O Fantástico Homem Invisível

I remember seeing Mr Superinvisible at the old ABC in Cheltenham in Spring/Summer 1975, near Royal Well Bus Station (which sadly closed in the early 1980's). It was partnered with another sci-fi film with space rockets and a fiery red planet - one of the rockets crashed on the planet's surface and was swallowed up. Sadly, I cannot remember the second film's title - does anyone else remember this film? Approaching eight years old, I enjoyed watching Mr Superinvisible, as well as the other film, but it probably does not stand the test of time nowadays. Don't know if I want to see it again - but I'd certainly like to see the other film again, if only I could remember the title.

Peter (Dean Jones)is the proverbial absent minded professor. In his lab, he is working on a cure for the common cold and he believes he is close to discovery. Naturally, others want such a formula and will try to steal it. Also, the building where Peter works is owned by a stuffy businessman who just happens to have one beautiful girlfriend. In the elevator, Peter makes known his admiration for this lady and she smiles. Perhaps, there is hope. Yet, things go awry. The formula might cure the cold but it also renders the "taker" invisible. Accidentally, Peter drinks it and must rely on his faithful dog to help him go places. This creates some funny happenings as police believe the dog is driving the car! Sensing an opportunity, Peter also makes havoc in a restaurant where Mr. Stuffy has taken Miss Beautiful. This includes spilled beverages, falls off chairs and so on. Will Peter find an antidote, become wealthy, and get the girl? You bet! This Italian film features one American actor, Jones, surrounded by Europeans. Even so, it is in English, making it fun for USA audiences as well as those the world over. After all, humor and plenty of it is what all viewers love. Candidly, the film does look like one from the seventies, with costumes and sets from the capabilities of the times. But, just as silent films are still enjoyed, this one will be entertaining in a classical way. Fans of Jones and anyone who wants to get some belly laughs will be smart to find Mr. Superinvisible wherever possible.

If 500 monkeys typed on 500 typewriters for 500 years one of them might produce Hamlet. In two weeks, 12 of them would produce Mr. Superinvisible. This was a European attempt to duplicate Disney's successful family comedy format. They thought that by placing Dean Jones, a veteran of Disney films, in a starring role combined with the gimmick of invisibility they would produce a hit. Unfortunately, they were WRONG. Instead, they produced an idiotic, mind-numbing waste of time. Jones plays a scientist who receives a mysterious potion in the mail that bestows temporary invisibility upon whomever drinks it. When a gang of inept criminals learn of Jones' invisibility serum, naturally they go after him. There's a ridiculous chase scene and the climax is almost unbearably silly. Bad writing and overacting plague the film. It's the type of movie that gives the invisible man genre a bad name.

Painfully Italian with many wacky sound effects and small automobiles, Mr. Superinvisible is one of the best schlocky import movies I have ever seen. The music is obnoxiously swinging and the sets are comprised of horrible Mod Italian 1960's décor with pseudo-science minimalism. It all ads to the charm! The plot involves exploding eggs, Indian invisibility potion, really simple special effects and multiple defects for the viewer's enjoyment. This is one of the best movies to make fun of or watch under varying states of sobriety. One can never go wrong when a movie includes an invisible monkey.