Now You See Him, Now You Don’t

Now You See Him, Now You Don’t

Year: 1972

Runtime: 88 mins

Language: English

Director: Robert Butler

Science FictionFantasyComedyFamily

After a lab accident, science student Dexter Riley at Medfield College creates a liquid that makes objects and people invisible. When his friends Debbie and Richard discover the formula, greedy businessman A.J. Arno plots to steal it for a bank robbery. Dexter and his pals scramble to stop Arno, sparking a series of slapstick mishaps as they race to keep the invisibility spray out of criminal hands.

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Timeline & Setting – Now You See Him, Now You Don’t (1972)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Now You See Him, Now You Don’t (1972). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Early 1970s

The story unfolds in a period of classic campus life and amateur science experiments, blending lighthearted mischief with real fiscal pressure. Technology is accessible and improvised, with experiments and demonstrations driving the plot. The stakes center on funding, prestige, and the prospect of the school surviving another year.

Location

Medfield College

Medfield College serves as the central setting, featuring a science lab where Dexter works on his invisibility experiment. The campus faces financial fragility, with a mortgageholder who wants to turn Medfield into a gambling town. The setting blends academia with high-stakes plots, as students try to prove their worth in a contest that could save the college.

🎓 Campus life 💼 Financial trouble 🏛️ Academic institution

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:07

Main Characters – Now You See Him, Now You Don’t (1972)

Meet the key characters of Now You See Him, Now You Don’t (1972), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Dexter Riley (Kurt Russell)

Dexter is a curious science enthusiast at Medfield College who loves testing new ideas. His invisibility formula temporarily hides part of his glasses, revealing both the thrill of discovery and the trouble that can follow. He relies on friends to navigate the consequences of his experiments and to confront Arno’s scheme.

🧪 Science 💡 Innovation 🤝 Friendship

Richard Schuyler

Richard is Dexter’s pragmatic ally who shares a fascination with science and problem-solving. He helps test and apply the invisibility formula, and he acts decisively when danger arises, including alerting authorities when Arno’s plans come to light. His loyalty supports the group through the ups and downs of the contest plot.

🧠 Intelligence 🤝 Friendship 🧭 Strategy

Debbie Dawson

Debbie is a supportive friend who joins Dexter and Richard in their quest to expose Arno and save Medfield. She contributes practical ideas and stands by the team during tense moments, reinforcing the value of teamwork and courage in the face of corporate manipulation.

🤝 Friendship 🧭 Loyalty 🧪 Science

A.J. Arno

A.J. Arno is a recently released criminal who owns Medfield’s mortgage and aims to turn the college into a gambling hub. He embodies cunning and ruthlessness, manipulating people and rules to bankroll his schemes while trying to erase Medfield’s academic identity.

💰 Greed 🕵️ Espionage

Dean Collingsgood

Dean Collingsgood (Dean Higgins in the film) is the college administrator facing financial peril. He swings between skepticism of Dexter’s experiment and willingness to explore creative solutions to keep the school afloat, underscoring the tension between tradition and innovation.

🏛️ Administration 🎯 Leadership 🧪 Science

Professor Lufkin

Professor Lufkin heads the science department and ultimately supports Dexter’s work. He represents cautious but open-minded academia, who recognizes the potential of scientific discovery while weighing its practical implications for Medfield.

🎓 Academia 🧪 Research 🧭 Guidance

Druffle

Druffle is the bee researcher who becomes part of the campus science dynamic. He endures a bee attack that leaves him heavily bandaged, highlighting the quirky, risky nature of experimental science on campus.

🐝 Bee Research 🧪 Experiment ⚖️ Risk

Timothy Forsythe

Timothy Forsythe is the sponsor of the Forsythe science contest, a key moment in Medfield’s bid to keep funding. His involvement offers a legitimate path to recognition for the students’ work and a chance to rescue the college’s future.

🎓 Patronage 🧭 Opportunity 🧪 Science

Cookie

Cookie is Arno’s chauffeur who disguises himself as a janitor to spy on the team and later helps execute the theft. He embodies the cutthroat side of the plot’s crime element, intensifying the stakes for the protagonists.

🚗 Escort 🕵️ Espionage 🧩 Theft

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:07

Major Themes – Now You See Him, Now You Don’t (1972)

Explore the central themes of Now You See Him, Now You Don’t (1972), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧪 Science & Invention

The invisibility formula at the heart of the story showcases scientific curiosity and the excitement of discovery. Dexter’s experiments reveal both the promise and the limits of new breakthroughs, since the effect is temporary and controllable by water. The plot explores how new knowledge can change situations, for better or worse, especially when misused.

💰 Greed & Power

A.J. Arno’s ambition to convert Medfield into a gambling town highlights the dangers of greed and the exploitation of institutions. The revelation of legal gambling via an old statute underscores how powerful interests can manipulate rules for gain. The plot pits financial desperation against educational integrity, driving the conflict forward.

🤝 Friendship & Teamwork

Dexter, Richard, and Debbie collaborate to uncover Arno’s plans and to salvage Medfield’s chances in the Forsythe contest. Their loyalty and combined wits help them navigate deception and setbacks. The trio demonstrates that shared effort and trust can overcome obstacles that individual genius cannot.

🎓 Education & Opportunity

The Forsythe science contest and its prize money become the catalyst for Medfield’s salvation. The school’s future hinges on scientific merit, not just luck or showmanship. The story frames education as a pathway to opportunity, with student-led innovation rewarded publicly.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:07

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