Forbidden Planet a faster-than-light starship of their own creation. It was also the first to be set entirely on another planet in interstellar space, far away from Earth. The Robby the Robot character is one of the first film robots that was more than just a mechanical "tin can" on legs; Robby displays a distinct personality and is an integral supporting character in the film. Outside science fiction, the film was groundbreaking as the first of any genre to use an entirely electronic musical score, courtesy of Bebe and Louis Barron. "Forbidden Planet"'s effects team was nominated for the Academy Award for
Robby the Robot "The Thin Man", "Columbo", "The Addams Family", and "Lost in Space" where he battles The Robot. While Robby's appearance was generally consistent, there were exceptions. The original Rod Serling incarnation of "The Twilight Zone" - which was substantially filmed at MGM Studios - made extensive use of props and costumes originally created for "Forbidden Planet", including Robby. The Season 5 episode "Uncle Simon" (1963) featured Robby, although his appearance was considerably different, combining the familiar body with an alternative head. According to Robby's current owner, director William Malone, the head used in this episode was a prototype created during Robby's