As one of the stars of the 1953 film The War of the Worlds, Ann Robinson had no idea that the sci-fi film would have such a lasting impact. When recalling her filming experience, Robinson explained that she understood that the film had promise, but that was the extent of her expectations.

“In those days, I didn’t know what a classic was,” said the actor during an interview with The Modesto Bee. “I don’t know if the word ‘classic’ had even been coined. Anything that George Pal did, you knew was going to be great.”

“Great” was probably the understatement of the century. The film was so widely loved that when Steven Spielberg adapted H.G. Wells’ novel in 2005, Robinson was invited to appear on screen. “Technically, it is a role, but really, it is a glorified cameo,” said Robinson. “At the very end, Gene Barry and I step out of the doors, we’re the grandfather and grandmother. Sure, I would have liked to be on the screen a little longer. But we served our purpose. I was grateful to be there.”

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Robinson’s road to the remake was entirely serendipitous. Before filming, Spielberg struggled to contact the actor, but fate brought them together when Robinson happened to speak to her next-door neighbor, who had auditioned for the film.

“He happened to mention to the casting people that he lived next door to Ann Robinson,” said the actor. “They said, ‘Oh my Lord, Steven Spielberg has been looking for her.’ So I called them and said, also, what about Gene Barry? I said, why can’t he be the grandfather? If we show up together, it would be more fun for the fans. So that’s what we did.”