Set in the same universe as The Invisible Man (1933) because the invisible serum used was invented by John Griffin (Claude Rains), Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man tells a story similar to and reuses scenes from The Invisible Man Returns (1940). However, I can’t see why it’s considered a monster movie when it’s really a comedic detective picture as the titular trio works to clear a man framed for murder.
Buy Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible ManThat man is boxer Tommy Nelson (Arthur Franz). Because he wouldn’t take a dive against Rocky Hanlon (John Daheim) at the request of Rocky’s manager, gangster Morgan (Sheldon Leonard), Tommy’s manager was killed and Tommy accused of the murder. Tommy breaks out of jail and goes to a detective agency where he meets fresh-out-detective-school Bud Alexander and Lou Francis (Abbott and Costello using their real first and middle names).
They go with him to the home of Dr. Philip Gray (Gavin Muir), the uncle of his fiance, Helen (Nancy Guild). Ignoring the warnings of the unstable invisible serum and in order to hide from the cops who arrive, Tommy takes it in order to get the evidence of his innocence. Oddly, when first revealed to the audience, the serum turns all but the skeleton of a guinea pig invisible before complete invisibility, which is taken from Returns, but Tommy slowly goes straight to invisible.
Lou poses as a boxer with invisible Tommy making him look good. Lou garners attention in a boxing gym and a fight is set with Rocky Hanlon. Wanting to secure the outcome, Morgan sends his girl Boots (Adele Jergens) to set up the deal. The boxing match is very funny, especially after Lou knocks Tommy out and has to fight on his own for a bit. Lou and Tommy win the fight, which results in Morgan waiting in the dressing room for Bud and Lou to deliver the same treatment they gave to Tommy’s manager.
Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man does a great job blending genres. The script by John Grant, Robert Lees, and Frederic I. Rinaldo strikes the right balance and the cast plays their parts with authenticity. One acting highlight is the perpetually frustrated Detective Roberts (William Frawley, a few months before I Love Lucy debuted). Also a contributing factor to the film’s success are the fun special effects by Stanley Horsley, who previously worked on The Invisible Man Returns, The Invisible Woman and Invisible Agent.
A brand new HDR/Dolby Vision Master was created from a 4K Scan of the 35mm original camera negative and is displayed at an aspect ratio of 1.37:1. Blacks are rich and inky and a variety of grays can be seen. The image is very clean, free from dirt and damage. There is a sharp focus that show off very fine texture details on objects such as costumes and sets. The patterns on Bud’s suit and Lou’s hat when they first enter the gym could have led to aliasing but the image stays intact. Natural film grain is present.
The audio is available in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Dialogue is clear. The effects augment the scenes well. Albeit a bit loud during the opening credits, composer Joseph Gershenson’s score is better balanced in the mix during the film.The track is free from hiss and defect.
The Special Features are:
- Two audio commentaries. One by Hats Off Entertainment‘s Joe Ramoni and the other by film historians Paul Anthony Nelson and Lee Zachariah
- Theatrical Trailer
Abbott and Costello Meet The Invisible Man is recommend. The presentation on Kino Lorber’s 4K UHD release delivers a great picture and satisfying audio.
