An Interview with the Zorkamaton: The Robot from the 1939 Movie Serial The Phantom Creeps

In 1939, a movie serial called The Phantom Creeps appeared in theaters. It starred Bela Lugosi of Dracula fame, and a notable actor in the eight-foot-tall Zorkamaton. For a long time, nobody knew what ever became of this fascinating, handsome, and talented actor.

Zorkamaton offered intriguing good looks and charm likely to rival Rudolph Valentino and displayed acting skills easily in Marlon Brando's range. After months of research, I recently tracked Zorkamaton down at a Parisian café. After much cajoling and wheedling, he agreed to an interview.

We sat down at a table, he with a latte and I with an American (the French version of an Americano) and began our conversation.

First of all, I understand you do not like being called Zorkamaton. Can you explain why and what you would like to be called?

Bela Lugosi used �Zorkamaton' as my pet name on the set of The Phantom Creeps. It was never, and has never been my name. Even the character I played was called �The Robot' in the credits and script for The Phantom Creeps; never the Zorkamaton! I would like to be called Charlie, and don't ask for any explanation.

As long as it's not an acronym for something that starts with �cannibalistic humanoid', I'm not too concerned. Perhaps you could tell me about your creator.

Nikolai Tesla, the father of robotics, created me. My creation was really a hush-hush operation with possible military and law enforcement applications, but when Tesla and Edison fell at odds with each other, the project was scrapped. I was the only robot ever built under that project, and put me out on the streetsto fend for myself.� When Edison found out I was run on an engine that included an unusual variant of a Tesla coil, he wanted me back. (waves his hand) Let me tell you, I can really carry a grudge.

If they intended you for military use, that might explain the frightening features they gave you.