So, Robby the Robot is cute you say. Yes, Anne Francis has a darling figure and is dressed quite scantily for 1956. But Forbidden Planet, a high profile Scifi flick in widescreen doesn't stand up to time that well. It's rather quaint in technique and scripting and years of exposure to movie science fiction   have left the mental machinations of Dr. Morbius a distant memory in the blaze of current technology. Forbidden Planet plays more like a minor Star Trek episode and the wonder at special effects that may have greeted 1956 audiences does not warrant the excess minutes used to tell the rather thin story.

Morbius shows off Robby.MGM.-UA

     Dr. Morbius and his beautiful daughter Altaira has created a small island of paradise for themselves on a remote planet many moons away from Earth. A spaceship travels to the far away planet to discover the fate of the colonists. They are greeted by the mysterious Morbius and daughter. Before you have a chance to marvel at what the good doctor and his daughter have created, a mysterious force begins attacking the crew of the space expedition. Will they survive? Can they discover what the monster is?
     Walter Pidgeon brings an erudite presence to Morbius and Anne Francis lends innocence. Leslie Neilson, long before going "naked," plays Commander Adams with a fixed expression of gravity.
     Though it's not indicated on the box, the DVD offers an anamorphic 2.35 aspect ratio as well as standard widescreen and Pan and Scan. The image is sharp and the color more vivid than its laser incarnations on this transfer of Forbidden Planet. Still, there's more than optimal grain and the picture could have packed more punch. The 2-channel stereo plays fine

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Click on the image above for a "dream interview" with director John Ford.  
Check out the  Movie Poster   Archive for short bios and images of Susan Hayward, Kirk Douglas, Katharine Hepburn and many more. This month's featured star is  Gregory Peck.

Imaging Science Foundation promotes proper standards in home theater viewing. ISF trained technicians offer monitor calibration services to consumers. The difference in a  properly calibrated monitor can be astounding. Click on the image to find an ISF member near you.

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