Fan Club Magazine article on Nichelle Nichols

Anyone visiting here even casually is aware of my Uhura fixation; blame it on my imprinting on her at the emergence of my puberty in 1973, I guess. Anyway, here is an article on Nichelle from the April/May 1990 edition of the Official Fan Club Magazine. First, the cover of the issue, which is from one of my favorite publicity photos, which places Uhura where I felt she should have been, one of the four main characters.

(Click on images to enlarge.)

Notice that Spock is not objecting to what would be an invasion of space from anyone else.

Bonus: Below, another rare pre-Trek photo of Nichelle putting her best foot forward. Lovely, but I actually prefer her with a few more pounds on her as we saw her during the series.

Bonus: Just for fun, a couple of photoshop manips where I put Uhura in the "U.F.O." Moonbase uniforms and purple wigs... doesn't she fit in wonderfully? She's mod, baby!

Bonus: Below, from the same issue of the fan club magazine, is a one page review of the (then) latest Trek novel "The Pandora Principle."

1986 "USA Today" article on "The Voyage Home"

The success of the fourth Trek movie, "The Voyage Home" is covered in this article from "USA Today," dated Friday, Nov 28th 1986. The fact that director Nimoy is primarily interviewed made for good publicity, unlike it would have been had they talked exclusively to Shatner, who said in practically every interview that he had no clue why the show and movies were successful. Here the focus is rightfully on the movie, not an actor's attempts to establish a separate success. Nimoy always comported himself intelligently (his "Bilbo Baggins" video notwithstanding) representing the franchise well. Shatner does chime in though, expressing his disapproval of the plans to bring "The Next Generation" to TV without the original cast (although neither he or Nimoy would probably have returned if asked). His effort to direct the next movie is brought up, and the fans could already hear the rumble of distant trouble brewing on the horizon as he considers covering ground that Nicholas Meyer had already done in "The Wrath of Khan."

(Click on images to enlarge.)

Bonus: Below, found for sale on the web, is this unusual photo of bridge semi-regular Sean Kenny in his stand-in role of the crippled Captain Pike. His passing resemblance to Jeffery Hunter solved the problem of Hunter not wanting to reprise the role, and the heavy makeup --along with the character's lack of ability to speak-- sold the "illusion" if you'll pardon the pun. This is probably a make-up test/documentation photo, rather than a publicity photo.

"Wrath Of Khan" Cable TV Premiere

This local Telecable cable guide comes from the WV/PA area, and came out in April of 1983 when "The Wrath Of Khan" (notwithstanding the TMP photo used on the cover) was premiering on pay TV for the first time. The nice interview with Shatner is the highlight of the issue, but there were a number of other items scattered throughout the digest-sized magazine that I also included.

(Click on images to enlarge.)

"Spock..." "Yes, Jim?" "You're... standing in my way."

Don't forget to visit my new blog devoted to the other Star Trek shows that came after TOS: www.MyStarTrekScrapbook2.blogspot.com!

Enquirer's Star Trek 30th Poster

This time we open the scrapbook to bring out a 30th Anniversary commemorative foldout poster from The National Enquirer, published on September 10, 1996. The accompanying article from the previous page is included below; rather than isolating the Trek material as I usually do, I left in the rest of the page's material since it's so darn amusing. I don't think Roy Rogers got his wish when he rode out into that great ranch in the sky a couple years later. (However, I would like to think he and Trigger were reunited there.)

(Click on images to enlarge.)

Next, the poster itself, which had to be scanned in four sections and pieced back together.

Bonus link: Go here for some great Star Trek artwork by Pat!

1986 Close-Up on William "Dr. Daystrom" Marshall

One of the most commanding figures to guest star on the original series, coming in only behind Khan in intensity and force of personality, is Dr. Richard Daystrom, memorably portrayed in the episode "The Ultimate Computer" by classically-trained actor William Marshall. With his towering and powerful frame (which dwarfed the lead Shatner), rich deep voice that rang out authoritatively, and intimidating presence, Marshall dominated each scene he was in.

Had he been cast in a different role as an out-and-out villain, rather than a misguided and unbalanced genius, there is no doubt that he could have been one of the crew's most dangerous and fondly-remembered adversaries, if written intelligently. The constraints of the Daystrom role meant he played him as a man driven to madness by a lack of recognition for his inventions, distracted and tormented by his desire to see M-5 become his greatest contribution to mankind. But imagine him in a role that let him be in charge of his capacities, pitted against Kirk as one of the few enemies that could match him in sheer force of will. What a Klingon captain he would have made! Even Kang would have respected him as a force to be reckoned with.

We see some of that quality in his thoroughly charming, yet chilling performance as Mumwalde, the so-called "Blacula" of the two films he played the character in. His alternately threatening-yet-sensitive approach to the role, portraying him as a victim as well as a predator, lifted it above the low-budget exploitation film genre it was a part of at the time.

This time we look at an article from the April/May 1990 edition of the Official Fan Club Magazine (see the cover). These two pages featuring Marshall were part of a series of articles that focused on guest stars from the show. The cover feature on Nichelle Nichols is scanned and ready to post in a future entry.

(Click on images to enlarge.)

Below, some screen captures from the episode (source: Trekcore.com) that illustrate Marshalls' height over the series stars.

"So, what do you think of my profile, Doctor?"

Kirk punctuates his criticism of Daystrom with a swift jab to the ribs.

The captain takes out his frustration on Daystrom's jumpsuit and chest hairs.

Shatner was undoubtably standing on a box for this scene.

Below, a publicity still and poster from Marshall's other role he is best known for: "Blacula." I have both films in my DVD collection, and enjoy watching them when I'm in a 70's kind of mood.

\
"It's close to midnight and something evil's lurking in the dark..."

Bonus: Another of the humorous photo-captions that I like to throw in for a chuckle now and then.

The future is bright... perhaps too bright.
The crew finally got to see the new movie based on their exploits.

Ebony 1967 Nichelle Nichols Feature

Here it is, folks... we're showed you the cover before, but never the inside content. This time we are feasting our hungry eyes on the rare 1967 issue of Ebony magazine (a digest-sized publication) that features Nichelle Nichols on the cover and inside article. The photos were taken especially for the magazine, so are not the typical publicity shots we've seen for years. These images are a great behind-the-scenes look at Nichelle's contribution to the series, and feature her in some wonderfully lovely pictures interacting charmingly with the cast and crew. I know that everyone around her must have loved her! First up, the cover. I know I've featured it before, but this time I'm bringing the largest version of the cover online that I am aware of...

And the inside feature itself, packed with unusual images of our favorite communications officer.

I love the candid in-costume images of Nichelle in the article, and especially below, as she gracefully brightens the set with her shape and smile. Look at the one of her standing between the wardrobe mistress and stylist, who helped create her onscreen image. Isn't she gorgeous? And the one on the bike... be still, my beating heart! It's not good for you to get so worked up.

Note the above ad for the "lighter, brighter skin" product. Then, as now, it seems that the societal pressure to conform to a certain image drives people to make changes to their appearance; changes that God never intended, and are certainly not desirable. Be who you are, everybody, and be proud of it! At the very least, be content.

Bonus: Below, a rare moody b&w photo, not from the magazine, but a publicity still from before the series.

1986 Article on Star Trek Novels

More this time from the great 20th Anniversary Issue of Starlog, #112, published in October of 1986; I've been posting material from it recently, and will do more until it's all here.

Back when new Trek was still years away (and only a hopeful dream), and later during the lulls in between the movies, the Trek fiction novels were all we fans had (apart from fan fiction, which was hard to find for most, and the comics, which were basically short stories). I used to buy every single novel that came out, from the first, all the way up until about the mid-90's, when I only bought one now and then when a book looked particularly interesting. This article, titled "The Novel Adventures of Star Trek," briefly reviews the novels that were put out up till then, late in 1986.

(Click on images to enlarge.)

Bonus: below, from the same issue, is a one-page tribute to the series from author Allen Asherman, a name familiar to me from his days as editor of "The Monster Times."

And below is a panel of art commemorating the anniversary from the same issue depicting a meeting across time.

Star Trek Aliens Coloring Book

On a lighter note this time, I'm featuring some select pages from a coloring book that features (mostly) the Star Trek aliens. This was published in 1986, and, although the interior artwork by Paul Abrams is passable, with decent facial features, the artist clearly was not familiar with Trek lore or designs, and was only working from a few isolated photos; much like the artist on the Gold Key comics in the early days. But if they were working from reference photos, how do you account for the strange looking alien on the cover that is "supposed" to be a spying Klingon (who looks like Lorne Greene), but is sporting rounded bumps on either side of his head? Oh, well, it's just for kids, who's gonna notice? (Says the artist.) T'Lar seems a bit taken aback by it, though... either that, or she's totally checking out his butt.

(Click on images to enlarge.)

"Oh, Bill, I've found your hairpiece, do you mind not leaving it lying around?"

I know that if you have any vintage Star Trek coloring books you are not going to let your kids color in them. So, print out these pages and hand them out to the kids with your blessing!

Below, a nice group shot, based on the familiar publicity photo we all know and love. So far, so good...

But below the lack of familiarity with the show manifests itself as a purely imaginary picture of Spock's father and mother. But you have to admit, his mother really is a hottie! And with a dad that looks like a cocky and confident Vulcan Sean Connery, a Spock from this background would have probably been portrayed by a super-cool and swinging James Coburn (click here for my interpretation of how this would have played out; I've always thought Coburn would have made an excellent Vulcan). Coburn's super agent Flint had a similar nerve pinch, too. By the way, did you know that Spock's half-brother Sybok was originally supposed to be played by Sean Connery? Tru dat! Man, I got off on a tangent there...

"He always liked Sybok better than me. I think it's because of the beard."

He's blue, and worried, because he's missing an antenna. Since he's subtly pointing to his thigh, it's possible that he wants you to search his pants for it.

Mr. Chekov brandishing... something. A squirt gun? A futuristic stapler? One thing's for certain, it sure ain't no phaser. Pavel was getting into his new position in Security, so color his shirt red, for much blood, pain and screaming.

"Hey, Uhura! I think I've found a cure for PMS!"

"Please deposit 50 cents for one more minute, Doctor."

Rubber gloves donned, the crew braces for the mess they have to clean up from the captain's sick targ.

"Who took my burlap sack? I'm naked and it's freezing on this blasted ship! And would it kill ya to leave a little salt scattered around?"

"Yo inna heap o' trouble, bo-ah!"

Below, the cat may be giant, but why is the table leg also giant? It seems the artist thought that Kirk had been shrunk. Again, nitpicking on a kid's coloring book. I almost feel like a bully doing it.

"And hurry the **** up about it, you sotted Scot!"

Below, a couple more pages that feature Uhura, but the facial resemblance is not that great, neither is the body type accurate. She looks more like agent Lana Kane from the cartoon series "Archer." But that's okay, because she is made of total hotness also.

"I just love stroking Bill's hairpiece. Listen , it's purring!"

"I just know this planet is going to have some great stores for shopping!"