The Amazing Transparent Man (1960) starring Douglas Kennedy, James Griffith, Marguerite Chapman, Ivan Triesault
Synopsis of The Amazing Transparent Man
A scientist’s discovery of using radiation to cause invisibility is used by an unscrupulous military man to create an army of invisible men. But he needs more radioactive material, and “recruits” an untrustworthy convict … to become the amazing transparent man!
Review of The Amazing Transparent Man
There’s lots of back stabbing and betrayal along the way, with characters that are interesting. The audience feels sympathy for some of them at different times. But the interactions between them make for interesting viewing, almost like watching a train wreck. It’s fascinating to see, but you’re glad that you’re not directly involved.
Cast of characters in The Amazing Transparent Man
- Joey Faust (Douglas Kennedy, Steve Donovan Western Marshall, The Alligator People). A safecracker, broken out of prison by Major Krenner. Not a very nice person, but someone who won’t let Krenner push him around, either. He also shows empathy for Dr. Ulof and his daughter, and is willing to help them — if it won’t cost him too much.
- Major Paul Krenner (James Griffith, Big Hand for the Little Lady, Seven Alone). A very unlikable person, who plans to create an army of invisible men. He’s kidnapped Dr. Ulof and his daughter, is physically abusive to his girlfriend Laura, and would push Faust around if he could. James Griffith does a good job of portraying this thoroughly unlikable character.
- Laura Matson (Marguerite Chapman, The Seven Year Itch, Flight to Mars). Krenner’s abused girlfriend, who is willing to change allegiance on a moment’s notice. Two-faced yet still sympathetic.
- Dr. Peter Ulof (Ivan Triesault, Von Ryan’s Express, Cry of the Werewolf). The scientist whose discovery is at the root of the story. A sympathetic character, who had no more interest in science after being forced by the Nazis to experiment on human beings. But Krenner insists …
Editorial review of The Amazing Transparent Man courtesy of Amazon.com
The Amazing Transparent Man is part of MGM’s campy Midnite Movies series, but it’s actually not half bad. Safecracker Joey Faust gets busted out of prison by mysterious benefactor Major Krenner and his beautiful moll Laura. The trouble with mysterious benefactors, of course, is that they always want something. Krenner is doing some experiments with “fissionable materials” and needs Faust to steal more; the theft should be a piece of cake once the captive Dr. Ulof turns Faust invisible.
The plot is faintly silly and you’ll have to suspend your disbelief through some incredibly lax lab-safety procedures, but the film is well worth it. It efficiently loads plenty of action into a running time of under an hour, and it’s a nice film noir with a cold war spin. There’s plenty of dirty dealing and double-crossing and some entertaining tough-guy dialogue. (“You know what one of these bullets will do? It’ll rip out your spine and roll it up like a ball of string.”) Fire it up and keep one hand on your valuables. (Video edition includes
It efficiently loads plenty of action into a running time of under an hour, and it’s a nice film noir with a cold war spin. There’s plenty of dirty dealing and double-crossing and some entertaining tough-guy dialogue. (“You know what one of these bullets will do? It’ll rip out your spine and roll it up like a ball of string.”) Fire it up and keep one hand on your valuables. (Video edition includes original theatrical trailer.) –Ali Davis
[Updated January 14, 2023]