INVISIBLE GHOST

US, 1941, 64 minutes, Black and white.
Bela Lugosi, Polly Ann Young, John Mc Guire, Clarence Muse.
Directed by Joseph H. Lewis.

Invisible Ghost is a popular programmer of the early 40s. It gives an opportunity for Bela Lugosi to stalk around in his sinister fashion. However, he has the opportunity to portray a sane character as well as an insane one. He is supported by Polly Ann Young, Loretta Young's sister, as his daughter. Clarence Muse, one of the earliest of the African American stars, plays the butler.

The film is a mystery murder, the reappearance of a ghost or the reality of Lugosi's dead wife who influences him, hypnotises him so that he commits murders.

The film was directed by Joseph H. Lewis, veteran director of many B films who made some impact in the 1950s with such films as My Name is Julia Ross, The Big Combo, A Lawless Street and Terror in a Texas Town. During the 1960s he directed a great number of western television series.

1.A popular B-budget supporting feature? In retrospect?

2.Black and white photography, small budget, the house and its atmosphere? Musical score?

3.The title, the reference to Kessler and his wife? The story, her leaving him, the car accident, her being looked after by the gardener and his wife? Her loss of memory? Going outside, standing at the window, her portrait inside? Her influence on Kessler? Her taking the food, her finally being found, the destruction of her portrait? The solution to the murders?

4.Virginia, the devoted daughter, with her father, not wanting to leave the house? Her relationship with Ralph? The suspicions about his relationship with Cecile? The effect of the murders? Ralph and his going to prison, found guilty, execution? Paul's arrival, the resemblance? Her helping him with the solution to the mystery?

5.Charles Kessler, mysterious, in his sane moments, his concern, welcoming Paul? Love for his daughter? Memory of his wife? Hypnotised, brutal, killing Cecile, the police¦?

6.Evans the butler, his role in the house, under suspicion? The gardener, shielding Mrs Kessler, his wife? His being murdered? In the morgue, his coming to life and his sudden death?

7.The police, the cigar-smoking inspector, suspicions and investigation, the arrest of Ralph, his relationship with Cecile? The court, his death? The detective and the continued investigations, the encounter with Paul? The murder of the policeman?

8.Popular ingredients for a pot-boiler with the touches of horror through Bela Lugosi?