Starchaser: The Legend Of Orin poster

This time we feature a full-page magazine ad for the 3D "Starchaser: The Legend Of Orin," released in 1985. I missed the theatrical release, but enjoyed it a lot when it came out on video a few years later.

(Click to view larger.)

Featuring a good score, nice animation and designs, it was the first time I remember ever seeing computer animation in an animated film, used mostly when depicting the hero's ship. Although obviously a Star Wars rip-off, it is interesting to watch, and sets itself apart enough to warrant repeated viewings. Although the 'Space Arabs" might be objectionable nowadays to some for their stereotypical bad-guy status...

The personality of the ship's computer, a complaining put-upon AI named Arthur that reminded one of C3PO, was amusing; as well as the fembot that had a crush on the Han Solo analog, Dagg Dabrini, after he forcibly reprogrammed her through a panel on her behind. Making someone love you through no choice of their own is not a good basis for a real relationship, though.

The spaceship designs were excellent, particularly the one flown by Dagg, with its swiveling engines that changed positions according to the direction one wanted to go in. This design was really efficient for sharp course changes and vertical takeoffs. This ability was used to great effect as some of the most exciting space battle scenes involved the rapid reversals and spins as the ship out-manuevered their enemies.

"Go Ape!" Marathon Ads

(Note: This entry was originally posted over on my Newspaper Movie Ad blog titled "Held Over!" but since creating this blog I thought it might fit here also.)

Falling out of the Scrapbook this time are:

The "Go Ape" Marathon ads

(Click for larger images.)

The ads asks, "Can you take it...will you really Go Ape," but the real question is "Can your butt take it?"

How well I remember the excitement I felt that summer in 1973 when these ads came out. At 15 years old, I was a little late getting into the Apes thing, it was only after "Battle" that I started becoming aware of them very much and was getting interested, even though I had never seen any of them. When they were all played back-t0-back in these Ape-o-thons, I was wishing I could go, but didn't bother to ask my parents. It gave my stepdad too much pleasure to say no, and I'd just get ridiculed for it.

That couldn't stop me from wishing, however, or clipping the newspaper ads, and soaking up everything I could about them through "The Monster Times." Finally, I was able to see the original when it showed on TV while I was at my Grandma's house, and I was in heaven. Yes, I was officially an Apes fan, and would always remain so. And beautiful Zira stirred a crush I have never gotten over! Then when the Apes TV series began in 1974 I really got into it, collecting with feverish thrill all of the Marvel POTA magazines that came out.

Below is a little article I clipped from the Macon Herald (GA), like all of the ads above, about the marathon showings. In some future posts I'll revisit the Apes from time to time, including the ads about the series from TV Guide.

And here is the Go Ape! poster in all it's colorful glory.

(Image source.)