The Surgeon (1974) Part 7

Roddy McDowall as Galen

Ron Harper as Virdon

James Naughton as Burke

Mark Lenard as Urko

Booth Colman as Zaius

Jacqueline Scott as Kira

Michael Strong as Travin

Martin Brooks as Leander

Jamie Smith Jackson as Arna (“girl”)

David Naughton as Dr Stole

Raymond Mayo as human

Diana Hale as Brigid

Phil Montgomery as Jordo

Ron Stein as Haman

and Ron Stein as Lafer

Eldon Burke as Chester

Peter Ireland as Cleon

Notes

(edited from Planet Of The Apes Wiki and IMDb).

The title of the ancient 20th Century book kept by Zaius, which was to save Virdon's life, was Principles Of Surgery by Dr Walter Mather of the Hanson Clinic. Burke was familiar with his work.

When Galen and Burke broke into Zaius's home, they used a bust of his predecessor Doswa on a stretcher, pretending it was the body of Zaius.

The Surgeon, together with The Deception, was adapted as Planet of the Apes #2: Escape To Tomorrow by George Alec Effinger, and published by Award Books.

This episode formed the first half of the fourth TV movie Life, Liberty And Pursuit On The Planet Of The Apes (paired with The Interrogation), originally broadcast in 1981.

The seventh episode to be broadcast (25th October in the USA, 24th November in the UK), this was the ninth episode filmed, chronologically, according to the Production Code.

First credited appearance for a 23-year-old David Naughton (Dr Stole) in TV or film. Naughton would go on to appear as David Kessler in An American Werewolf In London (1981). This is the only time he has appeared together with his real life brother James Naughton.

poster by Dave Ballard