Saturday Morning Cult-TV Blogging: Valley of the Dinosaurs: "Torch" (December 21, 1974)

In “Torch,” the Tamoor – the Camel People – prepare to invade the lands of Gorak’s people in the village. These raiders have come frequently, stealing and attacking by nightfall.  Always, before, Gorak’s people have let them succeed in their campaigns because there are so many of them.

John Butler, however, has a different idea this time.  The Tamoor will have to pass through a narrow canyon path, one where he has set up a natural gas drilling platform.  If he can strike natural gas, a fire will block the Camel People’s path to the village.

The Villagers are reluctant to take on the Tamoor, but Gorak realizes John’s plan is the only way.  

But before the Tamoor can be stopped, the Butlers and Gorak must tame a baby styracosaurus to turn their over-sized drill.

The final episode of Valley of the Dinosaurs (1974), the CBS Saturday morning cartoon, introduces another enemy of Gorak’s people. A few episodes back, we were introduced to the nomads, interlopers who would come in and steal food and supplies (as well as tools). This week, we meet the “Tamoor,” proto-Viking, Conan-the-Barbarian-esque warriors who invade the Villagers’ territory, and so astride camels.  They seem significantly more advanced than Gorak’s culture.

Once more, the Butlers come to the rescue.  

John has conveniently been working on a drilling rig in the very canyon that the Tamoor must traverse so as to conquer Gorak’s land.  He still needs a drill bit, however, and the episode suggests that the Valley of the Dinosaurs is rich in “akara” stones, which we know as diamonds.  

Of course, diamonds are worthless as currency or wealth in this land, but very valuable as a resource for the drill.

“Torch” ends happily -- exactly as the nomad episode did -- with the Tamoors agreeing to make peace with the Villagers, and stop their evil, conquering ways.  Again, one must wonder how long such an accommodation will last. The Tamoor must be aggressive and violent because they lack something vital, food or land.  Declaring friendship without redressing those needs is not a long-term solution.  

But heck, it’s a kid’s show, right?

Next week, I’ll look at an episode of Sid and Marty Krofft’s The Lost Saucer (1975).

Saturday Morning Cult-TV Blogging: Valley of the Dinosaurs: "The Big Toothache" (December 14, 1974)

In “The Big Toothache,” Gorak is concerned. Many small animals living in the valley seem to be afraid of something nearby, and are not following their usual or normal pattern of behaior.  For example, a dinosaur stampede is only narrowly diverted away from the village.

The source of anxiety is pinpointed in the nearby swamp: a family of saber-toothed tigers. 

Even as Greg and Tana adopt a little saber-toothed cub, the adult male and female spar, bothered by something.  As Gorak and Gara learn, the female is suffering terrible pain from a sore in her mouth.

Neebra -- “the cat with the great teeth” -- must be cured of her painful mouth wound before hunters in the village decide to kill her, an act which would make the male murderous, and vengeful.

The Butlers craft a hypodermic dart and a tiger trap, and prepare to do oral surgery on a saber-toothed tiger.

Valley of the Dinosaurs sticks to its formula in this week’s installment, “The Big Toothache.” 

Specifically, there the series writers always present problem that can only be rectified by two factors: the use of modern science, and the cooperation of the prehistoric and modern family.

In the case of the former, Kim crafts a sedative using local medicines, and delivers it using a thorn (“a ready-made dart!).  

Similarly, John works on building a trap for the tiger, a false “ground” over a deep pit.  Once the tiger is tricked onto the false floor, it collapses, and the animal is trapped. 

It’s more complicated than it sounds, because underneath the floor -- which is designed to give way -- is also a make-shift pulley-operated elevator platform so the tiger can be released.  It’s pretty complex, but then all of the devices created by the Butlers on the series are.

In terms of the latter leitmotif, the Butlers work to build the trap and create the hypodermic dart (as well as perform the surgery on Neebra), while Gorak and Gara contend with the villagers, who, if they interrupt, will ruin everything.  The two families work on different fronts, but for one cause.

And through it all, the teenage girl, Katie, wisecracks relentlessly. Her bad jokes are the one element that most immediately dates the series.

Next week, the final episode of Valley of the Dinosaurs: “Torch.”

Saturday Morning Cult-TV Blogging: Valley of the Dinosaurs: "Test Flight" (December 7, 1974)

In “Test Flight,” the Butlers construct an “aerodynamically-sound” glider, and hope to fly it over the valley to pinpoint an exit from the prehistoric land.  

Gara worries, however, that to “fly in the air is to anger the great birds.”  

When Ardock, a pteranodon, attacks the glider in flight, her superstitions prove correct. Fortunately, John is an accomplished pilot and able to defeat the flying dinosaur in a dogfight.

Meanwhile, Greg and Tana must head into the Great Swamp to evade a giant sloth.  The Butlers use the glider to pinpoint their location from the air.  They also attempt to find them from a boat in the river.

In the ensuing rescue, the glider is destroyed, but all is not lost.  Mr. Butler believes he saw a hiking trail out of the valley, some sixty or seventy miles from the family cave...

In “Test Flight,” the Butlers and Gorak’s family again join forces to solve a problem, in this case the rescue of the children, Greg and Tana.  A 20^th century glider comes in handy in that regard, though it doesn't survive the half-hour.

The series’ episodes always features some scientific principle or invention, and “Test Flight” is no exception. While lost, Greg creates a make-shift compass that can help him find the way out of the swamp

The episode also suggests there may yet be an escape from the valley: a hiking trail.  An early episode also featured this possibility.  The biggest question, however, involves the glider.  Why not just build another?

The other question about the glider, the episode does address.  The glider can't be used for an escape from the valley (though it can pinpoint an exit...) because of the powerful winds in the air above the prehistoric terrain.

Next episode: "The Big Toothache."

Saturday Morning Cult-TV Blogging: Valley of the Dinosaurs: "To Fly a Kite" (November 30, 1974)

In “To Fly a Kite,” the Butlers are surprised to see their raft’s first aid kit floating in the black lagoon.  They attempt to retrieve it, only to see a pack of rats run-off with it, rolling it into the wild and out of sight.

Worse, an angry Iguanadon -- Kataras -- is close-by, angrily prowling for food.  When Mr. and Mrs. Butler finally get their hands on the kit, they must retreat to a tree-top to escape the dinosaur.

When Lok is injured and suffers blood poisoning on the far side of a raging river, it becomes imperative to get the kit’s medicine to him. John uses smelling salts to distract Kataras, and then has Greg build a kite to transport the needed supplies over the water…

There’s a nice spin on the Valley of the Dinosaurs (1974) formula this week, in “To Fly a Kite.”  

Usually, the Butlers and Gorak are menaced by giant creatures. This week, “prehistoric pack rats” as John calls them, make off with their medical kit.

The Butlers then spend a good portion of the episode following those rats, trying to pick up gear that has fallen out of the kit in the process.  Then they get run up a tree by an angry Iguanadon.

Some days you get the bear.  Some days the bear gets you.

As I write here every week or thereabouts, Valley of the Dinosaurs features two recurring leitmotifs. One involves science helping out, in a pinch.  The other involves the primitive and modern family coming together as a unit, as a community of sorts.

Both plot-lines get developed here. First, the Butlers explain the significance of the first aid kit to Gara and Gorak, who are confused by it. Nobody is sick, so why is it so important to retrieve it?  

The Butlers answer that the kit's medicine could prevent future outbreaks of Malaria, like the one that hit the village some time ago.  Gorak and Gara also understand the importance of the medicine when Lok is injured, and he must have it to survive.

Secondly, the plot involves everyone pulling together -- and traversing a deadly, raging river -- to save Lok.  One for all, and all for one.

Finally, in terms of continuity, “To Fly a Kite” makes note that the Butlers have been in the valley for several months, putting a time frame on their adventures so far.

Next week: "Test Flight."

Pop Art: Valley of the Dinosaurs (Charlton Edition)

Board Game of the Week: Valley of the Dinosaurs (Arrow Ltd.)

Valley of the Dinosaurs Rand McNally Book

Theme Song of the Week: Valley of the Dinosaurs

Advert Art: Valley of the Dinosaurs

Saturday Morning Cult-TV Blogging: Valley of the Dinosaurs: "Rain of Meteors" (November 23, 1974)

In “Rain of Meteors,” a herd of Allosaur (called “Tahargas” by Gorok’s people) close in on the village. John Butler constructs a catapult to stop their advance.

Unfortunately, when John is testing his catapult, the boulder crashes near a scout from a neighboring tribe, the Sky People. 

The injured boy is the son of Krona, Sky People leader.  And the Sky People -- who believe in Sky Gods and worship shooting stars and lightning -- are historically enemies of Gorak’s people.  

Now that they believe Gorak’s people are on the war path, they will be impossible to reason with.

The Sky People prepare for war, but John thinks he can trick them into peace by using the catapult and hot rocks…

“Rain of Meteors” is not the best episode of Valley of the Dinosaurs (1974). In part, this is because the central plot involves trickery, and a bit of mockery.  Although the series often goes to great lengths to preach the value of diversity and empathy, that is not the case here.

Instead, John Butler pretty openly mocks the belief system of the Sky People, and when summoning their Gods (really a trick involving catapulted hot rocks…) he mockingly says nonsense words like “abra cadabra.” The vocal performance accentuates the mocking aspect of his story.

It’s a bit smug and condescending, and thus out-of-character for Butler, an educated man who would certainly understand that the Sky People, at their stage of development, are not primitives simply because they believe in Sky Gods.  That’s just where they are, based on tradition and heritage. Butler's behavior actually transmits as an ugly and patronizing moment in this episode.

After John Butler’s trickery, Gorak steps forward and asks the Sky People for their friendship.  They readily agree.

But how will the Sky People feel if they learn that they have been tricked, and their beliefs in the Gods mocked?  

It will be very difficult to forge trust with them again, once they know how John used the catapult to manipulate them into peace.  

Valley of the Dinosaurs, naturally, doesn’t go there, but one can’t help but consider the repercussions of the events in "Rain of Meteors."  It would not be at all unlikely to see a holy war occur between village and Sky People, based on the disrespect shown by 20^th century man, John Butler.

Again, it’s just sort of baffling that the episode takes on this tone, since a key aspect of Valley of the Dinosaurs is the notion that our differences are what make us strong.  The cave people know about the valley and its denizens.  The Butlers know modern science.  Together, the families can survive, and thrive.  Yet in “Rain of Meteors,” the Sky People aren’t treated very honorably, in my opinion. The better story might have seen John explaining the nature of the lights in the Heaven, or forging peace without mocking the Sky Peoples' belief system.

Still, there’s the counter-balance of this narrative to consider.  Gara heals the injured boy, and uses a local plant to bring down his fever.  It’s clear that her intentions -- and Gorak’s too -- are noble. So in this episode, the cave people come off great, while the 20th century people come off like heels.

Next week: “To Fly a Kite.”

Saturday Morning Cult-TV Blogging: Valley of the Dinosaurs: "Fire" (November 16, 1974)

In “Fire,” an episode of Valley of the Dinosaurs (1974), a tribe of nomads sees a fire start in the valley because of the dry, hot season.

Instead of helping, however, the wanderers wait until the cave family and the Butler family go to fight the flames and then rob their home cave of food, water, medicine and even tools.

The Butlers fight the fire, creating a “back fire” to repel it, and then learn that their homes have been looted.  They go to confront the nomads, or wanderers, but see that the interlopers have fallen prey to the conflagration too. Now they are the ones in need of help.

The Butlers and Gorak’s family built a fire wagon with a make-shift pumper/hose and extinguish the fire, teaching the nomads a lesson in compassion and friendship.

The series protagonists of Valley of the Dinosaurs face a double threat this week: man and nature. 

Not surprisingly, perhaps, nature proves more manageable, at least at first.  Using his science background, John Butler manages to put out the fire and save the valley.  This is a key aspect of the series. Science is always put to good use, and helps tame the prehistoric, wild environment.

Meanwhile, the nomads, described by Goraks family as “bad people” who “steal other people’s food,” are a greater challenge. Their way of life is a menace, and they don’t want to change it.  In fact, the nomads don’t want help at first, and are untrustworthy.  And, of course, they are thieves. 

But as Gara points out to them, “we’re all the same people,” and it is wrong to prey on one another.  The nomads accept this, but whether the lesson is really learned is another question.

“Fire” features some nice (and surprising…) series continuity. The events of “S.O.S.” are explicitly remembered here, with discussion of the dam and water irrigation in the lagoon. This hard work is put to good use here, as Gorak and the Butlers stop the fire from destroying everything in its path, even as the villagers flee the valley.

More importantly, however, there’s a strong acknowledgement in “Fire” of the friendship the two families share.  Mr. Butler notes that without the help of Gorak’s family, his family might very well be nomads today too.  “We’re mighty grateful for the home you’ve given us,” he says.

Gorak responds in kind, thanking the Butlers for all the modern family has done to help them conquer their environment.

Next week: "Rain of Meteors."

Saturday Morning Cult-TV Blogging: Valley of the Dinosaurs: "S.O.S." (November 9, 1974)

In “S.O.S.,” the valley of the dinosaurs has suffered from a month-long drought and is drying up. Animals are dying, or leaving the area. And the drought means no food to eat for Gorak’s family, and the Butlers. 

Mr. Butler comes up with the idea of creating a damn, and driving water from an underground spring into the lagoon.  The idea is promptly accepted by Gorak, but Tana arrives during work on the project and reports that she has seen a strange flying bird in the sky.

This bird, the Butlers realize, is a plane…a modern airliner flying over the valley!  Although the dam needs to be complete before the next storm hits, the Butlers stop aiding Gorak’s family on this project and instead attempt to contact the plane, which passes overhead every day at approximately 2:00 pm.

Katie retrieves the Butlers’ electronic equipment from their raft during a dangerous dive to the bottom of Black Lagoon, and Mr. Butler goes about building a transmitter tower.  Greg and Katie also use giant white clam shells to spell out the letters S.O.S on the ground, in hopes that the message will be seen.

Meanwhile, Gorak and his family labor to finish the dam in time. But the work is too difficult for three adults.

The storm hits the Valley of the Dinosaurs, just as the plane is due.  John attempts to contact it, and the plane picks up a signal and investigates.  But working on the dam, Gorak is badly injured.  A tree falls on him, and he can’t free himself.

Now the Butlers must make a choice. Continue to defend the transmitter from the storm (and from a curious but destructive Pteranadon) or give up the dream of going home and save Gorak from certain death…

“S.O.S” is a compelling and fast-paced episode of the 1974 CBS Saturday morning cartoon, Valley of the Dinosaurs.  The story has one overall theme: United we stand; divided we fall. 

In particular, a crisis in the Valley occurs at the precise time the Butlers have a shot at returning home to twentieth century civilization.

Faced with the opportunity of a return home the Butlers promptly turn their backs on the problems of the valley, devoting all their energies and time towards contacting a passing plane.  The Gorak family doesn’t complain or object, but is left to finish the impossible work of constructing a dam before a hurricane hits.  At the end of the story, the Butlers abandon hopes of escape, and run to save Gorak. 

John notes that his family made a mistake, and should have stopped working on its own task to help Gorak’s family.  “We’re in this together,” he acknowledges.

In the words of the episode, “S.O.S.” is also about “the importance of friendship.” The Butlers are distracted by their understandable desire to return home, but when Gorak is hurt, they help him without question, without recrimination.  Gorak apologizes to them for preventing their rescue, but they note, accurately, that he was not responsible. 

All in all “S.O.S.” is a strong episode in the canon, and it concerns the necessity of pulling together in times of crisis, and devoting resources where they are needed to help everybody, not just a few.

The episode also commences with a good long look at a Triceratops named Old Three Horn and a stegosaurus having a battle with one another. These dinosaurs look more “authentic” to research of the time, than many of the fantastic looking prehistoric creations seen thus far on Valley of the Dinosaurs.

If I were to rank the episodes I’ve seen so far of this series, “S.O.S.” would be at the top of the list, because of the dynamic character interaction, and the surprise arrival of a 20^th century air-liner in the skies of the Valley of the Dinosaurs. 

I had forgotten about this story, and didn’t realize there was a tale in the canon in which the Butlers had to choose between rescue and helping Gorak’s clan.

Saturday Morning Cult-TV Blogging: Valley of the Dinosaurs: "Top Cave, Please" (November 2, 1974)

In “Top Cave, Please,” a hunting party’s mascot -- an elderly stegosaurus named Rokar -- is mysteriously freed from the corral, a forecast of bad luck. 

Lok is accused of releasing the animal, and held for trial. He is found guilty of the crime, and banished to the Cave of the Winds, where a giant spider spins its webs.

In truth, the real culprit is a devious hunter named Bork, who hates the stegosaurus and feels that Rokar brings him only bad luck.

Now the Butlers and Lok’s family must prove his innocence, and establish that “luck” is the purview 

of the superstitious, not the rational.

“Top Cave, Please,” is an intriguing episode of CBS’s Valley of the Dinosaurs (1974) in part because it reveals a bit more about Gorak’s people. 

The Villagers, who have cooperated with the Butlers only grudgingly in the past, here accuse Lok of violating a tradition and custom involving a mascot.  We see Lok stand trial, in the village and stoically accept his sentence even though he is innocent. 

But this series is always about the strength of family (or two families together), and so naturally Gorak and the others fight to prove that Lok has been wrongfully accused

The episode’s final point, that Rokar is not a “magic spirit,” just an animal, is perfectly in keeping with the series’ pro-science, anti-mysticism bent. Rokar does not make good or bad luck, that’s just how people interpret things, and the final scene of the episode shows the Villagers coming to understand that fact.

Gorak’s friendship with the Butlers is also nicely established once more in this episode, as the modern family doesn’t hesitate to help the beloved Lok.  As Katie says, “everyone’s in on the caper!”  And indeed, they are. 

Katie and Greg investigate the creepy Bork, while Mrs. Butler and Gorak’s wife attempt to retrieve and capture the now free-ranging Rokar.

Next week, one of the best episodes of Valley of the Dinosaurs: “S.O.S.”