I don’t know about you, but I found life much less disturbing when all these escapist fantasies I viewed or read as a kid became so embedded in our popular culture that they attained almost “camp” status. I’ve been noticing of late, and I must say, it’s making me rather uneasy, that an awful lot of them are starting to seem downright prophetic.
But really? “Planet of the Apes?”
Of course, the “Apes” movies were always thinly-veiled allegories about all the ways humans are idiots – violent, acquisitive, xenophobic, racist, fundamentalist, and irredeemably destructive. Unquestionably it is so, but even the original “Planet of the Apes” had moments of self-aware levity! Once the lights came up and we got on with our lives, who believed these fairy stories were more than cautionary tales? Who anticipated that the destiny of human civilization would seem to be playing out just as the “Apes” movies forecast?
But that’s what gives them their elemental power. The issues addressed, sadly, will always be the same. Ignorance, fear, and brutality will always rage against enlightenment, equity, and compassion, and the people who can make a difference will never change before it’s too late.
But… it’s Friday, and I know you’re all looking forward to the weekend. Our demise may be inevitable, but for now, kick back and enjoy selections from this lovingly restored, limited edition boxed set of “Apes” music from La-La Land Records.
Today on “Picture Perfect,” in the wake of my spoken intro about Jerry Goldsmith’s seminal score, delivered earlier this week, prior to a screening of the first film at Princeton Garden Theatre, I am primed for primates. I hope you’ll join me as we sample music from “Planet of the Apes” (1968),” “Beneath the Planet of the Apes” (1970), “Escape from the Planet of the Apes” (1971), “Conquest of the Planet of the Apes” (1972), and “Battle for the Planet of the Apes” (1973). Composers will include Goldsmith (who also scored “Escape”), Leonard Rosenman (“Beneath” and “Battle”), and Tom Scott (“Conquest”).
Has there ever been a more nihilistic series pitched to a family audience? From the era of Flower Power, the Vietnam War, and the Nixon administration, “Planet of the Apes” was the ultimate bad trip. As I say, it’s easy to view these films as silly, escapist fare, but more than half a century later, the themes, subtexts and overarching message of “Planet of the Apes” remain disconcertingly relevant.
Keep your filthy paws off me, you damn dirty apes! Yes we have no bananas, on “Picture Perfect,” music for the movies, now in syndication on KWAX, the radio station of the University of Oregon!
Clip and save the start times for all three of my recorded shows:
PICTURE PERFECT, the movie music show – Friday at 8:00 PM EDT/5:00 PM PDT
SWEETNESS AND LIGHT, the light music program – Saturday at 11:00 AM EDT/8:00 AM PDT
THE LOST CHORD, unusual and neglected rep – Saturday at 7:00 PM EDT/4:00 PM PDT
Stream them, wherever you are, at the link!
