Invisible Man, the (1975)
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Invisible Man, the (1975)
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| Episodes: | 14 |
| Year: | 1975-1976 |
| Country: | United States |
| Seasons: | 1 |
| Seasons Breakdown: | (1) 13 |
| Category: | Invisible Men |
| Colour: | Yes |
| Format: | Series |
| Company: | A Harve Bennett Production in Association with NBC/Universal (Pilot), Silvertone Productions Inc./Universal (Series) |
| Creator: | Harve Bennett and Steven Bochco (Based on concept by H.G. Wells) |
| Run Time (mins): | 60 |
| Language: | English |
| Type of Show: | Live Action |
| Status: | Ended |
| Broadcaster: | |
Summary
The Invisible Man franchise centres on Dr. Daniel Weston, a research scientist who develops a process capable of rendering objects, and ultimately himself, invisible. His discovery attracts the interest of military and intelligence figures who intend to appropriate the technology for strategic dominance. In response, Weston destroys his notes and equipment after proving the procedure’s effectiveness on his own body. The experiment, however, proves only partially successful: while invisibility is achieved, the reversal process fails, leaving Weston permanently unseen. To function in public, he relies on a lifelike mask and gloves crafted by a trusted associate, enabling him to present the appearance of a normal man when required.
In the pilot television film, Weston attempts to conceal his condition from unscrupulous agents seeking to exploit his discovery for global power. He receives practical assistance from his friend Nick Maggio (Henry Darrow), who manufactures the realistic facial covering that allows Weston to appear in public and provides viewers with occasional glimpses of the actor.
The subsequent television series follows Weston and his wife, Kate, after they join the Klae Corporation, a large West Coast research think tank. At Klae, Weston is permitted to continue his efforts to restore his visibility while undertaking specialised assignments in which his condition proves advantageous. These missions include evaluating an advanced security system (The Fine Art of Diplomacy), exposing a fraudulent spiritualist (Man of Influence), assisting a defecting scientist in returning home (Barnard Wants Out), rescuing the kidnapped daughter of a key witness in a mob trial (Sight Unseen), and covertly returning stolen funds (Pin Money).
Kate Weston is portrayed by Melinda Fee, whose character frequently accompanies her husband on these operations, an aspect that prompted humorous viewer commentary regarding her proximity to an invisible, and therefore unclothed, man. The Klae Corporation’s director, Walter Carlson, is played by Jackie Cooper in the pilot and by Craig Stevens in the series.
Throughout the programme, Weston’s dual objectives, conducting missions for Klae and pursuing a cure for his invisibility, form the central narrative framework, with his condition serving both as a scientific burden and a tactical advantage.
Cast
Dr. Daniel Weston DAVID MCCALLUM, Kate Weston MELINDA FEE, Walter Carlson CRAIG STEVENS/ JACKIE COOPER (Pilot Episode).
Tags: Invisible Men, United States, 1975, English
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