The success of Dr. No spawned many imitations, including the Matt Helm series with Dean Martin, James Coburn’s Flint movies, and over at American International Pictures, the Dr. Goldfoot films with Vincent Price as the titular villain. The first film, Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine, is a fun little romp with Price having a blast as the mad scientist, giving the actor a chance to play broad comedy.
Studio: MGM
Distributed By: Kino Lorber
Video Resolution and Encode: 1080P/AVC
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Audio: English 2.0 DTS-HDMA
Subtitles:
Rating: G
Run Time: 1 Hr. 28 Min.
Package Includes: Blu-ray
Blu-ray keepcaseDisc Type: BD50 (dual layer)
Region: A
Release Date: 11/10/2015
MSRP: $29.95
The Production Rating: 3/5
In an attempt to take over the world, Dr. Goldfoot (Vincent Price) and his assistant Igor (Jack Mullaney) invent an army of bikini-clad female robots, sending them out to seduce the wealthiest men to sign over their riches. There’s just one problem - his main robot, Diane (Susan Hart) has targeted the wrong guy, Craig Gamble (Frankie Avalon), an agent with the Secret Intelligence Command (or SIC - he’s a SIC man, get it?). Goldfoot directs her to the real target, Todd Armstrong (Dwayne Hickman), but Craig is determined to find Diane, and in doing so, uncovers Goldfoot’s diabolical plan that ends in a chase through the streets of San Francisco.
Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine is not a great film, but it has its charms, particularly in Vincent Price’s performance as Dr. Goldfoot. You can tell Price is having a blast playing this character. Susan Hart is very pleasing to the eyes as the robotic Diane. Frankie Avalon is also quite charming as the SIC agent on Goldfoot’s trail. The film opens with a fun animated title sequence created by Art Clokey (Gumby) along with the catchy title tune sung by The Supremes. This was a big budget film for AIP (just over $1 million - a lot for an independent in 1965), and it paid off in spades, leading to a sequel, Dr. Goldfoot and the Girl Bombs, just one year later.
Video Rating: 3.5/5 3D Rating: NA
Kino’s Blu-ray presentation comes from a very good 1080p transfer using the AVC codec, retaining the film’s original 2.35:1 theatrical aspect ratio. Colors are consistent and not oversaturated, with realistic flesh tones. Contrast is quite good, providing decent black levels with whites that never clip. Detail, for the most part, is also quite good, with a few optically processed shots appearing a bit soft. The print is in relatively good shape, with only some minor specks of dirt here and there.
Audio Rating: 3/5
The DTS HD Master Audio 2.0 mono track serves its purpose, providing clear dialogue throughout and a nice dynamic range for the music and effects elements, with hiss and distortion at a minimum.
Special Features Rating: 4/5
Audio Commentary with David Del Valle and David DeCoteau: Del Valle of SinisterImage.com and DeCoteau of RapidHeart.tv are obviously big fans of Vincent Price, and provide a lot of information on the film and its star, with very little down time.
Animated Montage of Images (1080p; 1:18): A collection of posters and promotional stills.
Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine Trailer (480i; 2:45)
Dr. Goldfoot and the Girl Bombs Trailer (1080p; 2:08)
House of the Long Shadows Trailer (1080p; 2:27)
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
Fans of the movie and its star will find this release an easy purchase, and a must-have upgrade for those who may already own any of the previous DVD releases from MGM.
Reviewed By: Todd Erwin
Support HTF when you buy this title:
