Book : Star Trek Memories - Shatner, William

-Titulo Original : Star Trek Memories

-Fabricante :

HarperCollins

-Descripcion Original:

From Library Journal In his seventh book since 1989 and first nonfiction work, Shatner ( Tek Vengence, LJ 1/93) provides the long-awaited history of the original Star Trek series. He recounts the series in intricate detail, from its inception to its premature demise in 1969. Through dozens of interviews and 130 never-before-seen photos, he describes the cerebral creation, multifaceted production, Emmy Award-winning special effects, and incredibly innovative process of writing, filming, and editing for which the series is legendary. In addition, he remains true to his goal of giving credit where it is due, which serves to enhance both the final product and Shatners stature as a writer. Much of the book centers around Gene Roddenberry, Star Trek s original creator, whom Shatner claims was brilliant, absolutely incontrovertibly brilliant. These memories will fascinate die-hard fans and leave them thirsty for more. Recommended for sf and television collections. Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 6/15/93.- Charles A. Weiss, Library JournalCopyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. Encompassing plot summaries of all seventy-nine TV episodes and the six hit films, Captain Kirk shares his reminiscences about the making of Star Trek, a history of the show as a cultural phenomenon, and behind-the-scenes antics. 300,000 first printing. $200,000 ad/promo. Tour. From Publishers Weekly Fans of TVs 1960s science fiction series Star Trek will go into orbit over lead player Shatners candid, captivating reminiscence, packed with stellar anecdotes and backstage lore. Writing with help from MTV editorial director Kreski, Shatner reveals details of day-to-day work--and some of the fights with nervous studio executives who were not quite ready for the future. Problematic were writer/producer Gene Roddenberrys proposal that the starships strong, efficient first officer, Number One, be played by a woman, namely Majel Barrett who later became the softer, secondary character Nurse Chapel; the casting of Leonard Nimoy as the pointy-eared alien Dr. Spock; and the interracial kiss scripted for Shatner and Nichelle Nichols. We learn that every episode was filmed in the ridiculously inadequate timespan of six days, with one week for preproduction, creating excessive pressure on many actors and members of the film crew. Aided by recollections of other cast members, Shatners memoir covers everything from turf wars to special effects in an appealing, humorous tone. Illustrations include stills, photos and drawings of sets. Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. From Kirkus Reviews Finally, the Captains Log that a zillion Trekkers have been waiting for. This isnt an omnibus Star Trek history. Shatner (a.k.a. Captain Kirk of the USS Enterprise) and Kreski (editorial director of MTV) stick to Stardate mid-1960s and the original TV series, skipping both the Star Trek movies (presumably the subject of a future Shatner memoir) and the multiple series spinoffs. No matter; what remains is a fascinating account of network TV in its post-Beaver, pre-Bunker teenage years. Shatner works against his reputation for hogging the limelight (which he confronts head-on in the final chapter) by remaining off-camera for the first quarter of the text while recounting Gene Roddenberrys early Hollywood career and the making of the pilot, the ``absolutely, incontrovertibly brilliant The Cage. Tidbits tumble forth: at first Roddenberry envisioned a Captain Robert April at the helm of the USS Yorktown, with a half-Martian ``satanic Mr. Spock at his side. As the high concept took flesh, a fight arose among studio executives over Spock: How important should he be? What should his ears look like?-- questions that attained even greater importance when, to everyones bewilderment, the mind-melding Vulcan bested Kirk as the focus of the Trekker cult. Soon the rest of the cast signed on, along with ace produ