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Want to own a ‘Forbidden’ sci-fi icon? Robby the Robot is going up for auction
Digital Trends ^ | November 12, 2017 | By Eric Brackett

Posted on 11/13/2017 3:52:45 PM PST by Swordmaker


Having appeared in Forbidden Planet, The Twilight ZoneLost 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.


TOPICS: Arts/Photography; TV/Movies
KEYWORDS: forbiddenplanet; movies; robbytherobot; sciencefiction
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To: Swordmaker

Does it get FM stations?


21 posted on 11/13/2017 4:20:03 PM PST by Pilgrim's Progress (http://www.baptistbiblebelievers.com/BYTOPICS/tabid/335/Default.aspx D)
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To: Lurker
I still watch Forbidden Planet a couple times a year.

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.

22 posted on 11/13/2017 4:24:23 PM PST by Steely Tom ([Seth Rich] == [the Democrat's John Dean])
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To: hoosiermama

Veggie Tales is instructive and funny.

The vegetable people were the precursors of Joy Behar.


23 posted on 11/13/2017 4:25:14 PM PST by blueunicorn6 ("A crack shot and a good dancer")
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To: Lurker

For a sci-fi movie made over 60 (!) years ago, Forbidden Planet holds up surprisingly well, including the special effects.


24 posted on 11/13/2017 4:28:27 PM PST by Flick Lives (The FBI is a taxpayer funded Mafia organization)
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To: Swordmaker
"DANGER! WILL ROBINSON! DANGER!"


25 posted on 11/13/2017 4:31:52 PM PST by TomGuy
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Where do I sign up for the robotic version of Anne Francis?

I’ll do the dishes.

Promise....


26 posted on 11/13/2017 4:34:36 PM PST by RandallFlagg (Vote for your guns!)
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To: chimera
I think Robby appreciates the charms of a youthful Anne Francis.

Absolutely. You can practically see the dirty thoughts whirring around in his computational unit.


27 posted on 11/13/2017 4:35:12 PM PST by Ol' Dan Tucker (For 'tis the sport to have the engineer hoist with his own petard., -- Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 4)
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To: Flick Lives

My favorite movie, saw it when I was 9 I had nightmares for days. Lol


28 posted on 11/13/2017 4:36:39 PM PST by Empireoftheatom48 (God did help the Republic, can we keep it.)
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To: SMGFan

“Anne Francis stars in Forbidden Planet / Uh-uh-uh-uh, oh-oh...”

“In the late-night, double-feature picture show...”


29 posted on 11/13/2017 4:39:38 PM PST by IMTOFT (At least I'm enjoying the ride...)
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To: Empireoftheatom48

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.


30 posted on 11/13/2017 4:43:23 PM PST by yarddog (Romans 8:38-39, For I am persuaded.)
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To: Swordmaker

I think I remember reading somewhere that there were actually 3 different robots?


31 posted on 11/13/2017 4:45:25 PM PST by smokingfrog ( sleep with one eye open (<o> ---)
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To: Swordmaker
Enough to get a young kid to hit under the sofa


32 posted on 11/13/2017 4:46:15 PM PST by HangnJudge
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To: Swordmaker

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.


33 posted on 11/13/2017 4:46:15 PM PST by animal172 (Call me simply deplorable.)
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To: Lurker

The music drives my lady friend nutz! Too bad!


34 posted on 11/13/2017 4:47:38 PM PST by Dr. Bogus Pachysandra (Don't touch that thing Don't let anybody touch that thing!I'm a Doctor and I won't touch that thing!)
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To: Empireoftheatom48

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


35 posted on 11/13/2017 4:50:56 PM PST by Flick Lives (The FBI is a taxpayer funded Mafia organization)
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To: Lurker

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.


36 posted on 11/13/2017 4:53:34 PM PST by mountn man (The Pleasure You Get From Life, Is Equal To The Attitude You Put Into It)
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To: blueunicorn6
The Netflix remake of Lost in Space will probably have a bigger budget.

But then, so did the piece of crap movie version they came out with in 1998.

37 posted on 11/13/2017 4:56:11 PM PST by Bubba_Leroy (The Obamanation has ended!)
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To: blueunicorn6
The vegetable people were the precursors of Joy Behar.

Brussel sprout people, like Joy Behag, nobody likes either.

38 posted on 11/13/2017 5:13:17 PM PST by mountn man (The Pleasure You Get From Life, Is Equal To The Attitude You Put Into It)
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To: Swordmaker
Image result for etl free republic robot

Related image

Image result for etl freerepublic robot twilight

Image result for etl free republic robot

39 posted on 11/13/2017 5:17:37 PM PST by ETL (Obama-Hillary, REAL Russia collusion! Uranium-One Deal, Missile Defense, Nukes. See my FR page)
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To: mountn man
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”.

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.

40 posted on 11/13/2017 5:18:27 PM PST by Steely Tom ([Seth Rich] == [the Democrat's John Dean])
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