Monster of the Day #34

Updated on May 26, 2010 By Ken Begg 30 Comments

Commanders Adams: You still refuse to face the truth.
Dr. Edward Morbius: What truth?
Adams:  Morbius, that thing out there – it’s you.
Morbius: You’re insane. How else would you have led it here, where Alta must see you torn to pieces?
Adams: You still think she’s immune? She’s joined herself to me, body and soul!
Altaira: Yes, and whatever comes, forever.
Morbius: Say it’s a lie. Shout, let it hear you out there! Tell it you don’t love this man!
Altaira: Not even if I could.
Morbius: Stop it, Robby! Don’t let it in! Kill it, Robby!
Adams: It’s no use. He knows it’s your other self.

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  • GalaxyJane

    Proof that Leslie Nielsen did indeed have a career before the Zuckers.

    Greatest monster from the Id, ever.

  • BeckoningChasm

    Awesome movie, awesome effects, Leslie Nielson before his 80’s make-over.

    Say, Ken, when you’re done with this series (or the year ends) are you going to put these into a Nugget? “Monster of the Day 2010”?

  • That would be a big nugget, what with all the pictures. You can call them all up, though, by going to the tag box on the front page, and hitting the large “monster of the day” tag.

  • The Rev. D.D.

    Man, that’s a great shot you’ve got of it there.

    I am a bit ashamed to admit that I have not seen this movie in its entirety.

    *creeps off to hide*

  • Marsden

    And there is a remake in the works. I don’t know, it might actually be good, but… who knows?

  • @Marsden

    Knowing Hollywood, I’m going with “who knows?”.

  • BeckoningChasm

    Knowing Hollywood, I’m thinking “starring role for Keanu Reeves.”

  • Ericb

    And Dr. Morbius will be woring for an EEEEEEEvil guvmn’t/corporate project which is trying to create a super weapon from Krell technology.

  • John Nowak

    I think it’s one of the strongest themes in science fiction. Tarkovsky actually played with the central idea twice, in Solaris and Stalker. On the other side of the scale, it seems to have informed Sphere. (Haven’t seen that one — just going by the review on this site).

    And it was done, albeit far more playfully in the “Shore Leave” episode of Star Trek: Seriee Without 3-Letter Acronym.

  • Rock Baker

    I think this was the first film I ever saw that was scoped. Way back when, TNT was spearheading the broadcasting of letterboxed movies. I can’t remember what all they showed, but I know they showed this and How The West Was Won. They were exciting times, and for a while TNT and AMC were the best places on the dial for movie fans. Weird but true.

    This picture was classy and intelligent, not sure I want to see it remade as a dumbed down action flick with CGI spaceships and a camera that never sits still. Oh, it might be fun, but I’m really not looking forward to such a thing. I’m still all but praying that the Creature From the Black Lagoon remake fails to appear.

  • I think it’s a good change that the failure of the [sic] “Wolfman” movie killed the Creature remake.

  • There was undeniably a wolfman in the new Wolfman movie.

    My guess as to a remake of Forbidden Planet is that if they put tons of money behind it, it will prove okay, but flaccid, like The Day the Earth Stood Still, or Wolfman. Not terrible, exactly, but not films anyone should feel a pressing need to own.

  • Rock Baker

    If they’d only learn to remake bad movies into good ones, and leave our classics alone… But then you get into something of a problem there too, since we all have different ideas of ‘bad’ you’d still have fans lamenting the fact that one of their favorite movies was being remade, and arguably not for the better.

  • BeckoningChasm

    [Remakes of classics might be] Not terrible, exactly, but not films anyone should feel a pressing need to own.

    Or watch, for that matter.

  • Reed

    Keanu would make a smokin’ Robby the Robot.

    I love this movie unreservedly. Did the guy who created Robby and the ID monster win an academy award?

    I love the fact that even the comic relief guy using Robby to make hooch is competent and follows orders. Any modern remake is sure to feature a smart mouthed insubordinate goofball who will probably also be the guy who gets the girl.

  • Rock Baker

    And who could you possibly get to replace Anne Francis? In this film, she managed to project a child-like innocense and virginal charm, a trait rare these days in young actresses. (proof too of how well Francis could act, as she had earlier played a slutty runaway equally effectivly in So Young, So Bad)
    Come to think of it, her character isn’t very PC. In the remake she’ll have to be visibly smarter than Morbius (who would be changed to a woman if he were not the heavy of sorts) and rebelious in a fiesty way, and given a sex scene where she bests Adams with her new-found sexuality. Or they might make Adams a woman and gain extra PC points with lesbian leads.
    Man, I hate Hollywood.

  • Lindsey Lohen? One of the girls from The Vampire Diaries?

  • BeckoningChasm

    Rock, your comment depresses me with its unerring accuracy.

  • Mr. Blue

    I know- they could do an ending where it turns out that Altaira is really a figment of Dr. Morbius’ imagination! Whatta tweest!

  • I think Fay Wray can project all the emotions required by Altaira.

  • Gamera

    Perfect film as it is.

    As to a remake, aren’t Fread’s theories out of fashion today? My only phycology course was twenty years ago so maybe he’s enjoyed a resurgence but I remember the whole id, ego, superego idea being pretty much out nowdays.

    What really scares me is I can see some producer in Hollywood reading Rock Baker’s post and saying ‘that guy’s got some great ideas there…’

  • John Nowak

    I think the time and place for a remake would have been on TV, back when Star Trek was still hot. Sort of a “Further adventures of the C57-D” sort of thing.

  • P Stroud

    They will hack Forbidden Planet to death. It will have to have a screenplay that appeals to everybody and it will also have to inspire a line of toys. Anne Francis’ part will be played by some siliconed bimbo and George Clooney will probably be tapped for the part of Morbius. Ashton Kutcher will be the Captain and Robbie the Robot will be gay.

    Today’s Hollywood couldn’t even remake “The Day The World Ended” and improve it.

  • Gamera

    Good points!

    And looking back at my post I think it goes without saying spelling wasn’t my best subject.

  • Rock Baker

    “What really scares me is I can see some producer in Hollywood reading Rock Baker’s post and saying ‘that guy’s got some great ideas there…’”

    Now I’M scared!

  • Man, the Id Monster is awesome. Truly chilling stuff.

  • Gristle McThornbody

    Saw this for the first time when I was about seven or eight. Didn’t really understand all of the phsychology at the time, but man – once that monster appeared in the perimeter fence? I don’t think I blinked a single time during the remainder of the film.

    I own it on DVD and watch it at least once a year. If it’s remade, then I promise to haunt whoever makes it after I die.

  • John Nowak

    >I know- they could do an ending where it turns out that Altaira is really a figment of Dr. Morbius’ imagination! Whatta tweest!

    I hate to admit it, but I sort of like the idea. The film basically works on the assumption that the human psyche is a twisted and evil place and this might point out that there’s some good in there as well.

    I mean, if I went into the Sphere and my unconscious wishes turned into reality, I’d like to think there would be some bunnies and happy children laughing in a beautiful meadow.

    Along with the hot pleasure slaves and power to decide who lives and dies, of course.

    Sure, it wouldn’t be Forbidden Planet but maybe in a different movie on the same theme.

  • sandra

    I’ve never seen a remake of a classic that was as good as the original. Somehow, Hollywood invariably throws out the elements that made it great in the first place. Case in point, one of my all-time favorite films, DAY OF THE JACKAL. It’s like a fine Swiss watch: every frame fits with every other frame. Even though you KNOW that the Jackal isn’t going to win, because, of course, General de Gaulle was not assassinated, it keeps you on the edge of your seat. The remake ? Don’t even mention it in my hearing. Ken, if you ever do a Sci-Fi Character of the Day series, Robbie the Robot should be at the top of the list.

  • You can make a pretty solid argument that the remake of The Fly is better than the original. But yes, it’s pretty friggin’ rare.