A History of Robot Design in Film
"The Automation" from The Master Mystery, 1920. Perhaps the first robot on film even though it turns out to be a madman in a suit. Starred Harry Houdini.
The "Maria" Robot from Metropolis, 1927. Remains perhaps the best robot design still.
(Above) The Phantom Empire, 1935.
(Right) The Undersea Kingdom, 1936.
The Phantom Creeps, 1939. Like the two above, Phantom Creeps was a serial of twelve weekly chapters. Bela Lugosi controlled his robot by way of a remote strapped to his arm. Mad scientist liked heavy handed robots and audiences too so the robot from Undersea became a bigger smash when it reappeard in The Mysterious Dr Satan, 1940.
Gort from The Day the Earth Stood Still, 1951. He could turn the earth into a burnt out cinder.
The Robot Monster from Robot Monster, 1953. Yes, it's a gorilla suit with a TV for a head.
Gog from Gog, 1954. Ivan Tors was trying to take robot design seriously.
In Devil Gril from Mars, 1954 and Target Earth, 1954, we were under threat from fridges.
Tobor from Tobor the Great, 1954, had a way with kids.
But Robbie the Robot from Forbidden Planet, 1956, had a way with the ladies.
And Robbie remains the quintessential movie robot to this day. Say bye Robbie.
(End of Part One)
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