Invisible Ghost Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.5
Audio		3.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.0

Invisible Ghost Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 31, 2017

In the autumn of his film career, Bela Lugosi used his genre reputation to participate in a few off-kilter productions. 1941’s “Invisible Ghost” is one of many Lugosi projects to embrace oddity, finding the screen star struggling to transform a bizarre possession story into a proper chiller, using wonderfully intimidating looks and his own industry reputation to generate some frights in a feature that’s almost exclusively invested in prolonged stalking sequences just to get the picture up to its current 64 minute run time.

Lugosi stars as Kessler, a respected doctor who’s been lost without his wife, believing she’s perished in a car accident, but, in reality, remains alive, cared for by one of the estate’s staff. When murder returns to the house, Kessler’s evil appetites reawaken without his knowledge, baffling police and his family and staff, who can’t connect the dots fast enough, putting additional lives in danger.

Director Joseph H. Lewis wisely puts most of the film’s emphasis on Lugosi’s face, depicting a man who doesn’t fully understand his murderous tendencies. It’s a combination of malicious intent and confusion, adding a compelling duality to the lead character, while the screenplay attempts to build a suitable mystery around a fogged antagonist, unleashing police on innocents, while John McGuire portrays twins, adding a narrative curveball to help keep “Invisible Ghost” on its toes.

Invisible Ghost Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.37:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Invisible Ghost" appears to be stitched together from a few sources, with most stretches of the picture showcasing impressive clarity, making detail easy to inspect, defining facial particulars and set decoration. Inferior elements display considerable wear and tear, with scratches and debris. The changes aren't jarring but they're noticeable, along with differences in delineation. It's far from a trainwreck viewing experience, just a patchwork one.

Invisible Ghost Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix also struggles with age-related issues. Dialogue exchanges are on the fuzzy side, and hiss is pronounced during the listening event. Intelligibility isn't troubling, but there's no crispness here to fully awaken aural elements, extending to scoring cues, which sound functional, but never remarkable.

Invisible Ghost Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historians Tom Weaver, Gary Rhodes, and Dr. Robert J. Kiss.

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included.

Invisible Ghost Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Actual chills are in short supply in "Invisible Ghost," but suspense is felt to a certain degree, though the movie is a bit too permissive with scenes that highlight Kessler exploring his own house, which carry on for far too long. Acting is compelling, best when Lugosi isn't speaking, and Clarence Muse has a terrific supporting turn as Kessler's butler, who knows everything and nothing at the same time. "Invisible Ghost" generates value because of its cast, who create an atmosphere of urgency with a story that doesn't always demand attention, helping the production retain some spark during long stretches when it doesn't have much to do.