We all have dreams. Sometimes it takes a while for them to take off.
Birth of
Star Trek part 1
Fulfillment of a bold dream was the case with Gene Roddenberry (born Eugene Wesley Roddenberry on August 19, 1921). He was a member of the United States Army Air Corps, an airline pilot, a police officer, a technical adviser for a television series, a writer for a television series, and finally a television producer.
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During the 1950s, through Screen Gems, Gene created multiple TV series. Many feel that the 1956 film, Forbidden Planet, inspired Roddenberry in the making of TV sci-fi. Roddenberry denied this but there are certain similarities between the film and the future TV series.
On March 11, 1964, he submitted a 16-page pitch, and about a month later, Gene registered it with the Writer's Guild of America. He called it Star Trek. With no offer from MGM or CBS, Gene shopped further, and finally, NBC and Desilu funded the story idea "The Cage" (later called "The Menagerie"). By August 1964, the newspapers were buzzing about a new show to begin in the fall of 1965: |
Published in New York Daily News, August 5, 1964, page 531
by columnist Kaye Gardella
by columnist Kaye Gardella
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"Desilu, he said, has made deals with all three networks for possible fall '65-'66 series. NBC has its eye on two properties --- "The Good Old Days." being developed by Goodman & Kline, and "Star Trek," a Gene Roddenberry production."
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Roddenberry had worked with many actors, but he gathered a cast from a select few. Some of the cast were: Peter Duryea, Susan Oliver, Jeffrey Hunter and John Hoyt.
Peter Duryea
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Susan Oliver
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Jeffrey Hunter
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John Hoyt
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In November 1964, Hedda Hopper interviewed Susan Oliver about the upcoming Star Trek pilot.
As published in The Los Angeles Times, Nov. 25, 1964, page 45
by columnist Hedda Hopper.
by columnist Hedda Hopper.
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"Susan Oliver was there telling me about the pilot of "Star Trek." She plays a creature from outer space. In one sequence where she's reincarnated as Earth Passion, they paint her green. Jeff Hunter costars."
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Susan Oliver
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Also part of the cast was Majel Barrett and Leonard Nimoy
Majel Barrett
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In looking for a strong woman to play the role of Number One (second in command), Roddenberry chose friend and actress Majel Barrett. He wrote the part specifically for Ms. Barrett, who was having an affair with Roddenberry at the time.
Roddenberry hired Leonard Nimoy as the half-human, half-alien lieutenant named Spock, who had pointed ears. |
Leonard Nimoy
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The Cast of Star Trek - The Cage
Peter Duryea as Lieutenant Jose Tyler
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Susan Oliver as Vina
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Jeffrey Hunter as Captain Christopher Pike
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Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock
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Majel Barrett as Number One
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John Hoyt as Dr. Phillip Boyce
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Filming on the pilot began on November 27, 1964, and finished on December 11, 1964. Roddenberry's hope was that the Star Trek series appear during the fall of 1965.
Scene from Star Trek - The Cage
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But after screening the pilot, NBC executives were not happy with the majority of the actors, in particular Majel Barrett. They felt the actress was not talented enough to pull off such a role (Number One), and “carry” a show as co-star. Having an otherwise unknown woman in a leading role just because she was the producer's girlfriend is said to have infuriated NBC network executives.
Majel Barrett, Gene Roddenberry and Leonard Nimoy
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NBC was also worried about the “overall eroticism,” most notably the “scantily clad green dancing girls with the bumps and grinds.”
Since NBC executives were more than hesitant about continuing with the project, the pilot (The Cage) was rejected February 1965.
Scene from Star Trek - The Cage
Usually, pilots that don't make the grade are lost forever, but NBC made an exception for four pilots, one of which was Star Trek.
In May 1965, NBC gave Roddenberry the okay for the second pilot's production, but significant changes were either required or deemed necessary.
One of those changes would be an opportunity for a new captain.
To be continued ...
In May 1965, NBC gave Roddenberry the okay for the second pilot's production, but significant changes were either required or deemed necessary.
One of those changes would be an opportunity for a new captain.
To be continued ...
The Transition -
Birth of STAR TREK - Part 2
Birth of STAR TREK - Part 2