PLANET OF THE APES (1968) – Episode 191 – Decades of Horror: The Classic Era

“Take your stinking paws off me, you damned dirty ape!”  Yes, this is one of the most memorable movie lines in film history. Join this episode’s Grue-Crew – Daphne Monary-Ernsdorff, Chad Hunt, Doc Rotten, and Jeff Mohr – as they take a deep, deep dive into Planet of the Apes (1968), the first entry into one of Doc’s favorite movie franchises.

Decades of Horror: The Classic Era
Episode 191 – Planet of the Apes (1968)

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ANNOUNCEMENT
Decades of Horror The Classic Era is partnering with THE CLASSIC SCI-FI MOVIE CHANNEL, THE CLASSIC HORROR MOVIE CHANNEL, and WICKED HORROR TV CHANNEL
Which all now include video episodes of The Classic Era!
Available on Roku, AppleTV, Amazon FireTV, AndroidTV, Online Website.
Across All OTT platforms, as well as mobile, tablet, and desktop.
https://classicscifichannel.com/; https://classichorrorchannel.com/; https://wickedhorrortv.com/

Synopsis: After being kept in hypersleep during a long expedition into deep space, an astronaut crew crash-lands in the 40th century on a planet where highly intelligent non-human ape species are dominant and humans are enslaved.

• Directed by: Franklin J. Schaffner
• Writing Credits: Michael Wilson (screenplay by) and Rod Serling (screenplay by); Pierre Boulle (based on his 1963 novel, La Planète des singes); John T. Kelley (additional dialogue) (uncredited)
• Produced by:
  • Arthur P. Jacobs (producer)
  • Mort Abrahams (associate producer)
• Music by: Jerry Goldsmith
• Cinematography by: Leon Shamroy (director of photography)
• Editing by: Hugh S. Fowler
• Art Direction by: William J. Creber (as William Creber), Jack Martin Smith
• Set Decoration by: Norman Rockett, Walter M. Scott
• Costume Design by: Morton Haack
• Makeup Department
  • John Chambers (creative makeup designer)
  • Ben Nye (makeup artist)
  • Daniel C. Striepeke (makeup artist) (as Dan Striepeke)
  • Thomas R. Burman (assistant make-up artist) (uncredited)
  • Don L. Cash (makeup artist: Roddy McDowall) (uncredited)
  • Ken Chase (makeup artist) (uncredited)
  • Leo Lotito Jr. (makeup artist) (uncredited)
  • Howard Smit (makeup artist) (uncredited)
  • Maurice Stein (makeup artist) (uncredited)
  • Marvin G. Westmore (makeup artist) (uncredited)
  • Gene Witham (makeup artist) (uncredited)
  • Fuminori Ôhashi (makeup advisor) (uncredited)
  • Josephine Turner (wig maker) (uncredited)
  • Margaret Donovan (hair styling supervisor) (uncredited)
  • Edith Lindon (hairstylist)
  • Sharleen Rassi (hair stylist) (uncredited)
  • Jan Van Uchelen (hair stylist) (uncredited)
  • Eve Newing (hairdresser) (uncredited)
• Visual Effects by:
  • L.B. Abbott (special photographic effects)
  • Art Cruickshank (special photographic effects)
  • Emil Kosa Jr. (head matte artist) (special photographic effects)
• Selected Cast:
  • Charlton Heston as George Taylor
  • Roddy McDowall as Cornelius
  • Kim Hunter as Zira
  • Maurice Evans as Dr. Zaius
  • James Whitmore as President of the Assembly
  • James Daly as Honorious
  • Linda Harrison as Nova
  • Robert Gunner as Landon
  • Lou Wagner as Lucius
  • Woodrow Parfrey as Maximus
  • Jeff Burton as Dodge
  • Buck Kartalian as Julius
  • Norman Burton as Hunt Leader
  • Wright King as Dr. Galen
  • Paul Lambert as Minister
  • Billy Curtis as Child Ape (uncredited)
  • Frank Delfino as Child Ape (uncredited)
  • Buddy Douglas as Child Ape (uncredited)
  • Jerry Maren as Child Ape (uncredited)
  • Harry Monty as Child Ape (uncredited)
  • Felix Silla as Child Gorilla (uncredited)
  • Emory Souza as Child Ape (uncredited)

What Classic Era film spawned four sequels, a remake, a four-movie reimagining, a live action TV series, an animated TV series, comic books up the wazoo, merchandise and memorabilia up another wazoo, and included iconic scenes — in the true sense of the word “iconic” — that are ingrained in the culture over 50 years later? Of course, you’ve guessed that the topic of our discussion is Planet of the Apes (1968)!

The Classic Era Grue-Crew goes l-o-n-g on this one while discussing John Chambers’ groundbreaking special effects makeup, Jerry Goldsmith’s innovative score, the genesis of the film, the excellent cast and crew, and those iconic lines and scenes. What a blast!

At the time of this writing, Planet of the Apes (1968) is available to stream from IndieFlix and various PPV options. 

Gruesome Magazine’s Decades of Horror: The Classic Era records a new episode every two weeks. Next in their very flexible schedule – this one chosen by Jeff – is Kiss Me Deadly (1955)! Based on Mickey Spillane’s novel, this film noir, science fiction thriller is directed by Robert Aldrich and features Ralph Meeker and a fantastic supporting cast! We (at least Jeff) can’t wait!

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To each of you from each of them, “Thank you so much for watching and listening!”