Robots, Rayguns and Rockets

We have always enjoyed science fiction movies and paraphernalia. We have a grouping of small shelves in our livingroom with tin space toys on them. Gort (the robot shown from "The Day the Earth Stood Still) is on one of the shelves along with some other robots I picked up from various Internet stores. A Robby the Robot that walks and sparks is part of the collection. If you've got a spare $50,000 laying around you can buy a real Robby the Robot here at Hammacher Schlemmer. I just ordered the raygun and the rocket above from Tin Man Toys. Our home decor could be described as eclectic modern. The eclectic part has to do with the combination of steel, atomic style lampshades, glass table tops, sleek line sofas (yet very comfortable), swivel chairs and things like our tin toys and my Uglydolls.

I guess it is safe to say that this movie is Merle's favorite science fiction movie and I have to admit, it is very cool and well done. I like black and white movies and the old "very special" effects are fun to see. I'm particularly fond of pie pan flying saucers. The acting is also quite good. I looked up some information on the actor who was Gort, the robot. Here is what I found on the IMDB site

Joseph Lockard Martin Jr. (1916 - 1959). Height: 7'7". One of the tallest actors ever, he held various odd jobs before his debut on the silver screen. He worked for Spike Jones and his City Slickers, Ardens Dairy (in California,) as a Cowboy for Public Relations and at Knotts Berry Farm, (in California) also as a Cowboy. It was while he was working as a doorman at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood that his height was noticed and because of it he was chosen for the role of Gort. He also hosted a children's TV show in the Los Angeles area in the 50s called 'The Gentle Giant'. He was not a very strong man for his size. He was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills, California.

Watch the complete movie for free on Google Videos here. I have a Google account and you may have to set up one up to view it, but when I clicked on it, the movie started immediately without a glitch.

When you type this word into Google search, there are some very interesting results. This site, "Dr. Grordbort's Infallible Aether Oscillators and Other Marvelous Contraptions", has some fantastic rayguns that you can order and have, if you can afford them. Sadly, I cannot. My price range is slightly lower, in the $10 - $30 range. Check out these pictures of homemade rayguns - quite awesome. Wikipedia has a whole slew of links having to do with rayguns including how the military is supposedly creating or already has created raygun like technology. More about the development of real rayguns can be found here at the Wired Blog Network. I'm actually not a gun person at all, but the rayguns I enjoy are not actually "real" and they are artsy, so I really like them.

Speaking of rockets, here is the latest on the Space Shuttle Endeavor from NASA's website. The name "Shuttle" just doesn't have the same coolness as the name "Spaceship" - a Ship that sails into Space. Shuttle sounds like something in a factory that moves product from one place to another.
Spaceships are typically introduced in science fiction movies and stories. Underground Online lists their choices for the top 11 spaceships from the movies.


Lastly, I have discovered that my blogs have not been up to par in relationship to spacing and some other set up factors. I think I finally figured out everything and corrected it. Subsequent blogs should be in good order. I also just discovered how to link words and titles, so now that part will also be better looking.

Toodle-doo Til Later!