I met Walter Pidgeon when he came into the restaurant I was working at. I approached him and asked if he was who I thought he was. He said yes, but don't tell anyone. Later, as he paid his bill, he gave me his autograph. Unfortunately it got lost many years ago. Broke my heart.
Saw this movie in a theater in Norfolk VA called the Granby. They were a revival art cinema, and they took requests for movies. I put Forbidden Planet, and a month later they showed it! You must see it on the large screen.
Best insight you gave was that the plot came from the Tempest. Even as a kid watching it with my brothers back in the 60s on Saturday creature features, we realized that the story was a few notches above the usual rubber monster genre. We didn't get a color TV until 1969 and then we could really appreciate it. I would pay money to see this is a big screen theater with decent sound if the opportunity was afforded. Nice backstory you gave here.
I saw (again) Forbidden Planet at a retro movie theater (gimungous screen, concert volume speakers) during the 1980s and was blown away that it was made the year I was born. The ventilation shaft scene on that huge screen literally made me gasp. I can hardly express how much I love this film, so thank you so much for this vid, Dan.
@@SeaMale I think it was called the Nuart in Santa Monica, Ca. I would go every few weeks. They play lots of classics. And there is NOTHING like a giant screen and concert volume. Don't know if they're still around, but I doubt it. Edited in: It's still there and rockin '. Google Landmark Nuart Theatre West Los Angeles and see what they're up to.
Thank you for doing a “What Happened to…” on Forbidden Planet. Forbidden Planet is one of, if not the best, science fiction movies ever made. I had to honor of meeting Richard Anderson a number of years ago. It was at a nostalgia con in Maryland. Most people were there to see him because of The Six Million Dollar Man. Mr. Anderson was overwhelmed when I asked him to sign my Forbidden Plant poster. I don’t think he was expecting anyone to recognize him for his part in the film. Mr. Anderson talked to me at length about his memories and experiences in making Forbidden Planet. We were talking for so long that his assistants had to interrupt and remind Mr. Anderson that there was a lengthy line. Great memories.
I guess he got forgotten a lot because his quasi-background character was the first to fall victim to the id monster only about halfway through the film but, as far as I'm concerned, he was the model for that later engineering genius "miracle worker", Montgomery Scott of the Federation starship Enterprise, who could also, if necessary, violate the laws of physics....as long as he didn't "stop for lunch." Sounds like you made his day by remembering his role in FP. 👍🖖
Saw the original showing in 1956 as a 6 yr old. Needless to say, it had a really big impact on me! At the time, a cereal maker had a promotional movie ticket on the back of the box. I bugged my mom to go until she finally gave in. Imagine sending your 6 yr old alone to this movie. Don't think my Mom would have appreciated the movie - Ha.
On a rainy early 1956 Summer Saturday while being dragged through a department store in Toledo, Ohio, with my Mom and younger brother, I found out that my parents were taking me to a surprise birthday present. Having never given my parents much credit for imagination, I didn't expect anything monumental. That thought went out the window as my Dad drove up to the downtown theater advertising a movie called "Forbidden Planet." Although I had no knowledge of the movie beforehand, I had an inkling that something MONUMENTAL was about to happen. For the next hour and 38 minutes I was spellbound by the most amazing experience I had ever had. To this day, I can remember so much about the movie, my astonishment, and the massive excitement I felt, not only that day but 68 years later. Dan Monroe has done a wonderful job explaining the background of the movie and rekindling my profound appreciation of this amazing film.
How could anyone not love this movie! Way ahead of its time. Robbie told the cart riders to fasten their seat belts. How many cars had seatbelts in those days? Anne Francis' mini-skirts before they were even a thing. Special force fields to handle accelerations and decelerations to and from faster than light speed. The idea of a super-civilization with tremendous power that destroyed itself with a fatal flaw.
Dan, This is one of your best video essays to date. It's obvious how much you love this movie even to the point of throwing shade at a Harryhausen movie like _Earth Vs the Flying Saucers._ You had some incredible background in this one for sure. And starting by casually dropping that Cinefantastique is coming back!!!! How Cool Is That!
Thank you for covering this classic gem. I hope they never do a 'remake' of it. It stands perfectly on its own through time. Done with intelligence. Time and time again, it was the public protesting of the diehard fans of this film that has stopped it from being re-made
I'm so overjoyed that the studio decided to make this movie and thereby helped it become a uniquely significant piece of cinematic art. It is a masterpiece and the gold standard for plot, special effects, acting, incredible design, incredible prop design-with of course, Robbie the Robot forever blowing our minds, Advanced psycho philosophical considerations and hi last but not least - introducing sexy space encounters. In an all around, all inclusive critique, for me, this is a model for all science fiction movies to aspire to. And I'm pretty sure a lot of them have been trying to do precisely that. The music for this film stands alone. It was not only ahead of its time, it has never been equaled in any kind of way - before or since.
Forbidden Planet really is the best science fiction movie of all time just because of the influence it had on the evolution of the entire genre. The special effects were also way ahead of their time. Love it, love it, love it.
Dore Schary was the head of MGM Studios at the time Forbidden Planet was made. He really liked the screen play and as the saying goes green lit the picture. When the cost of building sets was exceeding the budget Schary okayed extra funding. He would take time during the day to go and observe the work being done.
I have alway considered it among the greatest S-F movies ever. Better than the first (any, really) Star Wars films, because it wasn't just "a fast paced romp". It has depth, something for the viewer to really ponder. It wasn't a western set in space, e,g, Star Wars. There wasn't even a "bad guy". Just a caring father with too much power. I remember watching it as a teen on Sat afternoon "Sci-fi Theater" in the mid 70s. Whenever asked to describe the film, I have, and will continue, said "A film concept so great that even Hollywood couldn't Eff it up."
I own _Forbidden Planet_ on DVD, and watch it at least once a year. As someone who was alive in the '50s and '60s, Robbie makes lots of clicking "relay" sounds ... because that _was_ the state of the art back then.
I saw Forbidden Planet 1955 at the United Artists theater in Pomona Ca. I was 13 and a ticket was 25 cents. I went back and saw it two more times. One viewing was definitely note enough. I later bought a VHS and then DVD and BlueRay. It's a mind blowing film on so many levels. Thanks for splendid run down of this masterpiece.
I've watch many videos over the years about The Forbidden Plant, and will say at this point, you have excelled yourself this time Dan. It's easy enough to put out a video, but few seldom achieve what you have done here. Your actual enthusiasm for this, and other movies you bring to life, allows you to go much deeper in the search for those gems of information many never find. The Forbidden Plant paved the way for Sci-Fi. There is a bit of Forbidden Planet in most movies since. At the time it was made it could not achieve the notoriety is deserved, as there was nothing to compare it with, and to be honest, it still stands toe to toe with many later movies. Yes, effects have progressed, but at that time the effect in Forbidden Planet were ground breaking. Robbie is the Robot all other aspire to be, alas they will never achieve. Marvin Mueller, or as he became known, Marvin Miller, lent his talents to voice Robbie. Although not a robot, James Earl Jones voiced Darth Vader. Both of these voices helped elevate these characters. So thank you Dan, this video is worthy of inclusion on the proposed 4k release.......................of which I do hold slight reservation. I say this as some movies just look better in a lesser resolution. Hopefully the 4k won't look too clinical.
Re the Barron’s “tonalities” credit: it wasn’t so much the studio that gave the couple that unique credit, it was the musicians’ guild/union that demanded it because the established artists they represented did not accept that what the Barrons created as a soundtrack qualified as music. MGM was bound by the terms of their union contracts in this circumstance, and it was the union that defined what was, also apparently what was not, music.
Enjoyed? This review was an outstanding tribute to my fav Sci-Fi epic! I thought I knew Forbidden Planet till I watched this, thank you. A couple of things..being born in 1955 Australia I was too young to see the first cinema release, but did catch it on Sunday afternoon TV in my youth where the Krell monster appearance in the beams was cut (too horrific?). Around 1985 a special cinema showing was the first time I saw the Krell beam scene complete...amazing! Great news on Cinefantastic..I have the first Forbidden Planet edition, never knew that there was a part 2😣, but I did buy "The Saucer Fleet" by Jack Hagerty and Jon Rogers which has some amazing plans and production information you didn't cover. My only criticism of the film was the bad editing and cuts in parts. Why did they remove the scene where the Chiefs personal effects are put into the envelope by Cmdr Adams, yet this led directly into the scene of the Id foot cast which remained in the film and I always wondered (before the book) what happened prior the cast scene due to the bad edit. It also covers unused dialogue in the Krell "furnace" scene, where Morbius can't explain why the machine was built (after talking about the ship coming from deep space), which would have enhanced the film story. Never noticed the Krell monster having Morbius" goatee however, could the rest of the Id form be based on the Krell physical appearance, considering the monster was created by the Krell tech and initial thoughts? Was there any conception art done of the Krell appearance for the film, as was done for the Cruiser, Robey etc? One last thing you omitted was the props that were recycled for the the Eloi Museum (?) in Pal's "The Time Machine". When Rod Taylor walks in there are a couple of recognisable items stored there. Finally, you included a few production stills of the wedding scene, which were never in the completed film, a good decision. Thanks again for this review.
Wow! Great episode about a great movie. I am 72 years old. My elementary school PTA had a summer matinee series of second run movies. The movies were on Wednesday afternoons and the whole series cost $1.25 for 10 movies! It was unbelievable! Of course the theater made money on concessions for all the kids. Forbidden Planet was one of the movies included. I’m not sure of the year that I first saw it, but it made an impression on me! It was mentioned in the episode that the audience’s imagination made the movie what it was. Very true. My favorite use of imagination was the conversation between Anne Francis and Robbie about a new dress Anne wanted for a party. Robbie ask her if she wanted the dress to be radiation proof and she replies, “No. Just eye proof.” That got a lot of 8-12 year old boy’s imagination going! Thanks for a lot of memories about growing up wanting to travel on a Star Cruiser!
June 2024 - I’ve been waiting over 50 years for a proper sensible review of the groundbreaking movie, “Forbidden Planet.” It’s extremely disappointing to hear it was thought of as kids entertainment. And panned or minimized by some film critics. In 2024, I have a framed poster of Robbie the Robot in my workshop. With General AI interest these days, the behavior of that Robot back then correctly modeled what we might see in a home robot in 2035 or sooner. Continue to sing praises of that movie production. Especially the soundtrack “tonalities” made by a husband & wife team with oscillators and tape recorders. Connecting the story plot to the psychological “ID”?!! Genius!! (I didn’t even know I had an ID! (Haha!). Thanks again for finally a well balanced GREAT review! ~ D. Boyer, Rochester New York.
Excellent and thank you very much for this wonderful video. I'm 75 and have always considered Forbidden Planet the best of all Si Fi no computer fakes .
Thank you, Dan! You cemented your place in my heart and my youtube favorites by introducing FP as the all time greatest sci-fi movie in cinematic history!
Forbidden Planet is my absolute favorite sci-fi movie. I loved Robbie the robot. The special effects were awesome too for that era. Thank you for posting this video!!!!!
i read a story about how Louis B. Meyer got use of Joshua Meador from Disney, Louie wasn't satisfied with the animation efforts of MGMs on studio so he asked Disney for use of their animators, Walt wrote back reminding Meyer they are PROFESSIONAL COMPETATORS so forget it! Louie sent a copy of the Forbidden Planet script knowing Walt LOVED Sci-fi! Sometime later Joshua showed up in front of MGMs gates and the rest is history!
I wish I could give this five thumbs up! Thanks for the news of Cinefantastique and a 4K release of the movie. I first bought this in an anniversary tin on DVD and then blu-ray. Would have loved to have had Criterions' version. The 4K should be incredible if done right!
Forbidden Planet is my all time favorite classic sci fi movie. I sometimes rent it again to see if I can catch a new nugget of wisdom or detail that I might have missed previously. It's amazing that Robby sold for five times what the entire production was budgeted for in the 50s. Those sets were amazing considering that had to do everything with real props and models, rather than CGI and digital effects.
100% agree with @jose. Just think of the tornados in Wizard of Oz, and so many others ... ALL without CGI. I don't think young people can really appreciate it.
The reason your coming up on 100K is the awesome content! Thank you for all your hard work providing us such great entertainment, these videos sure brings back memories I forgot.
@@melindahall5062 you must be a woman, which means you are genetically predisposed to hate all other women. Especially when they are more attractive than you. Unless you are trans, in which case you just hate all women.
Indeed. Anne Francis, in her miniskirt, with that sweet baby face, was absolutely stunning. She is one of my favorite parts of this movie, if not THE favorite. 🥰
One of if not the greatest sci-fi movie ever. The special effects were tremendous for the 1950's that still hold up today. I heard that someone is considering making a remake of this movie. PLEASE DON'T. Hollywood already ruined the remakes of war of the worlds and the Day the earth stood still.
The first time I watched this movie, I was mesmerized by how good it looked. Robbie the Robot was a huge "Selling Point". The second time I watched it, Anne Francis, caught my attention. She was so beautiful, but playing a part that was so innocent. I love your Channel, you're doing a great job.
I have the Criterion laserdisc but I also own something I think is rarer - an LP vinyl of the soundtrack autographed by Louis and Bebe Barron. It was offered in limited numbers in the late 70s. The release of the soundtrack was delayed for over 20 years by copyright and definition issues (was it music or not). I also have built an illuminated model of the C57D and several Robbys.
Loved the movie, while released in March of 1956, I was living in Australia and I'm not sure when it was shown here, but I was perhaps 10 or 11 at the time. Watching it today through the eyes of an adult makes it seem like I saw a different movie way back then. My cousin played the part of Gloria in an English production of Return to Forbidden Planet sometime in the 1990's, I was lucky enough to get a VHS copy of it from my Aunt.
I've thought for years that revisiting the Forbidden Planet universe would have been a lot of fun. In today's environment, I'm really glad that nobody has gone there.
You aren't the only appreciator of Laser Disc, good sir. I still have a working player and a collection of around 45 movies for it. I have to put War of the Worlds as my favorite 1950s sci-fi, but this is a very close second.
The big flaw of the Laserdisc format was that it could only play one hour on each side. I had a Laserdisc with Forbidden Planet and you had to flip it to continue watching the movie. As far as I know they never had a Laserdisc unit that 2 lasers so that you didn't have to do that flip. The picture quality was on a par with DVD's later on.
My wife worked as one of the producers at The Voyager Company, which partnered with Janus Films to found The Criterion Collection. We still have a collection of Criterion laserdiscs and a player, somewhere in the basement. One of the contributors to Voyager's work was the electronic music composer, Morton Subotnick, and my wife produced a number of his works, first published on the new CD-Rom platform. At a party at Mort's house, he introduced us to Bebe Barron. I did see the film during its first run at the age of 6, and it left me with a lifetime fascination with robots. I will add that I saw "Gog", from 1954, which introduced us to both killer robots and to secret underground laboratories. Another great film.
My all time favorite sci-fi classic movie! Had my 8 year old son watch it and he absolutely loved it! Was greating seeing him get excited over it the way I did when I was a kid when i watched it for the firs time. Robby the Robot was his favorite and he still talks about him all the time.
What a great retrospective on an awesome piece of cinematic history. Well done. Thank goodness that this historic treasure was never subjected to the horrors of reboots, remakes and revivals.
Thanks Dan that was a great half hour spent reminiscing about this wonderful movie. I think I have seen every docco about FP ever made but yours, as usual, was outstanding. Your inner 10 year old makes mine very happy.
I watched this as a youngster and liked it for Robbie. But when I later watched it as an adult I thought I was just watching out of nostalgia. But when I realized the true plot, and especially the ending, I was blown away. A movie FAR ahead of its time.
The starship was almost as iconic as Robby. That vessel showed up in multiple episodes of The Twilight Zone, was used several times in lesser sci-fi movies.
Saw this in Culver City theater in 1956 and fell in love with Anne Francis! Love the picture and have watched it many times. Also loved The Day the Earth Stood Still. Great robot in that too!
A real bumper video treat, Dan, many thanks. So glad Forbidden Planet has never been given the remake treatment. Its a standalone piece of cinematic art that needs to remain as is. Fun fact (if I'm right), some of Morbius' garden with Altaira and Cmdr. Adams scenes re-used plants, trees and structural props from Munckinland from 'The Wizard of Oz'. Thanks, once again.
The bit I love is that the "electronic tonalities" came out of a dispute with the musicians union. Something to do with the fact that the movie didn't need musicians.
1956 - a very, very good year. My two absolute favorite movies of all time came out that year. Forbidden Planet, of course, but also The Searchers with John Wayne. Besides great storytelling, both had subtle but terrific humor. And not a single f bomb in either!
My dad was a big fan of Forbidden Planet and took me to see it. I have watched it on tv quite a few times. I noticed that this film also starred lesser known actors at that time such as Jack Kelly, Earl Holliman, Warren Stevens, James Drury, and Richard Anderson. These sets were incredible and way ahead of their time along with the fantastic music. I appreciate you sharing all of this information about Forbidden Planet. I can't wait to see the 4K version. Thank you for the video.
Hey Dan... you are my new hero. Thanks for all that you do to help us to time travel back into our past. Keep it coming... I so look forward to what is next. Thanks, Scotty from Monterey!
This is my favorite SciFi from my childhood. I have 4 copies, VHS, DVD, DVD 50th Anniversary and Blu-ray. Cool how they made back multiple times the cost of the movie selling the props.
Forbidden Planet was, and will always be, a masterpiece. Ahead of its time in every respect, and a template for so many films and series to come, not least of which was Startrek. I've seen the British stage production (Return to the Forbidden Planet) in person. It uses Shakespearian dialog and includes the line of dialogue: 'Two pings or not two pings, that is the question". The stage show was superb and while clearly a spoof of the original film, it was also very much a loving spoof. Reminiscent, in that respect, of Galaxy Quest. The next truly great sci-fi film that followed, 12 years later in 1968, was 2001 A Space Odyssey. Space Odyssey was so outstanding that IBM, riding a wave of success at the time, arranged for a private showing, in-house, of the film for employees of the Havant, Hampshire plant. Of course, I was there.
The invisible monster from the ID scared the crap out of me as a 5 year old who snuck down from bed to sneak watch it without my parents knowing. Many lost nights of sleep !
I've seen both movies, and I can definitely say that "Forbidden Planet" is a vastly superior film than "Earth vs. the Flying Saucers", in pretty much every way (story, characters, visuals, music, etc.). I watch "Forbidden Planet" probably 2 or 3 times a year; on the other hand, I've seen "Earth vs. the Flying Saucers" exactly once, and that was more than enough.
I was the colorist for the MGM/UA Laserdisc letterbox release of Forbidden Planet. I also was the colorist for the letterbox laserdisc version of 2001:A Space Odyssey and Brainstorm.
FP was released when I was 4 years old. Needless to say, I didn't see it on its initial release. But thanks to movies fueled by it, my later youthful film experiences were filled with the likes of Jack Arnold's monster/alien adventures which I loved. The home video explosion of the late 1960s/70s finally introduced me to this staggering masterpiece. Thank you for your fine appreciation video.
I'm typing this right after you listed all the firsts of this movie, so if someone has mentioned this already, or you mention it later in the video, forgive me. Forbidden Planet was also the first movie to have an entire soundtrack composed of electronic synthesized music and effects. Yet another cool first. Without this movie, Star Trek never would have existed. Also, a lot of the props and costumes from the movie ended up being reused in other later science fiction movies of the era.
One of my all time favorite movies Dan!!! What a great deep dive..and......I totally agree with your "thank the Krell for no remakes!" It seems whenever Hollywood runs out of imagination, they do remakes...which mostly are awful. Too many remakes these days and I'm so thankful they haven't touched Forbidden Planet. I prey they never do, just leave well enough alone.
The movie had a srong effect on me. About 20 years later I turned on the radio and heard : bang, bang,bang! I said to myself:"that sounds like the house security barriers going into place on the forbidden planet!". Lo and behold the radio station was actually running a doco on the film.
I first watched Forbidden Planet on a black and white tube TV at the age of twelve, and it made me a lifelong Sifi film fan. I doubt I am alone in saying, it's up there with 2001 and Blade Runner. Sadly, I have seen the stage musical 'Return to Forbidden Planet'. My only defence is the ticket was free.
I saw this as a child , on TV probably around 1960 or so. It haunted me then, and it haunts me to this day. I missed the Freudian aspects then, but on rewatching it years later finally understood not only the ID issues, but the Oedipus Complex issues that caused the monster to be created in the first place. How did they ever get away with that in 1955? Great review, thanks
I watched this back on TV in 1966. I was 12. It blew my nmind, especially the Kril World. Stan Lee admitted he got the Kree from Kril of this movie. I watched it in B and W first time. Then, in 1970s I got to watch it in full color and my mind was more fully blown.
Dan Monroe has done such a great service here in commemorating one of the best original science-fiction movies ever made. The detail that he has shown and the research that he has done to make this video is much appreciated. I am very fortunate to have seen this movie when it was first released. I saw it at my local theater in Marysville California in the spring of 1956. I loved reading science fiction books back then and I took the movie very seriously. It did not disappoint me. With a great cast and fantastic movie sets and props, it was a great experience to witness on the big screen.
Hey george, thank you so much for the incredibly kind words and support, much appreciated. How cool is it that you got to see this in theaters in 1956? That is so awesome.
Totally GREAT video, Dan -- thank you! If you would allow me to nit pick just a bit, I would mention that before FORBIDDEN PLANET there was indeed another great Sci-Fi film that broke the mold of all Hollywood sci-fi films to day, and that was the incredible classic, THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL. This Robert Wise forey into the sci-fi genre marked the very first time the audience was asked to think seriously about the film's themes. Granted, while it was not the technical marvel of FP (it was filmed in black & white with mono sound with none of the technical advances available to the crew of FP), it certainly was the first serious "thinking persons" Sci-Fi film that took itself very seriously. The robot, Gort, has none of the humor or personality of Robby, but, in my mind, that gives Gort a lot more gravitas than FP. Gort was scary! Even as a kid, I remember being excited about another sci-fi movie with a robot, but hen after seeing FP, I thought this robot is more of a joke that an imposing presence. Even its name, "Robby" was too juvenile for such an advanced machine that had it's own personality and seemed to be sentient. And unlike Gort in TDTESS, Robby posed no dangerous. He was more like a big toy -- and quite silly at that -- rather than an imposing machine. One other point if you would allow: The soundtrack of FB does NOT have a stereophone soundtrack mix; it is an ersatz/pseudo "stereo" system called Perspecta Sound. Basically it was a way of taking a monophonic soundtrack recording and steering that mono signal and placing it anywhere from one side of the screen to the other. It did add directionality to the audio mix, but unlike 20th Cen Fox's CinemaScope system which did have true, 4 channel stereo (Left, Center, Right plus Surround) which gave it a real spacial/binaural quality, Perspecta Sound simply steered the mono signal around the screen but had no spatial component; it was always remained mono sound, albeit emanating from various locations on the screen. Perspect Sound did not have a surround channel; in the industry it was nicknamed, "the poor man's stereo."
I saw Return to the Forbidden Planet twice. The dialogue was mostly lifted from Shakespeare, though not exclusively the tempest: "beware the ids that march!" was a particularly memorable line. The songs were all classic 60s rock 'n' roll. The set was the bridge of the starship, on two levels, with amazing blocking (actors moving around the set to maximum dramatic effect) and in those days before the flesh-coloured headset microphones the producer clearly didn't want the cast holding microphones the whole time, so a huge amount of effort went into choreographing which performers had the mics at any time, with supporting cast often passing, or simply holding the microphones with precision timing. There was a sub-plot of a love triangle between the captain, Miranda, and the ship's cook, resulting in a memorable performance of She's Not There.
This is one of the best science fiction movies off all time,Dan.For a movie that was made in the 1950s,it was so far ahead of it's time as far as the visuals,special effects and the music.This will always be one of my favorite movies.
Straczynski’s Forbidden Planet treatment has been online for years. I read after the script was leaked the first time, he made enough changes to it so it wouldn’t be spoiled… then that was leaked too. I don’t know why it was abandoned or if there will ever be a remake of the movie
Dan, when one makes note of the high quality of each of the unusual or original ideas in editing, photography, sound, story, sets, special effects (including Robby & the Id Monster), and excellent acting, without one aspect detracting from the others, it is a bit mind-boggling. It became a seamless, realistic, superior, Sci-Fi movie that was, by any estimation, twenty years ahead of its time. Amazing. I was a Junior in High School in 1955 and I am a Sci-Fi movie fan, so I think my judgement is sound. Oh, by the way, I have a studio photo of Anne Francis and Robby that pops up on my Monitor Screen Saver daily. Thanks for taking us on this excellent journey back in time. Cheers.
@16:31 I was there at the Beauty Parade in Las Vegas Nevada in 1956. It was during the Helldorado celebration that happened each year in Las Vegas. I had seen the movie as a child and absolutely thrilled to see Robbie the Robot. During the scene of the ID monster in the force field I was holding tight to the arms of the theater chair. Still love to see the movie every so often on TCM.
This Island Earth also featured faster than light travel to another planet in another solar system. It was released a year before Forbidden Planet and they were both in color. I consider them to be the two best science fiction movies of the 1950s.
I dont see the editor as saving the movie with "maintence" editing. He and the Studio gutted the heart of this film. Those bits that were snipped from certain scenes explored the idea of discovering other life in the Universe and the impact it would have on our civilization and beliefs. These concepts worried the Suits & Censors. To me, this movie would have had a much *deeper impact* if those conversations had been left in.
This is the second time I have seen your critique of Forbidden Planet and I had thought I had already answered and after searching the following comments for 10, 15 minutes, I could not find it, so here I go again! Am now 80 and saw the movie in my hometown theater, Liberty Theater in Chester, Montana, small town of under 1,000 people, just after it was released in 1956. I bought the 50th Year Anniversary DVD which also had the Invisible Boy, and since Robby was a favorite SF character, I watch them both! This has gone on long enough so I'll close by saying when they showed the ID Monster, I could not look, it was the scariest monster I had ever seen since the one in ALIEN, which I have seen only once. But I favorite scene was when Morbius showed them touring the inside if the Krill planet! You mentioned Roddenberry in the video, and it is interesting to hear him say how it influenced Star Trek. And yet in the original series robots were not seen! Another thing, where do you think he got the idea for the 'dresses' from Trek, the ones wore by Ann Francis! I look forward for your other videos.
Babylon 5 borrowed a bit from that tour of the Krell machine when they showed the interior of Epsilon 3. I think that machine was much bigger than 20 miles on each side, though. "Look down, are you afraid?"
Hey Mike, didn't you and I have a nice discourse on the OL Man who was never born? I can't believe you never saw Serenity (based on the Firefly TV show). BTW Miranda was a planet, not a person. Miranda was where the Reavers massacred everybody. Reavers were bad guys. Very bad guys.
@@kronos5385 We must have, “The Outer Limits” and especially the episode you cited never seem to be far from my mind and now and then I weigh in with commentary. Thanks for the additional insights on “Serenity”, I will be sure to explore further. I have a tendency to be stuck in the past and my musings on more recent fare is quite scant, ha.
So it turns out the sale of Robbie the Robot earned several times more than the box office total of the actual film? That’s so funny and sad at the same time.
I was truly fortunate to have seen the re-release in 1972 at our local theater. The owner ran the original news reels and previews (which he had kept warehoused ) along with the movie. That day still stands as a defining moment of my life. I really appreciate your treatment of the movie, your enthusiasm and factual knowledge has certainly made me a permanent fan of your channel! Thank you again.
Dan, Too bad Disney doesn't know how to leave stuff alone, especially since it is totally lacking in creativity:( I saw Forbidden Planet on the big screen, I also saw Destination Moon, War of the Worlds and many other early greats, ah nostalgia. Cheers, Rik Spector
Same here, Rik, regarding seeing the original release on the Big Screen. Same sentiments, too. You mentioned the classics, which were great. Rich in imagination, story development and even the special effects and music, which considered avant garde at the time. Now, I am thinking of the B movies like "Invaders From Mars" and "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" . Today, they do not seem so far fetched at all.
@@anthonykurczewski8384 you naiked it! I wasn't sure you could get back to me, you have got si many Viewers now, of course that's great! I,ve a sc fi reader a movie buff since I was child in the forties and fifties. Cheers, Frederick "Rik"Spector
As always, a very informative exposition of one of the most influential sci-fi movies in the past 100 years! This is one of those movies you can watch over and over again and never get tired of it. Dan, may I suggest a video on Michael Mann's, The Keep and perhaps a video on the original Invaders from Mars. Be well...
I got tired of it. It's quite dated by today's standards, and it's also very predictable. Even as a kid I figured it out well before the reveal. Pretty basic psychology driven based film.
It was the greatest sci fi movie ever made. i saw it when I was 9 and I have never, and never will forget the experience. the electronic music was something I had never heard before and was perfect. it was all perfect.
Forbibben Planet was the flag ship quality movie that not only sify fans, but the curious bright movie audience craved. In addition, the success of F. Planet helped convince MGM to finance Stanley Kubricks 2001: A Space Odyssey. Also the cast was superb, with a gorgeous hot babe like Anne Francis, that I fell in love with.
This and Disney's 1954 "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" are my two "go to" popcorn movies I watch on Saturday nights.
20,000 Leagues... is another great one. So many great science fiction films in the 1950s, picking just three best is an impossible task.
Dude! I just watched 20,000 Leagues under the sea last night!
Leslie Nielsen was the GOAT as Captain Adams. You never would've gotten Captain Kirk without him.
🙏 amen!
I watched Disney's "20,000 Leagues" just yesterday. Excellent movie, Disney's finest ever.
I met Walter Pidgeon when he came into the restaurant I was working at. I approached him and asked if he was who I thought he was. He said yes, but don't tell anyone. Later, as he paid his bill, he gave me his autograph. Unfortunately it got lost many years ago. Broke my heart.
Met him on the fly?
Saw this movie in a theater in Norfolk VA called the Granby. They were a revival art cinema, and they took requests for movies. I put Forbidden Planet, and a month later they showed it!
You must see it on the large screen.
Totally agree. Saw it at the Egyptian theatre in Hollywood. What a treat!
I saw Forbidden Planet in 1956 when I was 10 years old. It so moved me that Sci-Fi has been my favorite genre for the rest of my life.
Me too. I was 12 then and was like, "Holy Cow!" The monster from the ID scared the poop outa me.
Best insight you gave was that the plot came from the Tempest. Even as a kid watching it with my brothers back in the 60s on Saturday creature features, we realized that the story was a few notches above the usual rubber monster genre. We didn't get a color TV until 1969 and then we could really appreciate it. I would pay money to see this is a big screen theater with decent sound if the opportunity was afforded. Nice backstory you gave here.
I saw (again) Forbidden Planet at a retro movie theater (gimungous screen, concert volume speakers) during the 1980s and was blown away that it was made the year I was born. The ventilation shaft scene on that huge screen literally made me gasp. I can hardly express how much I love this film, so thank you so much for this vid, Dan.
You lucky dog!!!! I wish I could have seen this movie in a theater.
@@SeaMale I think it was called the Nuart in Santa Monica, Ca. I would go every few weeks. They play lots of classics. And there is NOTHING like a giant screen and concert volume. Don't know if they're still around, but I doubt it.
Edited in: It's still there and rockin '. Google Landmark Nuart Theatre West Los Angeles and see what they're up to.
Looks like a great little theater. Would love to see Rocky Horror Picture Show as well as Little Shop Of Horrors, two really fun musicals!
Thank you for doing a “What Happened to…” on Forbidden Planet. Forbidden Planet is one of, if not the best, science fiction movies ever made. I had to honor of meeting Richard Anderson a number of years ago. It was at a nostalgia con in Maryland. Most people were there to see him because of The Six Million Dollar Man. Mr. Anderson was overwhelmed when I asked him to sign my Forbidden Plant poster. I don’t think he was expecting anyone to recognize him for his part in the film. Mr. Anderson talked to me at length about his memories and experiences in making Forbidden Planet. We were talking for so long that his assistants had to interrupt and remind Mr. Anderson that there was a lengthy line. Great memories.
I guess he got forgotten a lot because his quasi-background character was the first to fall victim to the id monster only about halfway through the film but, as far as I'm concerned, he was the model for that later engineering genius "miracle worker", Montgomery Scott of the Federation starship Enterprise, who could also, if necessary, violate the laws of physics....as long as he didn't "stop for lunch."
Sounds like you made his day by remembering his role in FP. 👍🖖
Saw the original showing in 1956 as a 6 yr old. Needless to say, it had a really big impact on me! At the time, a cereal maker had a promotional movie ticket on the back of the box. I bugged my mom to go until she finally gave in. Imagine sending your 6 yr old alone to this movie. Don't think my Mom would have appreciated the movie - Ha.
On a rainy early 1956 Summer Saturday while being dragged through a department store in Toledo, Ohio, with my Mom and younger brother, I found out that my parents were taking me to a surprise birthday present. Having never given my parents much credit for imagination, I didn't expect anything monumental. That thought went out the window as my Dad drove up to the downtown theater advertising a movie called "Forbidden Planet." Although I had no knowledge of the movie beforehand, I had an inkling that something MONUMENTAL was about to happen. For the next hour and 38 minutes I was spellbound by the most amazing experience I had ever had. To this day, I can remember so much about the movie, my astonishment, and the massive excitement I felt, not only that day but 68 years later. Dan Monroe has done a wonderful job explaining the background of the movie and rekindling my profound appreciation of this amazing film.
How could anyone not love this movie! Way ahead of its time. Robbie told the cart riders to fasten their seat belts. How many cars had seatbelts in those days? Anne Francis' mini-skirts before they were even a thing. Special force fields to handle accelerations and decelerations to and from faster than light speed. The idea of a super-civilization with tremendous power that destroyed itself with a fatal flaw.
You've heard the term "comfort food?" This movie is the equivalent of that. A true classic that never gets old.Thank you Dan!
I totally agree:-) I probably watch it every couple of months religiously
Dan, This is one of your best video essays to date. It's obvious how much you love this movie even to the point of throwing shade at a Harryhausen movie like _Earth Vs the Flying Saucers._ You had some incredible background in this one for sure. And starting by casually dropping that Cinefantastique is coming back!!!! How Cool Is That!
Truly one of the few movies of that time that would still hold up today
Thank you for covering this classic gem. I hope they never do a 'remake' of it. It stands perfectly on its own through time. Done with intelligence. Time and time again, it was the public protesting of the diehard fans of this film that has stopped it from being re-made
I'm so overjoyed that the studio decided to make this movie and thereby helped it become a uniquely significant piece of cinematic art. It is a masterpiece and the gold standard for plot, special effects, acting, incredible design, incredible prop design-with of course, Robbie the Robot forever blowing our minds, Advanced psycho philosophical considerations and hi last but not least - introducing sexy space encounters. In an all around, all inclusive critique, for me, this is a model for all science fiction movies to aspire to. And I'm pretty sure a lot of them have been trying to do precisely that. The music for this film stands alone. It was not only ahead of its time, it has never been equaled in any kind of way - before or since.
Forbidden Planet really is the best science fiction movie of all time just because of the influence it had on the evolution of the entire genre. The special effects were also way ahead of their time. Love it, love it, love it.
Dore Schary was the head of MGM Studios at the time Forbidden Planet was made. He really liked the screen play and as the saying goes green lit the picture. When the cost of building sets was exceeding the budget Schary okayed extra funding. He would take time during the day to go and observe the work being done.
I have alway considered it among the greatest S-F movies ever. Better than the first (any, really) Star Wars films, because it wasn't just "a fast paced romp". It has depth, something for the viewer to really ponder. It wasn't a western set in space, e,g, Star Wars. There wasn't even a "bad guy". Just a caring father with too much power.
I remember watching it as a teen on Sat afternoon "Sci-fi Theater" in the mid 70s. Whenever asked to describe the film, I have, and will continue, said "A film concept so great that even Hollywood couldn't Eff it up."
I own _Forbidden Planet_ on DVD, and watch it at least once a year.
As someone who was alive in the '50s and '60s, Robbie makes lots of clicking "relay" sounds ... because that _was_ the state of the art back then.
The soundtrack was amazing. Not only electronic, but they dissolved the boundary between "music" and "sound effects". Really unique.
I saw Forbidden Planet 1955 at the United Artists theater in Pomona Ca. I was 13 and a ticket was 25 cents. I went back and saw it two more times. One viewing was definitely note enough. I later bought a VHS and then DVD and BlueRay. It's a mind blowing film on so many levels. Thanks for splendid run down of this masterpiece.
I've watch many videos over the years about The Forbidden Plant, and will say at this point, you have excelled yourself this time Dan. It's easy enough to put out a video, but few seldom achieve what you have done here. Your actual enthusiasm for this, and other movies you bring to life, allows you to go much deeper in the search for those gems of information many never find. The Forbidden Plant paved the way for Sci-Fi. There is a bit of Forbidden Planet in most movies since. At the time it was made it could not achieve the notoriety is deserved, as there was nothing to compare it with, and to be honest, it still stands toe to toe with many later movies. Yes, effects have progressed, but at that time the effect in Forbidden Planet were ground breaking. Robbie is the Robot all other aspire to be, alas they will never achieve. Marvin Mueller, or as he became known, Marvin Miller, lent his talents to voice Robbie. Although not a robot, James Earl Jones voiced Darth Vader. Both of these voices helped elevate these characters. So thank you Dan, this video is worthy of inclusion on the proposed 4k release.......................of which I do hold slight reservation. I say this as some movies just look better in a lesser resolution. Hopefully the 4k won't look too clinical.
Re the Barron’s “tonalities” credit: it wasn’t so much the studio that gave the couple that unique credit, it was the musicians’ guild/union that demanded it because the established artists they represented did not accept that what the Barrons created as a soundtrack qualified as music. MGM was bound by the terms of their union contracts in this circumstance, and it was the union that defined what was, also apparently what was not, music.
I can't believe it's been sixty years since I first saw this film! I was a sci-fi fan at 14 and still rank this movie at number one!
💯
Besides robbie, the animated monster and the cinematography were the outstanding things about this film. It's still great. Good job Dan❤
Enjoyed? This review was an outstanding tribute to my fav Sci-Fi epic! I thought I knew Forbidden Planet till I watched this, thank you. A couple of things..being born in 1955 Australia I was too young to see the first cinema release, but did catch it on Sunday afternoon TV in my youth where the Krell monster appearance in the beams was cut (too horrific?). Around 1985 a special cinema showing was the first time I saw the Krell beam scene complete...amazing! Great news on Cinefantastic..I have the first Forbidden Planet edition, never knew that there was a part 2😣, but I did buy "The Saucer Fleet" by Jack Hagerty and Jon Rogers which has some amazing plans and production information you didn't cover. My only criticism of the film was the bad editing and cuts in parts. Why did they remove the scene where the Chiefs personal effects are put into the envelope by Cmdr Adams, yet this led directly into the scene of the Id foot cast which remained in the film and I always wondered (before the book) what happened prior the cast scene due to the bad edit. It also covers unused dialogue in the Krell "furnace" scene, where Morbius can't explain why the machine was built (after talking about the ship coming from deep space), which would have enhanced the film story. Never noticed the Krell monster having Morbius" goatee however, could the rest of the Id form be based on the Krell physical appearance, considering the monster was created by the Krell tech and initial thoughts? Was there any conception art done of the Krell appearance for the film, as was done for the Cruiser, Robey etc? One last thing you omitted was the props that were recycled for the the Eloi Museum (?) in Pal's "The Time Machine". When Rod Taylor walks in there are a couple of recognisable items stored there. Finally, you included a few production stills of the wedding scene, which were never in the completed film, a good decision. Thanks again for this review.
Wow! Great episode about a great movie.
I am 72 years old. My elementary school PTA had a summer matinee series of second run movies. The movies were on Wednesday afternoons and the whole series cost $1.25 for 10 movies! It was unbelievable! Of course the theater made money on concessions for all the kids.
Forbidden Planet was one of the movies included. I’m not sure of the year that I first saw it, but it made an impression on me!
It was mentioned in the episode that the audience’s imagination made the movie what it was. Very true. My favorite use of imagination was the conversation between Anne Francis and Robbie about a new dress Anne wanted for a party. Robbie ask her if she wanted the dress to be radiation proof and she replies, “No. Just eye proof.” That got a lot of 8-12 year old boy’s imagination going!
Thanks for a lot of memories about growing up wanting to travel on a Star Cruiser!
June 2024 - I’ve been waiting over 50 years for a proper sensible review of the groundbreaking movie, “Forbidden Planet.” It’s extremely disappointing to hear it was thought of as kids entertainment. And panned or minimized by some film critics. In 2024, I have a framed poster of Robbie the Robot in my workshop. With General AI interest these days, the behavior of that Robot back then correctly modeled what we might see in a home robot in 2035 or sooner. Continue to sing praises of that movie production. Especially the soundtrack “tonalities” made by a husband & wife team with oscillators and tape recorders. Connecting the story plot to the psychological “ID”?!! Genius!! (I didn’t even know I had an ID! (Haha!). Thanks again for finally a well balanced GREAT review!
~ D. Boyer, Rochester New York.
Excellent and thank you very much for this wonderful video. I'm 75 and have always considered Forbidden Planet the best of all Si Fi no computer fakes .
Thank you, Dan! You cemented your place in my heart and my youtube favorites by introducing FP as the all time greatest sci-fi movie in cinematic history!
Forbidden Planet is my absolute favorite sci-fi movie. I loved Robbie the robot. The special effects were awesome too for that era. Thank you for posting this video!!!!!
No science fiction movie exceeded the special effects until Space Odyssey: 2001. Much, much larger budget.
i read a story about how Louis B. Meyer got use of Joshua Meador from Disney, Louie wasn't satisfied with the animation efforts of MGMs on studio so he asked Disney for use of their animators, Walt wrote back reminding Meyer they are PROFESSIONAL COMPETATORS so forget it! Louie sent a copy of the Forbidden Planet script knowing Walt LOVED Sci-fi! Sometime later Joshua showed up in front of MGMs gates and the rest is history!
I wish I could give this five thumbs up! Thanks for the news of Cinefantastique and a 4K release of the movie. I first bought this in an anniversary tin on DVD and then blu-ray. Would have loved to have had Criterions' version. The 4K should be incredible if done right!
I was born in 1946 and saw this movie as a child in the 1950s.
I am still a Sci-Fi fan.
Forbidden Planet is my all time favorite classic sci fi movie. I sometimes rent it again to see if I can catch a new nugget of wisdom or detail that I might have missed previously. It's amazing that Robby sold for five times what the entire production was budgeted for in the 50s. Those sets were amazing considering that had to do everything with real props and models, rather than CGI and digital effects.
100% agree with @jose. Just think of the tornados in Wizard of Oz, and so many others ... ALL without CGI. I don't think young people can really appreciate it.
The reason your coming up on 100K is the awesome content! Thank you for all your hard work providing us such great entertainment, these videos sure brings back memories I forgot.
This thing is a Masterpiecs of Masterpieces' look at what had been done upto and including the year it was made. Mind blowing work.
Anne Francis was a gorgeous woman.
I don’t think so…but that’s just me.
@@melindahall5062 you must be a woman, which means you are genetically predisposed to hate all other women. Especially when they are more attractive than you. Unless you are trans, in which case you just hate all women.
Indeed. Anne Francis, in her miniskirt, with that sweet baby face, was absolutely stunning. She is one of my favorite parts of this movie, if not THE favorite. 🥰
@@masonbricke4568Finding that Angel in outer space..
One of if not the greatest sci-fi movie ever. The special effects were tremendous for the 1950's that still hold up today. I heard that someone is considering making a remake of this movie. PLEASE DON'T. Hollywood already ruined the remakes of war of the worlds and the Day the earth stood still.
The first time I watched this movie, I was mesmerized by how good it looked. Robbie the Robot was a huge "Selling Point". The second time I watched it, Anne Francis, caught my attention. She was so beautiful, but playing a part that was so innocent. I love your Channel, you're doing a great job.
I have the Criterion laserdisc but I also own something I think is rarer - an LP vinyl of the soundtrack autographed by Louis and Bebe Barron. It was offered in limited numbers in the late 70s. The release of the soundtrack was delayed for over 20 years by copyright and definition issues (was it music or not).
I also have built an illuminated model of the C57D and several Robbys.
Loved the movie, while released in March of 1956, I was living in Australia and I'm not sure when it was shown here, but I was perhaps 10 or 11 at the time. Watching it today through the eyes of an adult makes it seem like I saw a different movie way back then.
My cousin played the part of Gloria in an English production of Return to Forbidden Planet sometime in the 1990's, I was lucky enough to get a VHS copy of it from my Aunt.
I've thought for years that revisiting the Forbidden Planet universe would have been a lot of fun. In today's environment, I'm really glad that nobody has gone there.
You aren't the only appreciator of Laser Disc, good sir. I still have a working player and a collection of around 45 movies for it.
I have to put War of the Worlds as my favorite 1950s sci-fi, but this is a very close second.
I still have my laserdisc. And forbidden planet too
Starring Gene Barry?
The big flaw of the Laserdisc format was that it could only play one hour on each side. I had a Laserdisc with Forbidden Planet and you had to flip it to continue watching the movie. As far as I know they never had a Laserdisc unit that 2 lasers so that you didn't have to do that flip. The picture quality was on a par with DVD's later on.
So much awesomeness about this movie. I always thought that the basic look of the Monster of the Id was a clue as to what the Krell looked like.
My wife worked as one of the producers at The Voyager Company, which partnered with Janus Films to found The Criterion Collection. We still have a collection of Criterion laserdiscs and a player, somewhere in the basement. One of the contributors to Voyager's work was the electronic music composer, Morton Subotnick, and my wife produced a number of his works, first published on the new CD-Rom platform. At a party at Mort's house, he introduced us to Bebe Barron. I did see the film during its first run at the age of 6, and it left me with a lifetime fascination with robots. I will add that I saw "Gog", from 1954, which introduced us to both killer robots and to secret underground laboratories. Another great film.
My all time favorite sci-fi classic movie! Had my 8 year old son watch it and he absolutely loved it! Was greating seeing him get excited over it the way I did when I was a kid when i watched it for the firs time. Robby the Robot was his favorite and he still talks about him all the time.
What a great retrospective on an awesome piece of cinematic history. Well done. Thank goodness that this historic treasure was never subjected to the horrors of reboots, remakes and revivals.
One of my favorite movies besides The Day The Earth Stood Still. Creative skills without CGI was amazing!
Thanks Dan that was a great half hour spent reminiscing about this wonderful movie. I think I have seen every docco about FP ever made but yours, as usual, was outstanding. Your inner 10 year old makes mine very happy.
I watched this as a youngster and liked it for Robbie. But when I later watched it as an adult I thought I was just watching out of nostalgia. But when I realized the true plot, and especially the ending, I was blown away. A movie FAR ahead of its time.
The starship was almost as iconic as Robby. That vessel showed up in multiple episodes of The Twilight Zone, was used several times in lesser sci-fi movies.
Saw this in Culver City theater in 1956 and fell in love with Anne Francis! Love the picture and have watched it many times. Also loved The Day the Earth Stood Still. Great robot in that too!
A real bumper video treat, Dan, many thanks. So glad Forbidden Planet has never been given the remake treatment. Its a standalone piece of cinematic art that needs to remain as is. Fun fact (if I'm right), some of Morbius' garden with Altaira and Cmdr. Adams scenes re-used plants, trees and structural props from Munckinland from 'The Wizard of Oz'. Thanks, once again.
The bit I love is that the "electronic tonalities" came out of a dispute with the musicians union. Something to do with the fact that the movie didn't need musicians.
1956 - a very, very good year. My two absolute favorite movies of all time came out that year. Forbidden Planet, of course, but also The Searchers with John Wayne. Besides great storytelling, both had subtle but terrific humor. And not a single f bomb in either!
The Thing from Another World and The Day the Earth Stood Still were made 5 years earlier and were also a serious scifi movie. And they were fantastic!
My dad was a big fan of Forbidden Planet and took me to see it. I have watched it on tv quite a few times. I noticed that this film also starred lesser known actors at that time such as Jack Kelly, Earl Holliman, Warren Stevens, James Drury, and Richard Anderson. These sets were incredible and way ahead of their time along with the fantastic music. I appreciate you sharing all of this information about Forbidden Planet. I can't wait to see the 4K version. Thank you for the video.
I have this ranked at #3 of THE GREATEST FILMS EVER MADE
Hey Dan... you are my new hero. Thanks for all that you do to help us to time travel back into our past. Keep it coming... I so look forward to what is next. Thanks, Scotty from Monterey!
Hey scotty, thank you so much - I truly appreciate it.
It was simply terrifying watching the spaceships steps buckle !
This is my favorite SciFi from my childhood. I have 4 copies, VHS, DVD, DVD 50th Anniversary and Blu-ray. Cool how they made back multiple times the cost of the movie selling the props.
Forbidden Planet was, and will always be, a masterpiece. Ahead of its time in every respect, and a template for so many films and series to come, not least of which was Startrek. I've seen the British stage production (Return to the Forbidden Planet) in person. It uses Shakespearian dialog and includes the line of dialogue: 'Two pings or not two pings, that is the question". The stage show was superb and while clearly a spoof of the original film, it was also very much a loving spoof. Reminiscent, in that respect, of Galaxy Quest. The next truly great sci-fi film that followed, 12 years later in 1968, was 2001 A Space Odyssey. Space Odyssey was so outstanding that IBM, riding a wave of success at the time, arranged for a private showing, in-house, of the film for employees of the Havant, Hampshire plant. Of course, I was there.
The invisible monster from the ID scared the crap out of me as a 5 year old who snuck down from bed to sneak watch it without my parents knowing. Many lost nights of sleep !
I've seen both movies, and I can definitely say that "Forbidden Planet" is a vastly superior film than "Earth vs. the Flying Saucers", in pretty much every way (story, characters, visuals, music, etc.). I watch "Forbidden Planet" probably 2 or 3 times a year; on the other hand, I've seen "Earth vs. the Flying Saucers" exactly once, and that was more than enough.
Agreed. I saw both of them as well....
They are not in the same class. FP is a vastly superior story with moral implications.
I was the colorist for the MGM/UA Laserdisc letterbox release of Forbidden Planet. I also was the colorist for the letterbox laserdisc version of 2001:A Space Odyssey and Brainstorm.
FP was released when I was 4 years old. Needless to say, I didn't see it on its initial release. But thanks to movies fueled by it, my later youthful film experiences were filled with the likes of Jack Arnold's monster/alien adventures which I loved. The home video explosion of the late 1960s/70s finally introduced me to this staggering masterpiece. Thank you for your fine appreciation video.
Forbidden Planet still is the best Sci-Fi movie to this 60+ yr old👍🏼
I'm typing this right after you listed all the firsts of this movie, so if someone has mentioned this already, or you mention it later in the video, forgive me. Forbidden Planet was also the first movie to have an entire soundtrack composed of electronic synthesized music and effects. Yet another cool first. Without this movie, Star Trek never would have existed.
Also, a lot of the props and costumes from the movie ended up being reused in other later science fiction movies of the era.
One of my all time favorite movies Dan!!! What a great deep dive..and......I totally agree with your "thank the Krell for no remakes!" It seems whenever Hollywood runs out of imagination, they do remakes...which mostly are awful. Too many remakes these days and I'm so thankful they haven't touched Forbidden Planet. I prey they never do, just leave well enough alone.
The movie had a srong effect on me. About 20 years later I turned on the radio and heard : bang, bang,bang! I said to myself:"that sounds like the house security barriers going into place on the forbidden planet!". Lo and behold the radio station was actually running a doco on the film.
I first watched Forbidden Planet on a black and white tube TV at the age of twelve, and it made me a lifelong Sifi film fan. I doubt I am alone in saying, it's up there with 2001 and Blade Runner. Sadly, I have seen the stage musical 'Return to Forbidden Planet'. My only defence is the ticket was free.
I saw this as a child , on TV probably around 1960 or so. It haunted me then, and it haunts me to this day. I missed the Freudian aspects then, but on rewatching it years later finally understood not only the ID issues, but the Oedipus Complex issues that caused the monster to be created in the first place. How did they ever get away with that in 1955? Great review, thanks
I watched this back on TV in 1966. I was 12. It blew my nmind, especially the Kril World. Stan Lee admitted he got the Kree from Kril of this movie. I watched it in B and W first time. Then, in 1970s I got to watch it in full color and my mind was more fully blown.
Dan Monroe has done such a great service here in commemorating one of the best original science-fiction movies ever made. The detail that he has shown and the research that he has done to make this video is much appreciated. I am very fortunate to have seen this movie when it was first released. I saw it at my local theater in Marysville California in the spring of 1956. I loved reading science fiction books back then and I took the movie very seriously. It did not disappoint me. With a great cast and fantastic movie sets and props, it was a great experience to witness on the big screen.
Hey george, thank you so much for the incredibly kind words and support, much appreciated. How cool is it that you got to see this in theaters in 1956? That is so awesome.
Totally agree!
Totally GREAT video, Dan -- thank you! If you would allow me to nit pick just a bit, I would mention that before FORBIDDEN PLANET there was indeed another great Sci-Fi film that broke the mold of all Hollywood sci-fi films to day, and that was the incredible classic, THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL. This Robert Wise forey into the sci-fi genre marked the very first time the audience was asked to think seriously about the film's themes. Granted, while it was not the technical marvel of FP (it was filmed in black & white with mono sound with none of the technical advances available to the crew of FP), it certainly was the first serious "thinking persons" Sci-Fi film that took itself very seriously. The robot, Gort, has none of the humor or personality of Robby, but, in my mind, that gives Gort a lot more gravitas than FP. Gort was scary! Even as a kid, I remember being excited about another sci-fi movie with a robot, but hen after seeing FP, I thought this robot is more of a joke that an imposing presence. Even its name, "Robby" was too juvenile for such an advanced machine that had it's own personality and seemed to be sentient. And unlike Gort in TDTESS, Robby posed no dangerous. He was more like a big toy -- and quite silly at that -- rather than an imposing machine.
One other point if you would allow: The soundtrack of FB does NOT have a stereophone soundtrack mix; it is an ersatz/pseudo "stereo" system called Perspecta Sound. Basically it was a way of taking a monophonic soundtrack recording and steering that mono signal and placing it anywhere from one side of the screen to the other. It did add directionality to the audio mix, but unlike 20th Cen Fox's CinemaScope system which did have true, 4 channel stereo (Left, Center, Right plus Surround) which gave it a real spacial/binaural quality, Perspecta Sound simply steered the mono signal around the screen but had no spatial component; it was always remained mono sound, albeit emanating from various locations on the screen. Perspect Sound did not have a surround channel; in the industry it was nicknamed, "the poor man's stereo."
I saw Return to the Forbidden Planet twice. The dialogue was mostly lifted from Shakespeare, though not exclusively the tempest: "beware the ids that march!" was a particularly memorable line. The songs were all classic 60s rock 'n' roll.
The set was the bridge of the starship, on two levels, with amazing blocking (actors moving around the set to maximum dramatic effect) and in those days before the flesh-coloured headset microphones the producer clearly didn't want the cast holding microphones the whole time, so a huge amount of effort went into choreographing which performers had the mics at any time, with supporting cast often passing, or simply holding the microphones with precision timing.
There was a sub-plot of a love triangle between the captain, Miranda, and the ship's cook, resulting in a memorable performance of She's Not There.
This is one of the best science fiction movies off all time,Dan.For a movie that was made in the 1950s,it was so far ahead of it's time as far as the visuals,special effects and the music.This will always be one of my favorite movies.
I don't miss VHS either...but mainly because I have a entire Blockbuster video store in my basement full of it I pick a new one to watch every day
Straczynski’s Forbidden Planet treatment has been online for years.
I read after the script was leaked the first time, he made enough changes to it so it wouldn’t be spoiled… then that was leaked too.
I don’t know why it was abandoned or if there will ever be a remake of the movie
“When you see the invisible monster, blast it!” “Surely Captain, you can’t be serious.” “I am serious, and don’t call me Shirley!”
Brilliant! 😁
Beautiful 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Dan, when one makes note of the high quality of each of the unusual or original ideas in editing, photography, sound, story, sets, special effects (including Robby & the Id Monster), and excellent acting, without one aspect detracting from the others, it is a bit mind-boggling. It became a seamless, realistic, superior, Sci-Fi movie that was, by any estimation, twenty years ahead of its time. Amazing. I was a Junior in High School in 1955 and I am a Sci-Fi movie fan, so I think my judgement is sound. Oh, by the way, I have a studio photo of Anne Francis and Robby that pops up on my Monitor Screen Saver daily.
Thanks for taking us on this excellent journey back in time.
Cheers.
@16:31 I was there at the Beauty Parade in Las Vegas Nevada in 1956. It was during the Helldorado celebration that happened each year in Las Vegas. I had seen the movie as a child and absolutely thrilled to see Robbie the Robot. During the scene of the ID monster in the force field I was holding tight to the arms of the theater chair. Still love to see the movie every so often on TCM.
Dan, this awesome channel is a dream from my childhood! I'm 54 and was a sci-fi geek WAY before it was cool! THANK YOU!
I experienced this film when I was very young. I now have this in my collection. Greatest Sci Fi film ever. Thank you for all of this information.
Dan your enthusiasm for SCI-FI is contagious. Thanks for the research also. I have really enjoyed your channel content.
yes, it's amazing ... I could spend all day with Dan at a comics / sci-fi convention on a panel talking about this stuff.
This Island Earth also featured faster than light travel to another planet in another solar system. It was released a year before Forbidden Planet and they were both in color. I consider them to be the two best science fiction movies of the 1950s.
Darn,I missed that one.
This and "Invaders from Mars" 1955
I dont see the editor as saving the movie with "maintence" editing. He and the Studio gutted the heart of this film. Those bits that were snipped from certain scenes explored the idea of discovering other life in the Universe and the impact it would have on our civilization and beliefs. These concepts worried the Suits & Censors. To me, this movie would have had a much *deeper impact* if those conversations had been left in.
This is the second time I have seen your critique of Forbidden Planet and I had thought I had already answered and after searching the following comments for 10, 15 minutes, I could not find it, so here I go again! Am now 80 and saw the movie in my hometown theater, Liberty Theater in Chester, Montana, small town of under 1,000 people, just after it was released in 1956. I bought the 50th Year Anniversary DVD which also had the Invisible Boy, and since Robby was a favorite SF character, I watch them both! This has gone on long enough so I'll close by saying when they showed the ID Monster, I could not look, it was the scariest monster I had ever seen since the one in ALIEN, which I have seen only once. But I favorite scene was when Morbius showed them touring the inside if the Krill planet! You mentioned Roddenberry in the video, and it is interesting to hear him say how it influenced Star Trek. And yet in the original series robots were not seen! Another thing, where do you think he got the idea for the 'dresses' from Trek, the ones wore by Ann Francis! I look forward for your other videos.
Babylon 5 borrowed a bit from that tour of the Krell machine when they showed the interior of Epsilon 3. I think that machine was much bigger than 20 miles on each side, though. "Look down, are you afraid?"
Always wondered if the 40” model of the C57-D was sacrificed in Twilight Zone episode “The Invaders” where Agnes Moorehead took an ax to it.
Joss Wheden payed homage to that C57-D designation when, in his movie Serenity, it is predominately displayed when they get to Miranda.
@@kronos5385 Never saw the film, but thanks for that interesting bit of trivia. 👍🏻
Hey Mike, didn't you and I have a nice discourse on the OL Man who was never born? I can't believe you never saw Serenity (based on the Firefly TV show). BTW Miranda was a planet, not a person. Miranda was where the Reavers massacred everybody. Reavers were bad guys. Very bad guys.
@@kronos5385 We must have, “The Outer Limits” and especially the episode you cited never seem to be far from my mind and now and then I weigh in with commentary. Thanks for the additional insights on “Serenity”, I will be sure to explore further. I have a tendency to be stuck in the past and my musings on more recent fare is quite scant, ha.
So it turns out the sale of Robbie the Robot earned several times more than the box office total of the actual film? That’s so funny and sad at the same time.
C-57D had a significant homage in Firefly! Watch for it. Very hard to miss!
I was truly fortunate to have seen the re-release in 1972 at our local theater. The owner ran the original news reels and previews (which he had kept warehoused ) along with the movie. That day still stands as a defining moment of my life. I really appreciate your treatment of the movie, your enthusiasm and factual knowledge has certainly made me a permanent fan of your channel! Thank you again.
What I love most about this movie is the fact that humans arrived in a flying saucer.
Wow Dan! I didn't think it was possible but you really out did yourself on this one ❤️👍
One of my all time favorites. Saw it in the theater. Still watch it with the family.
Dan,
Too bad Disney doesn't know how to leave stuff alone, especially
since it is totally lacking in creativity:(
I saw Forbidden Planet on the big screen, I also saw Destination Moon, War of the Worlds and many other early greats, ah nostalgia.
Cheers,
Rik Spector
Same here, Rik, regarding seeing the original release on the Big Screen. Same sentiments, too. You mentioned the classics, which were great. Rich in imagination, story development and even the special effects and music, which considered avant garde at the time. Now, I am thinking of the B movies like "Invaders From Mars" and "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" . Today, they do not seem so far fetched at all.
@@anthonykurczewski8384 you naiked it! I wasn't sure you could get back
to me, you have got si many
Viewers now, of course that's great!
I,ve a sc fi reader a movie
buff since I was child in the forties and fifties.
Cheers,
Frederick "Rik"Spector
As always, a very informative exposition of one of the most influential sci-fi movies in the past 100 years! This is one of those movies you can watch over and over again and never get tired of it. Dan, may I suggest a video on Michael Mann's, The Keep and perhaps a video on the original Invaders from Mars. Be well...
I got tired of it. It's quite dated by today's standards, and it's also very predictable. Even as a kid I figured it out well before the reveal. Pretty basic psychology driven based film.
It was the greatest sci fi movie ever made. i saw it when I was 9 and I have never, and never will forget the experience. the electronic music was something I had never heard before and was perfect. it was all perfect.
Forbibben Planet was the flag ship quality movie that not only sify fans, but the curious bright movie audience craved. In addition, the success of F. Planet helped convince MGM to finance Stanley Kubricks 2001: A Space Odyssey. Also the cast was superb, with a gorgeous hot babe like Anne Francis, that I fell in love with.
I saw Forbidden Planet and The day the Earth stood still nearly 60 years ago and they remain my two favourite sci-fi films ever.