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I recently watched a bit of the Royal Variety SpecialityAct programme on television which reminded me of an act I saw, probably in the 1970's which really took my breath away.

It was either here or on some other TV Show

If I remember correctly, it was a bit like a mad scientist in a white coat seemingly making a robot, with it gradually ‘coming alive’ (probably something on the lines of Frankenstein)

At the end, the robot waves it’s arms about hitting the scientist causing his head to fall off, at which the crowd gasped and the lights went out

I've never been able to find out about the act

Does anybody remember ?

Many thanks !

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Great, quick reply ... that's it

Here's a You Tube link too

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isOEPpOIHlo

Vaguely remember it as McCarthy, but it was actually Al Carthy

Thanks a 1,000,000

Wow, I haven't seen that clip in ages.
Such a good effect!

In all honesty - i felt that kinda showed its age. The best bits where the hammer house of horror close up shots, which would have been lost on the audience.

Nice touch with the falling forwards bit mind you.

Frances , Al Carthy. I love that act.

The Gene Poinc Memorial Website (part of the Learned Pig) has a good robot-coming-to-life effect called Robot Rut and Rot -- look under the Illusions section. The Al Carthy clip also put me in mind of Poinc's A Sack of Santa, in the same section.