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Bud Brewster
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Joined: 14 Dec 2013
Posts: 17637
Location: North Carolina
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 Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2019 10:37 am Post subject: |
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Ah well, it appears you're less impressed with the production designs in Forbidden Planet than some of us are.
Just to be fair, I don't think anybody would argue that the tractor didn't need a better design, and the C-57-D could actually be improved and still retain it's regal "saucer" form.
Something like this.
But I think the lab, the Krell machine, and ship's interior are still extremely impressive. Ditto for the uniforms, the comm units, the blasters, and the quad cannons. Absolutely gorgeous, one and all. 
But when it comes to Robby, the situation is a bit different. I might differ with you on the merits of the other production designs, but Robby is even more "retro" than the house — although I confess I don't quite understand what makes the house "retro", other then the sparkly red fabric on the sofa! 
There's no question that Robby is a stunning example of the unique designs of 1950s. But in his case I'd agree with you that his design isn't right for the remake.
To tell the truth, I've always been bothered by a few discrepancies between what he can actually do and what he was supposedly able to do. For example, he's just not mobile enough, and his arms are too limited to do things like building the house — much less being able to "topple this house off its foundation", as Morbius claimed.
However, whatever Robby's new design turns out to be, I'd want it to suit his character as a household helper and "butler" to the Morbius family.
Maurice, just to give me a better understanding of your preferences in "futuristic" designs, can you post images that illustrate what you'd prefer in the remake? Is there a modern movie, for example, that had such production designs?
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)
Last edited by Bud Brewster on Thu Dec 26, 2019 4:48 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Eadie
Galactic Ambassador
Joined: 14 Dec 2013
Posts: 1670
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| Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2019 11:53 am Post subject: |
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| Bud Brewster wrote: |
Ah well, it appears you're less impressed with the production designs in Forbidden Planet than some of us are.
Just to be fair, I don't think anybody would argue that the tractor didn't need a better design, and the C-57-D could actually be improved and still retain it's regal "saucer" form.
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Maybe the 3rd ramp was for the tractor? — Eadie
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| Bud Brewster wrote: |
There's no question that Robby is a stunning example of the unique designs of 1950s. But in his case I'd agree with you that his design isn't right for the remake.
To tell the truth, I've always been bothered by a few discrepancies between what he can actually do and what he was supposedly able to do. For example, he's just not mobile enough, and his arms are too limited to do things like building the house — much less being able to "topple this house off it's foundation", as Dr. Morbius claimed.
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Has anyone thought that maybe Robby used energy fields? — Eadie
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Art Should Comfort the Disturbed and Disturb the Comfortable.
Last edited by Eadie on Thu Jun 04, 2020 9:13 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Bud Brewster
Galactic Fleet Admiral (site admin)
Joined: 14 Dec 2013
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Location: North Carolina
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| Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2019 6:34 pm Post subject: |
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| Eadie wrote: | | Has anyone thought that maybe Robby used energy fields? — Eadie |
Young lady, I really must insist that you STOP being smarter than me! It's embarrassing! 
No, I never thought of Robby using energy fields to move objects (both big and small), but we have numerous clues that he did have the ability you suggested!
The most obvious one is the way he delicately-but-forcefully sweeps the monkey off the table when the hungry critter tries to filch a snack from Robby's perfect fruit arrangement.
This proves that Robby's ability is well controlled and capable of delicate manipulation.
But what about his skills at lifting heavy masses and maneuvering them around safely?
That ability was well demonstrated when he seemed to be balancing ten tons of lead-like shielding on one hand and walking normally!
If the mass had actually been that heavy, Robby would have tipped over before he took his first step!
Obviously he was just guiding the mass with the hand beneath it, controlling the slabs with the force fields Eadie deduced Robby used whenever his short arms and three-fingered hands were not up to the task!
But wait! There's more!
If Robby can levitate a ten-ton block of matter so easily, he could also maneuver his own body in the same manner when his limited ability to move over uneven terrain presents a problem. And that actually did occur in the movie!
That must be how Robby made his way into and out of the Krell lab to retrieve the unconscious Dr. Ostrow, despite the fact that the steps outside the Krell door and inside the lab would be impossible for Robby to navigate!
Furthermore, this must be how Robby manage to cradle Dr. Ostrow in his arms, carry him into the living room, and lay him down so gently — despite his short arms and lack of elbows.
Folks, in one fell swoop, Miss Eadie has solved several of the most perplexing problems which have plagued Forbidden Planet fans for over sixty years!
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)
Last edited by Bud Brewster on Sat Apr 16, 2022 12:04 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Gord Green
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Joined: 06 Oct 2014
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Location: Buffalo, NY
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| Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2019 10:46 pm Post subject: |
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Well Gee, Bud.....How do you think he went upstairs?
Weren't there scenes in THE INVISABLE BOY where he "levitated" ?
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There comes a time, thief, when gold loses its lustre, and the gems cease to sparkle, and the throne room becomes a prison; and all that is left is a father's love for his child. |
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Eadie
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Joined: 14 Dec 2013
Posts: 1670
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| Posted: Fri Dec 27, 2019 9:28 am Post subject: |
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| Gord Green wrote: | Well Gee, Bud … How do you think he went upstairs?
Weren't there scenes in The Invisible Boy where he "levitated" ?
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Well, "he" teleported from where the base soldiers were attacking "him" to the foot of the rocket's gantry!
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Art Should Comfort the Disturbed and Disturb the Comfortable.
Last edited by Eadie on Thu Jun 04, 2020 9:15 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Bud Brewster
Galactic Fleet Admiral (site admin)
Joined: 14 Dec 2013
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Location: North Carolina
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| Posted: Fri Dec 27, 2019 12:12 pm Post subject: |
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| Gord Green wrote: | Well Gee, Bud.....How do you think he went upstairs?
Weren't there scenes in THE INVISIBLE BOY where he "levitated" ? |
Well, sort of. There's a strange scene in which Robby is at the bottom of the hill below the rocket he's trying to get to, and after the Army fires on him and creates big dust cloud, Robby is suddenly (and inexplicably) at the top of the hill!
So, if we consider The Invisible Boy as a reliable indicator of Robby's previously unsuspected abilities, that scene supports the idea the Robby can either levitate himself or . . . teleport himself!
And I certainly agreed about the steps Robby had to negotiate, both outside the lab and inside it to rescue Doc and bring him to the living room.
I realize we're suggesting something that seems pretty ridiculous, the idea that Robby possessed a technological form of telekinesis and could move things around with force fields.
But if we dismiss that odd possibility, we're stuck with the idea that Robby could climb stairs, carry ten tons of lead-like material in one hand, and load 480 pints of bourbon onto the jeep, after which he drove it to the ship, unloaded it . . . and stacked it neatly on the ground against a rock, even though he couldn't bend over that far.
We also have to wonder how the crew got Robby into the ship for their departure.
Eadie mentioned that the conveyor belt was used to unload the tractor (in component parts and assembled on the ground). I suppose Robby could have been laid on the conveyor belt to get him into the ship, but even then the crew would have to get him from the airlock (in the lower level) up to the control room!
[size=20 ]I wonder if it's possible that Altaira knew how to disassemble Robby — with directions from Robby himself, whose head would keep talking the whole time?
After all, if we take The Invisible Boy seriously enough to draw clues from it, it shows Robby in component parts, indicating that Robby (in Forbidden Planet) could be disassembled, too.
So, taking Robby apart and reassembling him inside the ship's control room is probably more logical than suggesting that he levitated himself up into the ship.
God a'mighty, I love this movie! Eadie and the rest of our members just keep coming up with new and intriguing ideas that are like launch pads; sometimes the ideas they inspire tend to blast off and keep us busy with enjoyable discussions for weeks. [/size]
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)
Last edited by Bud Brewster on Sat Apr 16, 2022 12:18 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Eadie
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Joined: 14 Dec 2013
Posts: 1670
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| Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2020 8:28 am Post subject: |
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| Bud Brewster wrote: | | So, if we consider The Invisible Boy as a reliable indicator of Robby's previously unsuspected abilities, [ … ] |
Another of those "unsuspected abilities" is that Robby can communicate in non-verbal means — he 'talks' to Timmy without a radio!
(Check the sequences before Robby arrives at the base when he goes to Timmy's aid. I did.)
What can we extrapolate from this?
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Robby says that "Star sapphires take a week to crystallize properly."
These are the best images of the three main types of star sapphires. Blue:
Gold:
Purple:
Just what would the dress look like?
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Art Should Comfort the Disturbed and Disturb the Comfortable.
Last edited by Eadie on Thu Jun 04, 2020 9:19 am; edited 2 times in total |
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Bud Brewster
Galactic Fleet Admiral (site admin)
Joined: 14 Dec 2013
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Location: North Carolina
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| Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2020 11:57 am Post subject: |
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Interesting! Nice call, Eadie.
And the star sapphires certainly wouldn't have attached as well to the dress as the small diamonds and emeralds did. She'd have looked like she had marbles glued all over her gown! 
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)
Last edited by Bud Brewster on Sat Apr 16, 2022 1:33 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Maurice
Starship Navigator
Joined: 14 Dec 2013
Posts: 542
Location: 3rd Rock
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| Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2020 10:39 pm Post subject: |
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| Bud Brewster wrote: | | Ah well, it appears you're less impressed with the production designs in Forbidden Planet than some of us are. |
Stop that. I never said it wasn't impressive. I said that to a lot of modern views those designs would like antiquated. Concepts of what looks "futuristic" changes over time.
Googie and Streamline Moderne architecture probably don't look futuristic to people who didn't grow up with it as being models of the future. Star Trek and 2001 and Star Wars crafts broke away from the rockets and flying saucers that were "the future" before them. And when people do try flying saucers now they have to work hard to make them look cool and not merely retro.
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"The absence of limitations is the enemy of art."
― Orson Welles |
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Bud Brewster
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| Posted: Thu Jan 02, 2020 9:24 am Post subject: |
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My apologies. I misunderstood. You're probably right about the reactions of younger audiences (younger than me, that is), and I made a false assumption.
Thanks for clearing that up.
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958) |
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Eadie
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| Posted: Thu Jan 02, 2020 10:56 am Post subject: |
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All of my friends (within 5 years of my tender 19 years) to whom I showed Forbidden Planet think it is the most futuristic movie they know. And[/size] ALL [size=18]of them want to own Robby!
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Art Should Comfort the Disturbed and Disturb the Comfortable.
Last edited by Eadie on Thu Jun 04, 2020 9:21 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Eadie
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| Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2020 8:18 am Post subject: |
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I am currently recording Forbidden Planet off of the HDNET channel of DirecTV (Ch. # 566). Normally TCM shows this at the 16:9 aspect ratio which is roughly equivalent to 1.78:1.
HDNET is showing it in its original 2.55:1 ratio. It is very sharp and extremely clear, AND very bright! (It is bordered top & bottom with black bands.)
If you get HDNET check out the listings for up-coming showings. [It is NOT listed as 2.55:1 so you just have to take your chances.]
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Art Should Comfort the Disturbed and Disturb the Comfortable.
Last edited by Eadie on Thu Jun 04, 2020 9:21 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Bud Brewster
Galactic Fleet Admiral (site admin)
Joined: 14 Dec 2013
Posts: 17637
Location: North Carolina
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| Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2020 11:09 am Post subject: |
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Actually, I was impressed by the recent airing of Forbidden Planet on TCM when I noticed that in this scene —
— I was actually able to see slightly more of the moon on the left than is showing in the screen grab from my DVD above. I just compared the DRV from last Wednesday's airing, and the left edge of the screen goes beyond the crater located midway down the face of the moon, so that a small part of the lighted surface is showing. The day/night terminator to the left of the crater is right at the edge of the screen.
My screen grab above (and therefore my DVD) cuts off the moon right AT the left edge of the crater!
The TCM airing also includes star on the far right which forms one corner of a three-star triangle located almost even with the point of the tall rock on that side. However, my screen grab from the DVR cuts off the right edge and doesn't include that star! 
I know these are tiny differences, but it does seem to indicate that the TCM airing did an even better job than the DVDs when it comes to displaying this great movie.
If you have your DVR of Forbidden Planet , compare it to the screen grab above and let me know if there's a difference.
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958) |
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Eadie
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| Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2020 12:18 pm Post subject: |
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The differences seem to vary from scene to scene, The GDNET showing is 105 minutes long whereas the TCM, Beta tape, VHS tape, DVD, HD-DVD and BD are all 98 minutes long. I'll let everyone know what scenes are longer and what they contain.
A few thoughts:
1.) Even though the Great Machine scanned the C-57-D on it's approach, how did Dr. Morbius communicate with the ship? (We saw no communications gear.)
2,) What gauges were used to record the fighting of the buck deer in the autumn and the birds flying in the spring and the approach of the C-57-D? (only power out-put gauges are seen.)
3.) We are never shown, although it is mentioned, of the cubic nature of the Great Machine. (We are only shown the base corner of it.)
Items for speculation & discussion.
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Art Should Comfort the Disturbed and Disturb the Comfortable.
Last edited by Eadie on Thu Jun 04, 2020 9:22 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Bud Brewster
Galactic Fleet Admiral (site admin)
Joined: 14 Dec 2013
Posts: 17637
Location: North Carolina
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| Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2020 2:35 pm Post subject: |
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| Eadie wrote: | | 1.) Even though the Great Machine scanned the C-57-D on it's approach, how did Dr. Morbius communicate with the ship? (We saw no communications gear.) |
Eadie, again you've thought of something that never occurred to me!
I suppose the most likely answer would be that Morbius had communications equipment which the Bellerophon brought from Earth. But (as you said) we never see it.
| Eadie wrote: | | 2,) What gauges were used to record the fighting of the buck deer in the autumn and the birds flying in the spring and the approach of the C-57-D? (only power out-put gauges are seen.) |
Yep, those are the "gauges" all right!
The power gauges in the Krell lab were the subject of the discussion during the Krell tour, and the purpose of that dialog was to reveal the fact that the machine was using power to create the deer and the birds on those occasions — although neither the audience nor Morbius knew that at the time.
On that subject, on pages 30 and 31 of Cyril Hume's script I discovered some very strong evidence which indicates Cyril Hume wanted the audience to eventual understand that all the animals were Krell machine creations, intended to be Altaira's beloved pets.
The audience doesn't know this until the climax, of course, but please notice just how unnaturally the animals act when Altaira summons them in the garden scene. They're obviously more devoted to her than real animals possibly could be.
Based on these excerpts from pages 30 and 31 we see that Altaira exercised a remarkable amount of control over those creatures, and they demonstrated tremendous devotion towards her.
I submit, ladies and gentlemen, that this proves the animals were created by Morbius' subconscious wish for his lonely daughter to have an abundance of "friends" which fawned over her, providing the young girl with the adoration she needed to make her solitary life on Altaira 4 as pleasant as possible . . . under the circumstances.
| Eadie wrote: | | 3.) We are never shown, although it is mentioned, of the cubic nature of the Great Machine. (We are only shown the base corner of it.) |
I'm not sure what you mean, Miss Eadie. 
Morbius tells the two officers that it's "a single machine, hewn twenty miles on each side", and we see ample evidence that it's certainly as big as he claims!
I can't imagine a more convincing way to demonstrate the size of the machine.
By the way, when I watched the movie last Wednesday I was reminded that Adams tells the Bosun that he can "assemble the tractor" shortly after the crewmen come down the stairways. That's consistent with our prior discussion about the purpose of the conveyor belt.
Obviously the component parts of tractor are exactly the kind of thing the conveyor belt was designed to transport from the ship down to the surface.
_________________
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)
Last edited by Bud Brewster on Sun Jan 05, 2020 4:32 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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