"Mystery Science Theater 3000" Time of the Apes (1991)

Writers:

Tom Wedor (contributing writer)
Craig Tollifson (contributing writer)
(more)

TV Series:

"Mystery Science Theater 3000" (1988)

Original Air Date:

13 July 1991 (Season 4, Episode 6)

Genre:

Comedy | Sci-Fi

Plot:

Joel and the Bots watch a Japanese rip-off of Planet of the Apes, stage their own version of "Inherit the Wind", and Crow shows off the latest in ape fashion. |

Plot Keywords:

Madman | Reference To Al Green | Ape | Robot | Mad Scientist

Cast

Joel Hodgson	...	Joel Robinson
Trace Beaulieu	...	Crow T. Robot / Dr. Clayton Forrester
Kevin Murphy	...	Tom Servo
Jim Mallon	...	Gypsy
Frank Conniff	...	TV's Frank
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Eli Kenneth Mallon	...	Miracle Growth Baby (Before)
Timothy Scott	...	Miracle Growth Baby

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Lynn-Anne Friese		contributing writer
Craig Tollifson		contributing writer
Tom Wedor		contributing writer

Cinematography by
Ken Fournelle

Art Department
Joel Hodgson	....	gizmonic devices
Joel Hodgson	....	set design

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Mike Gandolfi		2 episodes 1992
Joel Hodgson		creator

Production Design by
Jef Maynard

Makeup Department
Brian Wade	....	special makeup effects artist (uncredited)

Production Management
Jann Johnson	....	production manager (1994-1997) (as Jann L. Johnson)

Special Effects by
Trace Beaulieu	....	special effects

Other crew
Frank Conniff	....	script supervisor
Kelly Nathe	....	production assistant (1992-1993)
Joseph Olson	....	intern (episodes 814-817)
Julie Walker	....	info club Poobah (1993-1996)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

Eden Prairie, Minnesota, USA

Quotes:

[the movie's characters are coughing in a smoke-filled cave]
Joel Robinson:[stoner voice] Oh man, that's good weed.

Movie Connections:

References Caddyshack (1980)

Soundtrack:

99 Bottles of Beer

Johnny: Portrait of a Serial Brat

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

This is one of my favorite episodes from the earlier seasons. As a Sandy Frank production, it doesn't let up on the cheesy dubbing, the horrible editing (since it was originally a Japanese TV series, I feel fine saying that), and it had it's share of poorly done credit stills in the beginning. The one thing I can't understand is this - Why couldn't they have leaned on Johnny any more than they did?

Yes, Johnny, with his little shorts and even shorter attention span. Of all the Sandy Frank kids, from Kenny, Ichi, Akio and all the other Gamera kids, Johnny has got to be by far the most annoying. He's the center of attention in the first movie break where Joel and the Bots analyze why Johnny "doesn't care," which should've led to either a stern lecture or a good old Americana slap in the face by his parents for saying that. Instead, what happens? His parents smile and let him get away with it! And right after a tremor? It's enough to make you wish that a fissure opened up in the earth and swallowed him up on his way to Tarkus Brain Lab 4.

Speaking of Tarkus Brain Lab 4, Johnny's allowed to go wherever he wants and touch whatever he wants? He's allowed to climb inside one of the freezers and no one pulls him out and disciplines him? Talk about script immunity! I would've dragged him out of the freezer and locked him in the waiting room with only back issues of Highlights to read! He doesn't respect anyone, not even the only other human being in a world run by apes! Goto takes him and the others in with his own good graces and what does Johnny do? He immediately makes fun of Goto's name and wolfs down Goto's store of food! Seriously, in a world run by apes, a human would need to work for a long time to store up the amount of food Johnny gulped down practically whole. And the water? Getting clean water in the wilderness, water that's free of germs and bacteria from planet life sounds hard enough. If I was Goto, I would've made Johnny spit out the water and throw him out to the apes (or maybe back between those beds of spikes that almost killed the little brat).

Finally, Johnny shows no respect for the apes. It's perfectly clear that they're the ones in charge of this country, and what does Johnny do? He threatens to kill them while he's tied down to a tree. Then, when he's face to face with His Excellency, he sneers and practically insults the only one who can save his life. And the food again! Johnny's first instinct when he see's food is to run up and eat it all before anyone can have their share. Of course the apes have their own set of rules and customs! Johnny's the stranger in a strange land, and he expects the world to revolve around him?

All in all, still one of my favorite episodes. I just really wish the flying saucer would've zapped Johnny for the good of all life on this planet.