Even if you don’t like to build replicas of movie robots, you can often draw inspiration from cinema. Everyone knows Robby the Robot, Gort, and R2D2. But [Atomic Snack Bar] treats us to some lesser-known robots from movies in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. While we are pretty up on movies, we have to admit that the video, which you can see below, has a few we didn’t know about.
The robots are mostly humanoid. The comedy vampire flick from the 1950s could have inspired Robby, who appeared four years later. The exception that proves the rule is the Twonky which was a TV set turned robot turned mind controller.
Kronos wasn’t exactly humanoid but still had a human-like figure. It turns out Kronos has a direct connection to Robby, even though he wasn’t nearly as famous.
A 1939 movie featured a mad scientist with “the robot,” which was sort of a cross between Robby and a Halloween mask. Then there was the water heater robot that appeared in many Republic movies, including Commando Cody, where we remember him.
We’d love to see some replicas of these fine old robots, especially since the originals go for a fortune. Or maybe try a replica movie computer.
A bit outside the time frame, but you couldn’t beat Dewey and Heuy from Silent Running
And don’t forget Louie!. Also my fave robots.
I see I’m not the only one who immediately though about this!
Dewey, Huey , and Louie.
There were three of them. Louie “died” before the end of the movie.
Spoiler alert.
Dewey and Huey are what I picture “Rocky” from Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary to look like.
I look forward to the movie.
No mention of Ming The Merciless’s robot army of metal men in Flash Gordon 1938 (yeah I know, it’s a bit out of time frame). I did not know that in STV’s (Star Trek Voyager) Captain Proton serial that Dr. Satan’s robot was from the actual past. I do wish they would do a mini-serial of Captain Proton with an occasional visit by Captain Janeway’s Queen Arachnia, she really vamped it up.
The opening image looking like early suit of power armor isn’t in the video.
Maria from Metropolis (1927) easily beats all the future Hollywood props. And it´s one of the rare female robots.
Tom Servo and Crow
What ? No Gypsy ?…… ROBOT ROLL CALL !
I also forgot Cambot !
There was a time when you could escape the world, and seek sanctuary in all these wonderful 50’s SciFi movies. Now Larry and Sergey insist you pay them to see other’s classic works. Welcome to dystopia.
I have this 3-pointed hat you can borrow, me hearty.
Evil billionaire monopolies hate this one simple trick!
My favorite has to be “Tobor the Great” (1954). I saw it once as a kid and as an adult I just had to get a copy on VCR tape and saw it as an adult and…
Yeah, it’s a little sappy and meant for kids, but otherwise it holds together fairly well. Of note, the movie is actually about the robot, and not robot in the background supporting the plot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qjIvz_NbkU
I’ve since put together a collection of what I consider good sci fi movies from that era. “Atomic Submarine” is pretty good, also “The H man”, and “X the Unknown”.
Tobor’s single integrated tube was his entire brain. Just one tube! Wow! Not 5 or 6 or a whole chassis!
That’s what happens when you spell robot backwards.
Summer.
Glau.
And Kristanna Loken. (T-X in T3)
Cybernauts from the Avengers (no, not the 21st century waste of human effort.)
Of course, Daleks.
You mentioned Daleks but no Cybermen.
One of the stupidest robots was Brian The Brain in Space 1999. That episode is cringe worthy and lame.
Daleks are not robots.
it’s a Mutant in a Tank..
and Cybermen are not robots either.. they’re Cyborgs.. (there’s at the very least a meat brain in there…)
Minor correction: “Commando Cody”. “Commander Cody” is the musician. (Video gets it right.)
Argh. Finger memory…
Al, you’re gonna drive me to drinkin’.
and here I was, anticipating some really catchy theme song. :)
VinCENT and BoB from The Black Hole are my favorites.
Speaking of lesser known robots, how about my childhood favorite movie? Heartbeeps! Badly done comedy about 2 robots in love who fled repair facility. Yes it was awful movie for the adults but I was a kid and in love with electronics when the movie came on TV in early 1980s
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heartbeeps
This makes me realize that KITT was a robot.
As was K.A.R.R. (Knight Automated Roving Robot)
A supposed pre-KITT prototype (e.g. KITTs evil twin).
Was HAL9000 a robot in that case? It’s almost like KITT, KARR and HOFF just not a car but space ship.
Then there is the Worst Robot Ever, from 1953! Tales of Tomorrow “Read to Me, Herr Doktor” had a robot that looked is if it were cardboard (and probably was) which had had water dumped on it 5 minutes before the live broadcast! The robot’s puppeteer is unknown- I wouldn’t put it on my resume either!
I don’t even know the movie though it is British, the robot’s name is John and he sacrifices himself to carry someone through hot lava to safety.
Short-Circuit
https://www.roboticsthroughsciencefiction.com/single-post/2018/06/04/Short-Circuit-1986-Johnny-5-is-still-alive
Stepford Wives
Was there some kind of wishful thinking?
If we’re going to go outside the OP’s parameters…..
Robert The Robot (puppet) – Fireball XL5
Alicia – Twilight Zone (The Lonely episode) she was beautiful but
not a mechanoid looking robot
The Boxer – Twilight Zone (Steel episode) human as a robot
Adam – The Outer Limits (I, Robot episode)
TWIKI and Chrichton – Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
K9 – Dr. Who
V.I.C.K.I. – Small Wonder TV show (little girl playing a robot)
RHODA – My Living Doll TV show (robot played by sexy Ursula
Andress…hot !) and yes I am old.
Gog and Magog
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xx961KlJcww