Robot Monster

Often cast as chiseled heroes and stoic police detectives, George Nader’s talents as an actor were never fully exploited. Granted, rising to fame after playing the bare-chested lead in the execrably notorious Robot Monster could have had something to do with the lack of diversity in his roles. That the majority of his Hollywood films were with B-Movie factory Universal Pictures also might have helped seal his fate.

But what stands out the most about his life to me is how long lived (and seemingly happy) it was compared to many of his other queer contemporaries. His relationship with former actor Mark Miller lasted 55 years, ending only with Nader’s death, at the age of 80, in 2002. A sense of resiliency also seems at play in his personality. When an injury made working on camera difficult, Nader, creatively, turned to writing. His novel Chrome was one of the first widely distributed science fiction novels to deal with homosexual themes.

Ultimately, even his performances have a celebratory impact to them. Akin to (fellow expat sex symbol & equally well-regarded performer) Carroll Baker, he was embraced in Europe in the ‘60s, appearing as a stalwart FBI Agent named Jerry Cotton in a number of fun espionage features. Even the most ardent numerologist couldn’t resist such titles in his resume as The Million Eyes of Sumuru & House of 1,000 Dolls, as well. Nicely, both of those features have been re-released, in the last decade or so, as special editions, granting him a much-deserved celluloid legacy and the privilege of being thought of as a cinematic cult figure of note.

#georgenader #pridemonth #pride2023 #lgbtqia #family

Until the next time, SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!

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So this is how gay men dressed to get married in 1953! Love it!!

Nowadays, they party afterwards with the Bear Community. Back then it was Gorilla Robots!

There is nothing Big Gay Horror Fan adores more right now than Phil Tucker’s Robot Monster from 1953! Starring homosexual matinee idol George Nader, this glorious mess features cheap desert locales, the use of stock dinosaur footage and rabidly passionate non-acting from much of its cast. (Although the matriarch is played by an actress named Selena Royle. That’s a moniker 1000 drag queens could have a field day with!) The hunky Nader, who was best friends with Rock Hudson in real life, spends much of the film’s 62 minute running time shirtless, as well.

Of course, much of this exercise’s camp appeal comes from the hilarious inappropriateness of its main alien villains – two guys in gorilla suits crowned with silver space helmets. Still, there are a couple parallels to better pictures that may give this film’s viewers a moment of pause. In a moment of Frankenstein solemnity, the film’s youngest heroine meets her downfall at the hands’ of one of the Ro-Man’s. Meanwhile, the film’s focus on the young Jimmy (Gregory Moffett) ultimately has many correlations with the arc of The Wizard of Oz‘s Dorothy.

Still, one has to wonder what was harder for the masculine Nader – keeping a straight face while filming this Golden Turkey winner or having to play straight to meet Hollywood’s ultra-aggressive ‘Code of Honor’? Unfortunately, I am guessing it was probably the latter.

Still, you can’t complain too much about the silly glories of Robot Monster! Check the trailer below!:

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Until the next time, SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!

Big Gay Horror Fan

All posts tagged Robot Monster

Hopelessly Devoted To: George Nader

Retro Love: George Nader in Robot Monster (1953)