After a comprehensive search in the Wotan archive to find the original green robot from the Magic Robot game, it soon became apparent that he had been sold off on ebay back in the early days of my collecting fever. However, the search did remind me of two other fine examples of robotic design from japanese toy maker Masudaya. These small clockwork models, each about 3 inches high, were produced in limited numbers in 1984.
Possibly two of the most iconic robots ever made and before the advent of Star Wars, the inspiration for a whole legion of spin offs and copies. Robbie, the lumbering giant from Forbidden Planet, manages to encompass both the anthropomorphic characteristics of walking and having a deep resonant voice and the whirring, clicking electronic brain from an early computer. His appearance in the 1957 film and in a subsequent feature, the Invisible Boy, spawned millions of tin lookalike toys. This model is all plastic and has a clockwork mechanism that moves him in a mock walking motion with his static legs, by using pins in the feet to wobble him forward.
A second model in the series Robot YM-3 hailed from Irwn Allens Lost in Space tv series and shared similar characteristics to Robbie, the clear glass head, lack of face and the mechanicl brain. YM-3 benefits from a wheeled base and clockwork motor.
Both toys came originally unpainted with minor surface decoration. Looking at them now its almost possible to hear their distinctive, rounded tones reciting classic phrases such as "will sixty gallons be sufficent ?" and "Danger Will Robinson!".
There is also a small plastic kit of the Lost in Space robot, orignally by Aurora, now marketed I think by Polar Lights. As it's about £12, I have resisted buying it before seeing it outside the box (anyone know if its any good?).
ReplyDeleteThere was a cool modern version of YM3 by Trendmasters[?] to cash in on the Lost In Space movie with Gary Oldman. They were selling them off cheap years after in BOUYES, a Yorkshire discount chain. Foolishly I passed!
ReplyDeleteThere's an Aurora or Polar Lights kit of Robbie too. I was once offered the chance to make up a friend's kit, but I was too scared I'd ruin it (which I would have). I seem to recall it included alternate hands ... or am I misremembering?
ReplyDelete