The Invisible Menace Poster

The Invisible Menace 1938

★ 3.811 votes55 min📅 1938-01-11

"Revenge was his goal... was he to blame?"

Directed by the master of suspense John Farrow, the 1938 mystery thriller The Invisible Menace thrusts viewers into a shadowy Army camp where the night's celebration turns to dread after Private Eddie Pratt smuggles his new bride past base regulation...

Director: John Farrow

Cast

Boris Karloff
Boris Karloff
Jevries
Marie Wilson
Marie Wilson
Sally
Eddie Craven
Eddie Pratt
Regis Toomey
Regis Toomey
Lt. Matthews
Henry Kolker
Henry Kolker
Col. Hackett
Cy Kendall
Cy Kendall
Colonel Rogers
Charles Trowbridge
Charles Trowbridge
Dr. Brooks
Eddie Acuff
Eddie Acuff
Corporal Sanger
Frank Faylen
Frank Faylen
Private of the Guard
Phyllis Barry
Phyllis Barry
Aline Dolman

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Invisible Menace (1938) about?

When a private sneaks his new bride into camp for a fleeting honeymoon, they uncover a violent murder that disrupts Army Intelligence's investigation. Colonel Rogers races to secure a confession from a prime suspect he already knows, all while the real culprit hides in plain sight among a web of plausible alternatives.

Who directed The Invisible Menace?

The film was helmed by the versatile John Farrow, an Australian-born director whose career spanned crime dramas, noir, and adventure films, including collaborations with legendary talent like Humphrey Bogart.

Who stars in The Invisible Menace?

The cast features Boris Karloff as the enigmatic suspect, Marie Wilson as the private's bride, Eddie Craven as the ill-fated soldier, and Regis Toomey among the supporting officers.

Is The Invisible Menace (1938) worth watching?

Though unrated on IMDb, its tight 55-minute runtime and noir atmosphere make it a quick but satisfying pick for fans of classic mysteries. The film's wartime setting and themes of trust betrayed offer plenty of intrigue for genre enthusiasts looking for a polished B-movie gem from 1938.

How long is The Invisible Menace?

The film runs 55 minutes, delivering a concise yet gripping narrative perfect for a single viewing session.

The Invisible Menace (1938): Classic Crime Thriller Starring Boris Karloff — Full Info

Directed by the master of suspense John Farrow, the 1938 mystery thriller The Invisible Menace thrusts viewers into a shadowy Army camp where the night's celebration turns to dread after Private Eddie Pratt smuggles his new bride past base regulations to share a stolen moment together. Instead of wedded bliss, they stumble upon a brutal murder that sets Army Intelligence Colonel Rogers on a relentless hunt for the killer. As Rogers circles back to a familiar face—the enigmatic Jevries—every suspect becomes a potential pawn in a game of deception where motives lurk in the dark corners of the barracks.

Cloaked in the low-light aesthetic of classic noir and steeped in wartime paranoia, this brisk 55-minute crime drama examines how loyalty and vengeance can warp judgment. Boris Karloff's presence looms large as the film explores the fragility of trust and the invisible lines that separate guilt from innocence when the truth feels just out of reach.