Simply Smashing
Last week the US Library of Congress announced the discovery and restoration of a lost George Méliès short, Gugusse et l’Automate (Gugusse and the Automaton) which was first released in 1897.
It notably features the first robot attack on film. We are proud to present to you its first miniature theatrical screening.
In keeping with industry standard practice of Méliès’ day, the exhibitors have added music of their own choosing to accompany the film.
We are accompanying the screening with a collection of robots in film, from the oddly prescient Uber teats of Disney’s 1927 The Mechanical Cow, to the labor class destructing universal robots of the classic Soviet sci-fi Гибель сенсации (Loss of Sensation), loosely based on the Czech play R.U.R. from which the term Robot originated.
If this kind of thing is your jam, and/or if you’d like to see robots fighting in interactive 3D, Vancouver Combat Robotics is hosting its third monthly event at the Vancouver Hack Space (1601 Venables, front door) on March 13, ‘26. Bring a bot or just come cheer them on.
- Gugusse et l’Automate (1897) This newly discovered and freshly restored short film by legendary French cinema pioneer Georges Méliès establishes the fundamental narrative arc of man vs. man-shaped machine.
- The Mechanical Cow (1927) This delightful exploration of the possibilities of modern mechanization by Walt Disney Ub Iwerks features Mickey mouse progenitor Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.
- The Iron Man (1930) by John Foster Harry Bailey In a century of massive technological advances, it’s oddly comforting that package delivery remains essentially the same after 96 years.
- ゴジラ対メカゴジラ (Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla) (1974) by Jun Fukuda. You knew we had to.
- キングコングの逆襲 (King Kong Escapes) (1967) by Ishirō Honda Who doesn’t love a good old rubber monser suit fight featuring Mecha King Kong? (Sadly, to the best of our knowledge, Mecha King Kong and Mecha Godzilla have yet to meet on film.)
- гибель сенсации (Loss of Sensation) (1935) Speaking of themes that stay the same after 90 some years…
- KING KONG ESCAPES (1967) Spoilers for the end fight, sort of… you know from the opening credits that this film can only end one way: an ape vs. robot ape fistfight conducted whilst climbing a tall structure, accompanied by tiny screaming woman.
- A Clever Dummy Comic legend Ben Turpin stars in this 1917 Mack Sennett vignette.
- Super-Hooper-Dyne Lizzies (1925) by Del Lord Self-driving electric vehicles anyone? I’m sure they’ll figure out how to get them to stop for the cops any day now.
- Loss of Sensation (1935) OK Google… play “Overthrow our Capitalist Overlords” on Spotify.
- The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes’ Smarter Brother (1975) Gene Wilder’s directorial debut features some very fun swordfights, including whatever this is.
- Super-Hooper-Dyne Lizzies If that thing weighs less than 3 lbs, they should bring it to Robot Combat night.
- Loss of Sensation (1935) Bonus style points at Robot Combat night if your bot is saxophone controlled.