Return to the Planet of the Apes

Did You Know?

• The opening credits voice-over was done by Ted Knight.
• Three novelizations based on the series were published by Ballantine Books in 1976 under the pseudonym William Arrow.
• The series was later shown in reruns on the Sci Fi Channel in 1992 as part of Sci Fi Cartoon Quest.

Production

After the live-action series failed, NBC and 20th Century Fox agreed to adapt Planet of the Apes as an animated series in 1975. DePatie–Freleng Enterprises produced the half-hour Saturday-morning cartoon, with Doug Wildey, co-creator of Jonny Quest, taking creative control as associate producer, storyboard director, and supervising director. Wildey had only watched the original film and Beneath the Planet of the Apes, so his interpretation relied less on later films and returned to Vietnam War and Cold War themes. The plot follows three American astronauts—Bill Hudson, Jeff Allen, and Judy Franklin—who travel to Earth's far future, finding mute humans in desert caves, subterranean Underdwellers, and civilized apes subjugating humans. NBC broadcast thirteen episodes between September 6 and November 21, 1975, but the show did not achieve strong ratings. A second, three-episode season was considered but never produced.

Story

As with the film and live-action series, astronauts from Earth are hurtled into the future and stuck in a world of advanced apes and primitive humans. Over thirteen episodes, they attempt to stay ahead of the apes while understanding what happened and safeguarding humans. Each episode is self-contained, but story threads weave in and out, requiring viewing in order for the series to make sense. The animated series chronologically fits with the rest of the Apes universe, borrowing characters and elements from the movies, TV series, and original novel. General Urko is from the TV series; Zaius, Zira, Cornelius, Brent (renamed Ron Brent), and Nova are from the movies; Krador and the Underdwellers are loosely based on mutants from Beneath the Planet of the Apes. Unlike the movies, the series borrows more from the novel, with apes living in a civilized society using televisions, radios, cars, airplanes, and boats. The storyline was concluded before resolution, and it is not learned if the astronauts return to their time. Hints include Dr. Zaius relieving General Urko of command, and Cornelius and Zira believing the time is right for human equal rights. Characters frequently mention apes named after human historical figures, such as "William Apespeare" and a movie called "The Apefather."

Cast and characters

Bill Hudson (voiced by Richard Blackburn and Tom Williams) is a blond, blue-eyed male astronaut wearing a blue T-shirt and white pants. Cornelius (Henry Corden and Edwin Mills) is a male chimpanzee scientist. Zira (Philippa Harris) is a female chimpanzee scientist outspoken against the gorilla regime. General Urko (Henry Corden) is a power-hungry gorilla general planning to drive humans and Underdwellers off the planet. Judy Franklin (Claudette Nevins) is the lone female astronaut and expert pilot, kidnapped by Underdwellers before being rescued. Jeff Allen (Austin Stoker) is an African American male astronaut in a red turtleneck; Stoker previously played Mr. MacDonald in Battle for the Planet of the Apes. Dr. Zaius (Richard Blackburn) is the orangutan leader of the Ape Senate, questioning Urko's tactics. Nova (Claudette Nevins) is a human female joining the astronauts. Ronald Brent is a U.S. astronaut who arrived earlier. Krador leads the Underdwellers, and Kigor is a virtuous yeti who helps the group.

Home release

The standalone DVD release of Return to the Planet of the Apes: The Complete Animated Series was delayed until October 3, 2006, after the series had first appeared earlier that year in the Ultimate DVD Collection from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. Unlike the box set, which restored only three episodes, the individual release restored all thirteen and arranged them in their intended chronological order instead of the airdate sequence. It also added the option to view episodes with a preview of the next one, a feature missing from the box set. The back of the DVD case for the individual release contains multiple errors, listing episodes in airdate order, misdating one episode by a day, and giving two episodes the same airdate, which throws off the dates for the following two episodes by a week.