The Twonky (1953)

This movie predicts smart TVs and Smart homes in 1953.

" Ultra-Obscure Super-Shi**y Cinema " presents: The Twonky The Twonky is an extremely dated and obscure sci-fi/comedy from the early 50's, it's also rather distinctive, because I can't think of any other movie quite like it. I think my favorite thing about it is just how dated every single aspect about it is - especially the music, it's special effects and of course the vintage "television sets" some of which have four leg's and are in the habit of walking around the house."The Twonky" (WTF's a Twonky?) the title alone is what first made me look into this movie, certainly an eyebrow raiser, anyways the basic plot of it is this: A professor's wife leaves town for a visit to her sisters, and to keep her husband company while she's gone, she goes and buys one of those new-fangled electronic contraptions known as a television, only this ones very different from any other television. It's basically a robot and "It's Alive!" as it pretty much walks and talk's and (obnoxiously, even violently at times) serves it's master by emitting rays of light from it's screen. It has the ability to: light cigarette's, explode coffee mugs, counterfeit 5 dollar bills, shave beards, polish shoes, tie bow-ties, paralyze legs and brainwash people - "Passion Through The Ages" why it even has kinky reading habits. Throughout the film an assemblage of characters manage to wander into the professors house, most of which cross paths with The Twonky, why all the while it's master is plotting on how to get rid of it.If you don't follow me, just keep in mind that "The Twonky" IS the television set - as that will be obvious when watching the movie.The Twonky strikes me as a very unique cornball comedy, though, however NOT a particularly good one. I think my favorite character is that very dopey and dull-witted TV serviceman - now that's some funny acting, that guy was born to play a dullard in the movies. I find that there's definitely some similarities between this movie and Harvey (1950) having seen both several times it's pretty obvious, why even one of the actors from Harvey is in this movie; but you'll need someone else to examine it and explain it though. When comparing The Twonky to Harvey well.... this much is certain, both are quirky comedies from the early-50's, one is very well-known while thee other is virtually unknown, one is brilliant, thee other is mediocre.When watching this profoundly dated movie, I felt like I was trapped in a time-warp of sorts and was being transported back to the early 1950's. Like I said it's VERY dated.I know I haven't been exactly flattering of it in my review, however The Twonky DOES have it's qualities and is certainly worth seeing at least once. I must confess it's a better movie than I remember, I was going to rate it at 2 or 3 stars, but I recently saw it again and was left with a higher opinion of it. Sit back and admire the sheer strangeness of it all, as it certainly is an oddity and an obscure rarely seen one at that.If you're ever wanting to see this obscure fossil of a movie try catching it on TCM (yes, Turner Classic Movies) they have what is surely the best looking copy available; as most prints of The Twonky are terribly washed out and fuzzy and are just plain awful looking. But not so on TCM.

*Spoiler/plot- 1952, The Twonky, A man receives a TV set from his loving wife to keep him happy while she is out of the house. The TV set is really am alien from another planet and future time who is studying the human race's passions and problems. At first, it's fun. The man calls it, "A twonky". His name for a unexplainable, all powerful manipulator in his household life. The Twonky becomes more and more protective and restrictive for the man's likes and dislikes. But sadly, the twonky wins out in the end.*Special Stars- Han Conreid as the husband. Arch Oboler as this satire's producer, writer, and director.*Theme- The idiot tube will rob you of your individual life.*Based on- The Golem tale.*Trivia/location/goofs- This satire film was the ironic basis of many TV shows to follow like Twilight Zone, One Step Beyond, Karloff's The Veil, and Outer Limits. This interesting film was aired on Conried's birthday on TCM many years ago. Am interesting satire like Hans Conried's film, "The 5000 Fingers of Dr T".*Emotion- This was a frightening movie for your TV watchers to see and think about. 50's TV watcher's parents had voiced opposition to over watching so much TV, voiced in that new TV centric era. Some director decided to take those parental views and mix it into the scifi high suspense and drama of 'The Twonky'. The film makes some good points about human behavior and the use of TV in our society. Very interesting and maybe a screening today would be of particular note.

Like many of the other reviewers I saw this film as a teenager. I am mystified at how some folks describe being scared by the film, but I have actually met several who were. I won't go into the plot again as others have done, but I'll just say that it's weird and very ahead of it's time. I thought Conried was excellent and perfect for the role of Cary, but the supporting cast was a bit weak. I found a great copy of the film on DVD several years ago and I continue to enjoy it. I have seen it listed several times on EBAY. I found the film to be funny and quite offbeat and would recommend it to those who like odd films. If you have a chance to see it, go for it!