Today we take a look at the Horror and Sci-Fi Work of Robert Clarke from 1951 to 1960. He ended up with 160 acting credits beginning in 1944 and was 85 years old at the time of his death in 2005. The Dungeon will always be blessed by his presence...
First up is
THE MAN FROM PLANET X from 1951. I like to dig this title out every now and then because of its very cool low budget charm! Oh, and check out that paperback cover I substituted for the poster, a Fawcett Movie Comic, how awesome is that?!
In 1955 Robert appeared in an episode of SCIENCE FICTION THEATRE titled "Spider, Inc." The story's about a scientist who thinks he can use a 50 million year old piece of amber with a spider encased within to produce synthetic oil. Also stars Gene Barry and Ludwig Stössel.
Another one of my favorite low budget flicks starring Robert is THE ASTOUNDING SHE-MONSTER from 1957. Kenne Duncan plays a great bad guy and it features Shirley Kilpatrick as the buxom, glowing She-Monster.
In 1958, Robert stars in, produces and co-directs
THE HIDEOUS SUN DEMON. Saw this one at the theater and it really hit the spot for a little monster guy like me!
Also in 1958, Robert scores the role of narrator in the Jules Verne sci-fi adventure,
FROM THE EARTH TO THE MOON, starring Joseph Cotten, George Sanders, Debra Paget and Patric Knowles.
Robert's back in 1959 to star in the super bizarro Jerry Warren production,
THE INCREDIBLE PETRIFIED WORLD. Also stars John Carradine, Phyllis Coates and Sheila Noonan.
Robert has the role of Major Gibbie Gibson in the episode "Burnout" on the TV Series MEN INTO SPACE in 1959. The story's about the continuing tests on a new alloy for re-entry. On one test the ship acts erratically and although the crew is saved, the ship is lost. A second mission is launched to try and understand what went wrong... Hey, I used to smoke those Lucky Strikes!
Last on the list is
BEYOND THE TIME BARRIER from 1960, another wild movie I like to watch again! So, there you have it, we're back on Wednesday for more fun stuff for you'se all, later dudeskis...
Mr. Clarke was a wonderful man! Very kind-hearted, caring toward his fans, and generous with his time. Without even asking, he sent me 3 autographed 8x10 stills from a few of his sci-fi/horror movies, and inscribed each one to me, appropriate to the characters in the photos. How many actors would do that today, unprompted and freely, without asking for $25-50 or more per still?
ReplyDeleteHe was truly one of a kind, from a generation of a gentler time.
Wonderful actor, wonderful films, and glad to hear via KD a wonderful guy as well!
ReplyDelete