History

Happy 48th Birthday Star Trek – Join TrekMovie Celebration With ‘Man Trap’ Livetweet 8:30 PM

On September 8, 1966 the first episode of of an ambitious sci-fi show created by Gene Roddenberry aired on NBC – in color! 48 years later, Star Trek is still going strong after hundreds of episodes over five series and twelve feature films (with another on the way). Watch the first commercials and interviews for Star Trek below, plus get info on TrekMovie’s ‘livetweet’ celebration and giveaway set for tonight.



Star Trek Celebrities Mourn Robin Williams + The Star Trek/Williams Connections

Yesterday the world was shocked by the death of actor/comedian (and Star Trek fan) Robin Williams. Many Star Trek luminaries, including some who worked with Williams, went to social media to express their condolences. We have compiled those below, plus take a look at some Star Trek/Williams connections – including the TNG role written for him (but played by someone else).









These Are The Voyages Season 2 released

The eagerly awaited second volume of author Marc Cushman’s exhaustive examination of the production of The Original Series, These Are The Voyages, was released this past Wednesday, and we have a closer look. The first volume, which covered the history of the series from its earliest stages to the end of season one, was lauded by critics, fans, and cast members for it’s incredible attention to detail.  Leonard Nimoy himself called the book’s level of research “astounding…an incredible job”. The second volume, which covers the entirety of season two and features a forward by Walter Koenig,  promises to be even more expansive than the first.  According to the promotional materials the second book will cover a variety of interesting topics: Learn why Leonard Nimoy almost didn’t return for Season Two. Explore why Lucille Ball, whose Desilu Studios had gambled big on financing Star Trek, would lose her studio in trying to keep Star Trek on the air. Discover the real reason Gene Coon suddenly quit as series producer in the middle of Season Two. Learn which stories by renowned science fiction masters never made it to the screen and why. Find out which episodes almost didn’t make it in front of the camera. Read the memos from Roddenberry and his staff, and NBC, concerning all 26 episodes from Season Two. Witness the continuing deception by the network over the show’s ratings, and how the fans took on a corporate giant to save their favorite series.


EXCLUSIVE Clips from Larry Nemecek’s TREKLAND On Speaker: “All Good Things…” Words & Deeds

TrekMovie was excited to receive exclusive clips from the new CD by Larry “Dr. Trek” Nemecek, TREKLAND: On Speaker Volume 2. In the new CD, available for $21.99 on the Trekland Blog, you’ll hear direct from some of Trek’s greatest including Ronald D. Moore, Michael Piller, and more. What’s special about this CD series is that you’re getting a unique perspective — you’re hearing from the people who made Trek while they were making it. The audio is from conversations way back when — in the 90’s. Hit the jump to hear some clips from the new CD.



Celebrate Star Trek TMP’s (& STVI) Anniversary & Watch Rare Behind Scenes Films

Today, December 7th, is the 33rd anniversary of Star Trek: The Motion Picture, the first feature in what will soon be a twelve film franchise. To celebrate TrekMovie is featuring a rare behind the scenes feature that shows how the film was made. We also have video of William Shatner reflecting on TMP and if you want to relive the movie but don’t have the time, you can watch the 10 minute version.We also remember Star Trek VI, which had an anniversary yesterday, with another BTS video.


Interview: Author David A. Goodman Talks Star Trek Federation History Book (and Futurama)

Today Publish 47 North released their elaborate coffee table book "Star Trek: Federation: The First 150 Years". Our regular reviewer will be giving his opinion on this history book soon but today we start with an interview with the author, David A. Goodman, who explains how he went about creating history, including making some controversial decisions. Goodman also talks about writing Futurama’s historic Star Trek homage.


USS Enterprise Aircraft Carrier Inactivated + Navy Announces New Enterprise To Launch Next Decade

The US Navy’s aircraft carrier bearing the same name as Star Trek’s iconic starship has been officially inactivated. After over fifty years in service the nuclear carrier USS Enterprise was ‘inactivated’ at an event in Norfolk, VA. More details and video from the event. The US Navy has also announced that the next aircraft carrier will be named Enterprise. 


Review: Star Trek: The Next Generation 365 Photo Book

Following up from their 2010 Star Trek The Original Series 365 photo book (positively reviewed at TrekMovie), Abrams Books recently released a follow-up, this time revealing rare images from Star Trek: The Next Generation. TrekMovie continues our look at new exciting Star Trek non-fiction books with our review of Paula Block and Terry Erdmann’s new mini-coffee table book below.


Scripts Revealed For Scrapped ‘Star Trek Final Frontier’ Animated Series

Six years ago TrekMovie broke the news that CBS was considering a new animated Star Trek series developed by some insider vets. This show "Star Trek: Final Frontier" never made it past the development stage, but in the past the creators have shared images and details on the web. And now they are revealing the scripts they wrote as well. Details below along with an exclusive image.  





Neil Armstrong, First Man to Walk on Moon, Dead at 82

It is with a heavy heart that we post here on TrekMovie the passing of a worldwide hero, Neil Armstrong. He passed away after complications from heart surgery, his family told the press. Here’s to Neil Armstrong: first man on the moon, American astronaut, engineer, university professor, US Navy pilot, test pilot, self-proclaimed nerd, inspiration, and symbol of the golden era of space exploration. Rest in Peace and god speed.




Video of the Day: Tom Hardy’s Star Trek: Nemesis Screen Test

For the second weekend in a row The Dark Knight Rises is the top movie at the box office. In just ten days the film has taken in over half a billion dollars worldwide. This film cements Tom Hardy, who plays the villain Bane, as an even bigger star. But, it was just 10 years ago that Hardy got his big break in Star Trek: Nemesis. A video of his screen test with Patrick Stewart has been going viral again this week. Check it out below.        


Watch: LeVar Burton’s Star Trek TNG Event Q&A + Responds To ‘Jheri Curl Geordi’ Viral Image

Earlier this week in our review of the Star Trek: The Next Generation theater events we also reported that TNG actor LeVar Burton surprised fans at the Times Square theater screening in New York. Video of Burton’s Q&A with the fans. Burton also tried to clarify that an image from the set that has gone viral is not him.




Khan30: New Video of Leonard Nimoy Talking About Last Minute Change To His Final Scene In TWOK

Over the weekend Leonard Nimoy appeared at the LA Festival to introduce and talk about Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. The film, which is enjoying its 30th anniversary this month, was being shown for free at an outdoor screening. Nimoy talked about how [spoiler alert] his death scene was changed at the last minute to give them an out to bring him back in the next movie. Watch the video below. Plus see how Nimoy is a little upset over how the video was edited.


LeVar Burton Re-Launches Reading Rainbow As iPad App + Flashback To RR Visit To Star Trek: TNG Set

Star Trek: The Next Generation’s LeVar Burton is also famous for his 21 seasons as the host of the kids show Reading Rainbow. After PBS stopped airing reruns of the series in 2009, Burton was determined to bring it back. Today Reading Rainbow was re-launched as an iPad app. More details and LeVar’s video intro below. Plus we flash back to 1988 with a video from when LeVar and Reading Rainbow went behind the scenes on Star Trek: TNG.