The Invisible Man (1958 — 1960)

H.G. Wells’ Invisible Man, also known as The Invisible Man (1958–1960), was a British black-and-white science fiction television series that aired on ITV and CBS in the United States. It had a run of two seasons with 26 half-hour episodes. While loosely based on Wells’ 1897 novel, it deviated from the original by changing the main character’s name to Dr. Peter Brady, who remained a sane man rather than a power-hungry lunatic like in the book and film adaptation. Other characters from the novel did not make an appearance in the series.

The show follows the adventures of Dr. Peter Brady, a scientist attempting to achieve invisibility through light refraction. Unfortunately, his experiment goes awry and he is left permanently invisible. Initially, the government deems him a state secret and confines him, but he eventually convinces them, represented by Sir Charles Anderson, to allow him back in his lab to search for an antidote (‘Secret Experiment’). Shortly after, British Intelligence enlists his help for a mission (‘Crisis in the Desert’), but their security is soon compromised (‘Behind the Mask’). As a result of his notoriety, he becomes somewhat of a celebrity (“Picnic with Death”) and uses his invisibility for good by aiding those in need, solving crimes, and thwarting spies for his country.