About one reel into this film, I realized that much of this plot I had seen in two films made three years before this: "Topper Returns" and "The Invisible Woman". Harold Pearcy opens up this film, not only with his trademark laugh, but as two different ghosts of his ancestors, out to help him win a local political election by having him solve a criminal activity going on, namely exposing the group of mad scientists in hiding in an abandoned mansion, trying to create an invisible army to help them take over the world. Their army so far? A gorilla and a former chorus girl (Marion Martin), bribed into doing the bidding of the mad scientists, especially creating fear in Gildersleeve's housekeeper's (Lillian Randolph) chauffer boyfriend (Nick Stewart) who thinks that she's a ghost, not merely invisible.
While Randolph plays a black domestic, she's grounded in reality and not played as a stereotype. That can't be said for Stewart who is a cowardly rip-off of Eddie "Rochester" Anderson's chauffeur character in "Topper Returns". Pearcy, in a gorilla suit, keeps being switched with the real gorilla which then appears over Stewart's shoulder. Martin delivers a tough and funny performance as the invisible woman, essaying every line with sparkle. Marie Blake, aka Blossom Rock (Grandma Addams), is funny and tough as the local female reporter. It's an enjoyable film utilizing plot developments from dozens of other forgotten B films, and serves its purpose as a pleasant time passer.
While Randolph plays a black domestic, she's grounded in reality and not played as a stereotype. That can't be said for Stewart who is a cowardly rip-off of Eddie "Rochester" Anderson's chauffeur character in "Topper Returns". Pearcy, in a gorilla suit, keeps being switched with the real gorilla which then appears over Stewart's shoulder. Martin delivers a tough and funny performance as the invisible woman, essaying every line with sparkle. Marie Blake, aka Blossom Rock (Grandma Addams), is funny and tough as the local female reporter. It's an enjoyable film utilizing plot developments from dozens of other forgotten B films, and serves its purpose as a pleasant time passer.