by JOAN WINSTON
Long-time STAR TREK fan, and chopped-chicken-liver diplomat, Joan Winston was present on the set the week they shot the last show of the series, and saw and made friends with the whole Trek Crew, actors and producers alike. Luckily for us and you readers, who no doubt have wondered what it was like with Nimoy, Shatner, Roddenberry, et al during –
The director yelled,”Cut! Print it!” Captain Kirk kiddingly his lips and ambiguously blew kisses to Sulu and Chekov, effectively breaking up the cast on the Star Trek set. Shatner was always good for a few gags during the shooting day. Visitors to the set, knowing him only as the efficacious and efficient Captain, and one of the finest actors in the business, were constantly amazed at this other side of his personality. He seemed to take particular delight in breaking up his co-stars, Nimoy and Kelley.
STARDATE: TERMINUS
It was hard to believe that they were shooting the last episode of what might very well be their last season. Spirits were high, and jokes, practical and otherwise, were the order of the day. I was told that many of the technicians and crew had requested assignment to Star Trek because it was a “fun” set. “We may come in a day late, but we have a ball.”
Elaborate put-ons are thought out and planned as carefully as a program presentation. One had zany Shatner in a long black fright wig, two-inch false eye-lashes, falsies and a purple sequined ukelele doing Tiny Tim’s “Tip Toe Through The Tulips”. Sometimes the put-ons went a little too far from sanity, but they helped keep the set loose and easy. Carl Daniels, the veteran sound mixer, told me that Bill Shatner was that way all day. “Eight in the morning or nine at night … It has been so great working with Bill and the rest of the cast; shame it has to end …” He stopped, sighed, “Well, maybe a miracle will happen.” None did.
A STAR-SHIP DOCTOR IS A GIRL-PHOTOGRAPHER’S BEST FRIEND
DeForest Kelley, truly the southern gentleman, was my charming guide for most of the time on the set. Cameras are not allowed on the lot unless you have permission from the front office. I smuggled in my trusty instamatic and De took great delight in helping me grab shots when no one was looking. On the last day of production when I confessed this to the First Assistant Director, Gene Durelle, he told me he knew all about it, but appreciated the fact that I had never shot a flash during filming or absconded with one of the stars when they were needed and tried to keep out of everyone’s way.
CHICKEN LIVER’LL GET YOU OUT OF THIS WORLD
“If all visitors were like you, this would not be a closed set”. Closed set? Then how did I get on the set? Did you ever hear of Chopped Chicken Liver? I knew this VP at Paramount with a passion for CCL, and casually mentioned my impending trip to the coast. “You must let me show you around the lot,” he said. “Mission: Impossible”, “Mannix”…
“How about Star Trek?”
“I tell you what; you bring me some homemade CCL and I’ll get you a lunch date with William Shatner.”
LEAPIN’ LIZARDS! LUNCH WITH THE CAPTAIN
OF THE ENTERPRISE! The lunch date never materialized, by the time my friend got around to asking Mr. Shatner he was all tied up. Just as well, I had more fun on the set.
A WELL-KEPT THOUGHT
My first day on the set was Shatner Day, we had joked around and had a ball. In the script they were shooting he changes personalities with a woman and there were many jokes about this. The official title was “TURNABOUT INTRUDER” but the crew’s title was “CAPTAIN KIRK – SPACE QUEEN!” I told Bill I had never met anyone who reminded me less of a woman. He grinned and said, “Keep that thought!”
CHICKEN LIVER, AGAIN
My second day was Nimoy Day. Essentially a very serious actor, he would love to do something on Broadway – distinctly unSpockian. I got the feeling Mr. Nimoy has had it as Spock. He was extremely warm and friendly. Somehow we got on the subject of Chopped Chicken Liver. “Vulcans can’t eat that, you know. But skinny Jewish actors love it!” he laughed. Of course, I brought him some the next day.
CHICKEN LIVER & SCHNOODLES?
De Kelley was my real buddy. A real pro, always ready when you needed him, knowing his business and his lines. One night on the drive home we talked about his lovely wife, his schnoodle (1/2 schnauzer, 1/2 poodle) and how they loved their house but might have to move because the kids in the parochial school up the street had discovered that “Doctor McCoy” lived there and were knocking on his door all day hoping for a glimpse of their hero. “It really is something to get this kind of popularity after so many years in the business.” Nimoy had recently moved for the same reason. Shatner, in the process of his divorce, had moved in with friends, no one knew where, but if the constant calls on the set were any barometer, half the female population of Los Angeles County was trying to find out.
THE LAST CHOPPY DAY: COLDS AND COLD-“CUTS”
The last day of production rolled ’round. It was a difficult day. They were behind and should have finished the day before. Shatner came in with the flu and a fever of 103 deg.
When Len Nimoy finished his last line and the director called “Cut”, he very slowly and ceremoniously removed his ears for the very last time.
Shatner and Sandy Smith, his leading lady, kept on working till late in the afternoon. Except for the bright flush on his face which they kept trying to cover with make-up and the feverish look in his eyes, you would never have known it when he was on camera.
They finally finished and all the crew gathered around him, shaking his hand, some with tears in their eyes. Three long hard years coming to an end. To many of them this was their family. You spent 12 to 14 hours a day with these people – you saw them more than your real family.
THE LAST MOMENTS
After the show was wrapped up there was a cast party but no one’s heart was in it. I was invited but felt it would be an intrusion to accept. I did stay a little while and as I was leaving, Shatner came back on the set after having rested for about an hour. He looked quite ill and drawn but felt he had to make a showing
It was a quiet party, no one really felt like joking.
Small gifts were exchanged, Good-byes were said. Soon the set was cleared, the props put away and just the empty sound stage left.