Amazing Transparent Man, The (1960)

[bunniefuu]

What is it, officer?

A man escaped from
state prison, ma'am.

This is just routine.

Who are you, and
where have you been?

Oh, my name's Matson.
Laura Matson.

This is my husband John.

We've been to a party
at Pritchett's Point.

I'm afraid he overdid it.

May I check your
driver's license, please?

Yes, of course.

What about your husband's?

That's why I'm
playing chauffeur.

His license was suspended.

Drunk driving.

Well, there's no need
to bother him.

He's had enough trouble
for one night without

waking up and staring into
the badge of an officer.

Very sorry to have
inconvenienced you.

That's quite all right.

You played it smarter
than I thought you would.

If you'd pulled that g*n,
it would have been all over.

Still don't get it.
Why'd you break me out?

You'll find out when we
get where we're going.

Keep him around here
to scare off visitors?

He serves his purpose.

Yeah. Guess everybody does.

Julian, put the car
away, will you?

Is Paul waiting?

Been in there chewing up
the carpet for 2 hours.

Any trouble?

No. Joey Faust, this is Julian.

I seen him before in
a police bulletin.

Thank you.

Well, I was beginning to worry.

Major Krenner, may I
present Joey Faust?

Major.

Does that surprise you,
Mr. Faust?

This for real? What army?

There have been several.
Take your choice.

Please, Mr. Faust.

It's lovely. What is it?

Only a bit of shrapnel.
It's a keepsake.

That would be the shrapnel

that ended the Major's
military career.

That will be all, Laura.

Um, you did well, my dear.

Now, run along and freshen up

while Mr. Faust and I
discuss business.

You'll excuse me? Major.

Go ahead. Take off
your coat if you wish.

I know you'd like
an explanation.

Why did you set up the break?

Well, I can use you.

You have quite a reputation
in the underworld

as somewhat of a genius

when it comes to opening
safes and vaults.

They must have dug that
shrapnel out of your head.

What kind of an idiot
are you, Krenner?

I can't poke my nose
through a bank door

without getting it blown off.

Every newspaper in the country
has got my picture.

You're bitter, Faust.
Mean and bitter.

You trust no one
and you hate everyone.

You're the kind of man
I need and understand.

I know all about
your background.

Yeah? What do you know about me

you couldn't have got
out of any newspaper?

I check closely on
all the people I use.

I know about the wife
who turned you in

and the child you've never
been allowed to see.

I may owe you something...

But if you ever mention
my daughter's name again,

you'll have another hole
in your head, I promise you!

If you wish, Mr. Faust.

Yes, your background
explains your behavior.

Now... we're
conducting experiments

requiring fissionable materials.

You'll procure them for us.

Oh, you'll be well paid.

That's atom b*mb stuff.

The government
has that locked up

tighter than Fort Knox.

Precisely.

Include me a long way out, chum.

You're hardly in a position
to bargain, Mr. Faust.

A man with a g*n
doesn't have to bargain.

True, but I'm certain

Julian would disagree
with you on that.

You know what one of
these b*ll*ts will do, son?

It'll rip out your spine

and roll it up like
a ball of string.

What's the score, Krenner?

You'll work for us faithfully

or be turned over
to the authorities.

I understand there's a reward
of $5,000 on your head.

And just what are
these authorities

going to say about
your part in the break?

Police need know nothing
of my part in the escape.

You see, they will also pay
5,000 for a dead Faust.

What do you want?

That will be all
for now, Julian.

Come along to the laboratory.

You've got a lab here?

We're completely equipped
for our experiments.

I made an extensive search
before selecting this ranch

as an operational base.

As you can see, this is
quite a serious business.

Dr. Ulof?

Come here.

Yes, Major Krenner.

Dr. Peter Ulof, Mr. Faust.

Mr. Faust has joined us.

He will be supplying you
with the vital materials.

Dr. Ulof is an eminent
nuclear scientist.

Will you prepare
one of your subjects

for the ray treatment, doctor?

We must impress Mr. Faust
with the end result

of your highly-acclaimed
scientific labors.

Ulof. I've heard the name.

Undoubtedly you have.

I was quite fortunate
in convincing him

to continue
his work here for me.

Now, this vault is of lead,
2 inches thick.

It contains our
radioactive materials.

Doctor... I told you
to move this.

The ray could penetrate
this lead like butter

and the whole countryside
would go up

in a mushroom cloud.

There is so much you want.

You have to change it.

Are you ready for
the demonstration?

I am ready.

Krenner.

I agreed to do
your dirty work for you,

but I got to know
what's going on.

Dr. Ulof will be glad
to explain.

Doctor?

This is the principle of
X-ray, but goes farther.

X-ray pierces only the
outer shell of the body

to show what lies beneath.

This ray neutralizes

all tissue and bone
structure in the body.

This machine utilizes
X-ray, Alpha, beta,

and omega rays and ultra-Violet,

combining them for best effect

and filtering out qualities

which would hinder
our operations.

Yeah.

It'll seem more simple to you

after you see what goes on.

Why are you so worried
about this box?

(Sighs)

Even a lead shield doesn't
cutoff all the rays.

It simply strains them.

A considerable spectrum
still gets through.

Any accidental concentration
of rays from this apparatus

could set up a chain reaction

in the materials in the vault.

A nuclear fission could result.

Doctor.

Come.

(Squeaking)

That's my friend.

There you go. That's good.

It's not going to hurt. No.

Now, don't be afraid.

That's a good fellow.

Yes.

(Electricity humming)

(Crackling)

(Electricity humming)

Keep your eye on the guinea pig.

(Humming increases)

(Humming stops)

Come along, Mr. Faust.

Go ahead, Mr. Faust.

Prove to yourself it
isn't done with mirrors.

You see, I can touch it.

Does it no harm. (Squeaking)

Still have any doubts,
Mr. Faust?

No doubts.

You can return the animal
to visibility, doctor.

Hey, uh...

What happens to the guinea pig?

Ulof has perfected
the ray to the point

there's no danger
to the subject.

No ill effects at all.

Now, watch from the peephole.

You'll find the guinea pig
is unharmed.

(Humming starts)

(Humming stops)

Well, that should satisfy
your curiosity, Mr. Faust.

As you can no doubt deduce,

such a mechanism as this
has unlimited possibilities.

Yeah? Like what?

That'll come later.
First things first, please.

See, no harm done at all.
Perfectly healthy.

I imagine you've seen
enough for one day.

You certainly must be
tired after your trip.

Yeah. I could use
a little sleep.

I'm sure Julian's found some
clothes that'll fit you.

What's in here?

That's no concern of yours.
Come on, Mr. Faust.

(Squeaking)

(Sighs)

I shouldn't be gone long.

Leave the gate open. I'll
lock it when I get back.

I don't think you need to
be cautioned about Faust.

He's dangerous and locks
mean nothing to him,

so I want you where you can
watch his door at all times.

Keep him in his room,
you understand?

He won't go nowhere.

Right.

(Scratching)

Faust.

You in there! Faust!

Ulof?

Dr. Ulof?

What are you doing?

What is it you want up here?

Take it easy, doc.
I just came up to see you.

Thought maybe they had you
looked up in there.

Not I. Only what's
left of my soul.

Came to get some answers.

You seem about
the only one around here

who isn't a member
of Krenner's fan club.

I have nothing to say.
I am a servant.

Major Krenner does
my thinking for me.

What's he got on you, doc?

Why do you ask me these things?

So I can get some answers.

How did you get
mixed up in this?

My daughter. He's holding her.

In that cheese box?

We'll open it up, let her out.

Please, Mr. Faust,
I do not joke.

Not about my daughter.

All right, doc.
Start at the beginning.

How'd you get over here?

At the end of
the second world w*r,

I fled my own country
with my baby daughter.

My wife had died of experiments

I had been forced
to perform on her

in a concentration camp.

Your own wife?

All my patients wore hoods.

I couldn't see their faces.

I didn't know my wife
was one of them

until it was too late.

That still doesn't
explain how you got here.

I came to this country
as a refugee.

No one knew I was a scientist

except spies like Krenner.

After my wife died,
I wanted no more of science,

but Krenner forced me
to come here.

He used your daughter?

If I do not do as I am told,
she will be k*lled.

If I carry out their orders,
she has security.

I have only a few
more months to live,

but Krenner has seen to it
that she will be provided for.

You don't think he's gonna
keep that promise, do you?

What choice have I?

Soon, I'll be dead,

but my daughter's life
is at stake.

You have indicated
that you could open it.

Not now, doc. I got problems.

Please, Mr. Faust.
Release my daughter

and take her to some safe place.

Knock it off, doc.
I got my own troubles.

Then you can't open it.

(Scoffs) I can open
that thing blindfolded.

Quite the little psychologist,
aren't you, doctor?

That's good reasoning.

Downstairs, Faust.

And please try not
to be amusing.

Good night, Dr. Ulof.

(Laughs)

What's next, Mata Hari?
You gonna sh**t me?

Krenner probably will
when he gets back.

He doesn't appreciate
disloyalty.

Julian's the loyal type.

All it got him was
a lump in the head.

He's still out.
I couldn't bring him around.

(Laughs)

What's so humorous?

For a dame that's
supposed to be so greedy,

you don't know a thing
about playing a hole card.

Oh?

Ever think how much
that ray would be worth

to a guy who wanted
to rob a bank?

With that thing, I could
get into every vault

in the country
in broad daylight.

Dream on, buster.

It sounds pretty.

Course, to take on
jobs like that

a fellow'd have to
have a little help.

Now, splitting the take
of a few of those

would pay you a lot more

than Krenner'll ever
give you in a lifetime.

You need background music
for this commercial.

Full orchestra and violins.

All right. Don't believe me.

Don't be a gambler.

Should I gamble on having
my throat slit by Krenner

or being shot by you?

Honey, that's a chance
you'd have to take.

Just like the risk I run

every time I get under that ray.

Well, if you don't
take a chance,

you never know.

I'll keep it in mind.

Huh.

Thanks, Julian.
He was trying to make a deal.

You must have heard
what he said.

He was talking a double cross.

Yeah, I heard him.

Sounded like you were
listening awful close, too.

Keep quiet about this, Julian.

Keep quiet and I'll help you.

You know Krenner's
gonna blame you

for letting him out of his room.

We've got to help
each other now.

(Knocking) Krenner: Julian?

Come on, help me.

Let's get him in his room.

(Knocking) Julian!

Coming. I'm coming.

Julian! Open this door!

What happened? Where were you?

I was getting a broom

to sweep up that
bottle I dropped.

I told you not to take
your eyes off Faust's door.

Oh, him? He's out cold.

I went in and
picked up the bottle.

Figured you didn't
want him nipping

in the morning when he wakes up.

You did right.
He's got to be sober.

Good night.

Good night.

What'd you do that for,

To save your own skin?

This idea of yours
does interest me.

I figure you need me
more than I need you.

Oh.

I thought you were
up in the lab.

What was that for?

Don't try it. Don't
even think about it.

Julian told me about
your talk with Faust.

I didn't make any deal.

No, not yet, but I know you.

My memory is too good.

I remember our other deals.

You don't think I gave you
enough of a share, do you?

What are you talking about?

What could I possibly
have in common with Faust?

He's a hood.

Just the type you go for.

Laura, I don't care what
you do with your life,

but when it interferes
with my plans

I draw the line.

(Chuckles)

Oh!

That's the dot on the "I."
Lay off the vodka.

I want you ready
when I need you.

If you will relax, Mr. Faust,
there will be no pain.

You may lose consciousness
for a few moments

after you become invisible,

but there should be
no other ill effects.

How do you know
it'll work on a human?

We made hundreds
of such experiments.

There can be no slip-up.

Come on, doctor.
We don't have all night.

(Crackling)

(Yelling)

(Crackling stops)

What's happened?
Is he all right?

His pulse is quite rapid,
but that is to be expected.

But why is he
breathing like that?

It may be shock.

Faust, can you hear me?
Can you speak?

Faust, try to sit up.

(Faust gasps)

He's stopped breathing.

Well, do something!

He's gone.

What?!

(Gasps)

(Kiss)

It's Faust. He's here.

Faust, answer me. You'll...

Aah! Unh!

Faust, listen to me.

You'll remain invisible

until I want you
to return to normal.

Aah!

Faust: If I choke you
hard enough,

you'll bring me back.

Faust: Just showing you
how badly you need me.

And my loyalty costs money.

I told you you'd be well paid.

You neglected one thing,
chum. How much?

A thousand dollars. (Laughs)

A thousand every time
you do a job!

Krenner, if I'm gonna be hidden,

I want money. Lots of money.

What do you expect?
I can't pay...

Yes, you can, Major.
I'm sure you can.

Shall we talk it over
in private?

Downstairs? Hmm?

Over here, Major. I'm waiting.

After you, Major.

Ha ha ha!

So you don't think
a thousand is enough?

(Laughs)

Faust: You're
a real case, Major.

You think everyone's
supposed to jump

when you open
your big, fat mouth.

But you forgot one thing.

Forgot what?

You gotta have me, chum.

Now, whatever you're up to,

I'm worth plenty to you
or you wouldn't have gone

to all that trouble
of breaking me out.

You're a dead duck without me.

What do you have in mind?

Well, walking into
that nuclear vault

is worth about 25 grand.

Aah!

Let's get a little air in here.

25 grand? You're mad!

I don't have that kind of money.

Then you do the job, Major.

That's the figure.

25 grand in small bills, C.O.D.

Take it or leave it.

All right. You'll go tonight.

Laura'll drive you.

What's wrong with you?

I don't know. I just thought
I heard something.

Back in 10 minutes.

I gotta check the other post.

Unh!

And you didn't see
anyone during all this?

No, sir.
I heard a clicking noise,

like the wheel on
the vault was turning,

and I told him about it,

but neither one of us
saw anything.

That's right. There was nothing

when I started to check
the other guard post.

Then what?

Well, I turned around...

And the vault door was
opening all by itself.

I got up to check it
and pulled my g*n...

And something was all over me

and the next thing
I know I'm waking up.

What about the alarm panel?

When did it get wrecked?

I don't know, Mr. Drake.

It was OK when I came on duty.

It couldn't have happened
while I was checking posts

or he'd have noticed
anyone tampering with it.

It's set up with each of us
covering the other.

Yes, but it's obvious
neither one of you

was covering the other.

In fact, there was
no coverage at all!

All right, doctor. What was it.

You wanted to tell me
about the guinea pig?

It was only a matter of time.

It died despite the resistance

it was developing
against the radiation.

What about Faust?

It's too early to tell,

but each time it will
take longer

to reduce him to invisibility,

less to return him
to normal states.

He will also develop
a resistance.

What about the new
material, the X-13?

I need more time to study it.

Its properties are different

from other nuclear materials.

I do not like keeping it here.

Its volatile ratio
is also much lower.

You're afraid of an expl*si*n?

Yes.

We'll use the X-13 on Faust.

It could mean his death.

I'm not concerned with
the welfare of one man.

I must know the full potential
of your invention

because my aim is to make
an entire army invisible.

Do you understand?
An entire army.

I did not agree to k*ll a man

by deliberate
radiation poisoning.

You're too old-fashioned
to be a genius.

You scientists have brought
the world to what it is today.

You can hardly blame me
for taking advantage

of your discoveries.

Faust may already
suffer from poisoning,

but it's curable.

X-13 will put him
beyond that point.

I will not use it on a human.

Oh.

If you have an
alternative, doctor,

I'd be very happy to
discuss it with you.

Mmm!

Oh, that ray is something.

Something every
cheap safe-cr*cker

in the country's
been dreaming of.

Too bad the doc didn't
invent it years ago

for the right people.

We wouldn't be
cooped up here now.

You better lay off
the giggle water.

He can't use you drunk,
you know.

It's a case of my using him.

Now, come on with the drink.

Oh, I could have walked into
that vault in broad daylight

and done the same thing.

It was so easy,
I felt like I was taking.

Krenner's money away from him.

Interesting thought, Faust.

This time you do it
the hard way...

In daylight.

Well, through with me so soon?

Gonna get me k*lled off?

Oh, no, not at all.

But I've learned
security's been tripled

on the vaults on
the night shift... 6 men.

But it hasn't been
strengthened during the day.

Just where do you
get these gems?

He has sources.
You better believe it.

One more haul and we'll have
enough for our present supply.

Uh-uh.

You don't need this
and we're ready in the lab.

Hurry up!

I cannot.

(Electricity humming)

You can't get away with this
in broad daylight, Joey.

Why don't you stop
running Krenner's errands?

Let's not get any more involved.

Don't get emotional, baby.

You're nice as a playmate.
Let's keep it that way.

Let's understand that, hmm?

They may not see you,
but they're bound to see

the lead container when
you try to get it out.

Got it all wrong, honey.

Today's the day
we take the bank.

In broad daylight? You're crazy.

You're talking to
a professional, remember?

I don't have to worry
about time-locks

or anything like that.

Just walk in,
pack up the loose cash,

walk out, and you, sweetheart,
are going to be waiting for me.

Oh, don't even say it.

Your cut'll be 40%.

I'll have to climb out.

(Smack)

Oh, my lord!

Don't anybody move,
you won't get hurt!

What's the matter?
Why did you change?

Drive! Drive!

Well, thank you very much
for your cooperation, miss.

I only hope it does some good.

I'm sure it will.

(Ring)

Security.

Good day now.

They did? How long ago?

OK. Guess we can't stop it now.

Story's out.

A reporter was at
the police station

when the alarm came in.

Well, there's no doubt
it was Faust.

Everyone at the bank's
identified him.

Well, what can we do?

Man makes himself invisible,
locks mean nothing to him.

If he did take the X-13,

what defense do we
have against him?

Nothing. None.

Hold it here.

There must be
something we can do.

If I can just get down to Ulof.

I can't get back to the house
till I'm invisible again!

Radio: Police report
the so-called "Invisible Man"

who robbed the Coatesville
National Bank

has been identified
as Joey Faust,

escaped convict and safe-cr*cker.

Witnesses said the robber became
visible before their eyes.

Citizens are warned...

He's gotta come back.
And that tr*mp, too!

I'll teach them
to double-cross me.

Take my bags outside
and watch for them.

Right.

I know some people in Mexico.

We can go there and
start all over again.

I know what I've been, Joey,

but I can change all that.

What are you doing?

Giving you your split.

You're on your own, baby.

But you said we'd be together!

Honey, right now I need a car
more than I need you.

You can start walking anytime.

But you just can't
go off and leave me!

Joey!

Good-bye, Laura.

(Footsteps)

We'll leave everything.

Except the nuclear materials.

Police catch Faust
and hear his story,

they'll be all over us!

I will not.

What?

I've been running away
most of my life.

Doctor...

There's something wrong
with your formula,

but we'll work it out
in a new location.

An invisible army
is worth billions!

An army of dead men, Major.

I'm taking Marie with me.
I'm sure you'll come along.

No!

Marie, my dear.

(Thud)

Aah!

Krenner: Faust,
let me out of here!

(Gasps)

Doc, what's wrong?

Why do I keep appearing
and disappearing?

I don't know. I needed more time

to study the X-13 before
trying it out on you.

Oh, fine! You're gonna
do something about it.

I've gotta be normal and
you're gonna take care of it!

I will, but not in this place.

Why not? I got him locked up.

I want to be taken
away from here,

my daughter and I.

Only then I will treat you.

But...

All right.
Let's blow outta here.

Julian: Forget something?

Where's Faust?

He's in the house.

Major knows all about
you and Faust.

Said you'd be back. Inside.

Come on down, Faust.

Put that thing down.

I take my orders from the Major.

The Major... I have to.

Let me.

Julian, you believe
what he told you

about your son being alive
in prison in Europe?

Yes, I do.

You're a fool.

Your son's dead, Julian.

Krenner's been using
you all along.

She's right.

So you had to come back.
Come on.

When I told you to hit the road,

it was for your own good.

But, Joey, please!
Please give me a chance!

Sweetheart,
you had your chance. In!

Joey!

All right. Come on.
Come on, Julian.

Do you know what
Krenner is after?

A process so an invisible army

can invade your country.

I don't care about
Krenner or his army!

I care about me!

All this is futile.

Krenner found me before.
He'll find me again.

I got money, and I know places

across the border
he never heard of.

Now, how long are these
treatments gonna take?

You may someday be declared
a martyr, Mr. Faust.

A man who sacrificed himself

so that an invisible army
might overrun your country!

What are you trying to pull?

You wanted out of here.
We made a deal.

You cross me and I'll k*ll you!

I'm a dying man, Mr. Faust.

Radiation poisoning.

You're dying, too.

You're worse off than I.

You're lying.

You have only weeks,
perhaps days to live.

You used me just to
get away from Krenner.

To free Maria. I had no choice.

Come on.

Are you so intent
upon evading the police

for a few remaining days?

Don't you care what Krenner
is doing to your country?

Why should I care?

What did my country
ever do for me

except try to bury me
in a concrete tomb

for the rest of my life?

I'm thinking of my child.

You should think of yours.

Perhaps you deserve prison.

But did Maria deserve
what happened to her?

Did her mother need to die?

Is this the kind of world
you want for your child?

That is what an invisible
army will bring!

I've seen it!

How much longer I got?

A month. No more.

Here.

No. No, thank you.

Don't wait for me.

There is a man who has
unlocked every door.

Except the one to his own soul.

Now he has the key.

Come, my dear.

We must find a telephone
and notify the police.

Laura: Joey!

(Pounding)

Joey!

Joey!

Joey!

Joey, will you
please listen to me?

Wait for me outside.

Joey...

Aah!

Unh!

(Humming)

(Crackling)

Aah!

Aah! Let me go!

Here it comes! Yeah!

(Screaming)

Drake and Smith, security.

Sorry, I got my orders.
No one enters this area.

Too much fallout for safety.

All right, officer.
Just a minute.

Be with you in a minute, Smitty.

Well, doctor,
you and your friends.

Have succeeded in
blowing up half the county.

There isn't enough left
out there to make ashes.

I'm deeply sorry, of course,

but as I told you before,

I didn't do anything by choice.

I warned Major Krenner
of the danger involved,

but you must realize
his was a deranged mind.

All he could think of

was the creating of
an invisible army

and the power such a force
would give him.

Doctor, this idea
of an invisible army

is quite interesting.

Imagine what our
counter-intelligence

could accomplish
if they were able

to become invisible
whenever necessary.

The central intelligence agency

has already discussed
the possibilities with me.

But, my friend,
think of the danger

if the secret
were stolen from us.

It has happened before,
you know.

Perhaps it would be better

if we let the secret die

with Major Krenner
and Joey Faust.

It's a serious problem.

What would you do?