Showing posts with label Shatner. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shatner. Show all posts

Saturday, January 30, 2010

1976 article: "Shatner: Shakespeare To The Stars"

Here's another article from the first issue of Starlog, published Aug, 1976. I've already posted the cover and some memories of this landmark first issue, here, as well as an article in the post before this one. This was such an exciting issue to read, being mostly devoted to the series as it was; a great way to start off the magazine!



The photo caption above says that Shatner insisted on doing all his own fight scenes... which is true, up until the point where the director called "Cut! Stuntmen!" The stuntmen on the show are so easy to spot now, with our high-definition TVs. but back when watching it in the 70's, I never noticed them.






Thursday, January 28, 2010

1976 article: Star Trek: Past, Present and Future

Today's item from the collection cabinet is a goodie from the first issue of Starlog, published Aug, 1976. I've already posted the cover and some memories of this landmark first issue, here. Now, I begin posting the actual articles contained within, starting with one that is especially interesting in light of what all has come about since it was written.











Bonus: below, a newspaper clipping about Bill's TV movie "Indict and Convict," from 1974. You can see the old tape that holds it in my first scrapbook, which was a school notebook.

Bonus: Below, Kirk discovers that the time of captivity on Mudd's planet could be filled in some entertaining ways.


"So, you say you are both fully functional?"

Thursday, January 21, 2010

When Capt. Kirk Saved Oddjob's Life!

This time, we have a short article about an incident that occured during the filming of Shatner's cheapie flick "Impulse." Our hero! Found in the June 1977 issue of the magazine TV's Dynamic Heroes.
(Click on images to enlarge.)




I've posted an article on "Impulse" before, go here to read it. To see the newspaper movie ad for this film, go here to my other blog "Held Over!"

Bonus: below, an ad that Nimoy did in the early 80's for a telescope company. Really, who better as a spokesperson for such a product? It's only logical.


And below, a beautiful piece of promotional art by artist Keith Birdsong, for the card set that he contributed to in the 90's. Excellent work!


And finally, below is another of the incredible works by Ralph Fowler, from an issue of Enterprise Incidents. Yet another example of his attention to detail and interesting alien architectural designs. Ralph often drew scenes that surpassed the TV budget of the show and took it into movie scope.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

William Shatner's Life Story In Pictures

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This two-page spread covers Bill's life story in pictures up until 1967 or so, at least. Not sure of the date and source of this article, since I scanned in the reprint of it from issue #4 of "Enterprise Incidents" magazine, itself published in 1977. But, I would venture to say the original was from a "Movie Life" magazine, circa late 1967.


Bonus: a great shot of Bill in the 60's trenchcoat from "Assignment: Earth," which was a great look for him. From his expression you get the idea that he thinks so too.


"Don't I look stunning? Get it? The phaser...? Stunning..?"

Bonus: from the same issue of "Enterprise Incidents," comes two mind-blowing drawings by our man Ralph Fowler. The detail and imagination, not to mention scope, of these two pieces of artwork is incredible! First, Ralph shows us something we never saw in the episode, as "The Doomsday Machine" carves up the planet (and 430-odd people) while Matt Decker watches helplessly from his wrecked ship. He was just never the same after that.


Next, a scene from Ralph's imagination, as Kirk and Spock find themselves under attack by a couple of antagonistic defendroids on an alien planet. The robots and architecture design of the buildings is indicative of his great talent. I hope he comments or contacts me someday so I can ask him about his work!


"Squeeeeeee!"

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Pics of Bill In His Prime

(Click on images to view in bigger Shat-EgoVision!)

Not much time this week so far to scan and post anything substantial, so here are a couple of items from back in Bill's distant past, just to keep things going... Scanned from the 1979 hero-worship biography Shatner: Where No Man...
Above, an early publicity photo of Bill... who looks like he just had several cups of strong coffee.
And below, one for the ladies of Bill exercising in between takes on the Trek set.

And finally, a bonus item: another of the drug-inspired captions on the Leaf 1967 card set.

Monday, November 30, 2009

Bill's Trek To The Top

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From the collection cabinets comes a magazine article from 1968, reprinted in a late 70's issue of the fanzine "Enterprise Incidents." Not sure of the movie/TV magazine it came from.

Below, another of Ralph Fowler's awesome drawings from the same magazine. I have word that Ralph has visited the blog, and I hope to hear from him soon. If I do, I'll let you know! Ralph, if you read this, please consider doing a blog of your own featuring your artwork on Trek and other genre subjects. I'd love to see it!


"Hello.... anybody home? Hello...?"

Bonus: magazine ad for the new "Official Star Trek Poster Magazine" that came out in 1976. I managed to get all of them, and they are a treasured part of my collection.


Whoopee! "My Star Trek Scrapbook" has been posted as one of the Top 5 Trek blogs over on Film Fresh's own blog. Check it out!

Thursday, August 20, 2009

A Study In Shatnerisms... set to music!


Hammy? Perhaps. But I happen to enjoy ham. Bill gives it to us hot, baked with maple syrup and a pineapple slice on top. M-m-m-m, good!


I saw the video at the bottom of this post yesterday over at the great Daren Dochterman's blog and had to share it with you. When Bill made this, in 1971, "it was a very good year."

It highlights all the reasons we love to watch Bill act... and while immensely entertaining, it's far less embarassing than Leonard's "Bilbo Baggins" video! Leonard can never claim superior poise, intelligence or sophistication as long as that exists.


"You know you love me, yeah, you know it."


"With a face like this, how could you not?"



Humilty and greatness are often mutually exclusive.





And here it is... a full Trek-season's worth of Shat-faced mugging in one short video, as only Bill can do it... and still look good the whole time! Amazing.


Can you imagine Jeffrey Hunter doing this? I don't think so. His command-weary and way-serious Captain Pike brought weight to a role that many might have considered too silly for a real actor (science fiction was considered kid's stuff back then); but that style would never have carried a series. No, it was the the lightness and levity that Bill brought in along with his burden of command that gave the Kirk role life. And it was definitely the watchable "Shatnerisms" that made the show so much fun.

Monday, August 17, 2009

1994 Shatner article: Beam Him Down

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Clipped from People magazine, published 11/28/94. Bill was clueless as to why the secondary cast members resented him, and still seems to be these many years later. I suppose it seems to him that the "little people" around him just don't appreciate his greatness and being overshadowed by him.




Bonus: Below, a good blooper shot as Bill cracks up, most likely at one of his own slipups or jokes.



Below, in a dream photo opportunity, Captain Kirk poses with one of the great influences in his life, the bold and handsome captain of the stage and screen with whom he shared many character traits.



Below, we see that Shatner even sometimes clashed with the co-stars who threatened him by their height or screen time. Few could stand before his awesomely awesome awesomeness.


"Don't make me bring out the stalactite again, Ted!"

Hidden photo: I stumbled across a photo of Bill that I'm just not going to post here to avoid certain labels I'd rather not have to bear. But, I know there are people, ladies mostly, that would like to see it. So, if you like the words "Shatner" and "chest hair" in the same sentence, click here. Don't say I didn't warn you, there may be certain side effects, either good or bad.
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Obit: Ed Reimers, "Admiral Fitzpatrick," of "The Trouble With Tribbles" dies.

Known by Trek fans as the grandfatherly admiral that gave Kirk his orders in "Tribbles," but by the rest of the world as the voice of the Allstate "you're in good hands" announcer, Ed Reimers has passed away...unexpectedly, before his time.

Associated Press - August 16, 2009 7:44 PM ET

NEW YORK (AP) - A relative says the Illinois-born actor who told television viewers "you're in good hands with Allstate" for decades has died in upstate New York. He was 96.

Ed Reimers also served as an announcer for several TV shows in the 1950s and '60s

His nephew by marriage says Reimers died at his daughter's home today. The cause of Reimers' death wasn't immediately clear.

With his white hair and resonant voice, Reimers was best known for delivering Allstate's famous slogan. He was the Northbrook, Illinois-based company's TV spokesman for 22 years.

Edwin W. Reimers was born Oct. 26, 1912, in Moline, Illinois. He lived in Los Angeles for most of his life. He moved to Saratoga Springs, New York after his wife's death in 2007.

Survivors include his daughter, Kathryn, two grandsons and a niece.

Below, a screen capture from the blooper reel where Ed catches a tribble and delivers his line...


"You're in good hands with tribbles."

Read the Memory-Alpha.org entry on Ed.


Last time, as you recall, I posted a photo of the above mystery starship and quizzed you as to where it came from. It was somewhat of a trick question, as it as "inspired by" (or ripped-off from) the ships on Star Trek, but not actually from the show. Reader "Pierre" correctly identified it and contributed this info, saving me from having to do it now:

I know that ship! That was from the movie "The Shape Of Things To Come". It was built by the folks at Brick Price Movie Miniatures. These were the same folks who were hired to do much of the model work for the aborted Trek Phase II series.

I have a couple of magazine articles about the film, which was quickly made to cash in on the success of Star Wars. It was intended to be a sequel to "Things To Come", the HG Wells penned film from the 1930's. It starred Barry Morse and Jack Palance.

The ship definately looks Trek related. I think this is due in part to the fact that the saucer section was made from the K7 Space Station model kit from The Trouble With Tribbles.

Truth be told, the model work was very nicely done but the film itself was really quite abysmal!

Pierre

Thanks for the comment and thorough answer, Pierre! You have won a golden-haired pedigree Imaginary Tribble which should have already arrived. Have fun with him, but don't feed him much or your imagination may run away with you!

Sunday, August 2, 2009

1986 article: Keep On Trekking

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Above, a pull-out centerfold article from The Star, May 6, 1986. Not that long ago, I know, but any article about the original cast, show or movies is liable to be posted here; old, new or inbetween.

(Sorry for the gap in posts, but a family emergency took me away for about a week and I'm just now getting back to scanning stuff for the blog. Sometimes real life interferes with our fun.)

Bonus: Below, no date on this clipping from the Enquirer but it was around July 1995.

Bonus #2: Cover to "Letters to Star Trek" paperback published in 1977. Nice painting!

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

1978 "TREK" Article: Shatner Acting Critique

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Cover of Issue #10, from April 1978

"Trek: The Magazine for Star Trek Fans" was a great fan-produced effort published in the mid 70's to early 80's, that most Trekkers only know from the book compilations put out later. If that's all you know of it, believe me, you missed the best part; collecting the actual magazine issue by issue as it was put out back then in the original run. I happened upon my first issue, #4, in high school in 1976, and it was a goldmine. Printed on durable card stock paper, with color covers, awesome articles, rare photos, original artwork and more, it was the best fan publication out there, and remained that until "Enterprise Incidents" came along in the same format... and then we had two great mags to enjoy of similar quality. I picked up both mags at my source for Trek material, the comic book store "Starship Enterprises" in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. These zines account for many of my good Trek memories of those times as a youth.

Below is an article on the Great One and his acting style, which though imitated for comic effect and parodied ad nauseum, it is the reason Bill was so riveting to watch and dominated the screen. Enjoy!

"...and let us forget not the warning, 'I am not mocked,' saith the Shat."

"Not the face!"


If I were a girl I suppose I'd get all mushy and tingley looking at photos of Bill in his prime, but being a manly male, I merely recognize that he's a good-looking dude and dynamic onscreen. We guys can have our heroes, you know, without being less macho... okay? Besides, I have it too much for Uhura.

Bonus: The image used for the cover without the text.