NY Times Building New Years 1905

[Miningman]

Superb explanation and information Wayne.  April? ... what a horrid name for the Captain of the Enterprise.  ( I'm still cheesed off my folks didn't pick Fairfax for me ). The entire world knows who William Shatner is so that all worked out and as for his wackiness well that was what became part of the charm. 

Basehart would have been a great pic though, why not as an Admiral in a few episodes here and there back at the 'Academy'. 

Watching the Rose Parade, coffee and Nat Sherman's, iPad, dog at my side. Sometimes life is kind and civilization is not dead. 

[Flintlock76]

Bob April!  I had to think about that for a few seconds.

For those who may be wondering, "Robert April" was the proposed name for the captain of "Star Trek's" USS Enterprise when the series was undergoing development in 1964-1965.  Long story short, the captain became Christopher Pike in the series pilot, then James T. Kirk for the series proper.

Mind you, Richard Basehart was already portraying Admiral Nelson while "Star Trek" was under development, but it's interesting to speculate about him in the role of the Enterprise's captain.

Interestingly, Basehart really wasn't interested in doing a TV series, but at the time he was in the aftermath of a divorce and needed the money.  David Hedison wasn't interested in doing a series either but signed on just to work with Basehart who he (and quite a few other show-biz people) greatly admired. 

Bill Shatner was cast as Captain Kirk because the producers wanted a youthful captain who would appeal to kids.  They didn't realize however that to kids anyone over the age of 20 is ancient anyway! 

Gahan Wilson said it best, "Those who remember what it's like being a kid don't  remember what it's like being a kid!" 

[Overmod]

If Richard Basehart had been hired as Bob April, much subsequent wackiness could have been avoided...

... no disrespect to Canada intended.

[Miningman]

Just had a grouping of 8 snowmobiles pass through the woods at the back of the house. Nice night for it. Not too cold at all, about -10C , 14F.

Happy to see the ball drop successfully, tomorrow the Tournament of Roses Parade with morning coffee. What a life! 

[BaltACD]

Well the ball on the NYT Tower complied with gravity and dropped to wring in 2020.

[Miningman]

Richard Basehart Narration ... From Mike

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4M7M54yle8&list=PL3H6z037pboFiRbJuCFSNxxZcu99vAihC&index=1

 

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/theglobeandmail/obituary.aspx?n=michael-maclear&pid=191111255

 

[Flintlock76]

"Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea!"  Sure, we remember it well!  

And as kids, we thought Richard Basehart (as Admiral Nelson) was old!  To ten-year-olds like us he looked ancient!

"Admiral Nelson's goin' skin diving?  He can't do that, he's too old!  He's gonna have a heart attack!"

Funny thing is, he doesn't look so old now.  I wonder why?  

Anyway, courtesy of the Prague Philharmonic, here's one of the best TV themes ever!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v39tfmlAv54  

And RIP David Hedison, aka "Captain Crane."  Last of the crew of the "Seaview." 

1927-2019

[Miningman]

Very interesting short videos from Mike:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wl7ZRoFrh-0 History

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xcmu6uLjJbE 2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxPArnhtvfc  Guy Lombardo 1958

 Yeah Richard Basehart sure had a presence in whatever role he played. Remember him in The TV series 'Voyage to the bottom of the Sea'. Of course we do. In that movie 'Repeat Performance' he plays the hero in a 'never see it coming'  twist ending. Despite being institutionalized he comes across as the saniest person in the whole movie. He is a very young man in this debut but he sure aged gracefully. 

[Flintlock76]

Thanks for those words of concern from north of the border Vince, and Happy New Year to you, and to all who read these words!

Wayne

PS:  Man how I miss Richard Basehart!  What a speaking voice that man had!  Have a listen...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAmwgT8_Kzg  

[Miningman]

NY Times Building  1905 Fireworks!

 

 

 

https://ia800601.us.archive.org/BookReader/BookReaderImages.php?zip=/8/items/centersthreepubl01lebb/centersthreepubl01lebb_jp2.zip&file=centersthreepubl01lebb_jp2/centersthreepubl01lebb_0006.jp2&scale=2&rotate=0

https://ia800601.us.archive.org/BookReader/BookReaderImages.php?zip=/8/items/centersthreepubl01lebb/centersthreepubl01lebb_jp2.zip&file=centersthreepubl01lebb_jp2/centersthreepubl01lebb_0007.jp2&scale=2&rotate=0

 

Subject: Last day of 2019

Adios 2019, please don't come back. Glad to see it go but I wonder if things will really change that much upcoming for 2020.  Really didn't think I'd make it to 2020, sounds like a science fiction thing. 

 

Film Noir on Saturday night had a very rare never shown before restored movie called 'Repeat Performance' in which on New Years Eve an actress discovers she has to live last year all over again. It was quite good and featuring Richard Basehart in his first ever appearance, as an insane poet trying to live in the world and obviously a gay man, but the 'Code' at that time made sure it was quite subtle. The actress is played by Joan Leslie.  Of course being 'Noir' she shoots her husband and now has a year to fix that situation. I'm wondering if that movie inspired Rod Serling into making the Twilight Zone. 

 

 As a last observation here are 2 quick takes from a Canuck looking into the glass aquarium which is the USA. 

 

1)  You can vote your way into Socialism but you'll have to shoot your way out.

 

2). Democrats are worried that Americans will interfere in the 2020 election. 

 

Should be a fun and exciting evening.  Bring it on! 

 

Best to you fellas,