Have you read the new Gross & Altman book?

[Warped9]

Some of the materiel in this book is lifted or found in other places given it is already familiar. There is a rawness to some of the enttries that make them feel genuine and more unscripted than what we have often heard in the past.

it does illustrate that these were real, complex people and varying opinions could be influenced by circumstance and perspective. I agree that one's status could also magnify a person's failings dependent on one's perspective at a given time.

I'm finding this much more readable than the TMP book Return To Tomorrow which I often find somewhat dry and aimless.

 

[Harvey]

Makes sense, Harvey...after I posted I went back and re-read some things. One interesting tidbit was that tale about John Meredyth Lucas being shown around on his first day out at Bronson Canyon on the shoot for B&C, where Shatner sees Roddenberry and turns around and walks away...that everyone was mad at each other, etc. I guess The Letter either hadn't cooled down yet or, just perhaps, it was sent later than it was dated.

That letter fascinates me. One, that it took 49 years to actually resurface, even though we knew of its existence in Gerrold's "World", and two that even now we only get excerpts. I wonder why, and who was Gross and Altman's source.

The "letter" can be found in the de Forest Kelley collection, which was donated to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Having now read the excerpts in Altman/Gross, it wouldn't surprise me if Roddenberry's letter only exacerbated problems on set, not resolved them.

 

[Esteban]

Interesting, Harvey, and I agree with you. Gene's letter sounds like emails I type after I've had a few too many. Learned that lesson, mostly....

Speaking of which, to Warped9's earlier point, GR's change in behavior during the 70s and 80s has all the earmarks of substance abuse, which from what we hear, was well-known. With his frustration, diminution of skills, perceived indignities, poor choices, et. al, which booze and drugs tend to accelerate like a comet through the Gamma Hydra system, and he just spiraled down. Sad.

 

[Warped9]

^^ A viscious circle of failing to succeed with anything else and seeking solace in substances to dull the pain and disappointment.

 

[Warped9]

I'm now reading about the development of TWOK.

I have to say reading some of Nicholas Meyer's ideas for Trek is ticking me off in the same way as seeing some of his ideas realized onscreen ticked me off. There is also something about Harve Bennett that puts me off as well.

 

[tim0122]

With the way people are talking about this book, it sounds really interesting. Might have to pick it up now.

 

[Warped9]

I think there is also a Kindle version.

 

[tim0122]

I think there is also a Kindle version.

There is. Despite being cheap, though, I usually prefer by physical copies of things (except for Hamlet in the original Klingon, of course). But money is a bit tight. So maybe digital is the way to go in this case.

 

[Warped9]

There is. Despite being cheap, though, I usually prefer by physical copies of things (except for Hamlet in the original Klingon, of course). But money is a bit tight. So maybe digital is the way to go in this case.

There are things I'm interested in reading, but not so much I want a hard copy, so thats when I get the e-version. Otherwise I go hardcopy.

 

[tim0122]

There are things I'm interested in reading, but not so much I want a hard copy, so thats when I get the e-version. Otherwise I go hardcopy.

Not a bad way to do it. My wife (a librarian) is also pushing for me to check out more books from the library in order to save money. All good ideas.

 

[Warped9]

OMG, it's been many many years since I've been to the library, to sign out a book anyway. I have donated books to local libraries during the past few years.

 

[Warped9]

Oooo... Major reveal for some (like me) when reading about TWOK. All these years I had no idea.

 

[Warped9]

Wow. It really looks like JJ Abrams took Harve Bennett's academy years script to make ST09 and kept a lot of the elements. If so then ST09 was not the brainchild of JJ but rather Bennett's.

 

[Doug Otte]

Not a bad way to do it. My wife (a librarian) is also pushing for me to check out more books from the library in order to save money. All good ideas.

I've bought Kindle editions for many years, but most of the time, I never return to a title after finishing it. So, why buy in the first place? I've been borrowing Kindle editions from the library recently. They don't have a huge selection, and there's often a waiting list, but still it's a nice option.

 

[Ssosmcin]

I always go back to reference books. Whether it's Trek, other TV and movies, comics, whatever. 99% of the time, if it's a novel, it gets read once. But behind the scenes and making of stuff? I always reread. Buying hardcopy is the way to go for me. I'll probably never own a Kindle or worry about digital formats not being compatible. Not for this stuff. I have Samuel T. Cogley Syndrome when it comes to books.

 

[Harvey]

Wow. It really looks like JJ Abrams took Harve Bennett's academy years script to make ST09 and kept a lot of the elements. If so then ST09 was not the brainchild of JJ but rather Bennett's.

Bennett's Academy movie was written by David Loughery; Abram's Star Trek (2009) was written by Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman. Loughery's version is, shall we say, not good. I doubt Abrams or anyone else involved in the recent movies has even read it.

 

[RAMA]

I'm on the fence about buying this. Their Cinefantastique work was a staple of my trek reading in the 90s. Not sure how much is new.

 

[Harvey]

I'm on the fence about buying this. Their Cinefantastique work was a staple of my trek reading in the 90s. Not sure how much is new.

You can get a good taste of what's new via Google Books. There's a lot of repurposed material in it, especially in the sections covering the original series. There's also a fair amount of filler (Dean Devlin? Chriss Pratt? Who cares?). It's very readable, though.

 

[Warped9]

Finally finished reading this. It took me four days cover-to-cover.

A worthy read.

 

[diankra]

Anyone here reading "The Fifty Year Mission" by Edward Gross and Mark Altman? It's actually the first of two parts, covering TOS, the abortive Phase II, and ST:TMP through The Undiscovered Country. The second edition, which focuses on TNG and beyond, will be out later this year.

It's not chock full of new information, but there is enough to keep my interest. One highlight: a letter GR sent to Shatner and Nimoy (also to De Kelley, although more as a formality) in the middle of the second production season, excoriating both of them for their selfish behavior... going so far as to claim their bad attitudes were part of the reason for Gene Coon leaving.

That's the only psudo-spoiler you'll get from me. But I do recommend this book.

I'm pretty sure that letter is in the Justman/Solow Inside Star Trek.