Why Was Roddy McDowall Not in Beneath the Planet of the Apes?

For decades, a mystery has surrounded Roddy McDowall's absence in Beneath the Planet of the Apes. Many fans were unaware that they had seen him in earlier scenes, and his role as Cornelius was cut from the theatrical release. This article aims to unravel the mystery and explore the factors that led to his unseen presence in the film.

The Forgotten Footage

One of the intriguing aspects of the film's production is the inclusion of footage from Planet of the Apes in Beneath the Planet of the Apes. The film's opening sequence, for instance, features scenes that were originally from the first film. In this clip, Roddy McDowall's character, Cornelius, recites the famous line: "Beware the beast Man for he is the Devil's pawn..." from the Sacred Scrolls.

Charlie's Footprint

For many years, viewers only knew the name of one of the ape characters in the film: Charlton Heston as Taylor. In reality, the Beneath the Planet of the Apes cast featured other recognizable actors, including James Franciscus as Lash. However, Franciscus was not in the Planet of the Apes movie, which led to confusion for many viewers. Although these roles are well-known in the world of science fiction, they go unnoticed by many audiences who are more familiar with the credentials of the actors in the subsequent film.

McDowall's Scheduling Conflict

Apart from the inclusion of footage from the first film, the absence of Roddy McDowall can be attributed to a scheduling conflict. McDowall was busy with another film during the production of Beneath the Planet of the Apes, which left him with limited availability. The name of this film remains a mystery to this day, though it doesn't hinder our understanding of the impact it had on his role in the ape series.

The Complexities of Acting Credits

It's important to note that even though the footage of Roddy McDowall was used in Beneath the Planet of the Apes, he did not receive on-screen credits for this part. In the opening and closing credits, he is not listed, which is in stark contrast to more recent practices in the film industry. It's likely that if the films were produced today, the studio would have been contractually obligated to pay him for the use of his footage from the first film, even if he had initially appeared in it for a different role.

Understanding the complexities of film production and the nuances of acting credits can provide a more comprehensive appreciation of the nuances in classic films like those of The Planet of the Apes series. Roddy McDowall's contributions to the franchise, particularly in Planet of the Apes and the opening scenes of Beneath the Planet of the Apes, highlight the collaborative nature of filmmaking and the interconnectedness of different films in a series.

Conclusion

The absence of Roddy McDowall in the Beneath the Planet of the Apes release has been a source of confusion for many viewers, but with greater knowledge about the film's production and the use of footage from Planet of the Apes, we can appreciate his contribution to the series. This article has shed light on the various factors that led to his unseen presence and provided insights into the complexities of film production and actor credits.

The legacy of Roddy McDowall in the PoA series is a testament to the enduring impact of his performance and the intricate relationships between films and their actors.