# How did props from "Forbidden Planet" end up on Twilight Zone episodes? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** tv-shows-scripted\ **Created:** [October 1, 2026, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-props-from-forbidden-planet-end-up-on-twilight-zone-episodes/1033496 "2026-10-01T02:46:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2026, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-props-from-forbidden-planet-end-up-on-twilight-zone-episodes/1033496/1 "2026-10-01T02:46:26Z")
Whoever owned Twilight Zone either was the same company behind Forbidden Planet or else bought the rights to the props. Does anyone know the full story? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2026, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-props-from-forbidden-planet-end-up-on-twilight-zone-episodes/1033496/2 "2026-10-01T02:48:25Z")
Robby the Robot at least made the rounds. [He was seen in a lot of shows and movies](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1119475/). What other props do you recall? Both Forbidden Planet and Twilight Zone were filmed at MGM studio and MGM used to be great at storing old props. So TZ had access. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2026, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-props-from-forbidden-planet-end-up-on-twilight-zone-episodes/1033496/3 "2026-10-01T02:57:16Z")
I think movie studios used the same sets and props for a bunch of shows I know there’s a certain living room with a staircase I’ve seen in lots of old movies. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2026, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-props-from-forbidden-planet-end-up-on-twilight-zone-episodes/1033496/4 "2026-10-01T03:06:15Z")
Props are sometimes owned by companies who rent them out to various studios. The PKE meter from Ghostbusters also appeared in _They Live_ and _Suburban Commando_. Armor from _Starship Troopers_ was later used in the televison series _Firefly_. There’s a somewhat famous science fiction prop of two tubes of light that was in _The Wrath of Khan_, _Star Trek the Next Generation, The Last Starfighter_ and I’m sure other productions I can’t think of. Bounty hunter Bossk from _The Empire Strikes Back_ is wearing an astronaut costume from _Dr. Who_. I guess that doesn’t answer specific questions about _The Twilight Zone_ though. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2026, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-props-from-forbidden-planet-end-up-on-twilight-zone-episodes/1033496/5 "2026-10-01T03:08:08Z")
Again, those props belonged to MGM, where Twilight Zone was filmed. Robby was rented out and loaned out a lot. He has his own IMDB page. Kind of like the Muppets do. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2026, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-props-from-forbidden-planet-end-up-on-twilight-zone-episodes/1033496/6 "2026-10-01T03:09:00Z")
Aside from Robby the Robot, Twilight Zone used the spaceship model (repeatedly) and the ground car. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2026, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-props-from-forbidden-planet-end-up-on-twilight-zone-episodes/1033496/7 "2026-10-01T05:43:26Z")
In _Star Trek, City on the Edge of Forever,_ Captain Kirk & Spock are walking down a recognizable street in Mayberry RFD. Props & whole sets were re-used often in Hollywood studios. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2026, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-props-from-forbidden-planet-end-up-on-twilight-zone-episodes/1033496/8 "2026-10-01T06:28:32Z")
> [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](#): > > Props & whole sets were re-used often in Hollywood studios. Every French town in _ **Combat!** _ looked exactly the same, since they were all MGM’s European Village. The water tower Barney climbed to deposit the psychoactive drug BU230 in an episode of _ **Mission: Impossible** _ can be seen in photos of the Desilu/Paramount lot. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2026, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-props-from-forbidden-planet-end-up-on-twilight-zone-episodes/1033496/9 "2026-10-01T06:47:40Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > The water tower Barney climbed to deposit the psychoactive drug BU230 in an episode of _ **Mission: Impossible** _ can be seen in photos of the Desilu/Paramount lot. I think that is the same one that appears (incongruously) in the background of the German POW camp in Hogan’s Heroes. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2026, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-props-from-forbidden-planet-end-up-on-twilight-zone-episodes/1033496/10 "2026-10-01T06:57:13Z")
I believe the one in _ **M:I** _ was much taller and more modern. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2026, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-props-from-forbidden-planet-end-up-on-twilight-zone-episodes/1033496/11 "2026-10-01T07:16:46Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I think movie studios used the same sets and props for a bunch of shows > > I know there’s a certain living room with a staircase I’ve seen in lots of old movies. It doesn’t even have to be the same studio or production company. The same Venus de Milo figurine with a clock in her belly appears in both the 1950 and 1991 versions of _Father Of The Bride_, and the production companies were different. I may have made this up in my mind, but I could have sworn that one of the space pods from _2001: A Space Odyssey_ (well, there probably only was one, really), also appeared in a late 1940s film, this time as a gunnery turret on a large bomber. The characters were touring an airplane factory. I’ve never been able to confirm this, though, or identify the movie. I’ve only seen it once and it was a very long time ago. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2026, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-props-from-forbidden-planet-end-up-on-twilight-zone-episodes/1033496/12 "2026-10-01T07:38:05Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > I believe the one in _ **M:I** _ was much taller and more modern. No, not the small wooden one inside the POW camp. I mean an actual water tower for the local water system, located outside the studio backlot grounds – it appears sometimes in the background of outdoor shots in the Hogan’s Heroes series. See [https://retroweb.com/40acres/stalag\_13\_view\_southwest.jpg](https://retroweb.com/40acres/stalag_13_view_southwest.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2026, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-props-from-forbidden-planet-end-up-on-twilight-zone-episodes/1033496/13 "2026-10-01T14:16:11Z")
I recently watched a bunch of TZ but it was the first time since I had become so familiar with Forbidden Planet. I already knew that the C-57D appeared in TZ as both the miniature (as “aliens” terrorizing an old woman) and as a set piece (for frightened people fleeing their planet). No surprise there. But I enjoyed the unexpected appearance of Krell technology in various episodes. Specifically, the “power gauges” from the Krell laboratory. Does any other stuff from FB make an appearance? ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2026, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-props-from-forbidden-planet-end-up-on-twilight-zone-episodes/1033496/14 "2026-10-01T14:25:48Z")
That might be it, but I’d have to see the episode of _ **M:I** _ to be sure. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2026, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-props-from-forbidden-planet-end-up-on-twilight-zone-episodes/1033496/15 "2026-10-01T14:29:49Z")
> [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](#): > > It doesn’t even have to be the same studio or production company. The same Venus de Milo figurine with a clock in her belly appears in both the 1950 and 1991 versions of _Father Of The Bride_, and the production companies were different. The box Obi-Wan stores Anakin’s lightsaber in in _Star Wars_ is the same box Lex Luthor stores kryptonite in in _Superman_ (1978). ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2026, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-props-from-forbidden-planet-end-up-on-twilight-zone-episodes/1033496/16 "2026-10-01T14:37:48Z")
Actually, I think you’re right. The tower is in this shot of the Back 40. I just can’t imagine anyone climbing to the very top. [musso\_backlot\_and\_studio\_facilities.jpg (900×718)](https://retroweb.com/40acres/musso_backlot_and_studio_facilities.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2026, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-props-from-forbidden-planet-end-up-on-twilight-zone-episodes/1033496/17 "2026-10-01T14:44:57Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Robby was rented out and loaned out a lot. It even appeared on an episode of Columbo, as a brainiac kid’s Science Fair project, or something. That was an eyeroll moment 🙄 It’s not Chekhov’s robot, people! Just because you have it doesn’t mean you always need to use it. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2026, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-props-from-forbidden-planet-end-up-on-twilight-zone-episodes/1033496/18 "2026-10-01T14:53:22Z")
Well, having looked at his credits last night. 2026: 1 episode of Euphoria. Most of their viewers probably don’t know Robby or Forbidden Planet. Last time I saw him was 2014 on Big Bang Theory. They also had the classic 1960 Time Machine in another episode. He kind of famously appeared near a Dalek in 2003’s Looney Tunes: Back in Action. I mean [32 credits is impressive](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1119475/#credits), including a major role in the forgotten 1957 movie _The Invisible Boy_. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2026, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-props-from-forbidden-planet-end-up-on-twilight-zone-episodes/1033496/19 "2026-10-01T14:54:11Z")
Vasquez Rocks ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2026, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-props-from-forbidden-planet-end-up-on-twilight-zone-episodes/1033496/20 "2026-10-01T14:55:40Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > Vasquez Rocks Do you mean the Gorn rocks? Also showed up in Big Bang Theory come to think of it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-props-from-forbidden-planet-end-up-on-twilight-zone-episodes/1033496.md?page=2)