Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man (1951)

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Absolutely the worst movie.

This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

Bumbling private detectives Bud Alexander (Bud Abbott in fine wisecracking form) and Lou Francis (a gloriously blundering Lou Costello) help clear the name of prize fighter Tommy Nelson (a solid performance by Arthur Franz), who was framed for murder by some mobsters. The only hitch is that Nelson has taken an invisibility formula that gradually causes him to go crazy.Director Charles Lamont keeps the enjoyable story zipping along at a snappy pace and maintains a likable lighthearted tone throughout. As usual, Abbott and Costello display an utterly engaging natural chemistry in the leads; their goofy antics are a riot to watch, with an inspired set piece at a restaurant and a climatic boxing match in which the invisible Nelson assists Lou in the ring rating as the definite sidesplitting comic highlights. Moreover, it's acted with zest by an enthusiastic cast: Nancy Guild radiates a sweet charm as Nelson's loyal girlfriend Helen Gray, Adele Jergens portrays moll Boots Marsden with sultry aplomb, Sheldon Leonard snarls it up nicely as formidable gangster Morgan, and John Daheim cuts an imposing figure as rival pugilist Rocky Hanlon. A total hoot.

Our intrepid bumbling duo deliver the goods in one of the better offerings on their considerable CV. Here they are freshly qualified Private Investigators thrust into a murder investigation with an invisible man. That alone should tell you that the fun flows at a very decent clip, so with that I just need to say that some of the sequences here are comedy gold. Like a scene at a restaurant that is excellent, or Costello pretending to work the ball in the gym, and a final reel of a boxing match that really gets the laughter flowing. Watching these guys act as if with a real invisible man is wonderful, and of course the effects team also deserve praise for doing such a damn fine job with the invisible man of the piece.Not quite as good as...Meet Frankenstein, but it's darn near close. 8/10

This movie is mildly amusing in many ways. You don't think of boxing as a story to meet an invisible man but that is the plot thread that holds this string of A&C gags together. Actually it works pretty well.William Frawley & Arthur Franz lead a talented support cast which does pretty good with a light script. The special effects were pretty good for their time though appear a little dated now.This movie is pretty good for 1 viewing. The second time around it wears out it's welcome. Still, it is better than some of the work being done & definitely better than meeting Captain Kidd.Aaaaargh!

Very funny in spots ("How did I ever graduate?" - "I slipped that guy 20 bucks!"), slow-going in others (despite the complete and welcome absence of any musical numbers), "Abbott and Costello Meet The Invisible Man" is probably not one of the duo's best films from a purely comedic standpoint, but it is nevertheless fascinating, if only for its amazing special effects. Clever, elaborate photographic, editing and other tricks are employed to achieve such effects as the invisible man removing his bandages from his head which is completely transparent while the rest of his body is not ("There is no reason to lose your head over this", observes Lou) - effects that in our digital age would probably be achieved by pressing some buttons in a computer. That's why you have to appreciate the effort and creativity that went into making such things happen. (**1/2)