Still, I am definitely a fan of the TV series. I basically just consider it to be another alternate Apes timeline, and go along for the ride, talking humans and all. I also very much like the leads - Roddy McDowell, of course, but also Ron Harper and James Naughton. Even watching the show as an adult, I find the characters they portrayed to be quite admirable - brave, loyal, and intelligent - and the chemistry between the actors was strong.
Another fun 70s show; much better than the cartoon series (despite buying the cartoon on DVD, I've only watched the first episode. It was pretty bad. I guess modern entertainment has raised our expectations since the 70s. Sigh). But the live action series was great fun.
ReplyDeleteTry watching the animated show again; while the animation is pretty bad throughout, the stories do get better after the first episode. In fact, I rather like the animated series' alternate Apes timeline...
DeleteChristopher is correct, the animated series is definitely worth watching. The animated series contains many of the elements of the 1968 and 1970 films.
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Burke was James Naughton (who has since gone on to a long career on Broadway), not David Naughton (who didn't appear in his first Dr Pepper commercial until 1974 or American Werewolf in London in 1980).
ReplyDeleteYeah, I knew that. Sorry. Problem with trying to knock out a post ten minutes before going to bed after having been up all night. Fixed.
Delete"The films were immensely popular in their TV showings..."
ReplyDeleteHeck, yeah. We always looked forward to any PotA movies in prime time. That was a time when recent theatrical movies on TV was a big deal, instead of everybody buying the DVD. We felt like we were all participating in a communal event, and we could go to school the next day and discuss the night with our friends. Now everybody is so isolated, doing things on their own schedule. Even families break up every evening to watch and play on separate TVs, Xboxes, computers, tablets, smart phones, etc. instead of crowding around one TV in the living room. Togetherness is a thing of the past. The nuclear family has undergone fission.
I like this show alot Chris too.they did have very good chemestry between all the actors and Im a big fan of Ron Harper I guess thats why I like Land of the Lost Season 3 so much too
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this live TV Series more than any movie except the original '68 film. I enjoy it still, having a few episodes on my iPod ("The Trap" and the pilot, both about the best episodes done..).
ReplyDeleteThe chemistry was great, and especially in 'The Trap' having Mark Leonard squaring off against Jim Naughton still is stirring to watch, finally engaging in extended arguing, not just a quick stand-off scene together.
It would have been great to see the basic chase formula stretched a bit had it gone to a 2nd season, but all in all, it's nearly my favorite POTA outing. Never missed it, loved having the DVD set.
It was also McDowell's favorite production as well.
I really wish this show had gotten a whole year. I wish the writers had tried to expand the ideas a little more, but the chemistry of the three main characters was definitely getting stronger with each episode.
ReplyDeleteI was introduced to PLANET OF THE APES, by this series back in 74, when I was a kid. I remember how it marked me tremendouly and obviously I became a lifelong fan. I eventualy went on to see the five movies, wich incresede even more my devotion to this saga and also saw the cartoon series.
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