ALL SCI-FI

Bud Brewster · Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2015 6:22 pm Post subject: Doctor Satan's Robots (1940)

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[Also released as: "Mysterious Dr. Satan" and "Doctor Satan's Robots"]

Feature version of the enjoyable republic serial, with an imaginative plot and better-than-average acting, even though the fight scenes are a bit scarce. The editing of this condensed version does an admirable job of meshing the chapters into a coherent story (although it tends to leap ahead of itself confusingly near the end).

John English plays "Copperhead", a masked avenger who pits himself against Dr. Satan (Edward/Eduardo Ciannelli), a mad scientist who steals a "remote control cell", a device which he uses to electronically manipulate everything from airliners to his own menacing (and poorly designed) robot.

The robot is reused in numerous other serials. The villain forces his own men to wear devices strapped to their chests which allow him to electrocute them by remote control whenever they are captured by the authori??ties. Dr. Satan's final comeuppance is both well-deserved and well-designed.

Directed by William Whitney. Eduardo Ciannelli is best remembered for his role as the evil cult leader in "Gungha Din".
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

orzel-w · Galactic Ambassador Joined: 19 Sep 2014 Posts: 1865

"Poorly designed robot"' I must protest! This was one of the coolest robot designs of the period; after Metropolis, in my opinion, not surpassed until Gort.

And he could walk every bit as well as Robby.

This movie/serial was the first I remember seeing the use of a "garbage compactor" room, wherein one wall slowly advances to crush its occupant.
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WayneO
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Bud Brewster · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2015 12:11 am Post subject:

Oh, forgive me, Wayne. I must have been thinking of another robot with a far less appealing shape. Clearly the design of this robot represents cutting edge technology and advanced engineering.

In fact, the more I look at it, the better I like it!

Behold! Dr. Satan's Coorsbot!

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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

Pow · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2015 11:12 am Post subject:

This robot must have been the inspiration for Felix the Cat's foe The Master Cylinder.

Bud Brewster · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2015 11:27 pm Post subject:

orzel-w · Galactic Ambassador Joined: 19 Sep 2014 Posts: 1865

The Master Cylinder underwent a few design iterations throughout its career, as one might expect from different artists. This was one typical configuration.

Back in the heyday of kids' space programming on TV (we're talkin' the 1950s here) it was common for local TV stations to introduce their own robots for live public appearances in addition to their taking part in the TV shows. A favorite show of mine was 3-D Danny, out of Oklahoma City. They produced a pair of robots, almost identical to each other. The original was named Bazark. Then they introduced Rosie. (I can see a robot being named Bazark... but Rosie??)

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...or not...

WayneO
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Bud Brewster · Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2020 2:37 pm Post subject:

Bud Brewster · Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2023 9:59 pm Post subject:

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I was hoping to find all the chapters individually or a single video with the entire series, but most of the YouTube versions either had a bad picture or a bad audio — or both! Sad

But this version of chapter one has good audio and a tolerable picture.

Enjoy!_

__ Mysterious Doctor Satan 1x01 - Return of the Copperhead

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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)