Saturday Mornings: Return to Planet of the Apes

"Planet of the Apes" is a science fiction franchise that has been a popular cultural icon since the original movie's release in 1968. The franchise's popularity led to the creation of various adaptations, including a Saturday morning cartoon titled "Return to the Planet of the Apes."

"Return to the Planet of the Apes" was an animated series that aired on Saturday mornings from September 6, 1975, to November 29, 1975. The series consisted of 13 episodes and followed the adventures of three astronauts who were sent on a mission to explore a new planet. However, they crash-landed on a planet that was ruled by intelligent apes.

With compelling stories, and sometimes scary visuals, the series featured the same characters and setting as the original movie, but with a new storyline. The three astronauts, Bill, Jeff, and Judy, were stranded on the planet and had to fight to survive against the apes' rule. They were aided by a friendly chimp named Galen, who helped them navigate the new world and find a way back home. Interestingly, actor Austin Stoker (Jeff) previously played MacDonald in Battle for Planet of the Apes in 1973 (1973).

One of the unique aspects of the cartoon was its use of animation techniques. The series utilized rotoscoping, a technique where live-action footage is traced and transformed into animation. This gave the show a distinctive look that set it apart from other cartoons of the time.

To the left is the original concept drawing for the Rotoscope Patent, and rest depict how a live actor is Rotoscoped

Despite only airing for one season, "Return to the Planet of the Apes" has become a cult classic among fans of the franchise. It has been praised for its creative storytelling, animation style, and memorable characters.

The Saturday morning cartoon "Return to the Planet of the Apes" is an interesting addition to the "Planet of the Apes" franchise. It provided a fresh take on the familiar story while maintaining the original's spirit and themes. Its unique animation style and memorable characters have made it a beloved cult classic that continues to entertain audiences to this day.

Unfortuneatly, Disney aquired the rights to the show when they bought 20th Century Fox. What should be an easy transition to Disney+ has never materialized, so there is no way to stream the show. That said, it is available on YouTube, and I have embedded the first episode below.