The late producer Arthur P. Jacobs began the cycle with the enormously successful "Planet of the Apes" in 1968. This was an adaptation by Rod Serling and Michael Wilson of Pierre Boulle's science fiction classic starring Chariton Heston, Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, Maurice Evans, James Whitmore, James Daly and Linda Harrison. Franklin Schaffner directed from a screenplay by Michael Wilson. "Planet" led off the five "Apes" films' return engagement in 1974,

The first sequel, "Beneath the Planet of the Apes" proved as huge a success as the original in 1969. It stars Charlton Heston, Kim Hunter, Maurice Evans and James Franciscus. It was directed by Ted Post.

Third in the series, "Escape From the Planet of the Apes," in which the apes are sent back in time to man's world stars Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, Bradford Dillman, Sal Mineo, Albert Salmi and Ricardo Montalban. Don Taylor directed.

"Conquest of the Planet of the Apes," fourth in the series was created by popular demand. It, as well as the exciting finale of the series, "Battle for the Planet of the Apes," stars Roddy McDowall and Natalie Trundy. Don Murray and Ricardo Montalban co-star in "Conquest" and Paul Williams, John Houston, Severn Darden co-star in "Battle." J. Lee Thompson directed both.