To be honest, the only reason I'm commenting is because I remember seeing this film in the theater when I was six years old, and it made quite an impression on me. I was fascinated with robots (to an unhealthy degree!), and the "robot spelled backwards" really stuck with me.
I would love to see it again. It could be one of those "so bad it's funny" movies, the kind that were perfect for Mystery Science Theater 3000.
Having a robot who could think and had emotions is a pretty advanced concept for the age.
Tobor the Great
1954
Action / Adventure / Family / Sci-Fi
Tobor the Great
1954
Action / Adventure / Family / Sci-Fi
Plot summary
To avoid the life-threatening dangers of manned space exploration, Professor Nordstrom creates highly advanced form of artificial intelligence capable of piloting a starship to other worlds. In order to transmit alien data, the extraordinary robot is infused with a powerful telepathic device that enables it to instantly read and even feel emotions. Danger strikes when a sinister band of covert agents kidnaps Gadge, the professor's 10-year-old grandson. But Gadge has a powerful ally. For he has developed a psychic, emotional bond with his grandfather's robot. And now Gadge's captors must suffer the wrath of his protective friend. They must face a mechanical monstrosity bent on a killing rampage of revenge and destruction.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
January 18, 2018 at 12:56 AM
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Iconic Film for Me
A very likable nifty 50's sci-fi delight
Kindly Professor Arnold Nordstrom (the excellent Taylor Holmes) and humane, no-nonsense Dr. Ralph Harrison (a lively and engaging performance by Charles Drake) create a robot called Tobor (Lew Smith in a cool metallic suit) who can feel human emotions and has superhuman strength. Tobor develops a telepathic link with Professor Nordstrom's smart, mischievous grandson Gadge (an endearingly spunky portrayal by Billy Chapin). When Nordstrom and Gadge are kidnapped by a no-count gang of covert agents, Tobor comes to their rescue. Director Lee Sholem relates the neat story at a steady pace and does a solid job of maintaining an amiably lightweight tone throughout. This film further benefits from winningly sincere acting by a sturdy cast: Karin Booth as Nordstrom's fetching daughter Janice, Steven Geray as the nefarious foreign spy chief, William Shallert as folksy reporter Johnson, Franz Roehn as Nordstrom's grouchy assistant Karl, Henry Kulky as mean brute Paul, and Peter Brocco as the antsy Dr. Gustav. John L. Russell's stark black and white cinematography and Howard Jackson's robust, stirring score are both up to snuff. The warm relationship between Tobor and Gadge is genuinely charming and touching while the scenes of Tobor in action are very cool and exciting. But what really makes this film so special and appealing is its marvelous surplus of pure heart. A disarmingly sweet little treat.
The Science Depends Too Much on ESP
There is early space-race fear of putting human beings in orbit. Of course, pioneering astronauts had no sure things since so much was based on speculation. A man named Nordstrom develops a robot (Tobor, get it?) that could do the same things as a human without the danger to our delicate constitutions. Of course, the Russians get wind of his invention and easily move in on everyone. Since this is basically a kid movie, there is a precocious kid who can't keep his hands off anything. He could have undone millions of dollars in research with his intrusions, but, of course, boy will be boys. To me this is entertaining but it's hard to overcome the dependence on ESP as a conduit to the robot. Throw out all the technology and simply think things. Isn't that the way Professor Harold Hill taught his bands to play their instruments in "The Music Man"?