Tobor
Encyclopedia
Tobor is a fictional robotic character, featured in the 1949-1954 American science-fiction TV-series Captain Video and His Video Rangers as well as being the main character of the 1954 movie Tobor the Great
(described as one of the most important works of the science-fiction canon at the time). A spinoff TV-series centered around Tobor was planned for the 1956-1957 season, Here Comes Tobor
, but in the end only a pilot episode was shot. Tobor was nine foot tall, and characterized by an "I Robot" sign on his chest. According to director of Tobor the Great Lee Sholem
the making of the Tobor robot costume took five months.
In the Captain Video series Tobor was initially an evil character and an enemy of Captain Video, but Tobor was later reformed and able to control his capabilities for good causes. In Tobor the Great Tobor is remote-controlled by the grandson of a scientist, and develops an inexplicable emotional link to the boy. Tobor is presented in the movie as a somewhat comical character, with a 'lumbering but pleasant clumsiness' as he walks through doors and into furniture. In effect, the character becomes a parody of Frankenstein's Monster
.
Dave Ballard played Tobor in the Captain Video series. Lew Smith played Tobor in Tobor the Great, but remained uncredited. The credits to the Here Comes Tobor pilot simply reads 'Tobor is played by Tobor'.
In the run-up to the 1956-1957 TV season, the production company Guild Films considered renting out 'Tobor' for private appearances.
Tobor the Great
Tobor the Great is a 1954 science fiction film, written by Carl Dudley & Philip MacDonald, and directed by Lee Sholem. It stars Charles Drake, Karin Booth, and Billy Chapin. The film was released on DVD on May 13, 2008 by Lionsgate Home Entertainment.Dr...
(described as one of the most important works of the science-fiction canon at the time). A spinoff TV-series centered around Tobor was planned for the 1956-1957 season, Here Comes Tobor
Here Comes Tobor
Here Comes Tobor was a proposed American science-fiction TV-series. It was produced for the 1956-1957 season. However, the project was not aired and only a pilot episode was filmed....
, but in the end only a pilot episode was shot. Tobor was nine foot tall, and characterized by an "I Robot" sign on his chest. According to director of Tobor the Great Lee Sholem
Lee Sholem
Lee Tabor Sholem was an American television and film director....
the making of the Tobor robot costume took five months.
In the Captain Video series Tobor was initially an evil character and an enemy of Captain Video, but Tobor was later reformed and able to control his capabilities for good causes. In Tobor the Great Tobor is remote-controlled by the grandson of a scientist, and develops an inexplicable emotional link to the boy. Tobor is presented in the movie as a somewhat comical character, with a 'lumbering but pleasant clumsiness' as he walks through doors and into furniture. In effect, the character becomes a parody of Frankenstein's Monster
Frankenstein's monster
Frankenstein's monster is a fictional character that first appeared in Mary Shelley's novel, Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus. The creature is often erroneously referred to as "Frankenstein", but in the novel the creature has no name...
.
Dave Ballard played Tobor in the Captain Video series. Lew Smith played Tobor in Tobor the Great, but remained uncredited. The credits to the Here Comes Tobor pilot simply reads 'Tobor is played by Tobor'.
In the run-up to the 1956-1957 TV season, the production company Guild Films considered renting out 'Tobor' for private appearances.