Return to the Planet of the Apes: A Detailed Review of the 1975 Animated Series In the ever-expanding universe of the Planet of the Apes franchise, one adaptation often gets overlooked despite its unique approach to the material. Return to the Planet of the Apes stands as a fascinating animated interpretation that aired briefly on NBC Saturday mornings in 1975. This 13-episode series took the familiar premise in bold new directions, offering viewers a vision of ape society that was simultaneously more faithful to Pierre Boulle’s original novel and radically different from the live-action films that preceded it. For fans looking to explore this often-forgotten chapter in the franchise’s history, check out @stevenpani on YouTube for related vintage content that captures the essence of this era in television animation. The Development of Return to the Planet of the Apes After the cancellation of the live-action Planet of the Apes television series in 1974, 20th Century Fox wasn’t ready to abandon the franchise that had already spawned five successful films. The 1975 Planet of the Apes series emerged as NBC and Fox partnered with DePatie-Freleng Enterprises (known for their Pink Panther cartoons) to create a Saturday morning animated adaptation. The production brought on Doug Wildey, co-creator of Jonny Quest, to serve as associate producer and supervising director, lending his distinctive artistic vision to the project. What’s particularly interesting about the development process is that Wildey had only watched the original 1968 film and its first sequel, Beneath the Planet of the Apes. This limited exposure to the franchise meant that the animated series drew primarily from these two films rather than incorporating elements from the later sequels. As a result, the show returned to the Cold War and Vietnam War themes that were prominent in the first two movies, creating a more politically charged atmosphere than typical Saturday morning fare. The Return to the Planet of the Apes animated series aired from September 6 to November 29, 1975, producing just 13 episodes before concluding its run. Despite its short lifespan, the series made a lasting impression with its unique approach to the material and its ambitious storytelling. Voice Cast: Connections to the Original Films One of the most intriguing aspects of Return to the Planet of the Apes was its voice cast, particularly regarding connections to the original film series. While most animated adaptations of live-action properties try to secure original cast members to provide continuity, Return to the Planet of the Apes largely featured new talent. However, there was one notable exception that created a direct link to the film franchise. Austin Stoker, who provided the voice of astronaut Jeff Allen in the animated series, had previously appeared in the final film of the original series, Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973), where he played MacDonald. This casting choice created a subtle connection between the animated series and the films, though Stoker played entirely different characters in each production. The Return to the Planet of the Apes voice actors brought unique interpretations to these familiar characters: Tom Williams as Bill Hudson Austin Stoker as Jeff Allen Claudette Nevins as Judy Franklin and Nova Philippa Harris as Dr. Zira Edwin Mills as Dr. Cornelius Richard Blackburn as Dr. Zaius Henry Corden as General Urko Notably, Henry Corden, who voiced the militaristic gorilla General Urko, was best known as the voice of Fred Flintstone after taking over the role following Alan Reed’s death. This created the somewhat surreal effect of hearing Fred Flintstone’s distinctive voice advocating for the genocide of humans, as one reviewer humorously noted. Interestingly, Roddy McDowall, who had appeared in four of the five original films and the live-action TV series as Cornelius and later Galen, did not participate in the animated series. This makes Return to the Planet of the Apes one of only two original Planet of the Apes productions (along with Beneath the Planet of the Apes) in which McDowall was not involved. Thematic Connections to the Original Films The Return to the Planet of the Apes animated series maintained several key thematic elements from the original films while developing its own unique identity. Like the movies, the series explored issues of prejudice, the dangers of militarism, and the cyclical nature of civilization. The central conflict between Dr. Zaius, who represented cautious scientific authority, and General Urko, who embodied aggressive military power, mirrored similar tensions in the films. The animated series also preserved the basic premise of astronauts from Earth being stranded in a future where intelligent apes rule over primitive humans. The three protagonists—Bill Hudson, Jeff Allen, and Judy Franklin—found themselves in a situation similar to Taylor’s in the original film, though their experiences diverged significantly as the series progressed. What made the Return to the Planet of the Apes animated series particularly interesting was how it incorporated elements from multiple sources within the franchise. While primarily drawing from the first two films, it also borrowed characters and concepts from the live-action TV series (General Urko), the original novel (the advanced ape civilization), and even created connections to Beneath the Planet of the Apes with its inclusion of the “Underdwellers,” a variation on the mutants from that film. The series also maintained the serious tone of the films, largely avoiding the comedic elements that often characterized Saturday morning cartoons of the era. Episodes dealt with complex political situations, ethical dilemmas, and the struggle for survival, treating its young audience with a level of respect that was uncommon in children’s programming of the time. Modern Apes: The Technological Society The most striking difference between Return to the Planet of the Apes and previous adaptations was its portrayal of ape society. While the films and live-action series depicted a primitive civilization with pre-industrial technology, the animated series presented a fully modernized ape society complete with automobiles, television, radio, and advanced weapons. This technological advancement represented a significant departure from the established visual language of the franchise. This modern portrayal actually aligned more closely with Pierre Boulle’s original 1963 novel, Planet of the Apes (originally titled Monkey Planet in French), which described a technologically advanced ape civilization. The films had simplified this aspect due to budgetary constraints in the late 1960s, making the animated series ironically more faithful to the source material despite being further removed in the adaptation chain. The Return to the Planet of the Apes animated series featured scenes that would have been impossible in the live-action productions, such as: Ape news broadcasts on television Gorilla soldiers driving tanks and flying planes Apes listening to music on car radios (including a humorous scene with a song titled “I’m Going Humanoid Over You”) Ape scientists using advanced laboratory equipment References to ape culture, including an ape version of Shakespeare called “William Apespeare” This technological society created a more complex and nuanced world for storytelling. Rather than the stark contrast between primitive apes and futuristic human ruins seen in the films, the animated series presented a fully functioning civilization with its own internal politics, social structures, and cultural development. Children’s Reception and Audience Impact When Return to the Planet of the Apes aired in 1975, it faced the challenge of appealing to children while maintaining the serious themes of the franchise. The reception among its target audience was mixed, with several factors influencing how children perceived the show. The 1975 Planet of the Apes series arrived during a time when many children were already familiar with the franchise through television broadcasts of the films. By 1975, the Planet of the Apes had become a cultural phenomenon with toys, comics, and other merchandise aimed at children, despite the mature themes of the original films. This meant that many young viewers came to the animated series with preconceived notions about what a Planet of the Apes story should be. According to contemporary accounts, some aspects of the show resonated strongly with children: The continuous storyline with cliffhangers created a sense of investment unusual for Saturday morning cartoons The detailed world-building and advanced ape society sparked imagination The serious tone made children feel they were watching “grown-up” content However, other elements proved challenging for the young audience: The limited animation style, with many static images and minimal movement The complex political themes that sometimes went over children’s heads The slow pacing compared to other action-oriented cartoons of the era One reviewer who watched the show as a child in the 1970s recalled: “I remember seeing this show as a kid in the mid-70’s, and I remember it came on Saturday Mornings on NBC. The cartoon series by the way premiered in 1975 right after the success of the short-lived TV series and the movies of the same title. It may have been exciting to watch, but nowadays it is very cheesy and laughable.” The show did not achieve particularly strong ratings during its original run. NBC considered producing a second, three-episode season to complete the story, but this never materialized. The series’ sophisticated approach may have been ahead of its time for children’s animation, attempting to bridge the gap between the adult themes of the films and the expectations for Saturday morning entertainment. Legacy and Conclusion Return to the Planet of the Apes represents a unique chapter in both the Planet of the Apes franchise and the history of animated television. While it wasn’t a commercial success and has been largely overshadowed by the live-action films, the series deserves recognition for its ambitious storytelling and its more faithful adaptation of certain elements from Boulle’s original novel. The series’ portrayal of a technologically advanced ape society would not be revisited in the franchise until decades later, making it a fascinating glimpse at an alternative vision for the Planet of the Apes world. Its serialized storytelling format was also ahead of its time for children’s animation, predating the more complex narrative structures that would become common in the 1980s and beyond. For modern viewers, Return to the Planet of the Apes offers a window into a transitional period in animation history. The limited animation style, characterized by detailed backgrounds but minimal movement, represents the economic realities of television animation in the mid-1970s. Yet the series’ willingness to tackle serious themes and complex storytelling points toward the more sophisticated animation that would emerge in later decades. While the Return to the Planet of the Apes animated series may not have the cultural impact of the original films, it stands as a bold experiment in adapting mature science fiction concepts for a younger audience. Its unique vision of ape society and its connections to multiple elements of the franchise make it an essential viewing for serious fans of Planet of the Apes and animation history alike. For those interested in exploring this often-overlooked corner of the Planet of the Apes universe, the complete series is available on DVD and through various streaming platforms. It offers a fascinating glimpse at what might have been if the franchise had continued to develop in this direction, with its technologically advanced apes and complex political themes providing a different perspective on this enduring science fiction concept.