Skip to main content

The Amazing Transparent Man (1960)


Once should never judge a movie by it's title... but sometimes, the title is a big indicator of the movie's quality...

Safecracker Joey Faust has a mysterious benefactor in Major Paul Kenner when Kenner breaks Faust out of jail.  Soon Faust discovers that the Major has a sinister plan in story for him and the world... one that requires him to become the Amazing Transparent Man...

This is a mad scientist B-movie right to the core.  The premise is silly, the budget low, the acting giggle inducing.  But it's not all bad, though.

I have to give credit to Douglas Kennedy as Joey Faust.  He managed to make the character interesting- and even a little likable.  His face reminded me a bit of Lon Chaney, Jr in "Indestructible Man" (1956).  Marguerite Chapman as Laura Matson was nice to look at, but a little hammy when being hysterical and panicky.  I wasn't much for James Griffith's performance as Major Paul Krenner, however- though I was amused by his fight with the invisible Faust... and the puppy dog look on his face afterwards.  Ivan Triesault was passable as Dr. Peter Ulof- the scientist who invents the invisibility machine.  I liked him, but didn't find him as interesting as Faust or Julian- played by Boyd "Red" Morgan.  Morgan gets a great line in the movie that I loved:

"You know what one of these bullets can do, son?  It'll rip out your spine and roll it up like a ball of string."

There isn't much that can be said about the camera work- it's really simple, and rather plain to be honest.  The special effects used for the turning invisible segments were a little undewhelming as well.  The same can be said for the actual story- which came in at just under an hour.  There isn't even much "amazing transparent man" to be had, actually.  I was rather disappointed in that.

While this is a movie that might be enjoyable as a "Festival des Fromage" night of movies, it's not one that I would pluck off the shelf and re-watch.  I'm putting, "The Amazing Transparent Man," into "The Ugly".
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Meridian: Kiss of the Beast (1990)

Sometimes, a director/producer will surprise you- such was the case during " Terrorpolooza 2012 " when I watched Charles Band's " Meridian: Kiss of the Beast " Catherine Bomarzini has come home after her father's death.  Needing company, she asks Gina to stay with her.  Soon, the two meet a wondering troupe of performers that Catherine invites to dinner at her castle. Catherine find herself pulled into a love triangle and an ancient curse that only she can break. After watching movies like " Evil Bong ", and " Demonic Toys ", I really wasn't expecting too much from this Charles Band movie- but I was pleasantly surprised by it. The story is actually quite interesting with lots of potential for eerie scenes, and character development.  It's a nice twist on the classic " Beauty and the Beast " story.  It's a bit slower than most of Band's other works, but moves smoothly and draws you with it. I have to ad...
Post a Comment
Read more

Zombie Bikers From Detroit (2001)

Over the years, it has been shown that with very little money, a skillful director can put together a high quality horror movie (John Carpenter's " Halloween ", " The Blair Witch Project ", and " Paranormal Activity " being a few of them).  So, when it comes to determining a movie's quality, budget is no longer a negative... Ken and his mother have moved from Hell, Michigan to Grosse Pointe near Detroit.  Upon his arrival, he meets the lovely Courtney, and her jealous suitor Chad.  While Ken and Chad square off, an evil is growing within Detroit and slowly spreading towards Grosse Point... where Ken will meet his destiny ... This week's " What Movie Wednesday " winner was " Zombie Bikers From Detroit "- a low budget horror movie that feels like it was put together as a school project.  High School, or College... I can't really tell. The premise- as stated in my little synopsis is interesting- as was the title.  ...
9 comments
Read more

The Black Castle (Les Daniels)

Vampires and witches are often a good basis for a horror novel.  Through in the Spanish Inquisition, and odds are you'll get a pretty good story. In 1496, while the Spanish Inquisition is in full motion, Diego  de Villanueva is seeking a way to rise through the ranks of the Inquistion.  He will do anything he needs to... even use his brother's darkest secrets and knowledge to bring fear and hatred to the world... " The Black Castle " caught my  eye while shopping at " The Book Place ".  I was intrigued by the idea of it taking place during the Spanish Inquisition.  While I did enjoy reading this book, I was also a little disappointed. The style is very fitting to the story- it has an almost old world charm and rythm to it that I found pleasing to the ear.  It's also easy to read, and flows at a nice pace.  While, it's not "fancy", the images it creates are fairly good and atmospheric. The story itself is a really interesting idea....
Post a Comment
Read more