Author: kevin

Just so you don’t think we’re raving worshippers at the shrine of Saint STAR TREK, we’ve decided to have a little fun with a show where every planet has, coincidentally enough, the same percentage of breathable oxygen and the same gravity as does our own. We’ve been good enough sports to devote a whole issue of THE MONSTER TIMES to the show, perhaps rabid-eyed TREKKIES won’t be too terribly put off by our smug view of what the series could have been had some inept clods really gotten hold of it. Inept clods like us, for instance.

So we proudly present our special MONSTER TIMES FOTO COMIX – a special imaginary segment of a hypothetical series:

ENCYCLOPEDIA FILM-FANNICA
BIOGRAPHY SECTION
R: Roddenberry, Gene=Genius

THE COP WHO LAUNCHED THE ENTERPRISE

by Allan Asherman

Some years ago there was a wartime flier named Eugene W. Roddenberry, who became Gene Roddenberry; policeman. Flier Roddenberry loved excitement and freedom, and was a part of an immense organization working to win a war and preserve a way of life. He was, in a way, living out some of the excitement of his favorite fictional hero, Captain Horatio Hornblower.

A policeman, is an organization-man, but the flight is sociological instead of militaristic. Policeman Roddenberry learned to fight sans protective wings and propellers and still remain a “good cop.”

he gets itchy typewriter fingers

Most people would have been satisfied with the vocation’s excitement. The Creative Urge took hold of him. He made time to write for that most creative field, dramatic television. Roddenberry was successful, and soon his scripts (written under a pen name) were being seen on several series.

He started writing on a semi-regular basis for “Dragnet,” using his experiences on the police force as source material for his scripts. He was a concerned authority on narcotics, and so – many of his stories dealt with that special problem.

Successful sales and the lure of Hollywood beckoned Gene, and he quit the Force to become a full-time T.V. writer, at last using his own name on scripts.

he commands creative respect

Besides “Dragnet,” he wrote plays for Dick Powell’s prestigious “Four Star Playhouse.” His work was liked in the industry, and he quickly became head-writer for Richard Boone’s highly successful teleseries “Have Gun Will Travel.” The M.G.M. series “The Lieutenant” followed, with Roddenberry creatively behind the show.

The background for inspiration was set. The ingredients, true-life adventure, experience with fictional adventure and action, were about to combine.

In his post-air-force days, Roddenberry had been a civilian pilot for 3 years. He survived a wartime crash, and later narrowly escaped the crash of a civilian airliner (Only he and 7 others survived.) And yet with such experiences behind him, Roddenberry remained a fairly reserved type. Military, law enforcement and flying experiences began to gel into an idea; the idea formed slowly, painstakingly, at first as a kind of private dream.

a dreamin’ Gene

Roddenberry had read and seen science-fiction. Though there was no limit to what a person could write in this field, but budget limitations often gave way to unconvincing storylines and uninspired production. The reality and feeling were simply not there and science-fiction, especially on television, had come to be looked upon as being suitable only for children. Gloppy monsters and equally substantial plots. There were exceptions, but these were all anthologies (“The Twilight Zone,” “The Outer Limits,” “Science-fiction Theatre” and Ronald Dahl’s “Way Out”) and did not revolve around a set situation and cast of characters.

What if a man tried to do justice to science-fiction by treating it the same as he would adventure, action or combat stories? Suppose this was done on a running basis, within a given universe of places and people … provocative people in an intriguing age meeting fantastic situations, but meeting them realistically. You would have something that was never seen before. Something NEW and quite worthwhile.

hmm: “STAR-SMOKE”. “DRAGNET-TREK?”

You take “Dragnet,” and “Gunsmoke,” the U.S. Air Force and an implicit faith in man’s sincere thirst for knowledge and companionship, and you move them all 200 years or so into the future.

Get a cast of dramatic actors to tackle, create and mold the roles. Hire art directors and set designers who can give the thing body and spirit unique. Emphasize the things that really matter, and don’t get carried away with non-essentials. Take the deadlines of television budget and production time into realistic account. Get it all together in your mind. And call it “STAR TREK.”

And so that’s just what the cop who launched the Enterprise did!

EXTRA! MIDNITE EDITION

As we rushed toward press time, all info about the STAR TREK CONVENTION was not yet finalized. So we have only a sample. We present it all in the present tense for the benefit of those MONSTER TIMES purchasers at the convention, who may refer to yon list of festivities as a reminder, from time to time, should they misplace their program books, and wish to keep in heed the events.

You newsstand purchasers who missed the convention, please bear with this present-tense article on something past. With a bit of patient imagination, the thrill of the ST-CON (and time travel) can be yours!

Here Goes…

The STAR TREK CONVENTION takes place at the Statler-Hilton Hotel in New York City, January 21, 22 & 23. A never-ending abundant flow of persons, places, things and happenings indigestibly inundate the whole quality and imagination-glutted affair. Madness and chaos prevail, hero-worship and adulation radiate from the halls and waft from the rafters. Trekkie-eyed fans and fanatical-eyed Trekkies (girl STAR TREK groupies) partake in zealous idolatries and ecstacies. And then, of course, there’s the regularly scheduled program:

There Be…

Two of science fiction’s most reputable (albeit pleasantly talkative) authors, Isaac (Ike) Asimov and Hal Clement head the list of special guest speakers. Before thine very own bloodshot eyeballs and with thine own numbed eardrums behold Dr. Asimov speak on Mr. Spock to a Dr. Spock-reared generation. And Hal Clement doth expoundeth wittily on the STAR TREK Universe – which sort of resembles our own.

AND…

STAR TREK’S producer, Gene Roddenberry, formally stated that he will attend, along with his wife, Majel Barret, who played nurse Christine Chapel on STAR TREK.

AND…

D.C. Fontana, who co-authored the STAR TREK RULE BOOK of writing for the series, as well as contributing to many episodes, and writing “The Enterprise Incident” segment, as well as other scripts, gives a nifty talk on the show. She traces the history of the show, the development of the continual plot chain, and what the entire epic series leaves behind as a legacy.

AND…

The famous STAR TREK BLOOPER REEL of flubs and goofs which took place before the rolling cameras is featured at a special film showing, which also includes various great segments of the show.

AND…

An enterprisingly mammoth ART EXHIBIT contains not only STAR TREK artwork, but art and illustrations concerning science fiction, comic books, and all like that. Much of the art for sale.

AND…

There’s an exhibit of authentic STAR TREK props and costumes (including the items presented in this issue of THE MONSTER TIMES). Also brandished before your very eyes, the costume of Klattu (Michael Rennie), the extra-terrestrial visitor from THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL – which is relative to STAR TREK in that Klattu was portrayed very much like the Vulcan, Spock – a man of peace and logic. And was promptly killed by the U.S. Army.

AND…

Lo and behold! There be a huge Hucksters’ Trading Room, at which photos, mementos from the show, photostats, film clips and original photos of the stars are for sale, as well as copies of a myriad of fan zines pertaining to STAR TREK.

AND…

A tempestuous, terrific, authentic AUCTION verily doth be held. Droves of demented fiendish fans thereat shell out willing wads of daffy dollars and covivial coin for STAR TREK memorabilia, including photos, film clips, models, badges, buttons, books and other fantastic frivilosities.

AND…

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) are presenting a photo-model montage of the space program up-to-date, and the effect that STAR TREK and 2001 had in getting NASA its crucial budget increase and enabled the U.S. to get the first men on the moon.

AND…

Bet you didn’t know STAR TREK was partly responsible for the real space program actually exploring space! But it’s true – interest was generated in science fiction, science, and real space travel by STAR TREK and 2001, A SPACE ODYSSEY right at a crucial time when Congress was to foolishly cut back on NASA’s budget. So much public interest was generated by STAR TREK and 2001 that the tide was turned, and NASA not only got its necessary budget, but an increase in expenditures, saving the space program, and getting us on the moon with relative (economic) ease. Now, how do you like that?

Product Tested: Star Trek Model Kits.
Available at: Various toy and model shops.
Price: $2.49 each

NOTE: of the models illustrated on this page, only one of them is a genuine store-bought model: the other two were handmade. We were originally to do a simple MONSTER TIMES product test, when we spotted this opportunity to demonstrate what the human eye and hand, sufficiently coordinated, can produce … equal to many a pre-fab model kit.

Not that we’re putting down pre-fab model kits, but seeing what one STAR TREK fan, Richard Van Treuren accomplished with just hunks of balsa wood and plastic on his own initiative, we do lament that as many of us (this reviewer himself included) have the initiative to make models by hand as used to be.

The model of the Klingon ship (see captions to photos for identification) is a professionally tooled model kit, commercially sold by AMT Model Corporation, available in toy shops. everywhere. It is comparatively easy to put together, but a bit hard to get. AMT made a limited pressing of them, but they can be found if you shop around a bit.

AMT also released a dubiously crafted model of the Starship Enterprise-which was recalled after a couple of months, when it was discovered no one could put it together. Parts didn’t fit, and if the ship had been a real starship, it would have leaked crew and fuel supply and whole compartments gushingly in space’s vacuum like a sieve.

However, AMT is an honest corporation, and commendably not only recalled the deficient model from stores, but replaced it with a new version of the craft, far superior to the previous one … every part worked, and what’s more the ship lit up from the inside as does the miniature used on the show.

The version of the starship Enterprise shown here, though, is even more noteworthy; handcrafted painstakingly by Richard Van Treuren and even more surprisingly-he did it strictly from imagination!

Richard Van Treuren had no still photographs from which to work, no charts or instructions-he only had impressed in his memory every curve and nook and cranny of the ship. We feel his version is so true to the actual Enterprise, and so indistinguishable from the AMT model (which he also never saw!), that it’s well worth displaying on this page, in the pre-fab model’s stead. (We still couldn’t put it together!-but this time that’s our fault!)

The shuttle-craft was also made from memory by him, and we reproduce it here, not only for the sake of our readers, who naturally would be curious, but also the sake of AMT, who never released a STAR TREK shuttle-craft… and who should.

There was some talk (especially in Great Britain-where the show is now phenomenally popular) that a shuttle-craft model would be released-speculation was that Corgi Toys would issue it in Great Britain. Nothing ever came of all that talk, and so there’s still no shuttle-craft, folk.

It might be worth a try if all of you loyal fans of STAR TREK out there would bombard the AMT Toy Company.

Encourage them to consider that if they were to re-issue their STAR TREK models, and a shuttle-craft (and other of the show’s space vehicles), that there would be an enormously expansive market for them. We can recommend at least one model-crafter to design the shuttle-craft, if such has not already been done. Heh heh.

Or simply write something like “I am very interested in collecting a whole set of the space vehicles of STAR TREK-how can I go about getting them?”-and mayhaps they’ll get the idea themselves, and expand their TREK-model line.

Only your enthusiasm can bring this about.

But until that grand and glorious day, we heartily advise you to scour ye friendly neighborhood model shops, and locate your own existent STAR TREK model kits. Or get yourself a couple hunks of balsa wood, some styrofoam plastic, a pen-knife and some paint (Richard Von Treuren actually painted his own “decals” on!) and go to it!

But don’t ask US how to do it, fergoshsakes!

Chuck McNaughton

MT’s what we want in a monster newspaper, and (we think!) that’s just what you want, too! AND we’ve got scads and scads of articles & photos & comix and posters AND practically everything to do with Horror, Sci-Fi, Comix and Nostalgia, all set to go to press – AND we’ve got new ways of presenting them: special issues, with Comix related to films to records to products to books, and all like that there. AND we’ve got more news than we can fit in print, AND MONSTER TIMES PHOTO-COMIX, AND columns and reviews AND product tests, AND all sorts of vital or curious miscellaneous features. Our presentation is new to monster publications, our format is new, ditto our editorial slant – and most especially our attitude – we’ve all this great stuff – but how do you want it dished up to you? On toast? On a grave-digger’s shovel?

DROP US A CARD OR A LETTER LETTING US KNOW HOW YOU RECEIVE MT’S CONTENTS. – Rate our articles and features from A to Z, and – tell us what YOU want to see more of.

Our format is more flexible than Plastic Man, and as all-encompassing as THE BLOB. One issue can be a grabbing grabbag, like a Cracker-Jack box with all prizes, no popcorn – another can cover every aspect of something special, like this spiffy STAR TREK issue. Can you dig it? Sound OK?

Your wish is our command, O-Reader! Because THIS IS YOUR NEWSPAPER! We want to entertain, inform, amuse and edify you – whatever edify means.

OR – Are you content with the way we’re doing things, and have no complaints? Let us know that, too. Are you satisfied, or will you never be, that is the question.

We await your replies with bated breath. Send all your corroding criticisms and earmarked encouragements to THE MONSTER TIMES, P.O. Box 595, Old Chelsea Station, New York, N.Y. 10011. And expect to see them printed in a letter page, so keep ’em in good taste, gang!

THE EDITORS

Just as we are gettin’ our wonder of reliable journalism ready for press, GRAPEVINE NEWS reports the following unverified rumor, which we consider worth printing as news even though we have no way of proving it true.

It seems that such a public clamor is still buzzing over STAR TREK, what with letters, STAR TREK-CONs, people contacting NBC and Paramount for stills, etc., that optimistic rumblings are being made among many People In Charge of Making Big Decisions, that putting STAR TREK back into production would be neither impossible nor unprofitable. If such a decision were to be made, and should the Enterprise be pulled out of moondust caked dry-dock and again be set adrift in the Galaxy, this would be the first time in the history of network television that it would have happened.

It would not be impossible to acquire the old crew again, as most of their careers have careened onto the reefs of typecasting, and they are all “at liberty.” William Shatner, who avoided the typecasting stigma and has done other acting since, but is not tied up in a series either. Ditto Leonard Nimoy.

However, we at THE MONSTER TIMES do have our reservations about such a move, as we wonder seriously if the show in its fourth incarnation would keep the same high standards of writing, continuity and special effects as the first season, for the first season’s shows (currently being rerun in syndication with the rest are the ones which attract the most fan-atical response. We at MT would support a resurrection of STAR TREK if the producers and the networks would try to regain the shows early high standards. Otherwise, forget it. In another year, all the old STAR TREK crew should have gotten over the typecasting problem, any. way be recognized as competent actors and actresses, and find work elsewhere.”

STAR TREK was a great and wonder-filled show. If it can’t be brought back that way, leave it, and it will remain in our memories, a warm glow of what TV (if it wants to) can accomplish with sincerity and elbow grease in Science Fiction.

Chuck McNaughton

by C.M. RICHARDS

Pictured on this page are several authentic STAR TREK props and costumes. One of the most spellbinding aspects of the series was its Well-thought-out gear and expertly handled special effects and optical.

Most of the props and special effects were designed by James Rugg and Matt Jeffries. Special effects are out of the ordinary on the-set effects, as differentiated from “opticals” or darkroom magic. Matt Jeffries designed most of the running tools of the Federation; the phasers, tricorders, communicators, and (as series art director) the entire Starship Enterprise.

Jeffries worked in collaboration with James Rugg to produce one working model of each prop, and simple molded-plastic non-moving hulls of the various props for photographing, out of closeup.

As a matter of fact, the phaser shown here is one of the nonworking kind … sadly. But, as you see, it greatly resembles and appears to the functioning model you see on the show.

We also have pictured here a. bogus prop – a Tricorder, handcrafted from cardboard and graced with a magic-tape strap. Richard Van Treuren, whose nifty hand-sculpted models of Federation starships and shuttlecraft that appear on page 22 of this issue, produced this very lifelike tricorder – which is worn, incidentally, by the more than lifelike winsome Joani Winston. Joani by the way, is one of the country’s most avid STAR TREK fans and modeled in these pictures with graciously rabid enthusiasm, thankfully.

As for the actual costume you see here; the Captain’s shirt – is actually not a shirt at all, but a one-piece wrap-around garment. It’s worn (curiously enough) pretty much like a straight jacket. There’s a strap which comes across the front and joins the two halves of the garments together.

This is officially called (in wardrobe-talk) the Captain’s Fatigue Shirt.

The shirt was created in the second season. Among the episodes the shirt was worn were “Trouble With Tribbles,” “The Apple,” and “Wolf in the Fold.”

The emblems on the shirt are slightly larger than those which were commercially sold … and had to be hand-sewn on the garments, and, being non-washable, had to be taken off the costumes every dry-cleaning.

In the episode “The Enemy Within” you see Kirk walking about with no emblem on his shirt in a couple of scenes (in case you noticed) because someone had forgotten to sew it back on. See the fantastic info you can get in THE MONSTER TIMES, gang?

Mr. Spock’s ears were made by one of the STAR TREK head makeup men, Fred Philips, over a mold of Leonard Nimoy’s ears done in plaster of paris. The ears themselves were made of latex, and looked most organic when fitted over Nimoy’s real ears … joined cleverly on the inside crease.

Also, right here on our page, we present an authentic Tribble – from the comedy episode, “The Trouble with Tribbles” – as a matter of pertinent note, this Tribble is the genuine actual history-making Tribble which Captain Kirk, commander of the Starship Enterprise, and Plenipotentiary Representative of the Galactic Federation charged to establish Diplomatic Relations with New Cultures – actually sat down upon.

This Kirk-Sat-Upon Tribble was the only Tribble which was sat upon in the entire episode. Remember – You Saw It In THE MONSTER TIMES!

The CON-CALENDAR is a special exclusive feature of THE MONSTER TIMES. Across this great land of ours are quaint and curious gatherings of quaintly curious zealots. The gatherings called “conventions,” and the zealots, called “fans,” deserve the attention of fans and non-fans alike, hence this trail-blazing reader-service.

To those readers who’ve never been to one of these hair-brained affairs, we recommend it.

Detractors of such events put them down by saying that they’re just a bunch of cartoonists and science fiction writers and comic book publishers talking, and signing autographs for fans who, like maniacs, spend sums on out-of-date comics, science fiction pulps, and monster movie stills. But that’s just the reason for going. If you want a couple of glossy pictures of Dracula or King Kong, or a 1943 copy of Airboy Comics (God alone knows why) or if you wish to see classic horror and science fiction films, or meet the stars of old time movie serials, or today’s top comic book artist and writers-or if you just want to meet other monster or comics science fiction freaks, like yourself, and learn you’re not alone in the world, OR if you want to meet the affable demented lunatics who bring out THE MONSTER TIMES, go ahead and visit one of those conventions. We dare ya!

FEB. 13 MARCH 10
THE SECOND SUNDAY – PHIL SEULING – 2833 W. 12 – B’KLYN, N.Y. 11224
STATLER-HILTON – 33rd ST & 7th AVE. – NEW YORK CITY
$1.00 (10 A.M. to 4 P.M.)
COMIC BOOK DEALERS & COLLECTORS – No Special Guests

MARCH 3-5 – FRI., SAT., SUN.
CANADA CON – TOM ROBE – V.W.O. – 594 MARKHAM ST. – TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA
INFO. NOT AVAILABLE – WRITE CONVENTION
Infor Not Available Write Con.
Comic Books, S.F. – Pulps, Nostalgia-oriented.

MARCH 25-27 FRI., SAT., SUN
L.A. CON – JERRY O’HARA – 14722 LEMOLI AVE. – CARDENIA, CALIF. 92249
L.A. HILTON, LOS ANGELES.
Infor Not Available Write Con.
Comic convention; comic books, strips, Guest speakers, Cartoonists.

MARCH 31, APRIL 1, 2 FRI., SAT., SUN
LUNA-CON – DEVRA LANGSAM – 250 CROWN ST. – BKLYN, N.Y. 11225
STATLER-HILTON – 33rd ST & 7th AVE. – NEW YORK CITY
Infor Not Available Write Con.
New York’s Biggest Annual Sci-Fi Convention – Big-Time Writers Galore!

… is our way of getting the latest hot-off-the-wire info to you; reviews, previews, scoops on horror films in production, newsworthy monster curiosities, bulletins, and other grues-flashes. There are several contributors to our hodge-podge Teletype page… BILL FERET, our man in Show Biz (he’s a professional actor, singer, dancer with the impressive resume list of stage, film and TV credits to his name), makes use of his vast professional experiences and leads to Feret-out items of interest to monster fans, and duly report on them in his flashing Walter-Wind-chill manner.

Hot off, or out of, the pages of the Marvel Comics, will be coming a series of 5-minute radio spots based upon their characters. There might also develop a TV special out of it.

The Blood business is booming, everywhere but at the hospitals and they could stand the blood. Hammer Films just started production on it’s 10th film this year already, and the gore goes on. It was a super smash in London with it’s new release of “TWINS OF EVIL.” One sister is ordinary and the other somewhat vampiric. Rather than doing the old double-exposure split-screen bit, they have (are you ready chums?) the Collinson twins, Mary and Madeleine, hot off the centerfold of Playboy magazine, essaying the duo roles, with Peter Cushing as their wise, old, witch-hunting uncle.

On a double bill with “Twins” is “HANDS OF THE RIPPER,” Ol’ Jack is up to his old tricks again, but this time with an intriguing new twist … he’s reincarnated in the body of his daughter, and carries on stalwartly. Tally Horror! It’s a well-mounted production with truly gruesome murders. It packed ’em in the English movie houses for weeks, But then again, we’re told they serve liquor at the concession stands in English theatres.

Also on the docket are “DR. JEKYLL AND SISTER HYDE.” You guessed it, the benign but batty doctor, played by Ralph Bates, transforms into the beauteous but bad Martine Beswick, Miss Beswick you’ll remember from “One Million, B.C.” and “Thunderball.” | understand that Mr. Bates and Miss Beswick bear quite a remarkable resemblance. But enough of their problems.

Other Hammer releases are “BLOOD FROM THE MUMMY’S TOMB,” (Ya gotta She-Mummy this time), “BLOOD WILL HAVE BLOOD,” and another spectacula … “DRACULA-TODAY” pitting Peter Cushing against Christopher Lee again. “You can’t keep a good count down.” But it’ll be the audience who’ll be down for the count … or rolling in the aisles, not Hammer’s intent!

There’ll be two “suspense yarns” from the nitwit Hammer screenwriters, too; “FEAR IN THE NIGHT,” with Judy Geeson, Joan Collins, and of course, Peter Cushing, that familiar vest plus “STRAIGHT ON TILL MORNING” with Rita Tushingham … she’s an OK actress, but we think the yarn will cause her career to shrink.

At the recent Sitges Terror and Fantastic Film Festival held in Spain, “NECROPHAGUS” (a mutated Ghoul) was awarded first prize. In the running were the Polish “LOKIS’, Britain’s “SATAN’S CLAW,” and the Italian “ANTEFATTO” (a mutated meatball?” “or – Before the Fact – The Ecology of a crime.”

Please note the advertisement for a German liquor … Our German is a little rusty, so he couldn’t be moved much to translate. He got stuck in mid-sentence. Something about it keeping Vampires away. If Dr. Van Helsing had only known about it, he would have given up Schnapps.

Japan just aired a TV Special called “1985” dealing with a future ecological disaster (another one?). It’ll be shown here as well, but if their “1985” is as baneful as Orwell’s “1984 … a disaster just might help.

B.F

ADDENDA: Hey, gang, there’s a new fad in town – going to see spook shows at the witching hour. Several Manhattan theaters are showing horror flicks at midnight on weekends, and doing quite well at it. I went to see Night of the Living Dead at a Greenwich Village house last Saturday, and turned away when I saw a line nearly a block long.

by Gray Morrow

SPACE: THE FINAL FRONTIER! OUR FIVE-YEAR MISSION: TO EXPLORE STRANGE NEW WORLDS, TO SEE OUT NEW LIFE AND NEW CIVILIZATIONS, TO BOLDLY GO WHERE NO MAN HAS GONE BEFORE!