8mm Forum: The Invisible Man 17mins.b/w snd.

This is topic The Invisible Man 17mins.b/w snd. in forum 8mm Print Reviews at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by Andrew Wilson (Member # 538) on December 31, 2006, 09:08 AM:

Here's another Universal two reeler to look for.
Directed by James Whale,back in 1933,it features great special effects,which even today are quite striking.
It opens with some of the original titles;we then move to a pub,were a stranger enters and askes for a room.
All the more strange,because his head is coverd with bandages.
Locked in his room,he frantically searches for a cure to his problem.But the locals will not leave him alone,and get the local bobby to investagate.The stranger has had a enough,and slowly undos the bandages to reveal..nothing!.
The stranger then goes on a rampage,steals a bike,throws money onto the streets,from the local bank,and even kills a train load of people,by knocking out the guard,and changeing the signal points.The police are at a loss on how to stop this madman,until it begins to snow,heavely.
A local farmer comes into the police station,and utters that line...There's breathin in my barn!.
The police then set the barn on fire,to force the fugtive out,it works..the barn door opens,and footpaints appear in the snow.
The police open fire,and the man slumps to the ground.
Now on his death bed,he slowlys materiales,and for the first time we see the face of Claude Raines.This is smashing two reeler,well worth pawning your back teeth for.Beauifully edited,my print still has good print and sound.Yes i bought this second hand,ive watched it umpteen times,its excellent.
Now Castle films,released a 200ft,about 18months before this.If you have the funds then go for that too.So long as its super8,and dont forget,Castle are still fondlly rememberd.Get what every version you can..As for this two reeler....
Print A
SoundA.
An excellent release.Andy.

Posted by Peter Richards (Member # 738) on December 31, 2006, 09:29 AM:

Thanks for the review Andy [Cool]

Another to add to the list of U-8 400' editions.

I'm wondering if the 200' edition like the Son Of Frankenstein has a very different edit and if it's worth picking up both with the hope to do a bit of splicing together.

Posted by Andrew Wilson (Member # 538) on December 31, 2006, 10:04 AM:

It might have a Diffenent edit,indeed there Peter.If you saw my review of the two reeler,its a smashing edit.Andy.

Posted by Peter Richards (Member # 738) on February 01, 2007, 08:36 AM:

I've now obtained the 400' edition and agree with Andy,it's a great edit and highly recommended [Smile]

Posted by Marshall Crist (Member # 1312) on October 14, 2008, 03:07 AM:

It sounds like everything in the 200' probably made it into the 400'. (I've only seen the former.)

Posted by Marshall Crist (Member # 1312) on November 26, 2013, 07:37 PM:

Obtained the 400' edition and watched it for the first time. I no longer have the 200' reel for reference, but it seems like everything was carried over into the longer edit. This (the 400' reel) is a fun abridgment. From childhood to this very day, I still find it fascinating to analyze the editing choices made by the Castle/Universal 8 staff. The 400'er moves right along with plenty of carnage. No sign of Gloria Stuart or most of the supporting cast!

If I were going to add anything to the 200' reel, I think it would be the scene where Claude Rains traps his double-crossing friend in a car and sends him over a cliff. The 400' editors probably reasoned (and rightly so) that the backstory necessary to make sense of the scene would waste too much footage. Can't say I blame them for focusing attention elsewhere.

Posted by Brad Kimball (Member # 5) on November 29, 2013, 05:18 PM:

I agree. This is one that the U/8 editors didn't fall asleep at the wheel while creating.

Posted by John Capazzo (Member # 157) on November 29, 2013, 09:06 PM:

Both the 200' and 400' were excellently done. Not too many were edited from beginning to the end that made sense--the 200' and 400' were one (and two).

Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on November 22, 2015, 03:38 PM:

managed to pick this title up this week, original box to. it really is a great two reeler as stated, this one is in A1 condition with excellent print and sound, now on the lookout for the 400 footers of Dracula and the wolfman. Wish i got them years ago.

Posted by Jason Schmidt (Member # 4526) on November 26, 2015, 08:41 AM:

I got the 400ft version from Louis Franchetti recently and I agree it is a great print. Having never seen the original I felt like I overall got the story just by watching the 400ft version.

Posted by Joseph Randall (Member # 4906) on December 01, 2015, 06:33 PM:

My print appears to be defective -- I can hear Claude Rains' voice but I can't see him.

Posted by Pasquale DAlessio (Member # 2052) on December 01, 2015, 07:24 PM:

Blow smoke in his direction and you will see him! [Smile]

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