John D.F. Black passes away;

[feek61]

John D.F. Black, writer of the original series episode "The Naked Time", associate producer for the first 10 episodes of TOS and he also worked on TNG has passed away. In addition to his Trek work, he worked on the Mary Tyler Moore show and adapted "Shaft" for the big screen. Another TOS alumni gone

RIP

 

[CorporalCaptain]

A couple of other interesting things from his Wikipedia page, he had screenplay co-credit for Shaft (1971), and in 1972 he received an Edgar award for Thief.

I've always thoroughly enjoyed "The Naked Time." Even as Star Trek goes it's rather epic: there are a lot of dramatic and funny moments, and to get out of their mess they end up discovering a new method of time travel.

Rest in Peace.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_D._F._Black

---

https://www.thoughtco.com/ill-take-you-home-again-kathleen-3552918

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http://memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/I'll_Take_You_Home_Again,_Kathleen

 

[Spock's Barber]

RIP, Mr. Black.

 

[Sir Rhosis]

RIP

 

[Phaser Two]

RIP. "The Naked Time" is a very well-written episode.

 

[BillJ]

RIP. You made my life a little happier with your contributions to Star Trek.

 

[Sareesataka]

RIP, Mr. Black.

 

[Ronald Held]

R I P.

 

[mb22]

He also wrote Kirk/Shatner's famous opening credit narration. Those fans who like the early first season episodes should credit Black with helping them in their production.

 

[CorporalCaptain]

He also wrote Kirk/Shatner's famous opening credit narration. Those fans who like the early first season episodes should credit Black with helping them in their production.

This CBC article shows Black's contribution to the development of the opening narration, citing Inside Star Trek: The Real Story, by Herbert Solow and Robert Justman.

https://www.cbc.ca/news2/indepth/words/infinitives.html

Black's version is a giant step towards the final version from Roddenberry's previous version. Black's version:

Space, the final frontier. Endless. Silent. Waiting. This is the story of the United Space Ship Enterprise. Its mission. A five year patrol of the galaxy. To seek out and contact all alien life. To explore. To travel the vast galaxy, where no man has gone before. A Star Trek.​

It's really almost there. The phrase "space, the final frontier" first appears in Black's version. The phrase "where no man has gone before" is due to Samuel Peeples. The narration was written with the combined input from Black, Peeples (by use of his phrase WNMHGB), Bob Justman, and Roddenberry. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Where_no_man_has_gone_before#Evolution_of_the_quotation for more references.

 

[mb22]

I would like to know more about his original version of "The Menagerie" 'envelope' script ""From the First Day to the Last".

 

[plynch]

I do appreciate the tone of early S1. How did he influence it? I'm really ignorant of his role.All those people have really blessed my life. Love to him and his family.

 

[feek61]

I would like to know more about his original version of "The Menagerie" 'envelope' script ""From the First Day to the Last".

I have read the first half which I enjoyed but have not had any luck finding the second half. If anyone has it . . . .please share!

Regarding his influence in the first season; his job was to oversee the scripts; he basically rewrote every production script (along with GR) early in the series until the day he quit. If I'm being completely honest, I don't want to overstate his contribution. Reading his memos, I feel like he had a different vision of the series then GR and he was reluctant to suggest edits to famous writers who submitted sub-par scripts. He bailed out of Star Trek the second his contract was over and ended up hating GR. He certainly did not have the influence of GC. That being said, I think "The Naked Time" is a great episode.

 

[Sir Rhosis]

^^^Sure you don't have that reversed? I have a copy of Part II of "From the First Day to the Last," but not Part I.

Sir Rhosis

 

[mb22]

I have read the first half which I enjoyed but have not had any luck finding the second half. If anyone has it . . . .please share!

^^^Sure you don't have that reversed? I have a copy of Part II of "From the First Day to the Last," but not Part I.

Can anyone describe the episode? I very curious to see how it differs from what Roddenberry did.

 

[feek61]

^^^Sure you don't have that reversed? I have a copy of Part II of "From the First Day to the Last," but not Part I.

Sir Rhosis

Yes, you are correct I have part 2; sorry about the confusion

 

[ZapBrannigan]

The phrase "where no man has gone before" is due to Samuel Peeples.

Peeples apparently got the phrase from a government pamphlet promoting the space program:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Where_no_man_has_gone_before#Origin

 

[Sir Rhosis]

I would like to know more about his original version of "The Menagerie" 'envelope' script ""From the First Day to the Last".

Check your pm.

 

[feek61]

I would be nice of part 1 of "From the First Day to the Last" would showed up.

 

[mb22]

Check your pm.

Thanks!