The Dissident Writer

Share this post

User's avatar
The Dissident Writer
Going Ape: Day One

Going Ape: Day One

The Z Man's avatar
The Z Man
May 21, 2024
∙ Paid
31

Share this post

User's avatar
The Dissident Writer
Going Ape: Day One
5
2
Share

The first thing you notice at the start of the Planet of the Apes is Charleston Heston smoking inside the spaceship. The film starts with him arrogantly having a conversation with himself, which he finishes up with a cigar and then settles in for what turns out to be a two-thousand-year nap. Even by the standards of the time the image of an astronaut smoking on his ship had to seem ridiculous.

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to The Dissident Writer to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 The Z Man
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share