Directed by Phil Tucker, Robot Monster is one of the most famously bizarre and belovedly bad science fiction films of the 1950s. Released in 3D by Astor Pictures, this 66-minute cult classic stars George Nader and features the unforgettable villain Ro-Man—a creature with a gorilla body and a diving helmet, tasked with wiping out humanity using a “Calcinator Death Ray.”
Plot Summary
Earth has been devastated by Ro-Man, an alien robot sent to destroy all human life. Only eight survivors remain, protected by an experimental antibiotic serum. As Ro-Man hunts them down, he begins to develop feelings for Alice, the scientist’s daughter, leading to a surreal conflict between duty and desire. The film ends with a dreamlike twist that leaves viewers questioning what was real and what was imagined.
Cast Highlights
- George Nader as Roy
- Claudia Barrett as Alice
- George Barrows as Ro-Man (in costume)
- John Mylong, Selena Royle, and Gregory Moffett round out the cast
- Elmer Bernstein composed the score—yes, that Elmer Bernstein
Behind-the-Scenes Trivia
- Shot in just four days, mostly outdoors in Bronson Canyon, a popular location for low-budget sci-fi and Westerns
- The film reused stock footage from other movies, including Rocketship X-M and Captive Women, to depict space scenes and apocalyptic destruction
- Despite a budget of only $20,000, it earned over $1 million, making it surprisingly profitable
- In 1984, MTV aired the film in its original 3D format, offering glasses by mail order
- Ro-Man’s costume was cobbled together from a gorilla suit and a space helmet with antennae—now iconic in cult film circles
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