"Star Trek: The Trouble With Tribbles" Director Dies

"Star Trek" was a big deal when I was in college. At the time, I was General Manager of an FM radio station and we would all meet at any one's house to watch Star Trek and drink beer (or was it the other way around). All of this came back into my memory when I read that Joseph Pevney, who directed a number of Star Trek episodes, died (the text from the CNN story is below). One of the episodes that Pevney directed was "The Trouble With Tribbles."

"The Trouble With Tribbles" was aired on December 29th, 1967 during Season 2 (the show was canceled in 1969 at the end of Season 3) and seemed to have an unusual amount of humor -- at least that's what I remember. So, when a Tribble came up at auction I felt a need to add it to the Collection.

The Collection's Only "Tribble"

Database Notes: From Star Trek (December 29, 1967). SGS2: Star Trek Gene Roddenberry Tribble. Description: Tribble given to Forrest J. Ackerman by Gene Roddenberry in 1970. Ackerman coined the term "Sci-Fi" and had one of the largest collections of Science Fiction memorabilia in the United States in Seattle, WA. This lot also comes with a certificate of authenticity signed by Darren Julien of Entertainment Rarities.com. Condition: Very good condition. Measurements: 5 1/2 inches in diameter SeqID-0847 7/22/2005

Unfortunately, I couldn't have just one Star Trek item. The Tribble needed company...

Captain Kirk's Communicator

Database Notes: Star Trek Starfleet Communicator. Prop communicator used by Captain Kirk on the original "Star Trek" television series (1966 - 69). Molded black plastic with decorative metal designs and brass mesh flip-lid. This lot also comes with a certificate of authenticity signed by Darren Julien of Entertainment Rarities.com. Condition: Good condition. Measurements: 4 ½ inches long SeqID-0821 10/16/2005

Then I needed to make an animation connection! So, I couldn't resist picking up this cel of Donald Duck, wearing a Star Trek uniform, and throwing a communicator. Who wouldn't buy this?

"Star Trek" Donald

Database Notes: From an Unknown Disney film (circa 1970s). A cel of Donald in Star Trek costume on space ship with communicator on a Master background. Perhaps from a film shown at Disney World “Journey To Tomorrow.” [Image: 11-7/8"W x 8-7/8"H] Acquired 1996. SeqID-0170 Updated: 8/14/2005

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CNN: Joseph Pevney

Joseph Pevney, who directed some of the best-loved episodes of the original "Star Trek" television series, has died. He was 96. Pevney died May 18 at his home in Palm Desert, said his wife, Margo. Pevney directed 14 episodes of the 1960s series, including "The City on the Edge of Forever," in which Capt. Kirk and Spock travel back in time to the Depression, and "The Trouble With Tribbles," in which the starship Enterprise is infested with cute, furry creatures.

Pevney loved the series, said his son, Jay. "He was surprised at the longevity of it because it was not a popular series at the time; it hit its real popularity (in syndication) after it was over," he said. Pevney directed with precision and was highly organized "but he was very relaxed -- in fact, jovial -- in the way he directed," said George Takei, who played Sulu. "I enjoyed working with him."

Pevney had made his movie debut playing a killer in 1946's "Nocturne." As an actor, he made several other film noir appearances but then turned to directing with 1950's "Shakedown." Pevney went on to direct more than 35 films, including two memorable movies from 1957: "Man of a Thousand Faces," which starred James Cagney as silent star Lon Chaney, and "Tammy and the Bachelor," a romantic comedy starring Debbie Reynolds that spawned her No. 1 hit record, "Tammy." In the 1960s and '70s Pevney turned to television, directing dozens of episodes of series such as "Wagon Train," "Fantasy Island," "The Incredible Hulk" and "Trapper John, M.D." [Source: CNN.com]

"Sleeping Beauty" (1959) - FANTASTIC Rough & Draft Storyboards

I have a number of storyboards from "Sleeping Beauty" (1959), which I will be posting over the next several days, but this example is REALLY UNIQUE...

In 1993 when I saw this storyboard script, I had to buy it...

Flora: "Tonite we're taking you back to your Pappy - King Steve"

Rose: "Sob... Sob... HONK - ETC."

In 1996 I purchased a more refined set of storyboards, but didn't realize one was from the same scene as my 1993 piece until a short time later. The 1993 purchase was on the Blackwing Diaries, but the comparison will make it more interesting...

Let me start with the images of the framed artwork and then I'll follow with side-by-side images.

Rough Storyboard (purchased 1993)

Refined Storyboards (purchased 1996)

OK. Now, the side-by-side. On the left is the Rough Storyboard I bought in 1993 and on the right the storyboard I purchased in 1996. Don't forget to click on the images to see 'em full-screen!

Side-by-Side Storyboards

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From “Sleeping Beauty” (1959). "Sc 23 SA/21?" Starts with: "Flora It isn't that dear." A very rough, quick story board of 12 images covering the sequence where Aurora learns she is a princess and must "not see that young man again." This piece also makes short work of the script: "Pappy King Steve" "Sob - Sob - Honk - Etc." Nothing on the back. [Item: 15.5"W x 12.5"H] SeqID-0171

From “Sleeping Beauty” (1959). Two story boards from Sleeping Beauty. (Top) More refined than #0171 -- same scene. Item: 15-1/2"W x 12-1/2"H] (Bottom) More refined than #0171 -- same scene. [Item: 15-1/2"W x 12-1/2"H] SeqID-0647 7/25/2005

"Two Gun Mickey" (1934) - Mickey's Horse Trips

For some reason, images from this sequence in "Two Gun Mickey" (1934) kept coming up over the years. I picked up one batch of 4 and the other two individually. Color models, pencils, Director's, etc. You name it. But I did like the sequence...








[Note: sorry about the color variations...]

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From “Two Gun Mickey” (1934). Mickey riding a horse. Dated "October 15, 1934" [10.5”W x 8.5”H] SeqID-0231

"Two Gun Mickey" (1934) - Mickey & Pete Color Model Sheets

Here are two nice color model sheets of Mickey and Peg Leg Pete (aka: Black Pete) from "Two Gun Mickey" (1934) -- somewhat rare. Good detail and great expressions!

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From “Two Gun Mickey” (1934). Two pencil color guide sheets--one of Mickey and another of Pete (also known as “Black Pete” & “Peg Leg Pete”) framed together. Color is very rare. (1) Mickey as cowboy holding onto rope. "white" "Sc#58 1st cell" "9" Early 2-hole paper. (2) Pete as cowboy falling down. "12A" "Sc#58 2nd cell" Early 2-hole paper. [Item: 12"W x 9.5"H & 12”W x 9”H; Frame: 35”W x 19”H; 2-hole] Acquired 0350. SeqID-0350 Updated: 7/27/2005

"Mother Goose Goes Hollywood" (1938)

To view all the Collection items associated with "Mother Goose Goes Hollywood," use the Content By Category on the right-hand side and click on this film.

“Mother Goose Goes Hollywood” (1938) - Hugh Herbert Model Sheet, Pencil & Cel

Here's an interesting set of items featuring Hugh Herbert (who's antics were incorporated as part of Daffy Duck's character).

Hugh Herbert Model Sheet

It's really too bad that rubber cement was used on so many items in the 1930's and 1940's. You can start to see how it has shown up.

From “Mother Goose Goes Hollywood” (1938). Stat model sheet of Hugh Herbert in “Mother Goose Goes Hollywood.” A number of pencil notations on the sheet and the sheet is stapled to another larger mounting sheet. On stat: "Note pull of eyebrows to outer edges of head 12-23-38 (pencil) RS-6 Walt Disney Prod. Library of the Walt Disney Studio" On larger sheet: "00138 127" Nothing on the back sides. [15.5"W x 12.5"H] Acquired 1998. SeqID-0340 Updated: 5/1/2008

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Hugh Herbert Pencil

From “Mother Goose Goes Hollywood” (1938). Hugh Herbert as Old King Cole, wearing robe and crown, looking down page left (probably at Ned Sparks). Notes: "8"; "REG. BG."; "Field Line"; "FIX"?; "Toe" (See #339 for a cell of Old King Cole sitting on throne with Ned Sparks) [12”W x 10”H] Acquired 1996. SeqID-0191 Updated: 4/2/1996

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Ned Sparks and Hugh Herbert Cel

From “Mother Goose Goes Hollywood” (1938). Cel of Ned Sparks (Jester) and Hugh Herbert (Old King Cole) on a Courvoisier background. On back: Collection of Richard Amsel. [9.5"W x 9"H] Acquired 1998. SeqID-0339 Updated: 7/27/2005

Ned Sparks: Ned Sparks proved himself a top character support whose style would be imitated for decades to come. Although less remembered now, he was an inimitable cinematic player back in 1930s Hollywood. The nasal-toned, deadpan comedian Sparks was born Edward A. Sparkman in Guelph, Canada, and was raised for a time in St. Thomas, Ontario. He attended the University of Toronto and, after a period of soul-searching, decided upon acting. He began, believe it or not, as a honky-tonk balladeer in Dawson Creek, Alaska. In 1907, he went to New York and developed his stone-faced reputation in comic outings. His first film in 1915 did not lead to other offers, particularly during a black-balling incident as a one of the founding members of Actors Equity. In 1922, his movie career headed full steam, but it was the advent of sound with Ned's cynical tones, raspy whines and sour disposition that sparked a comfortable film niche, making close to 100 films in all. Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933), Going Hollywood (1933), the Caterpillar in the all-star Alice in Wonderland (1933), the Claudette Colbert and Louise Beavers version of Imitation of Life (1934) were just a few of his more noticeable roles. His cigar-chomping puss became so well-known at Warner Bros., in fact, that Walt Disney's short animated film Broken Toys (1935) had a Jack-in-the-Box character based exclusively on Ned's image. A few years later, when Disney made Mother Goose Goes Hollywood (1938), Ned's caricature played The Jester. In 1939, Tex Avery portrayed him as a hermit crab in Fresh Fish (1939). A radio favorite over the years, he performed alongside Bing Crosby quite frequently. His last disagreeable Hollywood role would be alongside James Stewart in Magic Town (1947). In 1957, he died of an intestinal blockage.

Hugh Herbert: Former stage actor and playwright - he wrote over 150 plays and vaudeville sketches - Hugh Herbert went in the early 30s to Hollywood as comedian. In the 30s he worked mostly for Warner, impersonating often eccentric millionaires, tycoons and dimwitted professors, in a few movies he collaborated on the screenplays, e.g. on "Hit Parade of 1941". Shy, stammering and widely popular US screen comedian of the 30's and 40's whose trademark gesture could be seen in all his fingers fluttering together, usually accompanied by his other trademark - that "woo-woo!" exclamation (which became the inspiration for Daffy Duck).

"Mother Goose Goes Hollywood" (1938) - Storyboard & Pencils

Here are some more images from "Mother Goose Goes Hollywood" (1938). This time, I've put some of the Database Notes below the items and included some IMDB background information.

W.C. Fields as Humpty Dumpty

From "Mother Goose Goes Hollywood" (1938). W.C. Fields as Humpty Dumpty -- shaped like an egg. Drawn in brown pencil with some red highlights. He's waving around his cane as if shouting at Charlie McCarthy (who is roughed in and positioned upper left). Smaller paper with frame drawn inside. Pin holes at corners. No hole punch. Perhaps drawn by Marc Davis. [Unframed Item: 8.25”W x 6.5”H] SeqID-0271 8/4/2005

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Edward G. Robinson and Gretta Garbo on Teeter Totter

From “Mother Goose Goes Hollywood” (1938). Pencil sketch of Edward G. Robinson and Greta Garbo on a teeter totter looking at each other. Note: “#5” This is a little unusual because of the portrayal of Garbo with very large feet (while this was not unusual in other films, it was a little strong for Disney at the time). [Image: 11-5/8"W x 9-3/8"H. Frame: 20-3/16"W X 17-7/8] Acquired 1993. SeqID-0090 Updated: 8/3/2005

Edward G. Robinson: Robinson (1893-1973), actor known for his gangster roles starting with “Little Caesar” (1931).

Gretta Garbo: Garbo (1905-1990) actress on silent screen, Her performance as the doomed courtesan in Camille (1937) was called the finest ever recorded on film. famous by-line “I want to be alone.”

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Charlie McCarthy as "Baby In Tree Top"

From “Mother Goose Goes Hollywood” (1938). A Director's drawing of Charlie McCarthy "Baby in tree-top." Notes: "5"; "JE"; "REG TO 104"; timing marks - 5 thru 9. [12"W x 10"H] Acquired 1996. SeqID-0210 Updated: 5/1/2008

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Eddie Cantor as "Little Jack Horner"

From Mother Goose Goes Hollywood (1938). #144. A wonderful pose of Eddie Cantor singing and looking to picture right. Appears to be leaning against something. This is where he plays "Little Jack Horner." Cantor does the "10 & 20 black birds" rhyme and out pops Cab Calloway from the pie. [Image: 6-7/8"W x 6-7/8"H. Frame: 14-1/8"W x 14"H] Acquired 1993. SeqID-0089 Updated: 8/17/2005

Eddie Cantor: Singer, songwriter ("Merrily We Roll Along"), comedian, author and actor, educated in public schools. He made his first public appearance in Vaudeville in 1907 at New York's Clinton Music Hall, then became a member of the Gus Edwards Gang, later touring vaudeville with Lila Lee as the team Cantor & Lee. He made Broadway stage appearances in "Canary Cottage", "Broadway Brevities of 1920", "Make It Snappy", "Kid Boots", "Whoopee", "Banjo Eyes", and the Ziegfeld Follies of 1917, 1918, 1919 and 1927. He had his own radio program in the 1930s, appeared often on television in the 1950s, and made many records. Joining ASCAP in 1951, and his popular-song compositions also include "Get a Little Fun Out of Life", "It's Great to Be Alive", and "The Old Stage Door". Eddie Cantor also wrote the books "Ziegfeld, the Great Glorifier" and "As I Remember Them", and the autobiographies "My Life Is In Your Hands" and "Take My Life." Received a Special Academy Award in 1956 for distinguished service to the film industry. He invented the name "March of Dimes" for the donation campaigns of the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis (polio), a play on the "March of Time" newsreels. He began the first campaign on his own radio show in January 1938, asking people to mail a dime to the nation's most famous polio victim, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Other entertainers joined in the appeal via their own shows, and the White House mail room was deluged with 2,680,000 dimes. President of Screen Actors Guild (SAG) from 1933-35.

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Wallace Berry as "Little Blue Boy"

From “Mother Goose Goes Hollywood” (1938). Wallace Berry as Little Blue Boy, sitting and holding trumpet. Notes: "21"; "H"; "TR. BAL. #17" [Unframed Item: 12"W X 10"H] Acquired 1996. SeqID-0192. Updated: 5/20/2008

Wallace Berry: In 1902, 16-year-old Wallace Beery joined the Ringling Brothers Circus as an assistant to the elephant trainer. He left two years later after a leopard clawed his arm. Beery next went to New York, where he found work in musical variety shows. He became a leading man in musicals and appeared on Broadway and in traveling stock companies. In 1913 he headed for Hollywood, where he would get his start as the hulking Swedish maid in the Sweedie comedy series for Essanay. In 1915 he would work with young ingénue Gloria Swanson in Sweedie Goes to College (1915). A year later they would marry and be wildly unhappy together. The marriage dissolved when Beery could not control his drinking and Gloria got tired of his abuse. Beery finished with the Sweedie series and worked as the heavy in a number of films. Starting with Patria (1917), he would play the beastly Hun in a number of films. In the 1920s he would be seen in a number of adventures, including The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1921), Robin Hood (1922), The Sea Hawk (1924) and The Pony Express (1925). He would also play the part of Poole in So Big (1924), which was based on the best-selling book of the same name by Edna Ferber. Paramount began to move Beery back into comedies with Behind the Front (1926). When sound came, Beery was one of the victims of the wholesale studio purge. He had a voice that would record well, but his speech was slow and his tone was a deep, folksy, down home-type. While not the handsome hero image, MGM executive Irving Thalberg saw something in Beery and hired him for the studio. Thalberg cast Beery in The Big House (1930), which was a big hit and got Beery an Academy Award nomination. However, Beery would become almost a household word with the release of the sentimental Min and Bill (1930), which would be one of 1930's top money makers. The next year Beery would win the Oscar for Best Actor in The Champ (1931/I). He would be forever remembered as Long John Silver in Treasure Island (1934) (who says never work with kids?). Beery became one of the top ten stars in Hollywood, as he was cast as the tough, dim-witted, easy-going type (which, in real life, he was anything but). In Flesh (1932) he would be the dim-witted wrestler who did not figure that his wife was unfaithful. In Dinner at Eight (1933) he played a businessman trying to get into society while having trouble with his wife, Jean Harlow. After Marie Dressler died in 1934, he would not find another partner in the same vein as his early talkies until he teamed with Marjorie Main in the 1940s. He would appear opposite her in such films as Wyoming (1940) and Barnacle Bill (1941). By that time his career was slowing as he was getting up in age. He continued to work, appearing in only one or two pictures a year, until he died from a heart attack in 1949.

"Mother Goose Goes Hollywood" (1936) - Marx Brothers Pencils

I picked up this great image of Grocho and then the pencil of the other two Marx Brothers. Each of the images seemed to fit my criteria of being very representative of their personalities. The images were in odd places on the paper and I wanted to avoid trimming. I thought it would be a good idea to frame them together, but I couldn't get the pages to look acceptable when overlapped. Jenny and I decided to have the framer cut the matte to show a movie camera and used the light pools from the spotlights to hide the page seams.

"Mother Goose Goes Hollywood" (1936) - The Marx Brothers

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From “Mother Goose Goes Hollywood” (1938). Matched set 17/117. Two sketches. One of Grocho and the other of the rest of the Marx Brothers. [Image: Left: 6-7/8” diameter. Right: 6.5"W x 8.5"H; Frame: 38-9/16"W x 19-9/16"H] Acquired 1993. SeqID-0088 Updated: 8/3/2005

"Mother Goose Goes Hollywood" (1938) - Cab Calloway Pencils

Continuing with Collection items from "Mother Goose Goes Hollywood" (1938), here are some pencils and storyboard items associated with Cab Calloway and his Band. This time, I'm putting some of my database notes below the images.

Cab Calloway Director's Drawing

DATABASE NOTES: From “Mother Goose Goes Hollywood” (1938). A Director’s pencil sketch of Cab Calloway emerging from pie Little Jack Horner sequence. This is where there is a "10 and 20 black birds" and Cab pops out of the pie with his band. At first, he's wet. Notes: "330"; "TM"?; "Yuba"?; "S6 - SC 49" 7-1/2m"; "Folo Ruffs!"; "St. White 3-1/2F"; "Balance black ink"; Color code numbers; Timing marks: 326 thru 330. [12W X 10H] SeqID 0209

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Cab Calloway Pencil

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Cab Calloway's Band Storyboard

"Mother Goose Goes Hollywood" (1938) - Laurel & Hardy Items

Here's a nice assortment of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy pieces -- Storyboards, Pencils and Production Cels.

"Mother Goose Goes Hollywood" (1938) - Laurel & Hardy

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Storyboard. From "Mother Goose Goes Hollywood" (1938). Stan Laurel sitting on top of bird house holding a fishing rod. Oliver Hardy, wearing apron, with back to camera, appears to be holding onto the rod or is being reeled in. A number of pencil colors are used. "Click!" No hole punch. [Unframed: Paper: 9"W X 7-5/8"H, inner : 7-3/16"W X 5-7/16"H] SeqID-0207 8/6/2005

Storyboard. From "Mother Goose Goes Hollywood" (1938). Oliver Hardy waiving/swatting at bird. Hardy and background drawn in red; bird drawn in black. "77" Pin holes in corners. No hole punch. [Unframed Paper: 9W X 7-3/4H. Inner frame: 7-3/16W X 5-7/16H] SeqID-0206 8/15/2005

Pencils. From “Mother Goose Goes Hollywood” (1938). 2 pencil sketches. A very good Oliver Hardy sketch (“#8”) combined with good image of Stan Laurel (“#228”) in same frame. [Image: Left: 11-5/8"W x 8.5"H. Right: 11-5/8"H x 8.5"H. Frame: 30.5"W x 26.5"H] SeqID-0087 8/5/2005

Production Cels. From “Mother Goose Goes Hollywood” (1938). A pair of Disney production cels of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Delivered matted & in a common frame. Acquired 2004. SeqID-1207 Updated: 6/13/2004

"Mother Goose Goes Hollywood" (1938) - Cab Calloway Sequence

Cab Calloway was great! I loved his music long before getting involved in animation. I came across several pencils of Cab Calloway and his orchestra from "Mother Goose..." and decided to frame them together. Fortunately, the pencils of the band members were reverse shots that let me put Cab in the center. I had the ovals cut to appear like spotlights and had the cut with the gold background (to match the brass) to break up the large black field. By the way, none of the pencil sheets have been trimmed...

"Mother Goose Goes Hollywood" (1938) - Cab Calloway and his Orchestra

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Cab Calloway as drawn in the cartoon...


And here's a real photo of Cab Calloway from our collection...

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Here's how the images are hung on the wall -- along with other Celeb images...



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Pencil sketchs of Cab Calloway and his band from “Mother Goose Goes Hollywood” (1938). [~6Wx8H in 34Wx20H frame] SeqID-0007