Invisible Agent (1942)

User Rating:

6.0/10   

Director:

Edwin L. Marin

Writers:

H.G. Wells (novel)
Curt Siodmak (writer)

Release Date:

7 August 1942 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Comedy | Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller | War

Plot:

The Invisible Man's grandson uses his secret formula to spy on Nazi Germany in this comedy-thriller.

Plot Keywords:

Nazi | Spy | Invisible Man | Pearl Harbor | Germany

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar.

Cast

Ilona Massey	...	Maria Sorenson
Jon Hall	...	Frank Raymond
Peter Lorre	...	Baron Ikito
Cedric Hardwicke	...	Conrad Stauffer
J. Edward Bromberg	...	Karl Heiser
Albert Bassermann	...	Arnold Schmidt (as Albert Basserman)
John Litel	...	John Gardiner
Holmes Herbert	...	Sir Alfred Spencer
Keye Luke	...	Surgeon
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Sven Hugo Borg	...	German Captain (uncredited)
Paul Bryar	...	German Soldier (uncredited)
John Burton	...	R.A.F. Flier (uncredited)
Lane Chandler	...	German Sentry (uncredited)
Mabel Colcord	...	Gretl, the Maid (uncredited)
James Craven	...	Ship's Radio Man (uncredited)
Donald Curtis	...	German Sentry (uncredited)
Leslie Denison	...	British Radio Operator (uncredited)
Eddie Dunn	...	S.S. Prison Guard (uncredited)
Martin Faust	...	Nazi Assassin (uncredited)
Charles Flynn	...	German Soldier (uncredited)
Lee Tung Foo	...	Gen. Chin Lee (uncredited)
Henry Guttman	...	Storm Trooper (uncredited)
Bobby Hale	...	English Tommy (uncredited)
John Holland	...	Spencer's secretary (uncredited)
Patrick McVey	...	German (uncredited)
John Merton	...	German Soldier (uncredited)
Alberto Morin	...	Free Frenchman (uncredited)
Ferdinand Munier	...	Bartender (uncredited)
William Pagan	...	Storm Trooper (uncredited)
Eddie Parker	...	Strongarm Thug (uncredited)
Charles Regan	...	Ordnance Car Driver (uncredited)
Otto Reichow	...	Gestapo Agent (uncredited)
William Ruhl	...	Gestapo Agent (uncredited)
Ferdinand Schumann-Heink	...	German Telephone Operator (uncredited)
Hans Schumm	...	SS Man (uncredited)
Wallace Scott	...	English Tommy (uncredited)
Lee Shumway	...	Brigadier (uncredited)
Milburn Stone	...	German Sergeant (uncredited)
Walter Tetley	...	Newsboy (uncredited)
Philip Van Zandt	...	SS Man (uncredited)
Michael Visaroff	...	Verichen (uncredited)
Phil Warren	...	German Soldier (uncredited)
Pat West	...	German Taxi Driver (uncredited)
Matt Willis	...	Nazi Assassin (uncredited)
Duke York	...	German Sentry (uncredited)
Wolfgang Zilzer	...	Von Porten (uncredited)
Victor Zimmerman	...	Storm Trooper (uncredited)
Henry Zynda	...	Col. Kelenski (uncredited)

Directed by
Edwin L. Marin

Writing credits
H.G. Wells		(novel "The Invisible Man")
Curt Siodmak		(writer) (as Curtis Siodmak)

Produced by
Frank Lloyd	....	producer
George Waggner	....	associate producer

Original Music by
Hans J. Salter		(uncredited)

Cinematography by
Lester White		(as Les White)

Film Editing by
Edward Curtiss

Art Direction by
Jack Otterson

Set Decoration by
Russell A. Gausman		(as R.A. Gausman)

Costume Design by
Vera West

Art Department
Robert F. Boyle	....	associate art director (as Robert Boyle)
Edward R. Robinson	....	associate set decorator

Sound Department
Bernard B. Brown	....	sound director
William Hedgcock	....	sound technician

Special Effects by
John P. Fulton	....	special photographic effects
David S. Horsley	....	special effects

Visual Effects by
Roswell A. Hoffmann	....	optical cinematography

Stunts
Eddie Parker	....	stunts (uncredited)

Music Department
Hans J. Salter	....	musical director (as H.J. Salter)
Richard Hageman	....	composer: stock music (uncredited)
Frank Skinner	....	composer: stock music (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Frank Lloyd Productions (for)
• Universal Pictures

Distributors

• Universal Pictures (1942) (USA) (theatrical)
• MCA/Universal Home Video (199?) (USA) (VHS)
• Universal Home Entertainment (????) (USA) (DVD)

Runtime:

81 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

Sweden:15

Company:

Frank Lloyd Productions

Trivia:

In the opening scene, a newsboy shouts the headline, "Extra! Oregon State Invites Duke to Rose Bowl." On January 1, 1942 (the year the movie was released), Oregon State defeated Duke University in the Rose Bowl, by a score of 20-16. The 1942 audience therefore would recognize the opening scenes in the movie as taking place in the previous year, just before the Pearl Harbor attack.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Frank Raymond dresses as a guard to release Karl Heiser, he pulls on a pair of boots. When he puts on a long coat the boots are gone, and when he puts a hat on, the boots are back on.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Newsboy: Extra! "Oregon State Invites Duke to Rose Bowl." Extra! Late edition! "Oregon State Invites Duke to Rose Bowl."

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Son of Svengoolie: Invisible Agent (1942) (#1.47)" (1980)

What A Cool Movie!

Wow, this movie is a perfect blend of intrigue, comedy and action, and it's done with quite a bit of flair too. Definitely corny at times, but that's part of the fun. As is the case with all Universal Horror pics from 1930-45, this chiller is incredibly moody and atmospheric. 8/10. Watch it with the lights off.