Before too long , Gene and his two l 'il pardners ( the child actors Frankie Darro and Betsy King Ross ) find themselves caught between the rampaging savants and the legions of Wagnerian Thunder Riders ( accompanied by appropriate sound effects ) and lumbering mechanical men ( whimsical robots built for a production number in MGM 's " Dancing Lady " but cut from the final film ) sent forth by Murania 's " She " -like Queen Tika ( Dorothy Christy ) to prevent her land of peace and plenty from being invaded by rapacious " surface men . "