Die unsichtbare Frau (1940)
16KDie unsichtbare Frau: Directed by A. Edward Sutherland. With Virginia Bruce, John Barrymore, John Howard, Charles Ruggles. An attractive model with an ulterior motive volunteers as guinea pig for an invisibility machine.
“Delightful comedy from start to finish, with plenty of bounce and throw-away lines. Of course, invisible people can be the stuff of horror, but thereu0026#39;s plenty of shtick in the idea, as well. For example, the Topper series (1953-55) made good comedic appeal in TVu0026#39;s early days, while Abbott and Costello spoofed the idea in maybe their best u0026quot; Au0026amp;C Meet__u0026quot; (1951).u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eHere, itu0026#39;s a first-rate cast, including some of Hollywoodu0026#39;s most colorful lugs— including, Ed Brophy, Donald McBride, Shemp Howard, and mugging it up comedically, John Barrymore. Seems Barrymoreu0026#39;s invented a fade-away gizmo that he wants patented, but first has to get seed money from playboy John Howard. Then too he needs to hire a human guinea pig to prove that the gizmo works, and thatu0026#39;s dress-model Virginia Bruce whou0026#39;s out for revenge against her cruel boss (Lane). Naturally crooks get wind of the invention and want to hijack it. So, amusing mayhem ensues.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eNote the lengths the script manages to avoid that awful word u0026quot;nakedu0026quot;. Instead a number of Code euphemisms are employed. Still, the shtick makes funny use of Bruceu0026#39;s being naked when invisible. In fact, the writers go to some lengths making her occasional lack of clothes realistic— e.g. she gets cold up at the cabin. Anyway, the well-timed gags fly thick and fast, along with expert pacing from director Sutherland. At the same time, Charlie Ruggles almost steals the show as the impeccable butler. All in all, this Universal production amounts to a genuine sleeper despite the darkish title, and definitely deserves more frequent revival.”
