Reviews/Dr. Goldfoot and the Girl Bombs

Baron's review

Dr. Goldfoot & The Bikini Machine and Dr. Goldfoot & The Girl Bombs (4 September 2000)

A holiday "twofer!" Vincent Price made his mark on the hobby three times in the '60's. Once on the small screen (Shindig "Wild Weird World of Dr. Goldfoot"), and twice on the big one.

The first, and best, was "Dr Goldfoot & the Bikini Machine." A continuation of the "beach" comedy series, it also mixed elements of the budding superspy genre (e.g. Bond, Flint, etc.) Beach stalwart Frankie Avalon starred as secret agent Craig Gamble. Dwayne (Dobie Gillis) Hickman, as Todd Armstrong, did a turn as a target for Dr. Goldfoot (Price) and his sexy robot #11, played by Susan Hart.

The plot revolved around Dr. G's plan to acquire wealth using his homemade army of beautiful robots. He is assisted by bumbling Igor (Jack Mullaney), who blunders with the creation of the first robot #12 (Alberta Nelson), a somewhat brutish looking device! Dr. G soon rectifies the situation with the creation of a second #12 (Pam Rodgers). Eventually, Craig and Todd foil Dr. Goldfoot's plans, have a wild chase through San Francisco, and witness Goldfoot's "demise," only to have him turn up again, robot #11 (aka Diane) in tow, begging for a sequel.

Two other robots worth mentioning were #8, played by Deanna Lund (later played in "Land of the Giants"), and China Lee (unnumbered Oriental robot), who later did films as an early "Bond Girl" as well as a couple with Woody Allen.

Harvey Lembeck, Deborah Walley, and (of course) Annette Funicello all did cameos in this one. Trivia: Jack Mullaney also became the star of "My Living Doll" after original star Bob Cummings left. Guess he REALLY liked female robots!

A year later, Vincent Price returned as Dr. G in "Dr. Goldfoot and the Girl Bombs." This time around, Dr. G plans to start WWIII by sending his booby-trapped (actually in the navel) robots out to blow up all the NATO generals. This time, it's Fabian who must save the day. A slight diversion results when he enconters a robot duplicate of his girlfriend (Laura Antonelli). After yet another slapstick chase, Goldfoot escapes, clutching the robot "Hardjob," proving that even in bad cinema, Vincent had the right priorities........

The somewhat modest success of "Bikini Machine" was not repeated with "Girl Bombs." However, both films have fair amounts of robo-action: jerky movements, malfunctions, start-ups, and wind-downs. Rumors have it that there will be a possible revival of the Goldfoot franchise. Nothing concrete yet, but something to look out for!

Nope, the Goldfoot franchise is still dormant 4 years later. The Goldfoot influence HAS surfaced within all 3 Austin Powers movies; not just the use of sexy female robots, but in the overall tongue-in-cheek nature of the acting, as well as various plot elements.

As for the "franchise" members themselves, Vincent Price died in 1993; Susan Hart left the acting profession in the early 1970's (presumably still alive); Dwayne Hickman, and Frankie Avalon are still around; Jack Mullaney died in 1982; Fred Clark in 1968; Harvey Lembeck in '82; Deborah Walley in 2001; Sue Hamilton in 1969. Annette Funicello was stricken with MS in 1987, but survives. And the rest of the robots are apparently still with us.

Details for "Dr. Goldfoot and the Girl Bombs" remain somewhat sketchy, although research has identified Hardjob as being played by Moa Tahi; the identities of the rest of the fembot players (save Laura Antonelli) remains a mystery.

Goldfoot 1 is available on DVD; rumor has it that the Girl Bombs might be released in some form within a year........

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