Invisible Ghost (1941)

The town's leading citizen becomes a homicidal maniac after his wife deserts him.

Director:

Joseph H. Lewis

Writers:

Helen Martin (story), Al Martin (story)

Stars:

Bela Lugosi, Polly Ann Young, John McGuire

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Bela Lugosi	...	Charles Kessler
Polly Ann Young	...	Virginia Kessler
John McGuire	...	Ralph Dickson / Paul Dickson
Clarence Muse	...	Evans
Terry Walker	...	Cecile Mannix
Betty Compson	...	Mrs. Kessler
Ernie Adams	...	Jules Mason
George Pembroke	...	Police Lt. Williams
Ottola Nesmith	...	Mrs. Mason (as Ollola Nesmith)
Fred Kelsey	...	Ryan - Policeman
Jack Mulhall	...	Tim - Police Detective

Storyline

The prominent Dr. Charles Kessler lives in a house with his daughter Virginia Kessler and his servants and misses his wife that left him. When there is a murder in his house, Virginia's fiancée Ralph Dickson is accused of the killing and sentenced to death penalty in the electric chair. Soon his twin brother Paul comes to Dr. Kessler's house, who invites him to stay in his house. Meanwhile, Mrs. Kessler is alive with neurological disorder after a car accident and hidden in the gardener's house that is secretly treating her. When she sneaks out of the house and sees Dr. Kessler in the window, he goes into a trance and turns into a killer. Will Dr. Kessler be stopped.

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Plot Keywords:

reference to casanova | insanity | madness | hallucination | black man | 

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Taglines:

Out of the darkness comes the ear-piercing cry of a terrified girl...

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Horror | Thriller

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

First of nine films made by Bela Lugosi under his contract with Sam Katzman for Monogram Pictures.

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Goofs

When Mrs. Mason (Ottola Nesmith) enters the coroner's office, she's greeted with "Hello, Mrs. Nesmith".

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Quotes

Evans the Butler: Do I look pale?
Jules Mason: No.
Evans the Butler: I feel pale.

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Crazy Credits

Opening credits are composed of ghastly, ghostly, creepy letters.

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Connections

Featured in Horror Hotel: Invisible Ghost (2018)

User Reviews

Great Old Dark House Spooker

This is my favorite of Bela Lugosi's Monogram potboilers. This film is perfect in black and white because of the use of light and shadow as well as thunder and lightning in a creepy old house that has the feel of an old tomb. Throughout the film, the house setting with its weird shadows and spooky atmosphere sets the tone for the film

A series of unsolved murders take place in this old house and the authorities fail to close it up due to legal technicalities. From the beginning, one knows that the guilty party is Bela Lugosi under the bizarre hypnotic influence of his estranged wife. The story rolls on with additional murders and an innocent suitor being sent to the electric chair for a murder he did not commit. After a few more people bite the dust, the real murderer is uncovered in one of the most bizarre climaxes in "B" movie history.

Great late night fun.

Dan Basinger

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 April 1941 (USA)

Also Known As:

Murder by the Stars

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sam Katzman Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

64 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1