McDowall, who went on to become a versatile character actor on screen and on stage, was 70. Cornelius is an archaeologist with some crazy theories about the past–he believes that humans were once domesticated by apes. Cornelius (Roddy McDowall) and Zira (Kim Hunter) are academics, engaged to be married in the first film. What is Dr Cornelius hypothesis What did Dr Zaius say about this hypothesis Planet of the Apes?Ĭornelius’ theory was that “the ape evolved from a lower order of primate – possibly man” – and Taylor could prove his theory, although it was a dangerous (heretical) one.Ĭornelius (Roddy McDowall), Zira ( Kim Hunter), and Colonel Taylor (Charlton Heston). 1973: The trio of apes land on Earth and are immediately taken into custody when it becomes clear they are highly intelligent and communicative apes. Milo escape in a spaceship and go through a time warp opened up by the atom bomb explosion on Earth at the end of Beneath. How did Cornelius and Zira go back in time?ģ979: Zira (now pregnant), Cornelius, and Dr. Milo (Sal Mineo) in salvaging and repairing the spaceship originally used by Taylor. How did Zira and Cornelius escape?ĭuring the events of the preceding film Beneath the Planet of the Apes, occurring off-screen, Cornelius (Roddy McDowall) and Zira (Kim Hunter) escaped Earth prior to its destruction when they accompanied their fellow chimpanzee Dr. Julius repelled him with his truncheon, but when Zira recovered the notepad, she found the words “ My name is Taylor” written across it. What does Taylor first write to Dr Zira?įrustrated, he reached through the bars of his cage, grabbing Zira while taking her notebook and pencil. Kim Hunter was born Janet Cole to Donald Cole and Grace (nee Lind) in Chicago, Illinois in 1922, and lived there until she moved to Miami Beach with her family at the age of ten.