Following the commercial success of Son of Frankenstein, Universal Studios announced the development of The Invisible Man Returns in March 1939.

The film went through a few screenwriters and directors before choosing Joe May to direct and Lester K. Cole and Curt Siodmak to write the script.

When Detective Sampson from Scotland Yard hears the names Dr Griffin, he recalls the invisible man case, and guesses the truth.

Dr Griffin has left clothes for Geoffrey at a pre-arranged place, and Helen hides him in a cottage in the woods.

At Geoffrey's request, Dr Griffin promises to stop him from causing anyone harm if he shows signs of the madness that inflicted the original invisible man nine years earlier.

The recently hired employee Willie Spears is suddenly promoted within the company, stirring Radcliffe's suspicions.

Universal Pictures first announced the development of The Invisible Man Returns in March 1939, around the time Son of Frankenstein had found itself doing decently in the box office.

[3] In May, Joe May was announced as the director of the film with either Boris Karloff or Bela Lugosi hinted at playing the lead.

[1] On June 29, The Hollywood Reporter announced that Universal was looking for an unknown actor to fill the role, specifically noting they required a "young, good-looking contender even though he would remain invisible until the last reel".

[4] The three principal roles were given to actors who had recently completed work on Tower of London: Vincent Price, Nan Grey and John Sutton.

[5] Price also spoke about working with Hardwicke, who he recalled "didn't like doing this film; he was facing home problems at the time.

[8] From contemporary reviews, Archer Winsten praised the film in The New York Post, stating that "the suspense, accruing from all sides, mounts to an impressive total" and specifically praised Hardwicke who "accomplishes his shift from early suavity to gibbering fear with a conviction rarely seen in unimportant or trick effect films".

[8] Kate Cameron of The New York Daily News stated that "some of the novelty of the strange situation has worn off" and that the film had some of the humor that "made the Topper so popular".