Jean Brooks, born Jeanne Kelly, emerged as a notable figure in cult cinema during the 1940s. After transitioning from Broadway, she made her mark in films like The Invisible Man Returns (1940) and Women in the Night (1948), where her intense delivery captivated audiences. Known for her work with Val Lewton, Brooks's performances often explored darker themes, exemplified by her role in Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe (1940). Despite her promising start, her career dwindled in the mid-'40s, leaving behind a legacy that resonates with fans of classic genre films.
The Invisible Man Returns
Sir Geoffrey Radcliffe (Vincent Price) is sentenced to death for the murder of his brother Michael, a crime he did not commit. Dr. Frank Griffin, the brother of the original invisible man injects the prisoner with an invisibility drug. As Radcliffe's execution nears, he suddenly vanishes from his cell. Detective Sampson (Cecil Kellaway) from Scotland Yard guesses the truth while Radcliffe searches for the real murderer before the drug causes him to go insane. The Radcliffe family owns a mining operation. The recently promoted employee Willie Spears (Alan Napier) is promoted within the company, stirring Radcliffe's suspicions. After forcing Spears' car off the road, Spears is frightened into revealing that Richard Cobb (Sir Cedric Hardwicke), Radcliffe's cousin, is the murderer. After a confrontation, a chase scene ensues during which Radcliffe is struck by a bullet from Sampson. Cobb is fatally injured by falling from a coal wagon but confesses to the murder before he dies. Now cleared of all wrongdoing, Radcliffe, dying from blood loss and exposure, makes his way to Dr. Griffin. A number of Radcliffe's employees volunteer to donate blood to Radcliffe. The transfusion succeeds, making Radcliffe visible again, allowing the doctor to operate and save his life.
