Invisible Ghost
by Joseph Lewis
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Product details
Actor: Bela Lugosi; Polly Ann Young; John McGuireDirector: Joseph Lewis
Edition: VHS Tape
Audio: English (Original Language), Analog
Format: Black & White, NTSC
Running Time: 66 minutes
Release Date: 1994-12-01
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Publisher: Timeless Multimedia
Studio: Timeless Multimedia
VHS Movie Reviews of Invisible Ghost
Movie Review: The first and the best of Lugosi's "Monogram Nine"
Summary: 4 Stars
Bela Lugosi was compelled to make a number of poor films during his down and out years, but 1941's Invisible Ghost should not be counted among them. While this is the first of Bela's infamous "Monogram Nine," it's actually a pretty interesting film, and one that allows Bela's star power to shine in several of its many facets. This talented actor could be quite the charmer in the right cinematic environment, as he proved in Dracula, and the role of Charles Kessler in Invisible Ghost provided him with an opportunity to showcase the warm, genteel aspect of his nature alongside the legendary horror prowess that made him famous. Of course, Kessler's a little bit odd - he does, after all, enjoy a serious dinner with his wife on the anniversary of their marriage, despite the fact that he has not seen her since she left him (and supposedly died) several years earlier - but he's a most sympathetic character with a wonderful daughter, a respected position in the community, and a most amiable personal nature.
Unfortunately, Kessler's home is quickly becoming a house of horrors. The first victim is the new maid, and her death complicates matters a great deal. We the viewers know who killed her because we watched the murder as it happened. Circumstantial evidence, however, leads the cops to charge Ralph Dickson (John McGuire), who just so happens to be the serious boyfriend of Kessler's daughter Virginia (Polly Ann Young), with this murder most foul. As additional murders follow, you can only wonder who will be next and when the authorities will figure out what we already know - the true identity of the murderer. You might think that your foreordained knowledge of the murderer would make Invisible Ghost a boring affair, but it really doesn't - largely thanks to Bela Lugosi's incredible performance (and a certain plot point I found rather shocking).
Joseph H. Lewis also deserves a lot of credit for making this film rise above its B-movie origins. As director, he maintains the gloomy atmosphere throughout, and he also gives us some unusual but wonderfully effective camera angles - including a truly memorable one through the flames of a fireplace. The lighting also wonderfully accentuates the whole effect of several Bela Lugosi close-ups (and no one has ever done close-ups like Bela Lugosi did). I will go so far as to tell you the butler didn't do it, but said butler (played by Clarence Muse) deserves special mention, as well. Rather than serve as stereotypical grist for the Hollywood mill, this African-American character was presented with seriousness and respect - quite a rarity for films of this particular era.
It's just unfortunate that the rest of Lugosi's films for Monogram lacked the kind of script and talent Invisible Ghost provided - this first of Lugosi's "Monogram Nine" is far and away the best of the lot. I would place this high on the second tier of Lugosi's most impressive performances.
Movie Review: Death by smoking jacket...
Summary: 3 Stars
As I write this review, there are at least ten, separate DVD releases for the film, The Invisible Ghost (1941), some double features, some stand alone releases, which is usually a good indicator that the movie has fallen into the public domain, meaning the original copyright for the film has since lapsed, and now anyone can broadcast or release the film, if they have the means. The most famous case of this is Frank Capra's It's A Wonderful Life (1946). Ever wonder why it's shown on every stinking channel all hours of the day and night during the holidays? Well, it is a classic, but also none of the TV stations that broadcast it have to pay a penny to anyone for showing it...but I digress...written by Al and Helen Martin and directed by Joseph H. Lewis (Pride of the Bowery, The Mad Doctor of Market Street), The Invisible Ghost stars Bela Lugosi (Dracula, White Zombie), in one of a number of poverty row films he starred in during his `exile' from the major studio system. Also appearing is Polly Ann Young (Murder on the Yukon), John McGuire (The Prisoner of Shark Island), Clarence Muse (Huckleberry Finn, Show Boat), Terry Walker (Dangerous Lady), Betty Compson (Mr. & Mrs. Smith), Ernie Adams (Pride of the Legion), and George Pembroke (Bluebeard).
As the film begins we see Charles Kessler (Lugosi) sitting down to dinner alone...or is he? He's seems to be having a conversation with the empty chair across from him (he even tells the butler to serve the empty chair first)...nutty, perhaps, but then we learn this is an annual event, marking Kessler's wedding anniversary, only Mrs. Kessler (Compson) is unable to attend due to the fact she ran off with another man some years ago, leaving behind Charles and their daughter Virginia (Young), and died in a subsequent car accident, or so is the common belief. Well, turns out she ain't dead, but secretly stowed away in the cellar of the gardener's shack...why? I had a hard time understanding (and I saw the film!), but it has something to do with her having amnesia. Since her leaving there's been a rash of unexplained murders, which only happen at night, of the household staff (strangulations), but little in the way of clues as to the murderer. Virginia's boyfriend Ralph (McGuire) makes the scene, just about the time the current maid gets it, who he apparently had a past history with, and now he's on the hot seat, fingered by the inept authorities for her death. His brother Paul (also played by McGuire) shows up, and another person dies (the gardener), proving that, while good help may be hard to find, it's even harder to keep...from getting killed! Things eventually come to a head during a dark and stormy night as those left try to get to the bottom of things...
There really isn't much of a mystery here although it seems like the film was touted as such within the promotional material, as we know who the killer is fairly early into the film, along with the motive. Another thing the film does not have, despite the title, is an actual ghost, which was disappointing as I do like a good ghost story, but whatever...given how much we know early on, there seems to be little in terms of the story to keep the audience interested, but the movie does have a few things going for it, like creepy atmosphere and Lugosi himself. There's a scene in the film where Lugosi's character's in the maid's room, and the camera is positioned in such a way that it looks like he's coming at the audience. He has a smile on his face, but it's not of the `Let's be friends' type...no, it's more of the sinister `I going to throttle the life out of you' type. This, to me, was the highlight as few could pull off this kind of thing as well as he did. Another interesting aspect with regards to the film was that of Clarence Muse's character of the African American butler Evans. I was half expecting some sort of goofy, buffoonish, caricature prevalent in films about the time, but that wasn't the case here. His character was actually a capable one, lacking any speech impediments, one that seemed to garner a certain amount of respect despite his position within the household. Actually, Muse was quite an accomplished individual, holding a law degree, and thought of as a pioneer in the black theater movement. As far as John McGuire playing the dual roles of the brothers Ralph and Paul Dickson, there wasn't, as far as I know, any mention of them being twins, but I think this was done because it was probably cheaper to just have one actor play both roles. The one aspect that really stuck me as odd was the fact that while there were a number of murders in the house, no one within the house seemed all that put out by the fact a murderer was running around. I don't know about you, but someone gets murdered in my house, I'll be commencing to freaking out...the characters seemed not so bothered that household servants were being knocked off (and the murderer may be lurking about), but more so by the inconvenience of having to fill another, vacant position. Also, the story is filled with aspects that are the way they are only because they're written in the script that way, and not because they developed naturally. All in all the good canceled out the bad, so I was left feeling pretty neutral by the end. Had the movie not had Lugosi, I wouldn't have even bothered...I haven't seen all of Lugosi's poverty row films, but of the ones I have seen, White Zombie (1932), Bowery at Midnight (1942), and The Devil Bat (1940) are among the better ones, in my opinion.
This Roan DVD release features a decent looking, fullscreen (1.33:1) picture, presented in its original aspect ratio. The print does have plenty of flaws, but it is watchable. The Dolby Digital mono audio comes through well enough. There are a couple of extra features on the DVD, including a Cast & Credits listing, and text relating a little about the films background, which is also the same material print on the back of the DVD case. As I said, there are at least ten different DVD releases of this film, and I couldn't speak towards the quality of these other releases, so buyer beware.
Cookieman108
Movie Review: A TORMENTED PERFORMANCE BY BELA
Summary: 4 Stars
Bela is Charles Kessler, whose wife ran off and left him several years earlier. On their anniversary, he still has the butler set a place for her at the dinner table, even having him serve the empty spot. Unknown to him, his wife was actually in a car accident and has been hidden away and cared for by Kessler's Gardener Jules and his wife. But Mrs. Kessler, now an amnesiac, sneaks out at night and stares up at the window of her husband's study. Kessler immediatelt seems to know when she is down there and goes to stare back at her. Then something happens...Kessler becomes hypnotized and immediately sets off to commit murder. Beeing entranced, Kessler isn't even aware what he is doing.
Several murders have already taken place at the estate and as the film opens, He ventures forth and murders the new maid in her bed. The fiancee of Kessler's daughter, one Ralph Dickson is accused of the crime since he and the maid had once been lovers. Dickson is found guilty on the most circumstantial evidence and is executed. Soon after, Dickson's twin brother Paul shows up at the Kessler estate to try and find out what happened to his brother and learns about the mysterious deaths. When he asks why they don't leave the house he's told that Kessler is waiting for his wife to return.
Invisible Ghost was a mere hook for a title as Kessler's wife is no ghost and not remotely invisible...dead or otherwise. But remember this was 1941 and truth in advertising was not order of the day. Lugosi plays a more tragic role here, not the menacing evil of other films like Dracula or White Zombie. He seems to be truly in love with his or maybe obsessed is a better word. His deliberate stalking of his victims, creeping up from behind or as they sleep is just fun to watch.
There doesn't seem to have been any reason for Paul Dickson to be an exact twin of Ralph's, as nothing was made of this fact outside of the initial reaction of Kessler's daughter, Virgina.
A good Role for Bela, one where he was the real murderer as opposed the red herring he would play in many other films.
Movie Review: The best of Bela Lugoi's Poverty Row films for Monogram
Summary: 3 Stars
Actually "The Invisible Ghost" does refer to a character in this 1941 film, but then the only thing that matters is Bela Lugosi's name on the title card. Lugosi plays Charles Kessler, who we meet having dinner with his wife on their wedding anniversary; the only problem is that according to daughter Virginia (Polly Ann Young), her mother was killed in a car accident several years earlier as she was about to run off with her husband's best friend. But Kessler still worships his wife and on their anniversary he convinces himself he is having dinner with his beloved. Sounds plausible enough, but the truth is that Mrs. Kessler (Betty Compson) survived the auto accident and is being kept in the gardener's shed by the caretaker, Jules (Ernie Adams), who keeps assuring the poor woman that she will be taken to her husband and daughter "soon." Meanwhile, there have been a series of strange murders in the neighborhood and when the maid is struck down the suspicion falls on Virginia's beau (John McGuire). But, of course, that is not close enough to home to really ruin the rest of Virginia's life and sooner or later the local cops will figure out the truth of what is going on here."The Invisible Ghost" is the best of the nine Poverty Row productions Lugosi made for Monogram after his fall from grace at Universal Studios. The problems in the script (you can usually find the body in a car crash for starters) are compensated for by the work of director Joe Lewis, who shows a lot of cinematic flair for a B-film director making a quickie (e.g., filming the fireplace during the exposition). This film is rather face paced and gets a lot in for only 64-minutes. The other advantage it has is that Lugosi's performance is better than the plot; I mean, come on, you know who the murderer is before the movie begins, and it is just a question of waiting for all the pieces to be forced into place by the time the film ends. This is not a suspense film, but more one about atmosphere and mood. The insane wife, befuddled daughter and falsely accused beau are all above average performances as well; if you were just listening to them you would not know this was a low-budget horror film. There are times when I think this is Lugosi's best performance, but I am probably more comfortable claiming it is one in which he plays his most sympathetic character. But if you do not have a strong stomach for stupid plots, then you would want to pass this one bye.
Movie Review: INVISIBLE GHOST
Summary: 5 Stars
Although not technically or artistically superior, Invisible Ghost is a winner for Lugosi fans. He plays Charles Kessler, who employs a butler, a maid, a cook and a gardener. There is a series of murders which cannot be solved. Controlled by his estranged wife, who is in a lost world herself (hidden below a storage room by the gardener), Kessler commits the murders in a trance with no memory of them in his normal state. Lugosi is very pleasant and unknowing of what is happening to him/others. This film is very satisfying to Lugosi fans but may be boring to general classic horror fans. [Favorite scene: Lugosi's talk with his new cook]
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