Tag Archives: Leonard Nimoy

My Weekly Spock 12/3/12 – Post-Spock Eeee-vil!

Posted on December 3, 2012 | 1 comment

Nimoy so often played villains in his varied career, especially when it was his bread and butter, for a good part of  two decades before Spock and Paris.  But even after his legendary status as the ever-good Spock, he was always happy to play ‘the heavy’, often with charming overtones as seen here in the Columbo episode “A Stitch in Crime” as the evil Dr. Barry Mayfield.  And there was Miller, the nasty bounty hunter you rooted for, who lost his life (and clothes) in Catlow, Mustapha Mond in Brave New World, and even as the evil Achmet Khan in the TV movie Marco Polo.  (video)– Probably not the most memorable of movies, but I recall a line of his from that character where he was attempting to seduce a young woman “Don’t be afraid to touch me” he said.  She was repulsed, of course. (was she crazy??)   Most recently, he’s been the evil William Bell  of Fringe, at least I think he’s evil, but to be honest, I haven’t been able to watch any of it, it’s too creepy!  But kudos to the man for coming out of retirement to play him: “I’m a sucker for a good role!” he joked. Rock on.columbo212$(KGrHqV,!jcE9KeHkWd6BPTsn755r!~~60_57

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The Daily Scrapbook 11/29/12 A preview of my next obsession, and my Mom sees Equus!

Posted on November 29, 2012 | Leave a comment

Good Morning Scrappers!  Here’s today’s flashback:

Another page of assorted bits notably, a postcard from TV Guide, thanking me for my letter to the editor (I was curious as to why Mr. Asimov did not mention Star Trek in the article “What makes good Science Fiction?”) They didn’t print my letter, of course, (I was such a dope!) but it was nice to be acknowledged.  And why is there a picture of Prince Charles, looking somewhat fey here, in my Star Trek scrapbook?  He’s watching the space shuttle Enterprise of course.  Ironically, this was a key to my next scrapbook obsession; the Prince’s future wife, Diana Spencer, who was the same age as I. (I’ll be posting those scrapbooks here too eventually, in their own section)

And then one last look at Equus, for Nimoy’s run in it was quite successful.  First, a blurb explaining Nimoy’s variety of jobs and salaries, and how the actor kept his integrity through it all.  Interesting comment at the end “I can be  bought, but if you bore me, we’re through!”  (I’m guessing it was a LOT of money that got him to do the first Star Trek picture, which was incredibly boring!)   This article was sent to me by my Aunt Eileen  from Piscataway NY, clipped from my Uncle Eddie’s Money magazine.  I always knew when something was from Aunt Eileen, for she loved the fancy font ball on her electric typewriter, which you can see here. (Her actual cursive handwriting was beautiful too; an art that is sadly dying out in the digital age).

On a lighter note, my mom, our neighbor Flo Watts, and Flo’s Aunt Sue took a day trip to NYC to see Equus with Leonard Nimoy!!!  (and WHY was I not invited?).  Mom said Nimoy was wonderful (rub it in, Ma!-just kidding!) and apparently, my sweet, devout, Catholic mom handled the full nudity in the play well (no, not Nimoy, but Mr. Ralph Seymore as the troubled youth…okay, this was why I wasn’t invited) You can at right see my pretty Mom (in blue jacket) with Ralph and Sue , and on the left,  Sue with Flo (a great native New Yawker) in her rain bonnet with the big picture of Nimoy and Seymore.

I dedicate this post to Flo Watts and Eileen and Eddie Porowski, whom I all love and miss very much.

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The Daily Scrapbook 11/28/12 Four Page Magazine Article

Posted on November 28, 2012 | Leave a comment

Here’s today’s flashback:  A four page (!) article from a 1977 movie magazine, (Probably TV Radio Mirror) raving about the Star Trek revival, this time asking if Nimoy and Shatner would be along for the ride.  At the time I thought it would never really be Trek without Mr. Spock, and millions agreed. A lot of great stills here (if some are backward, which always happened in these pieces) The commentary is definitely of the era, with commentary mentioning Hank Aaron, M*A*S*H, and Fonzie.  It appears the writer of the piece had a ball writing this; he or she must have subtly influenced my own style of prose, as it is very giddy with a lot of parenthesis and exclamations, and silly captions!  I remember liking how it described Nimoy as ‘darkly good-looking’.  Must have read it a hundred times.  I think that I was happy that a ‘major’ magazine was taking Trek seriously. But I just can’t take Shatner seriously in  that white prom tux and super collar!

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The Daily Scrapbook 11/27/12 Some Odds and Ends

Posted on November 27, 2012 | Leave a comment

Here’s today’s flashback:  As I continued to gather any little tidbit I found in magazines related to Trek, there were ads for locally syndicated episodes and in fan magazines, there were often ads for Star Trek posters, like the ones you see here on the bottom of these two pages.  On the first page, you see a collage of Kirk, Spock, and I actually owned this poster, in full color.  It wasn’t the best Trek collage posted, but it nicely accentuated the Spock poster my brother let me use, and I had Trek all over my bedroom, just like Nurse Chapel in this StarTreKomic I created for this site.  You also see Shatner and company’s names here, probably from an ad for an upcoming convention.

Also, there’s new speculation on the status of the return of Star Trek on television. Called Star Trek II, I remember being disheartened when I read this little blurb from TV Guide that mentioned that Leonard Nimoy would NOT be coming back.  And he’d be replaced by some “bald lady” who was incredibly “sensuous”?  Whaaaa?
Fortunately, Nimoy did come back for the eventual first movie,  and Ilea (the late Persis Khambatta) was a very beautiful lady. Too bad the movie itself was such a snore!!!

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My Weekly Spock 11/26/12 Outerwear, very nice!

Posted on November 26, 2012 | Leave a comment

It’s getting cold, time to bundle up!

Airport coat, 1970’s

Same coat (with Sandy) 1970’s

Directing “The Good Mother” 1988

I thought Spock Prime’s coat was amazing.

With Chuck Schumer, at the Shuttle Enterprise premiere earlier this year.

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My Weekly Spock 11/19/12 – Early Publicity Stills including a Rare Spock Image!

Posted on November 19, 2012 | 3 comments

I came across a bunch of old publicity stills from Season 1 –many of these were used during Trek’s syndicated heyday in the 70’s; a fact I found a bit frustrating at the time because (and this will sound so geeky) the uniforms are not the final form used, but the ones used for the two pilots and the first episode filmed; The Corbomite Manuever.  Real Trekkies knew that the sleeker, more streamlined  uniform shirts with thinner contrasting collars were the norm on the show, whereas these were a bit chunkier.  I’ve noticed that the stills favor Nimoy’s right side, but both sides of that angular stone face looked fine to me! The other interesting note here is how prominently Grace Lee Whitney (Yeoman Rand) featured, although she only lasted 13 episodes and her look was radically altered.  (Although I must admit, I loved the women’s uniforms with pants; they were much more practical for scaling all all those fiberglass mountains!)  Also, I love Spock’s gentle smile in this group shot.

I’ve fixed the color and noise in most of these pictures, which is par for the course with this kind of thing.  As example, this quick shot of Nimoy and Hunter between scenes was faded and beat up.  But as  I look at this image afresh, one can only imagine how different Trek would have been if it had not been radically changed by the time it aired.  (You can read speculations about this  in the great guide,  Star Trek FAQ by Mark Clark)

BTW, the color photo here of Spock holding the Enterprise was a poster on my brother’s wall for years.  As a child of 5 when Trek first aired, the photo actually scared me a little, (!) for Mr. Spock seemed so…sinister! Of course by the time Trek hit syndication I was madly in love with him, and the poster had been transferred to my bedroom walls for a good 5 years! ( oh, how life’s opportunity was misused!)

I also have a new publicity photo of Spock as well as one of Kirk and McCoy from eBay that I’ve never seen before! This being Thanksgiving week here in America, it’s truly something to be thankful for! Boy, he looks mad here!

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My Weekly Spock-11/12/12 Veteran’s Day Edition–Nimoy in Uniform

Posted on November 12, 2012 | Leave a comment

Happy Veteran’s Day (Observed).  If you haven’t already, be sure to thank the Veterans in your life today, and always keep them in your thoughts and prayers–especially the physically and emotionally wounded.

It also seems a good day to recall all those roles that cast Mr. Nimoy in military service; in his acting career he ‘served’ in almost every branch!

Ah, there’s something about a man in uniform.

First, as a troubled Marine in the U.S. Navy film, Combat Psychiatry:

Here’s the actual clip — so sad.

And now a slideshow of as many as his other military roles that I could find: (note, if you want to see the picture bigger, just pause the slideshow, right click, and key in “View Image”)

From a tiny Army role in a Steve Canyon serial, to another tiny part as an Air Force Sergeant in Them! (1954), to a bigger role in The Balcony (hubba,hubba!)
to another small Army role in The Twilight Zone, In the Army again on Combat!, to a Navy Captain in Assault On the Wayne (1971). Of course, in his most famous uniform (regular and dress) which he wore so well… And Finally –Every man must do his duty, even if it is with a mop — In his actual Army uniform during the 1950’s — A sincere Thank You for your service, Sir

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Bonus Video– From 1973 — Nimoy hosts A.M. New York, interviews Philippe Halsman

Posted on November 9, 2012 | 2 comments

A little shout-out to Scrapper (that’s my nickname for all who follow this blog) Winston, who referred me to this delicious tidbit of Mr. Nimoy hosting a New York City morning talk show in 1973 called “A.M. New York”. I have never seen this and in all my years of watching Nimoy, I never knew about this! However, Win, take note that this was filmed in ’73, which was four years before Nimoy’s Broadway work in Equus.   So this was sometime after Mission Impossible and sometime around The Alpha Caper, (hence the scruffiness).   You can see here how budding photographer Nimoy is totally enamored of legendary photographer Halsman, and probably (accidentally) ignores the legendary, funny Kaye Ballard!  (Maybe her segment was earlier? Kaye, if you’re reading this, let us know!)

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The Daily Scrapbook: A massage by Captain Kirk and In Search Of… a lot of episodes

Posted on November 9, 2012 | 3 comments

Here’s today’s flashback: From 1977, Bill Shatner gives actress Yvette Mimieux   a nice back massage while taking rehearsing for the then Broadway bound show Tricks of the Trade. (lucky!) Here’s another image. Then many, many TV guide listings of Nimoy’s documentary show In Search Of…, which was syndicated nationwide. Nimoy also narrated a documentary series called The Coral Jungle listed here, and  in other TV work, he co-hosted basically a half-hour commercial for NBC called C’mon Saturday which touted the new and returning Saturday Morning Cartoons that would be airing that fall on NBC (The animated Trek aired two seasons from 73-74, so I don’t know why Nimoy was picked for this unless it was in reruns).  From all this TV work, I am presuming that Nimoy did a lot of extra work in NYC while he was in Equus,   I remember actually watching this (as a 16 year old) and feeling mighty embarrassed for Mr. Nimoy, who played a character caller “Mister Wister” who guided around young Andrea McArdle (of Annie fame) to all the wonders of new Saturday Morning line up.  (For all you out there under the age of 40, it was standard practice for the three major networks to air cartoons and kid shows on Saturday mornings; this is where we discovered The Jetsons, Scooby-Doo, and H.R. Puffinstuff ) NBC must have paid him well for this, for the most embarrassing part to me was when he had to sing, to the tune of “Row, Row, Row your Boat” in a faux baritone voice “Turn, Turn, Turn your dial, Right to N-B-C!”  Well, he had bills to pay, I’m sure.

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The Daily Scrapbook 11/2/12 (July 1977) Nimoy Featured in People Magazine

Posted on November 2, 2012 | Leave a comment

Here’s today’s flashback:  July 1977, more clippings from TV Guide.  My parents had a subscription, so I was on top of every listing, paragraph, and blurb about anything related to Trek–definitely not what other 16 year old girls were doing at that age! (Geez, no wonder I never had a date in High School!)  More news about the proposed new Star Trek TV series (it was titled Star Trek Phase II), Gene Roddenberry admits concern over how Trekkies may take the new improved special effects, Nimoy appears on an episode of the syndicated  afternoon talk show The Mike Douglas Show (my Mom watched this almost every day), and Nimoy makes another appearance on Dick Clark’s The $20,000 Pyramid.  But the most exciting thing for me in this month was that Nimoy was (finally) featured in a 5 page article in People magazine! (Now, if they had only put him on the cover as he deserved!)  It’s a fine article about Nimoy and his family in NYC during Equus, his struggle to be seen as something other than Mr. Spock, and a great study on his take as Dr. Dysart in the Broadway production. A bonus is definitely the photo of him riding a horse and clowning in a Mr. Spock Tee-shirt that reads “Leonard Who?”   (I must say, for a man of 46, which seemed so old to me at the time,  he was remarkably trim!)  The final quote in the article defines Nimoy even as he is today: “The day I’m satisfied, I’m finished!”

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