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

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Topic: The Invisible Man 17mins.b/w snd.

Andrew Wilson
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 784
From: dundonald,belfast,co.antrim,northern ireland.
Registered: Jan 2006

posted 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.

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Peter Richards
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 137
From: United Kingdom
Registered: Dec 2006

posted 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.

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Andrew Wilson
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 784
From: dundonald,belfast,co.antrim,northern ireland.
Registered: Jan 2006

posted 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.

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Peter Richards
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 137
From: United Kingdom
Registered: Dec 2006

posted 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]

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Marshall Crist
Master Film Handler

Posts: 300
From: San Pedro, CA USA
Registered: Oct 2008

posted 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.)

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Marshall Crist
Master Film Handler

Posts: 300
From: San Pedro, CA USA
Registered: Oct 2008

posted 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.

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Brad Kimball
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1171
From: Highland Mills, NY USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted 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.

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John Capazzo
Master Film Handler

Posts: 421
From: Hillside, NJ USA
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 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).

--------------------
"the image is about 30 feet ahead of us."

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Tom Photiou
Film God

Posts: 4837
From: Plymouth U.K
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 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.

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Jason Schmidt
Film Handler

Posts: 99
From: Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Registered: Nov 2014

posted 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.

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