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
Gage Clarke	...	Dr. Bannerman
Than Wyenn	...	Prof. Zeller
Jefferson Searles	...	Prof. Foster (as Jefferson Dudley Searles)
Alfred Linder	...	Martin / Computer
Ralph Votrian	...	1st Gate Sergeant
Michael Miller	...	2nd Gate Sergeant

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 Robby the Robot and directs the metal hulk to do his bidding. But while Robby is an efficient minion, can he be made to harm the boy who gave him life?

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Plot Keywords:

robby the robot character | psychotronic film | military | institute | army general | 

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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:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Richard Eyer would play another character that can disappear into thin air in The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958).

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Goofs

Robby the Robot travels freely between the Merrinoe home and the science lab, frequently in broad daylight, yet no one ever sees him.

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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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Crazy Credits

Opening credits are shown over an entry gate to someone's lovely, expensive home, and towards the end of it, we hear and see a motorcade enter the property.

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Connections

Featured in 100 Years of Horror: Phantoms (1996)

User Reviews

Possible sequel to Forbidden Planet?

Some movie trivia sleuths consider this film to be sort of a "sequel" to Forbidden Planet" (also a Nick Nayfack production). Look for a scene early in the film where the disassembled "Robby" is found in a present-day scientist's store room, with notes indicating the scientist had developed a way of going into the future, where he obtained the robot. Also in this room is a picture that the young boy comments on, showing "Robby" emerging from the Forbidden Planet saucer ship at the "Chicago Spaceport" in the year 2242, inferring that Commander Adams, Altaira, and the rest of the crew made it back to Earth safely after the Krell furnaces caused the explosion of Altair IV at the end of that film.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 October 1957 (USA)

Also Known As:

S.O.S. Spaceship

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, 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