"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]