The Invisible Monster (1950)

Director:

Fred C. Brannon

Writer:

Ronald Davidson (written by)

Release Date:

10 May 1950 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Crime | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

SUSPENSE CHARGED SERIAL THRILLS!...As The Monster Ruler Wreaks His Mad Vengeance Upon All Who Dare To Defy Him! (original poster)

Plot:

Evil villain plots to take over the world using an army of invisible soldiers. |

Plot Keywords:

Plot | Bound And Gagged | Laser Beam | Collision | High Voltage Line

Cast

Richard Webb	...	Lane Carson
Aline Towne	...	Carol Richards
Lane Bradford	...	Burton
Stanley Price	...	The Phantom Ruler
John Crawford	...	Harris
George Meeker	...	Harry Long
Keith Richards	...	Doctor [Ch.12]
Dale Van Sickel	...	Otto Wagner / 'Frank Martin' [Chs. 1, 10]
Tom Steele	...	Bill 'Mack' Haines, thug [Chs.5,10]
Marshall Reed	...	MacDuff, Roadblock Cop [Chs.1, 7, 9]
Forrest Burns	...	Joe, Watchman [Ch.5]
Eddie Parker	...	Stoner, Barn Henchman[Ch.9] (as Ed Parker)
Frank O'Connor	...	Chemical Truck Cop [Ch.5]
Charles Regan	...	Art
Charles Sullivan	...	Grogarty, Squad Car Cop [Chs.7-8]

Also Known As:

The Phantom Ruler (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

167 min (12 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Approved

Filming Locations:

Iverson Ranch, Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Republic Pictures

Trivia:

Chapter Titles: 1. Slaves of the Phantom 2. The Acid Clue 3. The Death Car 4. Hightway Holocaust 5. Bridge to Eternity 6. Ordeal by Fire 7. Murder Train 8. Window of Peril 9. Trail to Destruction 10.High Voltage Danger 11.Death's Highway 12.The Phantom Meets Justice

Goofs:

Factual errors: Although 'Charles Regan' is listed in screen and press cast, he did not appear in this film.

Movie Connections:

Edited into Slaves of the Invisible Monster (1966) (TV)

And on, and on, and on, and on

WOW!!! I have never seen such a slugfest. And the interesting thing is the both the hero, Richard Webb and the bad guys, Lane Bradford and John Crawford just keep taking a licking and keep on ticking. There are more punches thrown in the 12 chapters than in a heavyweight championship match. There are also more people being tossed around and wrestled to the ground than in a championship wrestling match. Within minutes, after our hero has been pummeled senseless, he is back chasing the bad guys.

I never saw any serials in the movies as I was growing up, but to me it would be very frustrating to see about 15 to 20 minutes of film and the last scene of the chapter has our hero in some dire life and death situation. If I had seen this in the movies, I would have to wait at least a week to find out how our hero Lane Carlson (the future Captain Midnight) was able to survive the ordeal and come back with a vengeance in the next chapter to try and apprehend the bad guys.

Thanks to video, I don't have to wait a week, or even an hour. It just depends on what mood I'm in and that determines whether I can sit through the "excitement" of the next chapter.

It was very interesting to see John Hamilton (the future Perry White of Superman) in this movie, even though he had a bit part.

All in all, the movie is interesting enough to hold my attention for all 12 chapters. I think I'll save it for a rainy day. Bring on the popcorn please.