Posted on 11/13/2017 3:52:45 PM PST by Swordmaker
Having appeared in Forbidden Planet, The Twilight Zone, Lost in Space, and numerous other science-fiction shows, Robby the Robot is one of the most iconic pieces of sci-fi memorabilia in TV history. And now it is going up for sale.
Robby the Robot will be one of the centerpieces of the upcoming “Out of this World” auction hosted by Bonhams. The seven-foot tall robot is operational and is expected to sell for somewhere in range of seven figures when it goes to auction on November 21.
Adding to its potential value is the fact that Robby the Robot was, at the time of its construction, one of the most expensive sci-fi props ever built. Made mostly of plastic and featuring working electronics which could be controlled remotely or via the person inside the suit, the prop cost Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer around $100,000.
As the New York Times points out, Robby the Robot was the only member of the Forbidden Planet cast to receive sole billing in the movie’s opening credits and has made appearances in numerous TV shows since his film debut. Even if you haven’t seen any of the works the prop has appeared in, you will likely recognize Robby’s iconic design.
As iconic as Robby is, it wasn’t always a pleasure to work with. Earl Holliman, one of the last surviving members of the Forbidden Planet’s cast, described playing alongside Robby as “kind of awkward.” This was mainly due to the fact that Robby’s lines had to be delivered by the script supervisor.
Bill Malone, the prop’s current owner, said he bought Robby in 1979 and has kept the robot in his home ever since. After joking about having coffee with Robby every morning, Malone said that he wanted to ensure that the iconic prop was taken care of.
“I’m of an age where I’m still healthy and doing good,” Malone told the Times. “But I think it’s time to think about his future. We’re sending Robby to college.”
Robby is far from the only classic piece of sci-fi history that has been auctioned off. Recently, we reported on the sale of Xenomorph eggs and the sword of Conan, which would make for the greatest cosplay ever.
Does it get FM stations?
FP is certainly the best SF movie ever made, at least until 2001 came along 12 years later, in 1968.
Even after 2001, FP still holds up well. Considering the enormous budget difference in the same movie, and the technology improvements that happened from 1956 to 1968 (actually FP was filmed in 1955, and 2001 started filming in 1964 and finished in 1968). The budget for 2001 was around $11 million, and the budget for FP was around $2 million.
FP was based on Shakespeare's The Tempest, and 2001 was based on The Odyssey, as you probably know. Both derived from great works, with large-scale themes.
On top of that, FP had the 25-year-old Anne Francis, and 2001 had only a two million year old monolith, perfectly flat, with the ratio its sides measuring exactly 1:4:9.
Veggie Tales is instructive and funny.
The vegetable people were the precursors of Joy Behar.
For a sci-fi movie made over 60 (!) years ago, Forbidden Planet holds up surprisingly well, including the special effects.
Where do I sign up for the robotic version of Anne Francis?
I’ll do the dishes.
Promise....
Absolutely. You can practically see the dirty thoughts whirring around in his computational unit.
My favorite movie, saw it when I was 9 I had nightmares for days. Lol
“Anne Francis stars in Forbidden Planet / Uh-uh-uh-uh, oh-oh...”
“In the late-night, double-feature picture show...”
I saw “Invaders From Mars” around 1953. I also had dreams about it. I had memories for many years but it gradually became distorted until I saw it again around 1990.
The scene with the guy falling through the sand was the one I had changed in my mind.
I think I remember reading somewhere that there were actually 3 different robots?
Saw it when I was around 10 years old living in Orleans, France as an Army brat. My Mom took me. When the creature came though the walls melting them I thought I would have a heart attack. Scared the living daylights our of me. Still one my favorite all time “space” movies.
The music drives my lady friend nutz! Too bad!
My favorite movie, saw it when I was 9 I had nightmares for days. Lol
The invisible ID monster is actually pretty scary. That and the weird electronic music. This is pre-Moog synthesizer stuff done with tube amps. Amazing!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSFoILcyqAU
I love Forbidden Planet.
I watch it at least once a year.
I get a kick, in the movie, Altaira has never seen a man before. She barely has time to “fall in love” with the Commander and she starts calling him “darling”.
Plus today, the word is seldom used.
But then, so did the piece of crap movie version they came out with in 1998.
Brussel sprout people, like Joy Behag, nobody likes either.
Then she has to watch as her old man gets vaporized, along with everything she ever knew, but it's OK, because she snagged Frank Drebin.
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