The Invisible Boy (1957)

As one of the most costly film props at the time, it’s nice seeing Robby the Robot getting a little more love in this sequel of sorts to Forbidden Planet . Frustrated with his son, Richard Eyer’s, inability to live up to his expectations, scientist Philip Abbott takes the boy to his research laboratory where he introduces the kid to the local supercomputer and a box full of Robby parts. With a sudden, unexpected burst of intelligence, Richard manages to put Robby back together and finds in him the friend he has been longing for. This is no Forbidden Planet, but it’s still quite a bit of fun. Eyer is a complete brat in his role and would have been a great candidate to join the kids in Village of the Damned if he weren’t generally an idiot. He gets Robby to help him fly in a giant kite with no harness, turn invisible, and generally reek havoc all over his parents’ lives. Too bad there’s someone smarter and more powerful that can get in his way.