The Vanishing Shadow!

The 1934 movie serial The Vanishing Shadow from Universal has lots of intriguing details, some which are claimed to be the first ever on film such as the first ray gun on screen. It's a science ficiton yarn that does its absolute best to be as mundane as it can possibly be.

The Vanishing Shadow gets its title from the main gimmick used much in the first parts of the serial, a machine which worn by the user renders them invisible save for their shadow. It's a pretty decent effect and for the company which had given the world the cinematic version of the H.G.Wells classic The Invisible Man a worthy one. The invisibility gag is an invention of a sometimes mad scientist who wavers between good and evil throughout the story but who mainly uses his inventions to aid a handsome young man fend off a predatory gang bent on making him sign over valuable stocks and  such. Also helping him is the daughter of the leader of the villainous gang who insists her father will reform and keeps the events out of the hands of the police long after you or I would've contacted them.

In addition to the  invisibility machine there is a "Death Ray" and its counterpart an "Anti-Death Ray" as well as an impressive giant robot juggernaut who shows near the end of the serial. Now with a stalwart hero, a lovely dame, a genius scientist and his inventions, and a deadly gang of cutthroats you'd think you have a pretty rousing serial, but for whatever reason this one never gets out of second gear. Mostly that's due to the circular nature of the plot which has the characters retracing their steps over and over again. There's little narrative momentum, just furious action which is supposed to substitute.

It's a diverting misadventure for sure, an important one as serials go, but alas not the most exciting one.

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