Rains original--which was directed by James Whale, and which Claude Rains brought a heartbreaking pathos to the title character. When the dead Rains' figure actually appeared at the end, I found myself shedding tears.
The first thing needed for this role is a great, theatrical voice. As Rains was killed off, another was found--Vincent Price, probably the next best thing. He gave it his all, but much of it was repetitious.
But there were a number of things that made it novel. Like seeing Sir Cedric Hardwicke, often cast as a good guy--play a bad one, corporate bastard Richard Cobb. Who is out to snatch the Radcliffe Factory, owned by Price, as Sir Geoffrey Radcliffe. He starts out by murdering his brother, Michael, framing Price for it, and then electing the most incompetent worker to the position of Supervisor. I'm telling you, girls, isn't that always the case.
There is a lab on the factory premises, where Frank Griffin, brother of the late Jack (Claude Rains) devises a way for Radcliffe to escape, which he does, to exact revenge. Meanwhile, Griffin has to come up with an antidote to remedy the inevitable madness that takes over each time the invisibility serum is used. Can he do it, and save Price?
The movie rides on this. And has some of the same poignance. As well as the novelty of Cecil Kellaway, famous for charming, whimsical types, enacting a hard bitten detective. And Nan Grey, best known as Lily, the lesbian prostitute, in 1936's "Dracula's Daughter," as the very proper and overwrought fiance, Helen.
This monster had its limits, which is why Universal stopped churning out such films. Not until Price played him again, at the end of "Abbott And Costello" Meet "Frankenstein," was he effectively employed again. Of course, there was 1944's "The Invisble Man's Revenge," with Jon Hall, but, I have not seen it, and the "Revenge" in the title almost gives the whole thing away.
What is "Svengoolie" showing this Saturday night? Stay tuned, to find out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And kudos to that Rubber Chicken!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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