Classic Ross Amico

Tag: Planet of the Apes

Planet of the Apes & Patriotic Film Scores Tonight!

Get ready to chimp-out with another Classic Ross Amico double-feature.

First, at 6:00 EDT, I’ll be your host, as we assert our independence, with selections from “The Patriot” (John Williams), “George Washington Slept Here” (Adolph Deutsch), “Revolution” (John Corigliano), and “Williamsburg: The Story of a Patriot” (Bernard Herrmann), on the tenth anniversary of “Picture Perfect,” on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.

Then, at 7:00 EDT, some apes may be more equal than others, but “Planet of the Apes” is far and away the best of the original film series. Join Roy Bjellquist and me as we hash over this nihilistic classic that begins with the tiniest of American flags and concludes with – well, you probably already know. So much for Liberty. “Planet of the Apes” will be the focus of the Facebook live-stream “Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner.”

As usual, I’ll be pouring on the love for composer Jerry Goldsmith (pictured, below, in an unusually light mood). We’ll also discuss the film’s evolution, its themes and social commentary, its accolades and influence, along with a banana boat full of behind-the-scenes trivia.

Better pour yourself a stiff one. Everything will be revolting – from Jack Benny to Jack Lord, to a bare-chested Heston and our scintillating simian conversation.

Happy Friday, and God bless America!

https://www.facebook.com/roytiediescificorner/

PHOTOS: Benny & Jerry

July 3, 2020
Planet of the Apes Sci-Fi Talk

TAKE YOUR STINKING PAWS OFF ME, YOU DAMNED DIRTY APE!!!

Now that I’ve got that out of my system… I hope you’ll join Roy Bjellquist and me tomorrow night, as we do our best to tarnish Independence Day with the most perverse shout-out to Lady Liberty, ever, courtesy of Rod Serling and “Planet of the Apes.” The original 1968 twisteroo classic will be our focus on the next “Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner.”

We’ll discuss the film’s heavy-handed (but still thought-provoking) social commentary, behind-the-scenes minutiae from the Forbidden Zone, lantern-jawed Charlton Heston, and Jerry Goldsmith’s literally hooting, “primitivist-future” film score.

IT’S A MADHOUUUUUUUUUUUUSE!!!!!!!”

Go bananas for “Planet of the Apes!” We’ll be monkeying around, this Friday evening at 7:00 EDT, on the next Facebook live-stream of “Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner!”

https://www.facebook.com/roytiediescificorner/

July 3, 2020
Sleepless Week Apes Deadlines and Local Music

What a week it’s been! It’s getting so that a guy can’t simply procrastinate and push a deadline on a newspaper article. This week, I was late because I had no choice. (Of course, the fact that the would-be subject was incommunicado in New Mexico didn’t help.)

On top of this, my radio shifts, my volunteer work, and certain personal obligations, I knew I had to push myself if I was ever going to get the new Planet of the Apes boxed set on to “Picture Perfect.” Even getting four or five hours sleep on three consecutive nights, there was not enough time in the day. The “Apes” show was recorded and in the can only by around 1:00 on Friday afternoon. (Deadline for weekend shows is Thursday.)

That in itself might not be enough to draw sympathetic tears, but when I produce new material for “Picture Perfect” and “The Lost Chord,” I do not get paid. The only way I receive compensation for all my hard work is if the shows have an underwriter. And I’ve been working without an underwriter for over a year. Which is why, from time to time, you may dimly recollect having once or twice previously heard a show. I’m pretty good at disguising leftovers, but in a pinch and at the end of a long week, sometimes I just have to dole out a rerun.

With my schedule, If I’m to produce a new show for free, I really have to be enthusiastic about it.

How can you help? You can message me with any suggestions for potential underwriters.

Also, in connection to my newspaper work, if you have any ideas for really interesting, music-related stories with a local slant, please let me know. The local slant is important. U.S. 1 (based in Princeton) prefers to emphasize a community angle. While the story can certainly tie in with your favorite organization’s upcoming concert, the hook should be something that inspires community interest.

That said, if they’re planning an important or unique concert, a profile of the organization, performer or conductor may be enough. But if they’ve been profiled recently, please don’t be disappointed if I can’t get the go-ahead to do the story, and they wind up as a listing in the arts calendar.

Again, please feel free to message me with any leads or suggestions. Thank you for your help in keeping Classic Ross Amico solvent (if sleepless).

September 28, 2019
Planet of the Apes Box Set Soundtrack Review

I was all set to crow to you guys when this set arrived in the mail the other week. All five scores for the original “Planet of the Apes” movies, newly restored and remastered, on CD!

But then I felt sick reading about and looking at images of the rainforest in flames, and under the circumstances I thought it would be a little crass.

Upon further reflection, however, I’ve come to realize that nothing could be more appropriate, as human civilization is playing out just as the “Apes” movies forecast. The “Apes” movies were all thinly veiled allegories about all the ways humans are idiots – violent, acquisitive, xenophobic, racist, and irredeemably destructive.

Our demise is inevitable – but at least for now, we have this lovingly restored, limited edition boxed set from La-La Land Records.

This week on “Picture Perfect,” I’ll share the bounty, 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 Jerry Goldsmith, Leonard Rosenman, and Tom Scott.

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. It’s easy to view these films as silly, escapist fare, but 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 – this Friday evening at 6:00 EDT, on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.

September 27, 2019
Jerry Goldsmith Hollywood Star Honors Composer

Film composer Jerry Goldsmith finally receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

http://variety.com/2017/music/spotlight/jerry-goldsmith-star-walk-of-fame-1202421229/

I only wish we still had film composers this good. Then again, I wish we still had movies like “The Planet of the Apes” (1968), “Patton,” “Chinatown,” and “The Wind and the Lion.”

May 9, 2017

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