The Invisible Boy (1957)

A ten-year-old boy and Robby the Robot team up to prevent a Super Computer from controlling the Earth from a satellite.

Director:

Herman Hoffman

Writers:

Cyril Hume (screenplay), Edmund Cooper (story)

Stars:

Richard Eyer, Philip Abbott, Diane Brewster

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Richard Eyer	...	Timmie Merrinoe
Philip Abbott	...	Dr. Tom Merrinoe
Diane Brewster	...	Mary Merrinoe
Harold J. Stone	...	Gen. Swayne
Robert H. Harris	...	Prof. Frank Allerton
Dennis McCarthy	...	Col. Macklin
Alexander Lockwood	...	Arthur Kelvaney
John O'Malley	...	Prof. Baine
Robby the Robot	...	Robby

Storyline

Timmie is a typical ten-year-old boy: he loves fun and mischief and hates to study. When his scientist father, in an attempt to improve Timmie's mind, plops him in front of the Super Computer, the boy learns more than how to beat his dad at chess. With designs on world domination, the computer has Timmie reactivate Robbie the Robot and directs the metal hulk to do his bidding. But while Robbie is an efficient minion, can he be made to harm the boy who gave him life?

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Plot Keywords:

computer | robot | satellite | world domination | robby the robot | 

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Taglines:

The science-monster who would destroy the world!

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Family | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

October 1957 (USA)

Also Known As:

S.O.S. Spaceship

Filming Locations:

Greystone Park & Mansion - 905 Loma Vista Drive, Beverly Hills, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Robby the Robot's appearance in the film was partly because it was so expensive to build him for Forbidden Planet that MGM felt obliged to use him in another project.

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Goofs

In the scene where Dr. Bannerman pronounces Colonel Macklin dead, tape marks denoting the actors' positions are clearly visible on the floor as the camera pulls out and the cast members obligingly stand up.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Dr. Tom Merrinoe: General Swayne! Certainly didn't expect to see you in person.
Gen. Swayne: Thought I'd be my own messenger boy this time.

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Connections

Referenced in Troldspejlet: Episode #1.3 (1989)

User Reviews

Pleasantly odd.

Such a strange film. One that doesn't really know which gimmick to run with: the super computer, the borrowed and infamous Robby the robot, invisibility, or space travel. It's a schizophrenic jumble of the time's sci-fi staples, with absurdly weak links. Still, I can't say it was ever dull.

One thing that struck me about this picture, was the dry humor involving the Scientist father. He reacts almost casually to his son's sudden intelligence boost and invisibility. It comes off like a satire of the Cleaver-type family, and was a welcome surprise.

Give this one a chance if you catch it on Turner Classic Movies one night. But I wouldn't recommend seeking it out for purchase.