It was an odd film for MGM to make. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer produced the best of the best. It considered its B-Movies to be greater than the A Pictures of other studios. Science Fiction films were seen as being beneath the majors at the time. Having forced out its legendary founder a few years before, MGM had seen better days. By 1955, it was willing to try anything to regain its former glory. Forbidden Planet wouldn’t be a run of the mill Sci-Fi cheapie, however. While produced for less than a typical MGM movie, it still had a more lavish budget than other Science Fiction movies. Its centerpiece was the elaborate Robby the Robot costume. MGM spared no expense in its design and construction, spending $125,000.
Both the cost and popularity of Robby the Robot made it inevitable that MGM would use him in another production. 1957’s The Invisible Boy gave Robby the Robot a featured role. Unusual for what was mainly just a glorified prop.
Robby would take on other roles. MGM’s financial problems had it renting out its famed sound stages for television productions, including The Twilight Zone. These shows used Robby the Robot as a sort-of “guest star.” Sadly, the fearsome Robby was no match for corporate raiders. When MGM fell to the likes of Kirk Kirkorian, anything not nailed down was sold off to the highest bidder. Robby was relegated to a Buena Park Tourist Trap a few miles from DISNEYLAND called “Movie World”.
The famed Robbie was laid out in an unflattering exhibit that was frequently vandalized. By the time the exhibit was shuttered, Robbie was in desperate need of some TLC.
Robby received the necessary TLC in time to make a comeback in the hit film Gremlins.
Having retired long ago, Robby the Robot was recently sold to a collector for a staggering $5 Million.
