In the realm of animated television, few series evoke as much nostalgia and intrigue as *Return to the Planet of the Apes*. Created by the dynamic duo of DePatie-Freleng Enterprises and 20th Century Fox Television, this series seamlessly blends adventure and social commentary, drawing inspiration from Pierre Boulle's seminal novel. Similarly, *Star Trek: The Animated Series* reignited the fervor of the beloved franchise after its live-action run, proving that the love for Captain Kirk and the crew could transcend mediums, especially after NBC's late recognition of its popularity among young adults. On a different note, *Valley of the Dinosaurs* captured imaginations in the '70s, taking audiences on a thrilling journey with the Butler family. With its 30-minute episodes, it became a cherished part of childhood for many, even after its original CBS run ended. And while we’re reminiscing about animated adventures, let's not forget the excitement of *Flash Gordon*, which evolved from a costly live-action project into a beloved animated series that enchanted viewers. For those who enjoyed the thrilling escapades of young heroes, *Young Sentinels* offered a refreshing take with its diverse cast of teens thrust into an otherworldly adventure, even if its premise echoed tales from the likes of *Ultraman* and superhero comics. Each of these animated series holds a special place in the hearts of fans, reminding us of the magic that can happen when creativity knows no bounds!Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973-1975)
As a creative solution, NBC commissioned an animated version, which turned out to be a brilliant move. Filmation, a company long interested in bringing the animated Star Trek vision to life since 1969, took on the project. The series premiered in September 1973 and ran for 22 episodes until October 1974, captivating audiences with its high production quality. It featured scripts penned by notable science fiction writers such as Larry Niven, D.C. Fontana, and David Gerrold, which added depth and imagination to the storytelling. Many of the episodes served as sequels to original series classics, such as the fan-favorite “More Tribbles, More Troubles.”
One of the most exciting aspects of The Animated Series is that almost all of the original cast members returned to lend their voices to their iconic characters. Leonard Nimoy uniquely voiced Spock in every episode, bringing his beloved character to life once again. The show also introduced new crew members, including Arex and M'Ress, and showcased advanced technologies like the recreation room—an early concept that would later evolve into The Next Generation’s holodeck. This animated format allowed for the inclusion of non-humanoid aliens and grander visual ideas that would have been challenging to achieve on-screen within the live-action constraints.
Remarkably, The Animated Series accomplished something the original series hadn’t: it won a Daytime Emmy Award for "Best Children's Series" in 1975. This recognition marked the first Emmy win for the Star Trek franchise and remains the only best-series Emmy awarded to any Star Trek production. Although Paramount initially didn't consider The Animated Series a part of the official Star Trek canon, the studio has gradually embraced its place in the franchise. Over the years, references to the animated series have appeared in newer shows like Deep Space Nine and Enterprise, affirming its significance within the larger Trek universe.
Many fans and creators, including the talented D.C. Fontana, regard these animated episodes as an extension of the Enterprise's five-year mission, sometimes viewed as representing its fourth year. In fact, StarTrek.com recognizes the two animated seasons collectively as the fifth and final year of this storied mission. The Animated Series not only expanded the beloved Star Trek lore but also demonstrated the franchise's flexibility and enduring appeal across various media formats.
What sets this animated series apart is its portrayal of a technologically advanced ape civilization, contrasting sharply with the primitive societies depicted in the earlier films and the live-action TV series from 1974. In “Return to the Planet of the Apes,” we see an impressive society filled with modern conveniences such as cars, television, and films—elements that align more closely with Boulle's original vision and the early ideas for the first film, which had to be altered due to budget constraints back then.
Fans of the franchise were understandably disappointed when the live-action TV series ended abruptly in December 1974, halting halfway through its promising run. However, this setback coincided with a boom in “Planet of the Apes” merchandise, which energized the creators to explore a more economical option for continuing the story. The answer came in the form of a series of exciting, black-and-white magazines published by Marvel Comics, which inspired a cost-effective animated adaptation.
Helming the project was Doug Wildey, a talented comic book artist well-known for his work on the beloved Jonny Quest series. The animation was crafted by DePatie-Freleng, recognized for their iconic Pink Panther cartoons, in partnership with 20th Century Fox. This delightful series premiered on NBC in September 1975, introducing viewers to a fresh take on the beloved ape narrative.
With this new production team steering the direction away from APJAC Productions, which had produced the films, and the original Fox team behind the TV series, the writers had an expansive canvas to work with. They brought together beloved characters from various iterations of the Apes saga—like Zaius, Zira, Cornelius, Nova, and Urko—allowing them to share the screen for the first time in animated form.
The apes in this series are depicted as a remarkably evolved race, boasting nearly all the modern amenities that humans enjoyed when the cartoon first aired. Imagine a sprawling metropolis filled with cars, machine guns, trains, and even a World War II fighter plane. Yet, in a delightful twist, we find Cornelius and Zira relying on the help of astronauts to construct a functioning hot air balloon! This contrasts starkly with their predecessors in the films and live-action series, who were portrayed as more primitive beings without the luxury of cars or TV, equipped only with rifles and basic tools.
Overall, “Return to the Planet of the Apes” provides fans with a unique and energetic perspective on this fascinating universe, blending nostalgia with creativity in a way that has continued to resonate over the years.
Valley of the Dinosaurs (1974)
The Butler family included professor John and his wife Kim, along with their energetic teenage daughter Katie, their playful young son Greg—who had a penchant for going barefoot—and their loyal dog, Digger. Their story took an exciting turn during a rafting trip along the Amazon River when their raft struck a rock, leading to a capsizing incident that whisked them away through a mysterious cavern. This unexpected journey transported them to a fascinating world where humans mingled with prehistoric creatures, offering endless possibilities for adventure.
In this extraordinary land, the Butlers encountered a clan of Neanderthals, led by the wise and strong Gorok, alongside his family members Gara, their curious teenage son Lok, and their lively young daughter Tana. Adding a delightful twist to the storyline, Gorok’s family had a pet baby Stegosaurus named Glump, who quickly became a beloved character. As the two groups forged a friendship, Gorok and his clan assisted the Butlers in their quest to find a way back home. In return, the Butlers shared their knowledge of basic technologies, introducing the Neanderthals to useful inventions like levers, wheels, sailboats, and windmills.
Despite Hanna-Barbera’s hopes that "Valley of the Dinosaurs" would capture the hearts of children, it faced stiff competition from the live-action series "Land of the Lost," which premiered on NBC the same year and became more widely popular. While "Valley of the Dinosaurs" didn’t achieve the expected ratings success, it remains a cherished title among fans of Hanna-Barbera’s animated features and is often viewed as equal in quality to other beloved shows of that era. The series serves as a reminder of the fun and exploration that define childhood, with its enchanting mix of prehistoric adventure and family bonding.
The animated series 'Flash Gordon', which aired from 1979 to 1982 on NBC, had a fascinating journey from live-action dream to animated reality. Initially, the idea was to create a live-action film for television, but as costs began to mount, it became apparent that animation would be a more feasible option. The decision to pivot to an animated film ended up being a stroke of luck—the audience reception was overwhelmingly positive, leading the producers to reimagine it as a series instead of a standalone movie. The film underwent significant re-editing to fit the format of a weekly serial, and the success of the initial episodes prompted the ordering of many more, allowing Flash Gordon's adventures to unfold over time.
Once the series concluded, fans got an extra treat: the original film version, complete with a lengthy prologue and scenes that had never made it into the series, aired under the title 'Flash Gordon: The Greatest Adventure of All.' What’s particularly interesting is that the show was initially crafted for prime-time viewing rather than the Saturday morning slot that has traditionally catered to children. This led to a first season that was more intense and featured more mature themes, including ‘sexier’ female characters compared to many other cartoons of that era. Rather than presenting standalone episodes, the series adopted a classic chapter-play format, weaving a continuous storyline that connected each episode.
However, in an attempt to appeal to a younger audience, the second season took a different turn. It became more kid-friendly and adopted a format consisting of two 11-minute mini-episodes, a move that unfortunately didn’t resonate well with viewers, leading to a sharp decline in ratings and ultimately resulting in cancellation.
An intriguing chapter in the series' production involved renowned producer Dino De Laurentiis, who became a "ghost" producer amid financial troubles faced by Filmation, the studio responsible for the animation. They were utilizing groundbreaking technology, such as computers, to create spaceship animations—an early example of incorporating computer graphics into traditional animation. As De Laurentiis was interested in securing rights for a live-action adaptation of the Flash Gordon franchise, a deal was struck: he would provide the necessary funding to complete the animated series, and in return, he obtained the live-action film rights while Filmation retained the rights for any animated projects featuring Flash Gordon.
The first season of the animated series is quite faithful to the established Flash Gordon lore. It kicks off with the launch of the rocket ship transporting Flash, Dale Arden, and Dr. Zarkov from a location presumably in the Eastern Hemisphere, as indicated by the opening scene showing the ship breaking through Earth's atmosphere above Europe and the Middle East. The excitement quickly builds as the series begins with their ship crash-landing into an ocean on Mongo, following an attack during their final approach to the planet.
In this thrilling introduction, after being captured by the ominous Gill Men commanded by Ming, Gordon, Arden, and Zarkov encounter King Thun, the Lion-man, as well as Prince Barin from the lush forest kingdom of Arboria. The seeming chance encounter with two royal figures from different realms sets a whimsical yet profound tone for the series, leaving viewers to ponder whether the events are merely a coincidence or if some grand destiny is at play in Flash Gordon’s arrival on Mongo. In a fascinating twist, it’s later revealed that a previous king of Mongo—who was even more powerful than Ming himself—was named Gor-dan and bore a striking resemblance to Flash, adding further depth to the storyline and character connections viewers enjoy.
Young Sentinels (aka Space Sentinels)(1977)
At its heart, the premise of *Young Sentinels* revolves around a group of diverse teenagers who are whisked away into the cosmos, where they receive extraordinary superhero powers. This concept, as interesting as it is, isn’t exactly groundbreaking; it mirrors stories found in iconic franchises like the original *Ultraman*, *Captain Marvel*, and various superhero comics that predate it. This probably isn’t surprising, since the show was conceived by the legendary duo of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster—yes, the very same creators who first brought Superman to life!
In the story, we learn that centuries ago, three young individuals from Earth were selected and transported to a distant planet. There, they were bestowed with eternal youth and immense powers. After training, they returned to our planet, ready to take on the noble mission of protecting Earth and its surroundings, quite reminiscent of the role that the Green Lantern Corps plays in their universe.
The characters include powerful figures who draw inspiration from Roman mythology: Hercules and Mercury, who embody superhuman feats akin to their mythological namesakes. They are joined by Astrea, named after the Greek goddess but boasting her own unique abilities. What's particularly fascinating is their base of operations—a spaceship ingeniously concealed within the caldera of a dormant volcano, adding an element of mystery and adventure!
Overseeing their heroic endeavors is Sentinel One, a remarkable sentient supercomputer responsible for coordinating the team’s activities. Interestingly, the civilization that granted the Sentinels their abilities is described as humanoid, hinting at a deeper lore we might only scratch the surface of in the series.
When it comes to missions, the team is launched through vertical tubes, zipping to their destinations with the aid of rocket belts incorporated into their uniforms. These suits are impressive, boasting intercontinental range and hypersonic speed, with Mercury in particular showcasing even greater velocity! For their more ambitious adventures beyond Earth—whether they are traveling to other planets or venturing across the stars—Sentinel One pilots the spacecraft equipped with faster-than-light technology.
So, if you’re in the mood for some retro superhero fun, *Young Sentinels* (or *Space Sentinels*, as many remember it) offers a nostalgic journey filled with adventure, vibrant characters, and the classic battle between good and evil.
The realm of animated science fiction in the 1970s brought forth a delightful mix of creativity and innovation that continues to influence the genre today. Star Trek: The Animated Series stood as a bold continuation of Gene Roddenberry's vision, bringing beloved characters and new stories to life with a unique artistic flair. Meanwhile, Return to the Planet of the Apes captivated audiences with its exploration of complex themes in the beloved Apes universe, and Valley of the Dinosaurs offered a charming blend of adventure and prehistoric lore, introducing young viewers to the wonders of the past. The New Adventures of Flash Gordon revitalized classic tales with vibrant animation and dynamic storytelling, while Young Sentinels, known as Space Sentinels, showcased a diverse cast of heroes and the importance of teamwork in overcoming challenges. Together, these shows not only entertained but also laid the groundwork for future animated series, influencing how complex narratives and rich character development can thrive within the cartoon medium. Their legacy can be seen in today's animated series that strive for depth and imagination, reminding us of a time when Saturday mornings were filled with cosmic adventures and thrilling escapades.
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