Leonard Nimoy as Spock

Roddenberry Vault: TOS Films

In today's installment, we examine some Roddenberry Vault images from the era of the TOS films. Here are some storyboards by Andrew Probert of the Vulcan shuttle from Star Trek: TMP.  I've previously covered this shuttle in detail here.

Here's a costume sketch by Robert Fletcher for Spock in Star Trek: TMP.

Here's a behind the scenes shot of Leonard Nimoy in make-up as he directs Star Trek III: The Search for Spock.

Next we have a series of negatives of publicity stills featuring Jane Wyatt as Amanda and Leonard Nimoy as Spock in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.  I was so glad the filmmakers were able to bring back Jane Wyatt to reprise her TOS role.  Having that continuity really did make Vulcan seem like Spock's home.

Finally, here is a series of negatives featuring shots of Leonard Nimoy preparing to film on the Klingon bridge in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.

The next installment of my coverage of the Roddenberry Vault will jump nearly 100 years into the future with Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Trek Core's Rare Photos May & June 2017

I'm sure most of you are familiar with the amazing site www.trekcore.com.  The folks at Trek Core work diligently to provide high quality screen caps from all the Star Trek series and films. They also collect behind the scenes images, publicity photos, video and audio clips and report on the latest Trek news. If you don't follow them I recommend you bookmark them immediately!

Occasionally, Trek Core puts together a new album of rare Trek photos.  Their latest has two images that will be of interest to Vulcanologists.  First up is a great shot of Leonard Nimoy as Spock with his Vulcan Lyre.

Next is a publicity shot of Kirstie Alley as Saavik from Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.  I've previously posted some other publicity shots of Alley as Saavik.  I find this shot really interesting. The playful pose is either pure Kirstie Alley or it's showing the emotional Roman half of Saavik.

Thanks to Trek Core for all their work in uncovering images like this and archiving Star Trek's history.

Roddenberry Vault: TOS Part Two "Amok Time"

In this second installment of the Roddenberry Vault review, we examine images and negatives from the quintessential Vulcan episode of TOS, "Amok Time". Here's a negative with Celia Lovsky as T'Pau.

Here's a negative featuring Leonard Nimoy as Spock, deep in the plak tow, as T'Pau looks on.

This next selection is a contact sheet of rare publicity photos featuring Celia Lovsky and William Shatner.  The bottom right shot of Kirk wielding the Lirpa is amazing!

This next series of contact sheets are all images from the infamous fight scene. There are some great shots of Arlene Martel as T'Pring, watching stoically.

Here's a final contact sheet featuring publicity shots of Arlene Martel as T'Pring.

I think this Roddenberry Vault social media project was a wonderful way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Star Trek.  The images and documents are great companions to the Roddenberry Vault Blu-ray collection.

Next Up: Star Trek: The Animated Series!

Roddenberry Vault: TOS Part One

Throughout 2016, Roddenberry Productions shared some rare images and artifacts on their social media channels to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Star Trek.  Many will be of interest to Vulcanologists.

This memo about the character of Spock is revealing.  It was written as the show headed into its second season and one can see the influence it had on some stories that year.  One can also get a sense of the growing difficulties between stars Shatner and Nimoy as they competed for screen time.

Here's a publicity shot of Leonard Nimoy as Spock in the first pilot, "The Cage" and a famous shot of Leonard Nimoy with his 1963 Buick Riviera on the Desilu lot.

Here's a great negative from "The Devil in the Dark" featuring Spock attempting to mind meld with the Horta and two others of Spock with some Treknology.

Here's a contact sheet with images of Mark Lenard as Sarek in "Journey to Babel".

In the lower left is an unused promotional shot of Leonard Nimoy with Jane Wyatt as Amanda in "Journey to Babel".

Here's a famous print featuring Spock by the late science fiction artist Kelly Freas.

This last one is pretty special. This is the only known photo of Gene Roddenberry in a Star Trek costume.  This is one of the Romulan uniforms.

The next installment will feature images from "Amok Time".

Review: For the Love of Spock

Today at 5pm I'll be live Tweeting For the Love of Spock.

"I may not be the fastest, I may not be the tallest or the strongest, I may not be the best or the brightest but one thing I can do better than anyone else is be me."

The film opens with an interviewer quoting from one of Leonard Nimoy's poems. It's a perfect way to begin a film about a man who was so unique.

The documentary was originally intended to be about Spock and his impact on our culture.  After Leonard Nimoy passed away, Adam Nimoy realized the film would also have to talk about Leonard Nimoy's life and impact.  It made sense to then include something of Adam's story as well.  The result is a wonderful tribute to Leonard Nimoy and the Spock character.

The film takes us through Nimoy's early acting career including some great clips of his performances, including one from Gene Roddenberry's The Lieutenant which also features Majel Barrett.  The film then moves into the Star Trek years and makes great use of HD clips from TOS to remind the audience of some of Spock's most memorable moments and Leonard Nimoy's contributions to the series.  It recounts the stories of how the Vulcan nerve pinch and salute were created.

Adam and Julie Nimoy recall how their father was very present in their early lives but how his work ethic in the early 60s and during Star Trek made him less available to them.  The difficult tensions between Adam and his father provide a thread through the film that is resolved near the end when Leonard started "majoring in family and minoring in career" rather than the other way around.

This film is a highly enjoyable two hour journey into the life of a man I have idolized, studied and been entertained by since I was a child.  I thank Adam and Julie Nimoy for sharing their stories with us and giving Star Trek fans the opportunity to know both Spock and Leonard Nimoy a little better.  I highly recommend it.

For the Love of Spock is available in theatres worldwide and with behind the scenes extras on We are Colony.

Propworx 50th Anniversary Auction

On September 10, 2016, Propworx will be having a special auction of costumes, props and artwork to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Star Trek.  There are some lots of incredible quality including several that will be of interest to Vulcanologists.

First is Lot #0040 a Roman Phaser from Star Trek: TNG

Lot #0047 Spock Ear Prosthetics from Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

Lot #0048 Leonard Nimoy Director's Chair from Star Trek III: The Search for Spock from the collection of Joe Longo.

Lot #0053 & #0054 Romulan Senate Stools from Star Trek: Nemesis

Lot #0061 Unification Photos from Star Trek: TNG "Unification"

Lot #0062 Unification Photo from Star Trek: TNG "Unification"

Lot #0081 Vulcan Ear Prosthetics from Star Trek: Enterprise

Lot #0095 Romulan Shuttle Concept Art from Star Trek: DS9 from the collection of Gary Hutzel

Lot #0169 Ambassador Spock Concept Art by Robert Blackman for Star Trek: TNG "Unification"

Lot #0186 Perrin Concept Art by Robert Blackman for Star Trek: TNG "Sarek"

Lot #0194 Mintaken Concept Art by Robert Blackman for Star Trek: TNG "Who Watches the Watchers?"

Lot #0200 Sarek Concept Art by Robert Blackman for Star Trek: TNG "Sarek"

Lot #0204 Neral Concept Art by Robert Blackman for Star Trek: TNG "Unification".  Interesting, the character's name is spelled "Narel" on the artwork.  I wonder if this was an error or the spelling changed during production.