NOW YOU SEE HIM? 'THE INVISIBLE MAN' ARRIVES ON UK DVD

Vanishing point! David McCallum is THE INVISIBLE MAN, out now on UK DVD. Images: ACORN MEDIA/UNIVERSAL.

The Golden Age of Seventies US TV nostalgia released onto shiny DVD continues apace with ACORN MEDIA's welcome arrival of the classic, fondly remembered 1975 David McCallum starring sci-fi/thriller series THE INVISIBLE MAN, in a lovely 4-disc, thirteen episode set.

Husband and wife scientists Daniel and Kate Westin (David McCallum and Melinda Fee).

Based loosely on the always intriguing novel/concept by H.G. Wells (whom I think would have been thrilled and fascinated by Hollywood's popular re-working of his themes and ideas), the top producer behind the hit Bionic action series THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN and THE BIONIC WOMAN, as well as shepherd to the original STAR TREK franchise in its classic era movie years, Harve Bennett, joins forces with friend and later firebrand writer/producer of HILL STREET BLUES, Seven Bochco, to deliver an enjoyable, often clever, light-hearted and lively new spin on the use of invisibility, as kindly and ambitious scientist Doctor Daniel Westin (NCIS star David McCallum), of the industrialist Klae Organisation, in his research into molecular disintegration and transportation unwittingly and advantageously discovers the secret, albeit permanently, to becoming invisible. Seeing its merits and potential for good, whilst also needing funds to find the process that will undo and reverse this new situation he has found himself in, Westin, with the help and support of his loving and capable co-scientist wife Kate (the rather gorgeous Melinda Fee) become perfect spies for the government through the company, aided by their boss and supporter, Walter Carlson (Craig Stevens), and soon known under their top secret cover as The Klae Resource. 

Daniel becomes invisible for the first time in the pilot episode.

The Invisible Man TV Intro (HD) coming soon to dvd and blu-ray - YouTube

Featuring a great main titles sequence and lovely theme music from THE PINK PANTHER's Henry Mancini, produced by another formidable US TV and film-making talent, THE OUTER LIMITS and BATTLESTAR GALACTICA's Leslie Stevens, THE INVISIBLE MAN would make the most of then available special effects methods in bringing the Westin's adventures to amiable life (including video tape blue screen composition, wire work and "smoke and mirrors" style photography) against all manner of scenarios and villains, within family audience friendly stories that managed to blend drama and comedy, showing intelligence used brains over firepower for the most part, and giving the always excellent and seemingly age immune McCallum an opportunity to have the kind of escapist fun he'd previously enjoyed in the mid-sixties, as co-lead on the hit THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. It's a shame that the one and only series original US run on NBC was so brief, as I think the characters and concept (later reworked into all new series vehicle- GEMINI MAN (starring ALIAS SMITH AND JONES Ben Murphy)), was getting bolder and better with its final episodes, showing lots more potential to come.

The lovely Melinda Fee as Kate Westin.

The thirteen episodes (including the excellent pilot), all uncut and digitally remastered, look superb in this ACORN UK release-the best I've ever seen the series (and I'm old enough to remember seeing it on its original UK seventies transmissions and its later nineties repeats on the the BBC 2 channel!). There's also an accompanying photo gallery and cast filmographies for the series, but sadly no interviews, featurettes or audio commentaries-disappointing, really, as I'm sure McCallum would likely have contributed something to the release had he been available.

KOOL TV overall rating- episodes: 3 out of 5

Here's a look at KOOL TV's favourite episodes from the series:

 

Craig Stevens joins the team as Walter Carlson for the weekly series.

THE INVISIBLE MAN (Pilot episode)

Working for the influential Klae scientific research company, Doctor Daniel Westin, in his continuing research into teleportation techniques, discovers the power to become invisible for selected periods of times. Soon unwilling and unhappy with the prospect of his new research work being used for military purposes, he destroys his equipment, but an error in his scientific theories has left him permanently invisible. Wanted by his scientific boss, Walter Carlson (played in the pilot episode by an antagonistic Jackie Cooper), and soon hunted by his own government and foreign powers wanting the secrets of invisibility for their own interests, Daniel ultimately overcomes this difficult situation with help from his dedicated wife, Kate (Melinda Fee), and a long time friend, Nick Maggio (Henry Darrow), a plastic surgeon with expertise in makeup and skin solution, who has created Dermaplex- a unique substance that gives our series hero a special face and hands to wear over his invisible skin.

 

Daniel administers a test drug linked to his invisibility.

Steven Bochco, alongside Harve Bennett, capably writes this intriguing extended pilot episode, nicely visualised by Robert Michael Lewis, which proves a little darker in tone to the lighter-hearted series soon following in its footsteps.

Notes: The character of Nick Maggio reappears in the series final episode, An Attempt to Save Face, but is recast with another actor- Charles Aidman.

The Klae Corporation building exteriors seen throughout the series would also be home to Dr. Rudi Wells OSI science labs in THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN.

THE KLAE RESOURCE (Episode One of the series)

Under the top-secret codename The Klae Resource, the Westins, now working as spies for the government (in order to fund research work to restore Daniel back to normality), investigate Lionel Parks, a recluse Howard Hughes-type figure living in Las Vegas, who’s putting his revolutionary new energy system up for grabs to the highest bidder. But the government believes that an imposter is filling in for Parks, and his deal making must be stopped at all costs. The Westins are quickly putting their skills to good use, and the gambling environment around them, to their advantage.

 

Our heroes enjoy beating the Las Vegas odds in The Klae Resource.

A fun episode from Steven Bochco, whose main guest stars include Robert Alda and Barry Sullivan as Lionel Parks.

Now playing Klae Corporation boss Walter, Craig Stevens makes for a more amiable version of the character (a variation on THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN’s Oscar Goldman), who makes a nice mix with the couple.

THE FINE ART OF DIPLOMACY (Episode Two)

Whilst Kate uses all her feminine allure to distract Iberian foreign minister Diego Devega (Ross Martin), Daniel has to infiltrate and expose an art ring gang within the Iberian Embassy, and replacing the priceless stolen items with forgeries before they can be sold abroad. But first he has to get through the underground vault's security systems…

A very enjoyable MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE-esque script from Bionic series veteran James D. Parriott makes the most of exuberant guest star Ross Martin (of THE WILD, WILD WEST fame) as Diego, and Michael Pataki as his henchmen.

 

McCallum gets ready to film an effects scene against blue screen.

MAN OF INFLUENCE (Episode Three)

The Westins poses as paranormal investigators in order to debunk a powerfully influential spiritualist, Ernest Sheed (John Vernon), and his colleague Williams (THE INCREDIBLE HULK’s Jack Colvin), who are manipulating important American businessmen into making unusual but critical decisions that benefit outside forces rather than the domestic front.

STOP WHEN RED LIGHTS FLASH (Episode Eight)

Contempt of court!

What should have been a little side step through the town of Docker Junction soon sees the Westins taking on its corrupt legal system, using the baddies nefarious schemes and practices against them. Highly comic episode from Sterling Lester, making the most of UNIVERSAL STUDIOS backlot town square (best known as the home of Marty McFly in the BACK TO THE FUTURE movies). A notable guest cast includes veteran cult TV favourites Roger C. Carmel and Scott Brady.

 

Kate and Daniel-ready for the next mission!

THE KLAE DYNASTY (Episode Ten)

Family ties!

On the eve of her top scientific summit at the Klae facility, Caroline Klae is kidnapped by an unknown group, with Daniel unwittingly in the firing line as one of the culprits. Beginning the search for the missing woman, the explanation for her kidnap soon points closer to home.

One of the best episodes of the season to mix comedy and action, written by Philip DeGuere and directed by Alan J. Levi, with a top star cast including the always sexy Nancy Kovak, THE X-FILES Peter Donat, film star Farley Granger and regular TV baddie George Murdock.

 

A nice montage from the main titles sequence for the series.

POWER PLAY (Episode Eleven)

A highly intelligent but insane criminal, Pike, breaks into the Klae facility and cunningly holds our trio hostage, threatening murder in wanting the secret of The Klae Resource.

With mild continuity links to the previous episode, The Klae Dynasty, this is overall a very serious penultimate adventure from Leslie Stevens, once again well handled by director Alan J. Levi. It’s a siege drama that makes fine use of our core trio in a charged situation, alongside an intense performance from guest star Monte Markham as the deranged Pike.

 

A great, of its time, cover for the series on DYNAMITE magazine.

Get hold of THE INVISIBLE MAN DVD set here: The Invisible Man [DVD]: Amazon.co.uk: David McCalum: Film & TV