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.

"I'm a doctor, not an actor!"

(Click on images to view larger.)

Above: This first article comes from "Star Trek: Four Generations," a special collector's edition magazine produced by TV Guide, published in spring of 1995.
Although (by the second season, at least) listed in the credits as one of the leads, and his crusty country-doctor one of the show's most beloved characters, Deforrest Kelley was one of the least-interviewed of the cast members. Hence the relative lack of articles in my scrapbook about him, compared to the rest; who were pretty vocal and had plenty of exposure. Kelly seemed a very private individual who was not seeking the limelight as many stars usually do.
Below is a character/actor page from the Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home Poster Magazine.

Below, a small item from one of the movie star magazines published at the time of the series' first run. It attests to the fact of his preference for privacy.

Next, a bumper sticker that was part of a set including all the characters and their famous phrases. This one used the line that Kelley laughingly said he hoped didn't end up on his tombstone. Seeing it connected with him now on such items, made years before his passing, seems a bit sad; but no sarcasm or dark humor is intended.

Below, one of the awesome photo covers on "Trek: The Magazine For Star Trek Fans." If all you have are the "best of" books, you missed out on the truly best stuff. These were like finding an oasis in the Trek wasteland of the time, in the mid-70's.

"I wonder what the commissary is serving for lunch today... fried chicken, I hope."

"Pointy-eared hobgoblin thinks he can get the best of me, he's barkin' up the wrong tree."

Below, one of the ads for McCoy's Hamilton Collection commemorative plate, made for the show's 25th anniversary in 1991. Very nice painting by Thomas Blackshear!

Nice publicity photo below, scanned from one of the better calendars of recent years past.

"Hello, Mr. Spock! Over here, it's Christine! Hello?
Oh... he must not have heard me."

Below we see one of the images from the first set of official publicity photos taken of the cast of the new movie for public release.

"Closer to the camera, you say? How's this?"

Here's to De; a true Southern gentleman, and one of the few cast members beloved and admired by everyone else on the show. One never heard the complaints and sniping, either about him or by him, that characterized some of the other cast. We lift a cold mint julep to you, sir!

1994 Shatner article: Beam Him Down

(Click on images to enlarge.)

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.

--------------------------------------------------

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!

1985 Video Review article

(Click on images to enlarge.)

From the scrapbook pages this time come an article cut from the March 1985 issue of Video Review, a magazine dedicated to the increasingly-popular technology of VCRs, videotape and camcorders.

Bonus: scanned below is a great publicity photo, from a postcard, of the captain and the good doctor. Note the hi-tech magic drawing board being used (like on the kid's toy with the plastic cover you pull up to erase what you've drawn with the stylus).

"There she is, Bones... are those the best legs you've ever seen or what?"

Mystery Starship photo!

So you think you know your starships, from every movie and spinoff series, huh? Well, I have a challenge for you... can you identify the source of the starship design below?

Go ahead, guess... or tell me the answer in the comments if you know it! If you give the correct answer, you will win an imaginary Tribble friend... and you can hold him and pet him and call him "George." Look for the answer in my next post in a few days!

Leonard Nimoy Quits Star Trek

(Click on images to enlarge.)

And not a moment too soon.

Leonard had the right idea when he declined to be involved in "Generations," the first TNG movie made. If only Shatner had felt the same! Clipped from the National Enquirer early in 1994.

The time frame for this is much more recent than most items, but since I have so many articles from various years encompassing the entire span of Trek history, I thought I'd begin mixing them more. This will avoid the problem of using up all the old first and only posting the more recent as time goes by; I'd like to be able to post old and new and inbetween as long as the blog goes on. So, in coming posts, look for more entries of later items mixed in with the earlier.

Bonus from the Scrapbook: Below, a bit of history... an actual teletype machine printout from the wire service United Press International about the con known as Star Trek Chicago '75.

Held at the Conrad Hilton in Chicago, IL, August 24 - August 25 1975, and billed as the first "professional" Star Trek Convention, this two day event was packed with stars from both the crew of the Enterprise, and the science fiction literary world as well. In addition to every regular member of the crew and several other actors, Harlan Ellison, Robert Bloch, Hal Clement, David Gerrold and Phil Farmer were all featured guests. An earlier post featured a newspaper clipping that used some of the above UPI copy in an article on this event.

Her considerable charms wasted, Uhura was reminded of her grandma's old expression "water off a duck's back."

70's "Vulcanized" Cheer Commercial

Again, taking the easy route today due to lack of time, but I've been wanting to post this awhile anyway since I saw it on a DVD set of vintage commercials that I bought a couple of years ago.

Oh, man, is this pure goofy 70's; but fun. I like how the gaudy "transporter" effect takes so long to complete but she doesn't react to the psychedelic light show until it's over, then takes the appearance of an alien offering detergent advice in complete stride.

The dude looks more like a Romulan than Vulcan, but we won't quibble. And his parting line is creepy; "I'll be watching." But possibly she is a little turned on by the knowledge that her every private action is being observed by a tall, mysterious pointy-eared alien... whom she, and she alone, could get to open up and reveal the passionate but hidden feelings deep inside. All the while wearing the cleanest clothes in the galaxy.

KFC's Star Trek ad

I am just crazy over this ad by KFC! It feels more like real "Trek" than any of the fan-made efforts, as good as some of them are. They just nail it here! I get such a big smile and good feeling when I watch it.


(Sorry for the slow posting lately, but the family health situation is still going on and making it tough to devote the time I used to on my blogs. Hope to get back to it soon.)