Simone O. Elias said the 1960s beach flicks, particularly the ones with Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello haven't withstood the test of time. She also said these movies were objectifying, yet liberating for women.
"Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine" was not specifically mentioned in Elias's book "Old Films Young Eyes," nor is it a Beach Party movie, but it's the same genre and contains a lot of bikini clad ladies.
Vincent Price portrays the titles villain who assembles a legion of robots guised as luscious ladies. His robots target extremely rich men, get them to fall in love, and then persuade the men to sign over their fortune to Dr. Goldfoot. The star robot, Susan Hart, mistakenly targets Frankie Avalon, a pauper according to Dr. Goldfoot.
A true cult classic? A movie so terrible it's great? Who am I to praise or pan? I can't honestly say I liked this flick, but I've watched it multiple times and I always laugh at Avalon's government job title; SIC.
With pride he's told he's a member of the Secret Intelligence Command, "You're a SIC man!"
Susan Hart seizing her victims attention.
Dr. Goldfoot's robots programed to be gold Diggers.
Three and half stars because this Reel-Ality is a pleasant escape from the current ills of reality. It seems like the world is plunging further into a nose dive with every single news headline, but there's always hope, Simone O. Elias said.
Elias shares her wisdom and film knowledge in her book, "Old Films, Young Eyes." In the book she reviews Pre-Code Hollywood flicks, movies from 1930-1934 and 1960s films. Her insight on Reel-Ality and actuality makes absolute sense, she's clear, consise and insightful in her reviews.
Mark Izzy Schurr
