Producer Arthur Jacobs told Rod Serling he’d win an Oscar for his script for this: Serling asked instead for a crate of bananas

The Final Jeopardy clue for Friday, November 7, 2025, came from the category 1960s Movies, offering a mix of Hollywood history and behind-the-scenes personality. The clue read: Producer Arthur Jacobs told Rod Serling he’d win an Oscar for his script for this: Serling asked instead for a crate of bananas. The moment highlighted the writer’s mix of sharp humor and practical perspective, all while pointing toward one of the major science-fiction films of the era. The answer traces back to a landmark production that reshaped its genre and set the stage for a long-running franchise.

What Is Planet of the Apes?

Rod Serling, best known for creating The Twilight Zone, worked on early drafts of the screenplay for Planet of the Apes. The film, released in 1968, became one of the most influential sci-fi titles of the decade. Serling played an important role in shaping the film’s tone and its famous twist ending, even though several writers contributed to the final script. When producer Arthur P. Jacobs suggested that Serling’s work deserved an Academy Award, Serling responded with a request that fit the film’s primate theme: a crate of bananas. The remark captured his sense of humor but also reflected the chaotic and collaborative process behind the movie’s development.

The completed film, directed by Franklin J. Schaffner and starring Charlton Heston, introduced audiences to a dystopian future ruled by intelligent apes. Its makeup design, world-building, and narrative structure pushed boundaries for mainstream cinema in the late 1960s. The movie became a commercial and critical success, launching sequels, television adaptations, and eventual reboots that continued well into the twenty-first century. Serling’s fingerprints remained visible in the tone and moral themes that defined the franchise.

The Role Rod Serling Played in the Screenplay

Although Serling did not write the final shooting script, his drafts established many key elements. He adapted Pierre Boulle’s novel into something that could work on screen, shifting it from a futuristic satire into a more grounded and dramatic story. Serling’s version introduced the desert setting, the oppressive society run by apes, and the idea of a shocking twist. His writing laid the narrative foundation that later writers, including Michael Wilson, refined into the version filmed in 1967.

Serling’s involvement demonstrates how Hollywood projects contain layers of contributions. His work went through more than two dozen revisions, reflecting both studio expectations and the technical limitations of the time. His well-known twist ending—revealing that the strange planet was actually Earth—became one of the most iconic closing moments in film history. Even though he joked about preferring bananas over an Oscar, Planet of the Apes cemented his reputation as a writer capable of merging science fiction with social commentary.

A Significant Film of the 1960s

Planet of the Apes remains a defining work of the decade because it combined technical innovation with cultural relevance. The film’s use of prosthetic makeup was groundbreaking, earning creators John Chambers and his team an honorary Academy Award. Its themes of power, prejudice, and the fragility of civilization resonated with audiences during a decade marked by political and social change.

The movie’s influence spread well beyond its initial release. It formed a major Hollywood franchise, inspired critical analysis, and continued to be revisited and reinterpreted by new generations of filmmakers. Its place in film history makes the clue an example of how Jeopardy uses cultural touchstones to challenge players on both knowledge and context.

Why This Clue Worked

Friday’s clue connected film history with Serling’s distinct personality. It required familiarity not only with the movie but with its backstage story, making it a strong fit for longtime Jeopardy viewers who appreciate production trivia. The humor in Serling’s request for a crate of bananas also created a memorable moment for anyone revisiting the history of the film.

The answer highlighted a film that remains instantly recognizable more than half a century later. Its legacy, themes, and creative development place Planet of the Apes firmly within the canon of essential 1960s cinema. The clue served as a reminder of the era’s enduring impact and the personalities who helped shape it.