The Amazing Transparent Man (1960)

A crazed scientist invents an invisibility formula. He plans to use the formula to create an army of invisible zombies.

Director:

Edgar G. Ulmer

Writer:

Jack Lewis (original screenplay)

Stars:

Marguerite Chapman, Douglas Kennedy, James Griffith

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Marguerite Chapman	...	Laura Matson
Douglas Kennedy	...	Joey Faust
James Griffith	...	Maj. Paul Krenner
Ivan Triesault	...	Dr. Peter Ulof
Boyd 'Red' Morgan	...	Julian (as Red Morgan)
Cormel Daniel	...	Maria Ulof
Ed Erwin	...	Drake (as Edward Erwin)
Jonathan Ledford	...	Smith
Norman Smith	...	Security Guard
Patrick Cranshaw	...	Security Guard
Kevin Kelly	...	Woman
Denis Adams	...	State Policeman (as Dennis Adams)
Stacy Morgan	...	State Policeman

Storyline

Paul Krenner, an ex-major with delusions of grandeur, has forced scientist Peter Ulof to develop a radiation-based technique to turn men invisible, with which process he plans to create an invisible army to sell to the highest bidder. He busts safecracker Joey Faust out of prison and forces him to undergo the invisibility treatment so he can steal more radium to further the experimentation. Plans go awry when Faust discovers there is a side-effect to the invisibility treatments he didn't count on.

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Plot Keywords:

invisibility | army | scientist | safecracker | vodka | 

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Taglines:

A nation at his mercy!

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Genres:

Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

July 1960 (USA)

Also Known As:

Search for a Shadow

Filming Locations:

Berkshire Mountains, Massachusetts, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$100,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Miller Consolidated Pictures (MCP), Exclusive Roadshow Attraction

Technical Specs

Runtime:

58 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Final film of Marguerite Chapman.

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Goofs

When Drake uses binoculars to view what is left of ground zero for the lab explosion, the perspective of what he is seeing through the binoculars changes four times (one of the views is from ground up at a man in a fallout suit), all of which are technically impossible from his vantage point.

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Quotes

State Police officer: Imagine what our counter intelligence could accomplish if they were able to become invisible whenever necessary.
Dr. Peter Ulof: The Central Intelligence Agency has already discussed the possibilities with me.

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Crazy Credits

Opening credits are shown on a gray prison wall.

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Alternate Versions

There have been three prints of this film:

• The original negative print by Miller Consolidated Pictures (MCP). The film opens with the MCP company logo, and retains the pre-credits prologue. The film does not have any end titles; it ends with Dr. Peter Ulof (Ivan Triesault) facing the camera, asking "What would you do?" And the film simply fades to black. This version is available on DVD by MGM Home Entertainment (with the MGM "Lion" logo added at the beginning and after the end).
• The theatrical release print by American International Pictures (AIP). The AIP logo (with ominous fanfare) replaces the MCP logo at the beginning, and is also added at the end (right after Dr. Ulof's "What would you do?" speech after fadeout). This is the version used on the movie-mocking TV series, "Mystery Science Theater 3000."
• A public domain print, possibly used for syndicated/local TV. The MCP logo and the film's prologue are omitted, and begins at the film's title. A "The End" title card (plain font placed within a four-square gray/screentone background) was tacked on (complete with a relieved, low-tone piano cue), fading in after Dr. Ulof's "What would you do?" speech, and fading out.

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Connections

Featured in AIP: Fast and Furious (1985)

User Reviews

Cheesy Rip-Off

The notorious safecracker Joey Faust (Douglas Kennedy) escapes from the state prison and Laura Matson (Marguerite Chapman) drives the getaway car. They head to an isolated farm where the deranged Major Paul Krenner (James Griffith) has a laboratory. He has abducted the daughter of Dr. Peter Ulof (Ivan Triesault) to force the scientist to develop a technique to create an invisible army. Paul plans to sell the army for a large amount to any government and now he needs radium to proceed the research. Paul and his partners Laura and Julian (Red Morgan) force Joey to be submitted to the experimental treatment. Then he breaks in a facility and robs the radium. Joey convinces Laura to go with him to the city to heist the National Bank, but he is surprised by an unexpected side effect and becomes visible. What will happen to Joey Faust?

"The Amazing Transparent Man" has an attractive art on the DVD cover. However the story is a cheesy rip-off "The Invisible Man". The characters are non-charismatic and the conclusion is awful. My vote is three,

Title (Brazil): Not Available on DVD or Blu-Ray