The Original Series - non-'remastered' version on DVD?
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SecondSpin has the clamshell releases on sale for $24.00 a season
http://www.secondspin.com/s/product...ksEWS2nLcvObcH1TPt89oaAmg-8P8HAQ#.VXzvG0beMTU
http://www.secondspin.com/s/product...ksEWS2nLcvObcH1TPt89oaAmg-8P8HAQ#.VXzvG0beMTU
The Blu-ray's are $37 dollars a season at Amazon.
Do you have any idea how awesome it is to no longer be the only dude banging the drum about this? Of course, I don't know if the changes bother folks like they bother me, but it's enough to have someone noticing the differences with me.
Yay...
The mono track of Where No Man is correct to broadcast. There isn't any narration in the opening credits, but there is a "jump cut" in the music that was never there before. Like a spliced tape. It was never on the earlier DVDs or Laserdisc/VHS prints.
You can switch the tracks to hear the "mono broadcast track" on the restored, new effects versions, but be warned that "Balance of Terror" has the new version of the theme music on both tracks.
To say the least. What puzzles me is that Trek fans are the most vocal group in all fandom and none of the inconsistencies motivated fans to petition CBS to fix the errors. However, when The Fugitive came out on DVD with altered music, CBS was pressured and the series was eventually restored to night of broadcast sound. Same with Batman when that hit Blu-Ray. Yet Trek remains un-fixed. Sitting out there with sound mix issues galore. Weird...
The DVDs will have the opening credit music from the first episodes restored to the "electric violin" themes (but only the opening credits - except WNMHGB, which has the end credits correct). Also "The Man Trap" and "Charlie X" have the "created by Gene Roddenberry" credit on the opening titles as first seen in 1966. The DVDs are the only place you can see these on home video. The Blu-Ray's did not keep them. Also, the "electric violin" theme is on too many episodes on the DVDs. It was only in the first 9 broadcast episodes. The DVDs, when originally released in individual 2 episode discs in production order, had them in episodes that aired after the theme was changed to the "Cello version." For example, "The Corbomite Maneuver" should not have the "electric violin" theme.
So, nothing is perfect.
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Do you know for sure that the electic violin theme was used on the first nine episodes? When I tried to come up with a definitive answer when I wrote about this (and other music related questions) in 2013, the answer appeared to be that nobody knows:
http://startrekfactcheck.blogspot.com/2013/06/alexander-courages-marvelous-malarkey.html
Regarding home video replacements, in the case of Batman, it was only one or two discs that were revised, yes, and it was because of missing footage? And in the case of The Fugitive, it was the replacement of the original music with more affordable stock music that was an issue, right?
The changes to Star Trek are both widespread (so you won't see a disc replacement program like Batman) and in many ways more subtle (which is probably why you don't see the outrage caused by blatant music replacement or missing scenes; and probably why CBS hasn't been motivated to reissue the sets).
Since CBS is never going to sublicense Star Trek for home video release, I'm afraid the Blu-Rays are the best option out there right now.
http://startrekfactcheck.blogspot.com/2013/06/alexander-courages-marvelous-malarkey.html
Regarding home video replacements, in the case of Batman, it was only one or two discs that were revised, yes, and it was because of missing footage? And in the case of The Fugitive, it was the replacement of the original music with more affordable stock music that was an issue, right?
The changes to Star Trek are both widespread (so you won't see a disc replacement program like Batman) and in many ways more subtle (which is probably why you don't see the outrage caused by blatant music replacement or missing scenes; and probably why CBS hasn't been motivated to reissue the sets).
Since CBS is never going to sublicense Star Trek for home video release, I'm afraid the Blu-Rays are the best option out there right now.
Indeed.
The ''Created By Gene Roddenberry'' credit is such that I'd never seen the episodes with it before, and until my error was pointed out to me, I had assumed it was a mistake that ''The Man Trap'' and ''Charlie X'' featured it on the DVDs. My assumption before then had always been that it was only added in the second season. 
It's odd, to say the least, that *some* episodes are as broadcast, while other episode remain with these bizarre anomalies. And the Blu-Rays are no better (indeed, the Blus actually commit further errors that the DVDs did not!)
I've not seen the ''DVD Files'' versions of the episodes, but I am forced to wonder if they, maybe, are closer still to the broadcast originals; or whether they're even further away from them.
Actually, and thanks for catching this, I should have said "first seven or nine" episodes. Definitely not before "What Are Little Girls Made Of?" and not after "Dagger of the Mind."
"The Menagerie" never had that theme, so we know any episodes originally aired after that had the cello theme. So, for example, "Balance of Terror" should not have the electric violin theme as it does on the DVDs.
The theme was recorded in the same scoring sessions with "The Corbomite Maneuver," "What Are Little Girls Made Of?," and "Balance of Terror," according to the dates listed in the TOS Soundtrack Collection liner notes. Because of when it was aired, "Balance of Terror" is out, leaving the other two episodes left as to when it debuted on TV. #7 or #9. I've heard from more than one person that "Corbomite" never had the electric violin theme, and with the liner notes giving the recording date, I'm comfortable going with that.
For a short time (which is why 9 stuck in my brain), I was certain of the exact number thanks to Marc Cushman revision of his first TOS volume. He included info that the "first nine episodes" included the electric violin theme. However, as more and more of his statements have become debunked, I hesitate to take it on his word. So, yeah, it's either the first seven or the first nine. My own dim memory wants to say I remember "Miri" and "Dagger of the Mind" once having the electric violin theme, but my memory is no more reliable than Cushman's research. Still, it was definitely used in fewer episodes than the DVDs indicate.
For The Fugitive, they commissioned a composer to create and record all new scores for the second and third seasons. While probably still cheaper than licensing library music they didn't realize they already owned, it still was a huge expense.
CBS just packaged The Fugitive again in a cheaper complete series box set and, once again, put out versions with replaced music. Fans complained and they are - again - offering disc replacements. This time it will be 16 discs to send out to each person who asks. That's pretty huge.
I just seems to me that certain sound and music problems on the DVDs and Blu-Rays were pretty obvious to fans. The engine rumble, the music from the second season in The Menagerie, and so on. And with Trek fans being as demanding as we/they are, it just surprised me that little or no comment or effort form fans had been made to encourage CBS to put out "night of original broadcast" versions of the series. But, I guess it's not all that important, all things considered.
Strangely enough, I just checked the Blu-Ray mono track for "What Are Little Girls Made Of?", "The Corbomite Maneuver," and "The Conscience of the King." All three episodes actually have the electric violin theme in the opening credits. Go figure. I don't take that as any real evidence of how they originally aired because the sound mix is really off on "Little Girls." It's probably a remix of the DVD audio track. The end credits have the cello theme, which was never changed for the DVDs. What a mess...
"Miri" and "Balance of Terror" have the 2006 re-recording of the theme on the mono track...
I'm flattered. Seriously.
I've never heard it with it. In all the years I've been watching the series, since the early 70's. I may not remember exactly what episode kicked off the cello theme, but I am 100% sure The Menagerie always had it. At least in syndication. I always remembered the extended, badly edited end title theme to allow for additional cast credits. It was the same that is on there now. Paramount didn't standardize the first season theme until they struck new prints in the mid-80's, just before the release of the full series on home video.
As far as evidence, the prints they used for the first video tape releases, those two episode tapes of select episodes, were from earlier prints, before the standardization. The cello theme is on there. I have that tape in my collection.
Side note: if the Blu-Rays actually had the "original mono broadcast track" on every episode, like they claim, this would all be moot. We would have an accurate reproduction and these questions would not need to be asked. But, nope. The cello theme is on this mono track, on episodes which aired before the theme was recorded. Sigh...
This begs the question as to what prints were used to make the Blu-Rays. If they went back to the original 35mm prints, wouldn't they have the original opening and closing themes as well as the proper original sound mixes?
"Miri" and "Balance of Terror" have the 2006 re-recording of the theme on the mono track...
I'm flattered. Seriously.
I've never heard it with it. In all the years I've been watching the series, since the early 70's. I may not remember exactly what episode kicked off the cello theme, but I am 100% sure The Menagerie always had it. At least in syndication. I always remembered the extended, badly edited end title theme to allow for additional cast credits. It was the same that is on there now. Paramount didn't standardize the first season theme until they struck new prints in the mid-80's, just before the release of the full series on home video.
As far as evidence, the prints they used for the first video tape releases, those two episode tapes of select episodes, were from earlier prints, before the standardization. The cello theme is on there. I have that tape in my collection.
Side note: if the Blu-Rays actually had the "original mono broadcast track" on every episode, like they claim, this would all be moot. We would have an accurate reproduction and these questions would not need to be asked. But, nope. The cello theme is on this mono track, on episodes which aired before the theme was recorded. Sigh...
This begs the question as to what prints were used to make the Blu-Rays. If they went back to the original 35mm prints, wouldn't they have the original opening and closing themes as well as the proper original sound mixes?
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My understanding is that the picture on the remastered versions were created from the original camera negatives. Apparently, the audio wasn't taken from a similar first generation source (though I've learned that the original audio does exist, at least for some episodes, and probably all).
It's so bizarre that these things get re-jiggered like this. When The Monkees was put into syndication, the S2 credits were attached to both seasons, which led to scenes of curly-haired Mickey in the credits for the first season, where his hair was straight. Why do they bother to do this? Surely it would be less work and expense to just leave the episodes as they originally aired.
Maybe they can't, and the reassembly from the newer elements doesn't proceed correctly?
I gave my clamshell DVDs to a teacher at my kids' high school at the insistence of my wife rather than sell them to Half Price or some other second hand outlet or fan. He left a few months later. Nice move. I do have the BRDs, which I am very fond of, including, YES, the new ship shots and effects. As mentioned above, if you really want the clamshells, they can be had at many outlets for a reasonable price. They don't look horrible on a high def TV, but TNG looks AWFUL as do the early seasons of DS9. Voyager I don't remember the quality, sold those a while back, didn't hold up premise-wise and the ending was horrible.
None of the home video releases of ST are perfect. The DVD versions added things like the ship engine rumble in space which wasn't there for most episodes during the original broadcast run. The adding of elements which weren't originally there in the series hoes back further than the BD release. If you're avoiding getting the BDs and instead gettin g the DVDs because you think they're more "original," that's not exactly true.
Even the VHS releases have issues. Aside from the first season theme changes, the sound mix in Where No Man Has Gone Before deemphasized the sound effects of Dehner's electric shocks at Gary and dialed down the impact of the flung phaser rifle to a point you can barely hear it hit the ground (and you really have to strain). Not to mention the music replacement in City on the Edge of Forever and a couple of missing scenes in later episodes (Battlefield and All Our Yesterdays to be specific).
There has never been a perfect, "night of original broadcast" release of Star Trek. Which bugs me, honestly.
There has never been a perfect, "night of original broadcast" release of Star Trek. Which bugs me, honestly.
Anyone have any idea why the end titles for the last 11 episodes of Season 3 (beginning with "Whom Gods Destroy") have the Season 2 end credit music? Was this always the case?
But who is there who has seen the original broadcasts and can remember them perfectly in order to spot the differences?
Not I, I was 5 years old when the show originally appeared...needless to say I have an imperfect memory of all the original episodes and I didn't miss a single one in the original NBC run.Even if you saw them in syndication back in the early 70s, there were cuts made and it only got worse as the years went by...
One can never relive the past, no matter how hard one tries. the nearest one can get to the "Original Star Trek Viewing Experience ™" is to get a 1960s era TV, an early top loading VCR and a copy of the old VHS tapes... even then it can't be exact..even if you remember to dub in commercials of the period.. Face it, those days are gone...
[yt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nauvjMM2fzY[/yt]
Best to remember when you first saw Star Trek and just what that experience was like.. all the while enjoying what we have today..
One can never relive the past, no matter how hard one tries. the nearest one can get to the "Original Star Trek Viewing Experience ™" is to get a 1960s era TV, an early top loading VCR and a copy of the old VHS tapes... even then it can't be exact..even if you remember to dub in commercials of the period.. Face it, those days are gone...
[yt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nauvjMM2fzY[/yt]
Best to remember when you first saw Star Trek and just what that experience was like.. all the while enjoying what we have today..
There were no commercials on the BBC but we did get the episodes very heavily cut during the 70s and 80s! Strange that considering there were no adverts...
JB
JB
There have been copies of a summer 1967 rebroadcast of "Space Seed" (and another episode or two, I believe) with original commercials etc. No doubt it also has the original credits as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Q3D_CoJ-Bc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Q3D_CoJ-Bc
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