What they did to that robot on 'Mystery Island' was disgraceful.

I keep imagining how dangerous was all those neon lights and their high voltage generators for the actor inside the robot.

It's sad to me how the story of this prop played out. I didn't even exist when the original run of this show aired, but it is such an iconic 'ROBOT' design. Like... if you try to imagine what a robot looks like this is it. I wish it was in more complete state but it's an absolute fluke when a prop this old can survive this long. The starship enterprise model from the original run of startrek is a fine example of just absolute luck that it survived at all. A huge 11 foot filming model with awkward pylons that should have long since been destroyed or cracked, surviving to be loved and admired by generations to come.

I suppose it's theoretically possible (and don't ask B9 about this, because it's explicitly a Non-Theorizing type) that the legs were just put on backwards after the restoration... the tilt of the bellows in the upper conjoined section is the almost exactly the reverse of that shown in the older images.

Judging by the appearance of the rubber knees that were still on the original treadsections when it was recently auctioned off at the Greg Jein auction, the legs probably rotted away to the point where they had to be replaced. I was shocked to see that Greg had the original brain. Like you, I thought the original was still on the Robot. I had heard very little original parts were still on him and I remember seeing that picture many years ago of the white painted treads. I also remember when Kevin was selling it on ebay. It didn't sell so he ended up selling it privately. I wonder if the buyer was aware of just how little of the original Robot was actually still on it?

If the legs were, as they appear to be, rubber, then they would have deteriorated many years ago.

Great video. Reminds me of the old joke “This is the best ax I’ve ever owned. It’s had three new handles over the years, and two new blades, but it’s still going strong.” I’ve always wondered why that children’s show went to the time and expense to alter the robot costume so much. I can’t see any aesthetic production need for it. As far as I am aware this was the original robot prop’s only other appearance in a film/show outside LIS. Robbie appeared in SO many different roles in the 50s and 60s without his appearance being radically altered from Forbidden Planet. Of course TZ messed with the head a bit but in his next appearance it was correct again. Why screw up the B9 like that? I don’t see the point.

Classic Ship of Theseus situation. Just found your channel and love it!

I suppose if I had wanted to buy the suit, I would go in expecting that a great deal of the original exterior was lost in the transition from that saturday morning show, but my biggest wonder would be if it were still possible for someone to get in and wear it again.

Had no idea the bubble interior housed the "brain". Learned something new. As for the prop, it's probably as authentic as could be expected, since the robot had so many fragile (neon, glass) and perishable (rubber parts). Plus the hero suit was designed in parts so that it could be worn by Bob May, so components could easily be separated and lost or moved. Reminds me of a James Bond Mercury cougar used in OHMSS. They auctioned the car, but the vehicle had been repainted, which basically eliminated what you saw on screen -- but it's the same car. But the robot has unique parts, so it's more recognizably "genuine".

Another great & informative offering.

Does anybody out there remember that the robot suit was used in a commercial for riding lawnmowers?????

Great robot information 👏

If someone bought those parts and built another; wouldn’t it also be an authentic hero just with a replacement center section?

Thanks, Daniel! If only I could have the guy responsible for “altering” the poor robot and painting him white under my power I’d be tempted to do a few things Fu Manchu would blanch at.

It never ceases to amaze me that people will just insult something as cool as that robot. Time marches on, I guess. BUT, luckily, you are here to set the record straight. Very enjoyable and interesting commentary. Thanks, Dan.

Great video...👍

Maybe the rubber corrugated legs are on backwards, which would make the seam different.

I always thought Dr. Smith was a Russian saboteur, sent to cause the failure of the mission, but far too cowardly to mess up things to the point where he would lose his life.

I think it would be funny if one person bought all those parts and reassembled them and then claim he had the original b9. If I owned the hero b9 I would want all those parts to put back on it fully restored of course. I restore antique clocks and the goal is always to repair and restore whats on the clock and not switch out parts.