Is it wrong that the more I think about it the more I like the Cage bridge, uniform and ship designs more than the TOS ones?
No. I, too, like "The Cage" bridge although I think it could use a dash more colour even if not as colourful as the TOS version.Is it wrong that the more I think about it the more I like the Cage bridge, uniform and ship designs more than the TOS ones?
From this can I assume that Hunter's agent turned down offer detailed in the June 17, 1965 Perlstein memo where they offered to release him from any Trek obligations with a few stipulations, including being available to shoot additional scenes for a feature film version?If NBC hadn't picked up Star Trek as a series, you can bet that Desilu would have used the pilot episode in some fashion, either theatrically (Roddenberry made initial overtures to Hunter about expanding the pilot to feature length, but was rebuffed, and all of the principals had theatrical residuals built into their contracts) or as a movie-of-the-week or a segment of an anthology series.
You know, I had forgotten about that document. Thanks for reminding me of it.
In my initial post, I was mainly thinking of Roddenberry's letter to Hunter dated April 5, 1965. Re-reading the June 17, 1965 memo now, I think I was mistaken when I wrote that Hunter rebuffed Roddenberry's overtures. The reverse seems more likely to be true.
All we know is what's contained in those two documents: that Roddenberry suggested the option of expanding "The Menagerie" into a theatrical feature in a personal note to Hunter in April, and that the option of shooting new footage for a theatrical version was proposed to Hunter (and his agent) as part of an offer to get him out of the remainder of his contract in June.
There's no confirmation that Hunter accepted the agreement, I'm afraid, but I think it's likely that he did. A commitment to film a few new scenes for a theatrical version would have been a short-term one and would have resulted in Hunter appearing in a starring role in a theatrical film.
Ultimately, of course, the second pilot was made and Star Trek was ordered to series by NBC on the basis of it, so the theatrical option never materialized.
There are mere hints of possibilities in all of the characters, but nothing really defined. But that can be part of the appeal because they're all open to all kinds of interpretations. They're not weighted by what we're already familiar with. As such there is still a freshness and novelty to Pike, his crew and that era.I love "The Cage". Makes me wish the studio had taken a chance on Trek in that format.
I have always preferred Pike to Kirk, his more subtle manner and moments of reflection and doubt made him a far more likeable character.
I love Number One. A strong and profession woman, though with a hint of femininity and vulnerability she keeps concealed.
Boyce always struck me as an adventurer, someone who wasn't caring for rank or accolades, but just wanted to go out into space and see what was there.
Spock (seeing how his character evolved in the series and movies) always just seems a little weird, with his smiling and outbursts.
Tyler was a little under-defined so could've gone on to do all manner of things. He did seem eager and adventurous though, obviously a little in awe of Pike.
At first appearance Colt seems to be the sweet-hearted girl, a rookie who doesn't know what she's doing, but she has a moment or two of feistiness.
When I learned of the Early Voyages comics, I had to track them down so I could enjoy more of their adventures.
I do not recall which book I read it in, if it was "I Am Spock" or "Star Trek Memories," but I believe that Hunter, after a suggestion by his wife, asked for more money to continue with the show, regardless of the form. Now, I might be misremembering this information, so please take it with some salt.
HERB: We had an option on Jeff Hunter for a series, but not for another pilot... the lights came up, Jeff Hunter's wife [actress Sandy Bartlett] gave us our answer: "This is not the kind of show Jeff wants to do, and besides, it wouldn't be good for his career. Jeff Hunter is a movie star."
--Inside Star Trek (hardcover), p. 63
It was hardly a competition. The Talosian Keeper was trying to create a situation and no one was biting. It doesn't matter that Number One or Colt might have had any feelings towards Pike in any measure because they were feelings they were highly unlikely to act on.Majel was in competition with the other one to become Pike's mate. I think the alien said something to that effect.
I would hardly call Pike more likeable than Kirk because we don't really know Pike or how he would have evolved while we definitely know Kirk. And I definitely find Kirk a likeable fellow.
HERB: We had an option on Jeff Hunter for a series, but not for another pilot... the lights came up, Jeff Hunter's wife [actress Sandy Bartlett] gave us our answer: "This is not the kind of show Jeff wants to do, and besides, it wouldn't be good for his career. Jeff Hunter is a movie star."
HERB: We had an option on Jeff Hunter for a series, but not for another pilot... the lights came up, Jeff Hunter's wife [actress Sandy Bartlett] gave us our answer: "This is not the kind of show Jeff wants to do, and besides, it wouldn't be good for his career. Jeff Hunter is a movie star."
I suppose his starring in the Temple Houston series that had aired on NBC just the previous year didn't count.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_Houston_(TV_series)
I suppose his starring in the Temple Houston series that had aired on NBC just the previous year didn't count.HERB: We had an option on Jeff Hunter for a series, but not for another pilot... the lights came up, Jeff Hunter's wife [actress Sandy Bartlett] gave us our answer: "This is not the kind of show Jeff wants to do, and besides, it wouldn't be good for his career. Jeff Hunter is a movie star."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_Houston_(TV_series)
I do not recall which book I read it in, if it was "I Am Spock" or "Star Trek Memories," but I believe that Hunter, after a suggestion by his wife, asked for more money to continue with the show, regardless of the form. Now, I might be misremembering this information, so please take it with some salt.
I do not recall which book I read it in, if it was "I Am Spock" or "Star Trek Memories," but I believe that Hunter, after a suggestion by his wife, asked for more money to continue with the show, regardless of the form. Now, I might be misremembering this information, so please take it with some salt.
Both Nimoy and Shatner recall that Hunter was "let go" (Nimoy) or "fired" (Shatner) in their memoirs. According to Herb Solow (Maurice quotes the appropriate passage), Hunter actually declined to participate in the second pilot, which is supported by a letter Roddenberry sent the actor on April 5, 1965. I wrote a little more about Hunter's departure in this blog post.
I've always found Kirk to be a bit of a douche personally. Pike, even in just a single appearance, just struck me as a more interesting character.I would hardly call Pike more likeable than Kirk because we don't really know Pike or how he would have evolved while we definitely know Kirk. And I definitely find Kirk a likeable fellow.
I've always found Kirk to be a bit of a douche personally. Pike, even in just a single appearance, just struck me as a more interesting character.I would hardly call Pike more likeable than Kirk because we don't really know Pike or how he would have evolved while we definitely know Kirk. And I definitely find Kirk a likeable fellow.
To each their own.
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