The show: 'H.G. Wells' Invisible Man' is a classic British drama series based on the 1897 novel, although the premise of the
show differs significantly from the original book. A total of 26 episodes were made over two seasons, and first broadcast on
ITV1 between 14 September 1958 and 5 July 1959. There is also an unaired pilot episode, which has been included on some
versions of the DVD release. The first episode to be broadcast was titled 'Secret Experiment', and set up the premise for the
show. A British scientist, Dr Peter Brady, is working on a project to turn guinea pigs invisible using radiation, but is exposed
to radiation and turns invisible himself. The series deals with his ongoing efforts to find a way to reverse the process, while
the intelligence service makes use of his unique abilities to undertaken often dangerous missions for his country. Many of the
episodes see Brady simply helping people in trouble, who often come to him for assistance when no-one else can help. His
invisibility was originally intended to be kept as a military secret, but the public soon learns that he is invisible. The actors 
who provided the bandage-wrapped body of Brady were not credited, although Tim Turner provided his voice, and again was 
not credited. The series also features a very young Deborah Watling (Victoria Waterfield in 'Doctor Who') as Brady's niece.

The episode: 'Strange Partners' was the 13th and last episode of the first series, and was broadcast on 19 September 1959. 
Brady's home is broken into, but the briefcase with his research notes is the only thing that was stolen. A man named Lucian
Currie calls saying that he has found the briefcase, but it transpires that he organised the burglary himself. He wants to use 
Brady's unique abilities to kill his partner in a gold mine, a man named Vickers (played by Patrick Troughton). The two men
have an agreement which will see the partner who lives longest gain full ownership of the mine. Vickers refuses to sell his
share of the mine, and despite having a bad heart, he refuses to die. Currie wants Brady to punch Vickers in the heart, which
would almost certainly kill him. Vickers' bodyguard would be a witness who could confirm that Vickers died without being 
struck by Currie. However, Brady has other plans, and Currie's plot is thwarted.

The verdict: 'Invisible Man' is an entertaining series that has held up quite well given that it was made nearly 50 years ago.
Sure, the invisibility special effects are very crude and simple by today's standards - chairs moving by themselves, cars being
driven without a driver, a cigarette being smoked in mid-air and the like - although at the time they must have been impressive.
The episodes where Brady is working for the government on top-secret missions work the best, even though wherever he goes
in his bandages everybody knows who he is. Perhaps the best thing about this show is the huge number of guest stars who 
became famous for other roles, including Peter Sallis, , Honor Blackman, and Edward Hardwicke.

Video Clip:   Vickers and Currie   (8.5mb)
       
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