As Star Trek built its audience in the 1970s through syndication, and the Animated Series reached a new, younger audience, merchandising took off and toys were a natural. Co-hosts Bob Turner and Kelly Casto talk about the many different toys that were based on the show. The company Mego manufactured action figures, playlets, walkie talkies and other hand held toys. Remo created a utility belt and different versions of the phaser for kids. Dinky Toys manufactured a die cast Enterprise and Klingon Battle Cruiser. Chloroforms made a Star Trek playlet, too. While these toys weren’t perfect as later versions would…
70s TREK - Star Trek in the 1970s
One of the best parts of growing up in the 70s and being a fan of Star Trek were the model kits from AMT. The company, formally known as Aluminum Model Toys out of Troy, Michigan, AMT recognized the value that the Star Trek license had and secured the rights to create model kits by august 1966, a full month before the show went on the air! Co-hosts Bob Turner and Kelly Casto talk about these kits on this episode of 70s Trek. During the original network run of Trek, AMT released just two kits, the U.S.S. Enterprise and the…
Gene Roddenberry was a science fiction fan. He loved reading the books of H.G. Wells growing up. As an adult, he also appreciated films in the genre that made you think. One of his favorites was 1951’s The Day the Earth Stood Still. The film follows Klaatu, an alien who has landed on Earth with an important message for Earth’s leaders, but he can’t seem to get any help to deliver it. The message is that Earth, after discovering the powers of the atom, is now a threat to other worlds. The people of our world were put on notice by…
While it in fact just a collection of sets, the Enterprise in Star Trek seems like another character. It’s probably because creator Gene Roddenberry wanted that feeling to come across. He wanted the Enterprise to be something special and other writers picked up on that idea and carried it forward in future episodes. This week co-hosts Bob Turner and Kelly Casto talk about the Enterprise and how it influenced the entire Star Trek universe. Designer Matt Jefferies wasn’t given much guidance when Roddenberry said he needed a starship. The only guidance he was given was what NOT to do. But…
This week on 70s Trek, co-hosts Bob Turner and Kelly Casto wrap their look at Star Trek: The Animated Series. It is the only version of Star Trek to win an Emmy, being named the best Children’s Show for the 1974-1975 TV season. The episodes we look at include: “Bem” “The Slaver Weapon” “The Practical Joker” “Eye of the Beholder” “Albatross” “Jihad” “How Sharper Than a Serpent’s Tooth.”