Planet of the Apes (1966) studio pitch/makeup test

[thebackgroundartiste]

Terrible! The makeup,James Brolin instead of Roddy McDowell? I'm sorry that they didn't have the money to bring Pierre Boulle's vision to the screen (Tim Burton could have) but I think in the end they made a classic.

[mofrakker]

@thebackgroundartiste Yes, the limited budget did affect the quality of make-up. But it still helped to get the final film made. Robinson was pretty good though, unfortunately he wasn't too fond of the make up at his age. The style of this short has a very 'Twilight Zone' vibe and the artwork shows a more ambitious vision. But we're all glad that Roddy got the lead ape role.

[zorazen2]

GORILLA..APE..MONKEY..CHIMP...­HUMANS...

COUSINS..

[Sincopare]

Where's your messiah now?

[Iluthra]

From helicopters to horses?

[beedoe51]

Paul Frees (narrator) has the greatest voice. Orson Welles was great also, but I always loved Paul's voice on some of the Disneyland attractions as well as the countless films and tv work. I always wanted him to read my eulogy!!!

[Mokkari77]

"Heelicopters?"

[Remington61189]

Now this is how Tim Burton's virson should've been

[mofrakker]

@Remington61189 You're right. Never thought of it that way. Instead of making a crappy remake, he had the chance to use this version. Would've been more expensive, but interesting.

[zipsrule]

@Remington61189 version

[Remington61189]

@zipsrule yes i know it's a spelling error i realised that after i posted that comment

[CartoonFan56]

Incredible. Great scene. Edward G. Robinson is magnificent as Dr. Zaius. This makes want to go back and watch the original film again.

[GoSadistik]

No doubt that is Paul Frees narrating, not the estimable Bill Conrad. Not sure how much Welles influenced Frees as they were pretty much contemporaries. And there are some Lost in Space musical cues by John (Star Wars) Williams. But does anyone know who did the production art? The machines look like Syd Mead could've done it.

[Theakker3]

They put alot of work into this thing for just a makeup test. James Brolin and Linda Harrison's makeup really creeps me out, particularly Linda Harrison's.

[fejkram]

The music from 2:46 on etc sounds like a Lost in Space episode.

Is this the end of Ricco?

[HerschelMatthews]

The Ape make-up, minimalist, was inspired.

The premise in this version woulda been an interesting take on the book.

I always hated the ape makeup in the movie.

But I loved the movie anyway.

Prob because of Heston.

[schizoidboy]

I thought Robinson was actually pretty good in this test, considering the makeup demands and his age it is understandable why he didn't want the role but after seeing this test it is easy to see why the movie was made.

[mofrakker]

@schizoidboy Yes, he was playing it like a real scientist. You don't see them as apes, Vry effective.

[KingCharltonHeston]

Fascinating to say the least. Truly fascinating.

[RangerAlways]

The book written by Pierre Bouille has this set in the future. Futuristic vehicles, buildings, etc. The studio sawa this as too expensive & changed it. Bouille hit the ceiling but there was nothing he could do, they had studio rights. Somehwere on U Tube is the original scree tests & studio pitch with Edward G Robinson as Zeus, & James Brolin as Cornelius. Robinson didn't want to go thru makeup everyday. His nxt film ws Soilent Green. He died a few weeks later. James Brolin would have sucked.

[slayerwarriorprince]

I'd been looking for this for a while. It's nice to finally see it.

I must say it's a shame this wasn't made into a full movie. It would have been great to see Planet of the Apes made in this style.

[shirazhound]

After thinking it over, Little Ceasar eventually dropped out because of his difficult dealing with the make-up.

[Bertonator]

I noticed that the background music was from "Lost In Space" by John Williams.

[theogore]

Thanks so much for this.

I love this narrator, too.

[mofrakker]

Thanks for commenting. Do you recognize the narrator? He sounds like the Buck Rogers in the 25th century narrator. I don't know his name (but he seems familiar).

[Setebos]

The narrator you're looking for was the late great Paul Frees (1920 - 1986).

[mofrakker]

Thank you! I remember seeing his name in voice over credits years ago. Now I have the voice with the name. He had such a powerful voice.

[Setebos]

You're welcome. I would've loved to have had Frees' job. It seemed as if he was involved in every major Hollywood production.

[reed14567]

paul is an amazing voice actor, he did alot for disney and jay ward.

[gregorybrian]

@mofrakker Funny. He sounded like Orson Welles. Just goes to show how much influence Welles' voice had on those who came after him.

[HowardOfOz3565]

Try again. It was the late great Bill Conrad!!

[Setebos]

You know, as much as I appreciate Paul Frees, I believe you're right.  Your ears are sharper than mine.

[HowardOfOz3565]

Most people forget William Conrad as anything byt Cannon.....but he was the original Marshall Dillon on radio's Gunsmoke and did many voice overs including Buck Rogers w/ Gil Grard and Erin Grey

[SolidBlue22]

this was very interesting to me thank you for sharing .