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Invisible Ghost
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Wikipedia article
'Invisible Ghost' is a 1941 American horror film directed by Joseph H. Lewis, produced by Sam Katzman and starring Bela Lugosi. It was the first of the nine features interpreted by Lugosi at Monogram Pictures.[https://books.google.com.au/books?id=JYjY-9Fy0C4C&pg=PA85&lpg=PA85&dq=%22invisible+ghost%22+lugosi&source=bl&ots=gPDoLWuILF&sig=zuWKWW0Czlg4nXZTyagPfmxHUEg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjkt9jS7fTLAhUIxqYKHWZ1Cr44ChDoAQgpMAU#v=onepage&q=%22invisible%20ghost%22%20lugosi&f=false Gary D. Rhodes, "A House Where Anything Can Happen and Usually Does", 'The Films of Joseph H Lewis' p 81-97]
Plot
The home of Charles Kessler (Bela Lugosi) is beset by a series of unsolved murders. Kessler, who lives with his daughter and servants since his wife left him, is shown to be the murderer, unbeknownst to himself. His wife (Betty Compson), who became brain-damaged in a car accident not long after leaving him, has been visiting the grounds of the house and the sight of her through his window puts Kessler into a trance-like state which makes him homicidal. Ralph Dickson, the fiance of Kessler's daughter, is convicted and executed for one of the murders. His twin brother Paul arrives and, through a series of events, including Kessler's wife finally entering the house and being seen by others, Kessler is seen to go into the trance and the mystery is revealed.
Cast
, Bela Lugosi, and Clarence Muse in 'Invisible Ghost' cropped screenshot
* Bela Lugosi Dr. Charles Kessler
* Polly Ann Young Virginia Kessler
* John McGuire Ralph Dickson and Paul Dickson
* Clarence Muse Evans the Butler
* Terry Walker Cecile Mannix
* Betty Compson Mrs. Kessler
* Ernie Adams Jules Mason
* George Pembroke Police Lieutenant Williams
* Ottola Nesmith Mrs. Mason (as Ollola Nesmith)
* Fred Kelsey Detective Ryan
* Jack Mulhall Detective Tim
Production
It was originally known as 'Murder by the Stars' then 'The Phantom Monster'. During filming it was called 'The Phantom Killer'.
Filming took place from 20 March to April 1941.Tom Weaver, 'Poverty Row Horrors! Mongram, PRC and Republic Horror Films of the Forties', 1993 p 26-35 As soon as the film was completed it was announced Lugosi and Katzman would make two more films together; they eventually wound up making nine in all.
Reception
The 'Los Angeles Times' said the film was "head and shoulders above the average horror picture. It's superiority is based on the fact that spine-tickling qualities stem from a psychopathic and psychological situation rather than a purely physical one, imparting a Poe-ish flavour... Lugosi is, of course, superb in his work, being master of all the horror tricks but never overdoing them".
Author and critic Leonard Maltin awarded two out of a possible four stars, calling it "Better written and directed than most of Bela's 1940s cheapies, but still a far-cry from 'Dracula'".
See also
* Bela Lugosi filmography
* List of films in the public domain in the United States
References
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