The Films (Bikini Machine 2.5/5, 2/5 Girl Bombs)

Vincent Price, who is without question one of the all-time great iconic actors in horror films (House of Wax, Dr. Phibes, Theater of Blood, Madhouse) also did some comedies during his glorious career. One such film is Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine where he plays the title character who creates an army of beautiful bikini clad women (including Susan Hart as Diane) that are actually robots.  His goal is have his sexy robot ladies seduce and even marry some of the wealthiest men on Earth, only to take their money and riches away from them.  With all of this money, Dr. Goldfoot will be able to take over the world. Standing in his way is future singer Frankie Avalon (Beach Blanket Bingo, Panic in Year Zero) as Secret Agent Craig Gamble

     This film is strictly for die-hard fans of 60s drive in style comedies. Even with the great performance of Vincent Price, the film, while popular in funny in its day, doesn’t quite hold up well in 2015. There are two great scenes in this movie. One of them is a “scary” sequence that has Vincent Price paying tribute to the Pit and the Pendulum (starring Price himself!) with stock footage galore from the climax of that film. The other really fun moment of the movie has climatic chase scene down the streets of San Francisco including the famous ‘crooked’ Lombard Street, Golden Gate Bridge and Fisherman’s Wharf. Price is given a lot of great dialogue and appears to be enjoying his role as Dr. Goldfoot. The movie did spawn a sequel as well.

    Vincent Price reprises his Dr Goldfoot role in the sequel to Dr Goldfoot and the Girl Bombs. This time he plans to take over the world is by having his female robots blow up NATO generals and leaders as soon as they get intimate with them. The girls literally blow up as soon as they hug a NATO general! Part of his ingenious plan is to start World War III between Russia and the USA. It’s up to Fabian (as Bill Dexter) to thwart the plan of Dr. Goldfoot. 

     Price, not only is Dr. Goldfoot in this movie, but also has another role as General Willis, and wears an eyepatch. It’s amusing but ultimately unfunny stuff, even though Price is terrific as the eclectic Dr. Goldfoot and clearly is enjoying his role. The sequel was made by Italian filmmakers, most noteworthy being directed by the great horror Giallo director Mario Bava. This film is considered his worst, and after watching it, I’m inclined to agree with that. According to some movie trivia notes, he did try to withdraw from directing this movie, but he was contractually obligated to direct it. The movie, also stars two Italian comedians, Franco, Ciccio add to the silliness of it all. Both Goldfoot films, like them or not, were hits and have a strong following.

Audio/Video (3.5/5)

Kino Lorber releases Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine on blu ray for the first time and overall it looks really, good. Presented in its original aspect ratio of 2:35:1 with a 1080p, MPEG 4 AVC encode, the colors are as sharp as they ever will, there is good depth. The image however seems to be vertically stretched, and the characters look thin or even narrow to me in many scenes.

The audio quality is the usual Kino DTS-HD Master Audio English 2.0 and it is serviceable.  Some of sound effects sound as if they were shot in an echo chamber (similar to the 1960 version of The Lost World for those who own the DVD of that movie)

Dr. Goldfoot and the Girl Bombs is presented in its original aspect ratio of 1:85:1 with a 1080p, MPEG 4 AVC encode. Colors are vivid, daylight scenes look great, and no DNR appears to have been applied. This is the best the film has ever looked

The audio quality is the usual Kino DTS-HD Master Audio English 2.0 and it is again more than serviceable

Extras (3/5)

Kino has provided some supplements for this release as well. Extras for this release include

An audio commentary by film historian David Del Valle and Filmmaker David DeCoteau

Animated "Bikini Bots" Image Gallery

Three trailers – we get trailers for  Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine , Dr. Goldfoot and the Girl Bombs  and House of the Long Shadows

 For Doctor Goldfoot and the Girlbombs Kino Lorber has included an audio commentary by film historian David Del Valle and Filmmaker David DeCoteau, animated "Girl Bots” stills and “Black Sabbath: Trailer from Hell” with Mick Garris. Rounding it off, there are a few Vincent Price trailers as well.

Overall

While not a terrible movie, Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine can be described as silly amusing, and entertaining to some degree. It’s not a great timeless classic to say the least but it is entertaining despite the dated 60s style of humor. Dr. Goldfoot and the Girl Bombs can be described as a silly, amusing, not very funny mess. But it’s Vincent Price and he’s just dynamic no matter how good or bad a film is!  These releases, with some good extras and picture quality, are sure to please the psychedelic fans of Dr. Goldfoot !