"The Invisible Woman" Review

 

by Daniel White

"When you dissipate, you disappear," an almost unrecognizable John Barrymore warns Virginia Bruce in Universal Pictures' 1940 film, The Invisible Woman. The same could be said of Barrymore's career, which may not have disappeared, but by 1940 had been diminished by alcoholism. The man whose portrayal of Hamlet on Broadway was legendary, is now second billed in a schlock comedy of little merit.

The Invisible Woman isn't horrible, it just isn't very good, a supposed fright film which is played strictly for laughs. And pretty feeble laughs at that.

What makes it watchable and of interest is the amazing supporting cast, all of whom give quality performances in a movie that doesn't deserve them. Charles Ruggles, Margaret Hamilton, Donald MacBride, Charles Lane, Shemp Howard, Mary Gordon, Oscar Homolka. Hot Damn! These are great, great, great character actors that treat this pallid farce like they were doing Shakespeare for the Queen in a command performance. Thank you one and all for being such polished professionals.

Virginia Bruce is Kitty Carroll, a dress model in a department store who answers Professor Gibbs' (Barrymore) ad in a newspaper. He's looking for a human guinea pig to turn invisible, and Kitty has good reason to disappear: she wants to avenge a heartless, unfair boss (winningly played by Charles Lane).

And that's the second piece of this picture that redeems it, if barely: our protagonist uses her invisibility to improve the conditions of her fellow female workers! ("In the name of all the working girls, I thank you!", she excitedly tells the professor). I can only attribute that to the lone woman working on the screenplay, Gertrude Purcell.

John Barrymore should be given some credit as well. He plays his part deftly and with dignity. Like the others, he delivers a worthy portrayal in a film that isn't worthy of it. He remains a great actor, even if his material is not.

With John Howard, Edward Brophy and in a very small role, the future Queen of Schlock, Maria Montez, The Invisible Woman is available on YouTube.