We all stand on the shoulders of those who came before us. Extraordinary people who paved the way whether it be within our careers or personal lives. These memorable individuals cleared pathways for future generations. They were able to instigate brave, bold, necessary changes whenever possible. They didn’t stop to check the usual ‘order,’ instead they plowed forward and often pushed us along for the exciting ride.
I know I am who I am because of a former teacher and friend. She was one of my many role models who gave me the assurance I needed to become the teacher I dreamed of. Her contagious positivity and quiet, unassuming strength empowered me to find my unique voice. Even though she was only five feet tall in her stocking feet, she remains at least double that in stature in my heart. I always considered myself lucky to have her in my corner.
Films can have this same phenomenal effect from years ago that inspires those who come after. Rich cinema without the usual boundaries and rules are created. Audiences are given new, captivating content and amazing, innovative moments on screen. When producers, directors, and writers are energized to emulate a particular film, the industry takes note, and future projects are edited… updated, and remodeled forever. One such breakout movie was the enduring 1956 hit – FORBIDDEN PLANET. It has been a catalyst for new sci-fi storytelling for decades.
FORBIDDEN PLANET was a frontrunner to the future. Even though it did not win big awards, it totally changed how the Sci-fi genre created scripts. It gave a whole new perspective as to what was possible. People were watching. One such person was Gene Roddenberry, the genius behind the STAR TREK franchise. Writers from TWILIGHT ZONE and even George Lucas from STAR WARS were taking copious notes as well. FORBIDDEN PLANET came first.
The movie had a strong ensemble of characters which included Walter Pidgeon, Anne Francis, Earl Holliman, and the feature film debut of Leslie Nielsen. It is hard to recognize Nielsen since he played the romantic, non-comedian role of the Captain. Nary a sarcastic joke crossed his lips. The movie would have been much different if they had only known what an extraordinary, witty talent they had cast. Anne’s costumes were considered pretty risqué for the times. (extremely short minis) Walter Pidgeon loved to recite poetry in the middle of his longer monologues to keep the cast on its toes, and he would often play checkers with Nielsen in between takes.
The most unusual character was Robby the Robot. He was the first of his kind and looked very similar to the future robot from the LOST IN SPACE TV series that followed years later. Robby was supposed to be the comic relief even though he had the biggest brain ever imagined. His sixty gallons of booze that does not produce hangovers would be a huge investment even today. In the beginning, a person was inside the robot contraption until it tipped over from the added weight. Remote control solved that problem. The scientific world loved it, along with the Disney animators. They were asked to create the evil ‘monster’ who wreaked havoc and death on the crew through spectacular lighting effects.
FORBIDDEN PLANET was the first to use electronic tonalities for its musical score. Its loosely based theme from Shakespeare’s THE TEMPEST offered several nuances that were incorporated into STAR TREK scripts, which included having a very young commander, a round spaceship, wireless communicators, a character called Doc, hand-held electronic devices, strict space travel rules, and a Captain who always gets the girl from different planets. Even the serial number of the STARSHIP ENTERPRISE, 1701, came from the exact time the spaceship landed on the planet Altair at 17:01. Roddenberry truly loved FP and never forgot what he saw when he watched it for the first time in a movie theater.
FORBIDDEN PLANET is a pure classic Sci-fi with astonishing sets and seamless special effects. It ‘trailblazed’ future movies and TV shows yet to come as we travel this ever-expansive galaxy. Thank goodness for all those mind-boggling geniuses who were ahead of their time. It takes a village is so true for all, whether we are involved in generating magical moments on screen or molding the teenage mind. It is all relative and important work. We are who we are because of who has come before.
FORBIDDEN PLANET is available on TCM.
