Any idea what issue that was in? Memory Alpha lists every Star Trek-related issue of Starlog up to #238 (May 1996), but that doesn't cover any interviews after her memoir was published (1998).
Cushman "These Are The Voyages" Season 3 - Who is "M.D.R."?
- Thread starter KTJ
- Start date
Any idea what issue that was in? Memory Alpha lists every Star Trek-related issue of Starlog up to #238 (May 1996), but that doesn't cover any interviews after her memoir was published (1998).
Agreed. Asking either of them that question will just make it awkward for everyone involved. What the hell do you expect them to say? "Oh, yes, this guy was totally a rapist"?
From the passage in Whitney's book, it sounds like Leonard Nimoy was the only person from TOS that Whitney took into her confidence on this.
For those that care, I have an answer to this one.
I won't use his real name, since it doesn't appear he used it professionally, but as a writer, M.D.R. went by the name "Del Rayburn."
As "Del Rayburn," he co-wrote an episode of Death Valley Days called "A Man Called Abraham" that aired on June 21, 1967 (Cushman doesn't make it clear that this script, mentioned in one of Rabyurn's letters to Roddenberry, was actually produced — probably because he didn't bother to check). Somewhat ironically, as "Del Rayburn," he also authored an educational cassette tape titled "How To Write Fiction That Sells" for Gordon McLendon's "Car-Teach," which quickly failed as a business venture (see page 198 of this book). He also appears to have written several pulp western stories in the mid-1940s (a quick eBay search will pull up a few examples).
None of this, honestly, is particularly relevant to Star Trek. M.D.R. is far from the only writer who sent an obnoxious letter to Roddenberry (though his may be the longest I've read) during the run of the series. His inclusion in These Are The Voyages, like many other things found in those books, is pointless filler to justify making the series a three volume set.
I won't use his real name, since it doesn't appear he used it professionally, but as a writer, M.D.R. went by the name "Del Rayburn."
As "Del Rayburn," he co-wrote an episode of Death Valley Days called "A Man Called Abraham" that aired on June 21, 1967 (Cushman doesn't make it clear that this script, mentioned in one of Rabyurn's letters to Roddenberry, was actually produced — probably because he didn't bother to check). Somewhat ironically, as "Del Rayburn," he also authored an educational cassette tape titled "How To Write Fiction That Sells" for Gordon McLendon's "Car-Teach," which quickly failed as a business venture (see page 198 of this book). He also appears to have written several pulp western stories in the mid-1940s (a quick eBay search will pull up a few examples).
None of this, honestly, is particularly relevant to Star Trek. M.D.R. is far from the only writer who sent an obnoxious letter to Roddenberry (though his may be the longest I've read) during the run of the series. His inclusion in These Are The Voyages, like many other things found in those books, is pointless filler to justify making the series a three volume set.
Blank pages would have been of more use as filler. A two year old could use them to scribble on.
Nice work! Did his obnoxiousness earn him a cameo as the ill-fated Rayburn in "What Are Little Girls Made Of?"
The name is probably a coincidence. The really obnoxious letter didn't come until 1968, I believe.
Ahhh...okay. Thanks.
If any more evidence were needed, read a book called "Inside Trek" by Susan Sackett. Roddenberry seemed to have a predilection for a certain act that he harrassed people under his employ to perform.
If any more evidence were needed, read a book called "Inside Trek" by Susan Sackett. Roddenberry seemed to have a predilection for a certain act that he harrassed people under his employ to perform.
Oh, God... Do I want to know? I flipped through Sackett's book when it came out but never bought it, as it just seemed to be exploiting her affair with Roddenberry for profit.
Similar threads
