Helen Noel, now there was a chassis

Delta Vega · January 11 2012, 03:15 PM

Watched "Dagger of the Mind" for the first time in years last night, had forgotten what a good story this was, and top marks to the guy who played Van Gelder.

The Science Officer, Noel, would have been a good regular cast member and the question has to be asked.

Why wasnt she seen again ?

Gary7 · January 11 2012, 04:48 PM

She was my favorite female guest star for TOS. Her acting was good, but her role was limited. Still, she was the sweetest eye candy ever, for me... although there were others who came as close runner-ups!

Marianna Hill had only small guest roles on various other shows during the '66-67 years, with only one small role in '68 (see IMDB). 1969 was busy for her, though. So, she could definitely have appeared in seasons 1 and 2 of Star Trek. Her character was alive and well after "Dagger of the Mind", so... but in the 1st Season we had Yeoman Rand. Dr. Noel would have upstaged her. I'll bet there would have been a messy contract dispute if Hill was brought on board as a regular.

But yes... if the Dr. Noel character was a regular, it would have definitely added to the Star Trek experience. And we would have had some good romantic tension for Kirk. She's on board, but he can't fraternize with her, yet he still longs for her.

Wingsley · January 11 2012, 05:04 PM

Funny how Rand was allowed to cozy up to Kirk (see the first Romulan attack on the Enterprise in "Balance of Terror") yet Dr. Noel was considered "forbidden fruit".

Trevacious · January 11 2012, 05:37 PM

Wow, check it out. I never knew it was THIS good to be film editor Bruce Schoengarth!

Nerys Myk · January 11 2012, 06:09 PM

Wingsley wrote:

Funny how Rand was allowed to cozy up to Kirk (see the first Romulan attack on the Enterprise in "Balance of Terror") yet Dr. Noel was considered "forbidden fruit".

IIRC, the part of Noel was originally written for Rand.

As for why the character never showed up again. it was pretty rare for any of the love interests or villains to repeat in Star Trek. Most were conceived as one off.

Forbin · January 11 2012, 06:53 PM

Nerys Myk wrote:

Wingsley wrote:

Funny how Rand was allowed to cozy up to Kirk (see the first Romulan attack on the Enterprise in "Balance of Terror") yet Dr. Noel was considered "forbidden fruit".

IIRC, the part of Noel was originally written for Rand.

As for why the character never showed up again. it was pretty rare for any of the love interests or villains to repeat in Star Trek. Most were conceived as one off.

It was that way with pretty much every prime time drama of the era. No major character could have a continuing romance, so they could have guest actresses as occasional love interests. I'm sure that had something to do with how screwed up my sexual attitudes were in my teen years - hey, Kirk, Jim West and James Bond had a new babe every week, why can't I?

(Real answer: because I was a nerd who couldn't put two coherent words together around pretty girls)

Nerys Myk · January 11 2012, 07:05 PM

At least it wasn't Bonanza, where involvement with ( especially marriage) a Cartwright was the kiss of death! Now that would put you off relationships!!

alchemist · January 12 2012, 01:18 AM

Trevacious wrote:

Wow, check it out. I never knew it was THIS good to be film editor Bruce Schoengarth!

I wish I could show you the rest of this series...

But on another note, I'm sure that Bruce's children are happy that their dad is being noticed and remembered.

7thsealord · January 12 2012, 01:21 AM

Nerys Myk wrote:

At least it wasn't Bonanza, where involvement with ( especially marriage) a Cartwright was the kiss of death! Now that would put you off relationships!!

True, but marriages in TOS always seemed to end badly as well.

Captain Tracy · January 12 2012, 02:19 AM

Besides, if you were KIRK, would you really ever get any work done with babe on-board?!!?!?

SPOCK: (over intercom) Captain, the ship has been sitting stationary for three days now, and I must remind you we are scheduled to deliver medical and food supplies to the research outpost on Gamma Omicron IV.

KIRK: (sleepily) ...yeah,... whatever.... kirk,.. out.

7thsealord · January 12 2012, 11:57 AM

Captain Tracy wrote:

Besides, if you were KIRK, would you really ever get any work done with babe on-board?!!?!?

SPOCK: (over intercom) Captain, the ship has been sitting stationary for three days now, and I must remind you we are scheduled to deliver medical and food supplies to the research outpost on Gamma Omicron IV.

KIRK: (sleepily) ...yeah,... whatever.... kirk,.. out.

Not like there was a shortage of attractive females on the Enterprise anyhow.

T'Girl · January 13 2012, 01:23 AM

alchemist wrote:

I wish I could show you the rest of this series...

Oh, and you think you can leave it hanging like that?

More, more, more, more ...

CaptainMatt · January 15 2012, 12:19 AM

Trevacious wrote:

Wow, check it out. I never knew it was THIS good to be film editor Bruce Schoengarth!

Woweeee as Christopher Walken once said on Saturday Night Live.

Having said that imagine Rand in that role. Always loved that blonde yeamon. Wasn't in enough of Trek for my tastes.

bbailey861 · January 16 2012, 03:10 PM

Great, great photo. I also wonder what direction Trek would have taken if Yeoman Rand had stuck around. I read Grace Lee Whitney's autobiography and would like to know who she refers to when she discusses her ouster from the series.

CaptainMatt · January 16 2012, 07:45 PM

It is a mystery that continues to the present day as far as I am aware.

January 11 2012, 03:15 PM	#1
Delta Vega Lieutenant Commander Location: The Great Barrier	Helen Noel, now there was a chassis Watched "Dagger of the Mind" for the first time in years last night, had forgotten what a good story this was, and top marks to the guy who played Van Gelder. The Science Officer, Noel, would have been a good regular cast member and the question has to be asked. Why wasnt she seen again ?

January 11 2012, 04:48 PM	#2
Gary7 Rear Admiral Location: Near Manhattan ··· in an alternate reality	Re: Helen Noel, now there was a chassis She was my favorite female guest star for TOS. Her acting was good, but her role was limited. Still, she was the sweetest eye candy ever, for me... although there were others who came as close runner-ups! Marianna Hill had only small guest roles on various other shows during the '66-67 years, with only one small role in '68 (see IMDB). 1969 was busy for her, though. So, she could definitely have appeared in seasons 1 and 2 of Star Trek. Her character was alive and well after "Dagger of the Mind", so... but in the 1st Season we had Yeoman Rand. Dr. Noel would have upstaged her. I'll bet there would have been a messy contract dispute if Hill was brought on board as a regular. But yes... if the Dr. Noel character was a regular, it would have definitely added to the Star Trek experience. And we would have had some good romantic tension for Kirk. She's on board, but he can't fraternize with her, yet he still longs for her. __________________ Remembering Ensign Mallory.

January 11 2012, 05:04 PM	#3
Wingsley Commodore Location: Wingsley	Re: Helen Noel, now there was a chassis Funny how Rand was allowed to cozy up to Kirk (see the first Romulan attack on the Enterprise in "Balance of Terror") yet Dr. Noel was considered "forbidden fruit". __________________ "The way that you wander is the way that you choose. / The day that you tarry is the day that you lose. / Sunshine or thunder, a man will always wonder / Where the fair wind blows ..." -- Lyrics, Jeremiah Johnson's theme.

January 11 2012, 05:37 PM	#4
Trevacious Captain	Re: Helen Noel, now there was a chassis Wow, check it out. I never knew it was THIS good to be film editor Bruce Schoengarth!

January 11 2012, 07:05 PM	#7
Nerys Myk Admiral Location: House of Kang, now with ridges	Re: Helen Noel, now there was a chassis At least it wasn't Bonanza, where involvement with ( especially marriage) a Cartwright was the kiss of death! Now that would put you off relationships!! __________________ Nerys Myk's Midnight In Never Land A novel of Dark Fantasy @ Amazon.com

STAR TREK

CSI

ABOUT US

January 12 2012, 02:19 AM	#10
Captain Tracy Commander Location: Philadelphia, PA	Re: Helen Noel, now there was a chassis Besides, if you were KIRK, would you really ever get any work done with babe on-board?!!?!? SPOCK: (over intercom) Captain, the ship has been sitting stationary for three days now, and I must remind you we are scheduled to deliver medical and food supplies to the research outpost on Gamma Omicron IV. KIRK: (sleepily) ...yeah,... whatever.... kirk,.. out. __________________ "FREE YOUR MIND, AND YOUR BUTT WILL FOLLOW" - RICHARD PRYOR

January 16 2012, 03:10 PM	#14
bbailey861 Vice Admiral Location: Kingston, ON	Re: Helen Noel, now there was a chassis Great, great photo. I also wonder what direction Trek would have taken if Yeoman Rand had stuck around. I read Grace Lee Whitney's autobiography and would like to know who she refers to when she discusses her ouster from the series.

January 16 2012, 07:45 PM	#15
CaptainMatt Fleet Captain Location: Sector 001	Re: Helen Noel, now there was a chassis It is a mystery that continues to the present day as far as I am aware.