James Whales Invisible Man, how did they do it??
 

I was wondering, this film was made in 1933 and they manage to remove parts of the characters body. As he moves around the scene.

How did they manage to do this without the aid of greenscreen or hardcore programs?

Hope this is in the right forum.

Pepper's ghost
 

I'm not sure of this, but I have heard that they set up the stage illusion, 'Pepper's ghost', with a sheet of plate glass and fading lights for a couple of the invisibility scenes, and were able to get a few done in-camera. I do know that this was one of the techniques used often in very early 'trick film' motion pictures with transformations in them. Also, Michel Gondry, director of Science of Sleep and all those awesome Bjork videos uses the technique alot to very good effect.

Actually, I'm probably wrong about the Invisible Man, but I just love telling people about 'Pepper's Ghost'. There are some incredible stage-illusions and early cinematic techniques that deserve more recognition...

No green screen in those days but I guess black velvet will do.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Inv...pecial_Effects


-A

And here I thought they were pretty innovative putting Gary Sinise's legs in green stockings in Forest Gump. Turns out they were just copying an older technique. Who knew?