THE INVISIBLE WOMAN (1940) is the third film in the Universal franchise and goes for the all-out comedy approach this time around, maybe because of the world war that had just begun, internationally at least. It's a short and slight little production that sees a woman using her new-found powers to get revenge on her boss before outwitting the usual gangsters you find in films of this era. It's a reasonable exercise which has some humorous moments, although not exactly a classic.
One problem I had with it is John Barrymore as the mad professor, all eyebrow twitching and gurning into the camera lens - not what I'd expected from the guy in SVENGALI. Virginia Bruce is better, bringing a frothy lightness of touch to the titular role, and there are supporting turns from Oscar Homolka, Shemp Howard (!) and the Wicked Witch of the West herself, Margaret Hamilton, as another grumpy character. The film moves at a fair pace and has the usual fun FX, so it could be worse.
One problem I had with it is John Barrymore as the mad professor, all eyebrow twitching and gurning into the camera lens - not what I'd expected from the guy in SVENGALI. Virginia Bruce is better, bringing a frothy lightness of touch to the titular role, and there are supporting turns from Oscar Homolka, Shemp Howard (!) and the Wicked Witch of the West herself, Margaret Hamilton, as another grumpy character. The film moves at a fair pace and has the usual fun FX, so it could be worse.