Cavalcade (1933)

A cavalcade of English life from New Year's Eve 1899 until 1933 seen through the eyes of well-to-do Londoner couple.

Elaborate and stylish stage adaptation with excellent performances and great period settings manages a nostalgic panorama of times lost through the progression of historical events.

Halliwell**: "Rather stativ version of the famous stage spectacular, very similar in setting and style to TV's later Upstairs Downstairs. Good performances, flat handling."

Maltin****: "Lavish Hollywood adaptation of  Noël Coward's London stage succes (which may remind many of TV's Upstairs, Downstairs)...Nostalgic, richly atmospheric, but also sharply critical of war and the aftershocks that brought an end to a wonderful way of life."

The Invisible Man (1933)

A scientist finds a way of becoming invisible, but in doing so, he becomes murderously insane.

Brilliant (and close) adaptation of H.G. Wells' classic novel, a horror drama with a magnificent (if invisible) Claude Rains that entertains with thrills, humour and special effects that still convince today.

Halliwell****: "Superb blend of eccentric character comedy, melodrama and trick photography in a Hollywood English setting; remarkably faithful to the spirit of the book. It made a star of Claude Rains in his first film, even though he is seen for only a couple of seconds."

Maltin***1/2: "H.G. Wells' fantasy brilliantly materializes on screen...Rains' starring debut is dated but still enjoyable."