1968-1975
Some time ago, Blog of the Planet of the Apes ran an interview with actor Eric Braeden, best known by mainstream audiences from his role on the soap opera The Young and the Restless. Sci-fi genre fans know him as Dr. Charles Forbin in 1970’s Colossus: The Forbin Project and as Doctor Otto Hasslein in […]
With the passing of actor Ron Harper, who portrayed astronaut Alan Virdon on the 1974 Planet of the Apes TV show, it felt like the right time to take a look at his character, this profile culled from various filmed and written adventures. A farmer turned astronaut who lived in Houston, Texas, with his wife, […]
Actor Ron Harper, perhaps best known as astronaut Alan Virdon on the 1974 Planet of the Apes television series, has reportedly died at the age of 88 following years of battling Alzheimer’s disease induced dementia. It should be noted that this news has not been covered by mainstream outlets at this point. However, on March […]
Twenty-three years after the publication of the critically acclaimed Planet of the Apes Revisited, authors Joe Russo, Larry Landsman and Edward Gross are back with the two-volume The Unofficial Oral History of Planet of the Apes, a completely revised and thoroughly expanded look at the world of the Apes from 1963 to the present. These […]
Kim Hunter, born Janet Cole on November 12, 1922, in Detroit, Michigan, was a remarkable American actress known for her versatile performances in theater, film, and television. While she garnered critical acclaim throughout her career, it was her portrayal of the compassionate chimpanzee scientist, Dr. Zira, in the Planet of the Apes film series that […]
We’re ape-barrassed to admit it, but we weren’t familiar with the 1975 British television commercial that serves as something of a crossover between the Planet of the Apes and Star Trek franchises in terms of Mego figures. Now an “enterprising” fan named Craig Crane has lovingly restored one of those advertisements. Turning to Memory Alpha, […]
From the outset, let’s make one thing clear: the sound quality on this video from Retro Toys and Cartoons isn’t awesome, but it’s fun to take this nostalgic trip back through time to re-experience — especially if you’ve never seen it before, the Talking View-Master for the 1974 Planet of the Apes television series.
Dr. Zaius shows up quite a bit in the pop culture world, whether it’s The Simpsons doing a Planet of the Apes musical or comedian Dana Gould showing up in full make-up and regalia as the Chief Defender of the Faith on TV shows and live events. But what about the man who brought him […]
If you’ve got about nine minutes to spare, take a look at the Planet of the Apes television series from 1974 through the eyes of YouTube user Dave Sundstrom. He describes himself in the video itself as a major fan of the franchise.
Back when CBS was getting ready to launch the television version of Planet of the Apes in 1974, the network released a behind the scenes promo. Hosted by producer Herbert Hirschman, it attempts to paint a picture of what went into the production of the show, but the vast majority of the footage — filmed […]
This essay contains excerpts from prior essays written by the author, previously published in The Sacred Scrolls: Comics on the Planet of the Apes (Sequart, 2015) and Planet of the Apes: Tales from the Forbidden Zone (Titan Books, 2017). It’s hard to believe, but on April 3, the first Planet of the Apes movie will […]
It seems inevitable that starting this video will trigger an eye-roll, but stick with it, because this comic vignette from MADTV perfectly captures the essence of those dopey Elvis movies from the 1960s while meshing them with Planet of the Apes. The result is Elvis, Ann-Margret, some of the King’s buddies and. several gorillas, accompanied […]
In a YouTube video titled “Dr. Zaius Was Right” (you can watch it below) writer and narrator Kevin Maher offers up his theory that villains are defined by their goals, whether it’s wanting to rule the world or simply kill, for example, Harry Potter. And while said villains are typically wrong, there are exceptions, which […]
Whenever you’re a fan of something and you see a video or listicle pop up that claims there are dozens of things you don’t know, the first response is to give an “Oh, yeah?” smirk and check it out to prove your love for the brand. That being said, below you’ll find a fun and […]
“The only good human, is a dead human!” That proclamation from gorilla General Ursus in the second film of the original Apes cycle, 1970’s Beneath the Planet of the Apes, remains one of the most memorable of all nine films, a fact that’s unlikely to change with 2024’s Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. […]
In an online search for interesting Planet of the Apes oddities, we came across a three-part fan film under the umbrella title of “The Way Home.” What it’s attempting to do is offer up a final chapter for the 1974 POTA television series starring Roddy McDowall as Galen, Ron Harper as Alan Virdon and James […]
We all have an image of the late Rod Serling in mind, mostly instilled by his Classic TV series The Twilight Zone, which made its debut over 60 years ago, or by the fact that he wrote the early drafts of the screenplay for 1968’s Planet of the Apes. That image, of course, is of […]
There is something endlessly fascinating about the original Planet of the Apes from 1968, and particularly the ending taking place within the Forbidden Zone and revealing what remains one of the most iconic moments in Hollywood history: the reveal of the Statue of Liberty’s remains, with Charlton Heston as astronaut George Taylor collapsing before it. […]
This is the first in a series offering up visual and written obituaries for cast and crew members of the Planet of the Apes franchise. GREGORY SIERRA (01/25/1937-01/04/2021) was an American actor best known for his portrayal of Detective Sergeant Chano Amenguale on the iconic 1970s television series, Barney Miller. Fans of another iconic 1970s sitcom, […]
Taking a look at the lighter side of all things Planet of the Apes, from 2018 comes this video titled “Dr. Zaius (Dana Gould) Crashes the Planet of the Apes 50th Anniversary Screening. “Being a doctor,” offers the description of the event held as part of the USC Visions and Voices series, “he sits in […]
Apes fans really should be grateful for Classic TV, because these comic vignettes from the ’70s involving Planet of the Apes keep popping up. First it was Don Rickles as Dr. Zaius from a 1973 special, and now we’re revisiting The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour in which Jim Nabors — forever known as Gomer […]
It was a moment that seemed strangely out of place. The Titanic was in its death throes when the maestro behind the mayhem turned to Eric Braeden and uttered a single word: “Never.” Eric felt the questioning look cross his own face as he turned to the voice. The confusion evident, the speaker, director James Cameron, explained: […]
That headline sounds so bizarre, but Eddie Murphy definitely makes a point, as you’ll see in the video above where he’s driving around with Jerry Seinfeld. Or you can read it in the transcript below. EDDIE MURPHY: You like The Wizard of Oz? JERRY SEINFELD: I love The Wizard of Oz. EDDIE MURPHY: Planet of […]
Let’s preface this by saying it’s pretty silly and certainly captures the more innocent humor of its time, but back in 1973 — the same year that Battle for the Planet of the Apes was released — comedian Don Rickles (modern audiences know him as the voice of Mr. Potatohead in the Toy Story franchise) […]
Austin Stoker’s career has taken in more than his fair share of landmarks and cult status roles. To many, he is Lt. Ethan Bishop from John Carpenter’s Assault on Precinct 13. To others he is Virgil from the landmark television series Roots. Apes fans had the good fortune to have had Austin Stoker play two […]
Nothing says “nostalgia” like remembering when you were a kid in 1975, being 7-years-old and going to the local Ben Franklin store with your mother — and knowing that they had a box of Planet of the Apes TV series trading cards full of wax packs waiting on you. Not to mention, collecting glass soda […]