I seldom use it myself, sir. It promotes rust.

January 14, 2015 7:57 PM

Robert Kinoshita, the production designer and art director who created Forbidden Planet's Robby the Robot and Lost In Space's B-9 Environmental Control Robot [previously], has passed away at the age of 100.
posted by brundlefly (22 comments total)

"Would 60 gallons be sufficient?"

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posted by clavdivs at 8:12 PM on January 14, 2015 [2 favorites]

Dr. Smith vs. the Robot

(==)
posted by Slap*Happy at 8:29 PM on January 14, 2015 [1 favorite]

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posted by Artw at 8:51 PM on January 14, 2015

There used to be a sci-fi themed diner in Hollywood on the Blvd that had a Robby the Robot in it. I suspect it was one of the replicas, but it was perfect, and I used to eat there back in the 90s, always sitting by the robot, fascinated by it and glad it was my neighbor.
posted by maxsparber at 8:57 PM on January 14, 2015 [2 favorites]

Robby and my daughter at the Sci-Fi museum.
posted by Artw at 8:59 PM on January 14, 2015 [2 favorites]

(No idea if it's a replica, but it was in good shape and had lots of switches and widgets inside it's head)
posted by Artw at 9:00 PM on January 14, 2015

I was just chatting with a friend a few weeks ago about how great Forbidden Planet was and he let me borrow his DVD with the documentary on the design and building of Robby, including an interview with Mr Kinoshita.

The next week I was speaking to another friend about how I was tempted to try to build a Robby (been watching too much Adam Savage) when he casually mentioned he already had one. He bought one of the kits from the current copyright holder many years ago.

I'm still jealous. And he built his own R2 from scratch.
posted by beowulf573 at 9:29 PM on January 14, 2015

This does not compute.

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posted by infini at 9:29 PM on January 14, 2015 [1 favorite]

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posted by tyllwin at 9:37 PM on January 14, 2015

huh, i just watched the columbo episode 'mind over mayhem' featuring robby the robot a couple days ago; RIP.
posted by kliuless at 9:41 PM on January 14, 2015

"This does not compute"

Instead, the true originator was a sitcom starring a pre-Catwoman Julie Newmar!
posted by clavdivs at 9:43 PM on January 14, 2015 [1 favorite]

Geek iconic == Geekonic?

Talented fellow.

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posted by Tell Me No Lies at 10:06 PM on January 14, 2015

Not many special effects get their own acting career—his creation Robby had a longer run than some actors.

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posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 10:54 PM on January 14, 2015 [1 favorite]

TOBOR is on YouTube as is the pilot for the TV show. Sort of validates my memory of 1959 TV experiences, all so long ago. Hot stuff for then of course.
posted by Freedomboy at 11:17 PM on January 14, 2015

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posted by Smart Dalek at 12:42 AM on January 15, 2015

Oh, the pain...the pain!
posted by rhizome at 1:11 AM on January 15, 2015 [3 favorites]

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posted by Thorzdad at 7:10 AM on January 15, 2015

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posted by Splunge at 7:38 AM on January 15, 2015

I cannot overstate how much I identified with "Will Rob-in-son", and loved his pal Robot, as a kid.

Come to think of it, that series replaced my earlier fandom of Johnny Sokko and His Amazing Robot. That mummy water that turned all the nuns in school to mummies... when I was in Catholic school... I never bent down to the drinking fountains in that school again without trepidation. And I went there for 8 years.

Anyway, thanks, Mr. Kinoshita.
posted by IAmBroom at 10:27 AM on January 15, 2015

My favorite picture of Robby.
posted by ckape at 10:36 AM on January 15, 2015 [1 favorite]

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For all the entertaining fun, many thanks.
posted by On the Corner at 12:01 AM on January 16, 2015

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posted by valkane at 5:01 AM on January 16, 2015