Most beautiful Ape contest

[samurainoir]

Gary Owens hosts 'The Most Beautiful Ape' contest in June of 1972, a beauty contest held in conjunction with the release of CONQUEST OF THE PLANET OF THE APES (1972). Photo from The LA Times.

[SentientApe]

I guess I should do the service of posting the follow-up to that news story, a copy of which I happen to have in my possession.

The following article is excerpted from the January 9 (1973) one-off issue of the "San Simian Sentinal," a collectible newspaper released the promote the release of "Battle for the Planet of the Apes."

[Gorn Captain]

The glorious 70s, when not everything was so PC...

Germaine Greer should have protested against this...

[RobTMego]

The Gary Owens wins hands down

[Mikey]

In the classic movie series and/or classic TV series did they ever show a female gorilla or orangutan ?

[apes3978]

As far as I know, it's never been confirmed anywhere, but a lot of people say there's a female Orangutan in CONQUEST... She's the one in the book store when Caesar and Armando go in there to hand out circus flyers... She's also briefly seen in a few outdoor shots...

In the classic movie series and/or classic TV series did they ever show a female gorilla or orangutan ?

[bobws]

Normally I would choose a girl in a bikini but that one in the white shorts should have won.

[SentientApe]

Yes, there's one, and one only: a female orangutan in Conquest. I question the wording of having "never been confirmed anywhere," as she is clearly and distinctly seen and singled-out on screen, and listed in the film credits: Zelda, played by Joyce Haber.

[Brown Bear]

Let me check and see if I have a banana for the winner.

[Gorn Captain]

Normally I would choose a girl in a bikini but that one in the white shorts should have won.

Maybe we should have a poll for this photo. Who IS the most beautiful?

[SentientApe]

Let me check and see if I have a banana for the winner.

I thought I had one here in my pocket... but it appears I was just glad to see her.

[Gorn Captain]

I thought I had one here in my pocket... but it appears I was just glad to see her.

Get a room! And some bananas!!!

[SentientApe]

Get a room! And some bananas!!!

Done!

... and DONE!

[apes3978]

Zelda isn't the orangutan, she's a chimpanzee... When Caesar and Armando are at the beauty salon, she's the one who's supposed to be combing out Mrs. Riley but looks like she's starting to pick for fleas... (She is called by name when scolded...)

Yes, there's one, and one only: a female orangutan in Conquest. I question the wording of having "never been confirmed anywhere," as she is clearly and distinctly seen and singled-out on screen, and listed in the film credits: Zelda, played by Joyce Haber.

[SentientApe]

Zelda isn't the orangutan, she's a chimpanzee... When Caesar and Armando are at the beauty salon, she's the one who's supposed to be combing out Mrs. Riley but looks like she's starting to pick for fleas...

Yes ... I stand corrected. The female orangutan is never named, in fact, she is only communicated to in sign language, until returning with the wrong book and scolded "NO!".








What I am wondering, however... what was the source for naming the chimpanzee "Zelda"? Could it possibly be after F. Scott Fitzgerald's wife (Zelda Sayre) who is shown here in this photo with her husband and suited chimp?



-- I am also wondering: do they have authorization to dress him like that?