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Tag: Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner

1982 Summer of Fun Star Trek E.T. Anniversary

“Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn” opened on this date 40 years ago, as did Steven Spielberg’s “Poltergeist.” Even so, it was really “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial,” released the following week, I was most looking forward to. 1982 was, truly, the Summer of Fun.

On Thursday, Roy and I got to reminisce a little bit about our theatrical “Trek” and treks that summer, which bloomed gloriously during a brief, halcyon span between our sophomore and junior years of high school, when summers were still very much summer, full of possibility, laughter, and adventure.

Enjoy the full Khan-versation here. And be sure to stick around for the end, when we acknowledge my second anniversary on the show and join in a group “KHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!”

When next we convene, the subject will indeed be “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial.” That should give your tear ducts time to replenish after a poignant farewell to Spock. Turn on your heartlights in the comments section, when we livestream on Facebook. Our celebration of the Summer of Fun continues IN TWO WEEKS, FRIDAY, JUNE 17, at 7 PM EDT, on Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner!

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June 4, 2022
Wrath of Khan 40th Anniversary A Sci-Fi Celebration

In the summer of ’82, it seems it was just a matter of course that when you bought a movie ticket, you were in for an enjoyable two hours of escapism. “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial.” “The Road Warrior.” “Poltergeist.” “Blade Runner.” “The Thing.” “Tron.” “Conan the Barbarian.”

I’m not sure that I had particularly high hopes for “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.” I remember I was concerned that, by making it not only a follow-up to the elephantine “Star Trek: The Motion Picture,” but also a sequel to one of the original series’ television episodes, it would be too esoteric for wider acceptance and too “villain-of-the-week” for a suitably resonant theatrical experience, in a franchise that was in danger of tanking when it had scarcely left drydock.

But “Star Trek II” exceeded all expectations, with uncluttered storytelling, good character development, moments of genuine reflection and poignancy between the swashbuckling space battles, state-of-the-art special effects, a nautical tone that was a throwback to the monumental sea pictures of 20 and 30 years earlier, a career-defining score by James Horner, and Ricardo Montalban as (with apologies to Christopher Plummer) the most enjoyable of the “Star Trek” movie antagonists.

Montalban fought Zorro and Gilbert Roland, danced with Esther Williams and Cyd Charisse, and wore white with sophistication on TV’s “Fantasy Island,” but he will always be remembered for his silver mullet, glistening pecs, and theatrical relish with which he delivered his Melvillian soliloquies in “The Wrath of Khan.”

On the next Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner, we’ll slingshot back in time to the 20th century to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the release of “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.” Join us for a banquet of cold revenge and Ceti eels in the comments section, when we livestream on Facebook, this week at a special time, THURSDAY EVENING AT 7:00 EDT!

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June 1, 2022
Christopher Lee Centennial Salute

“Gabriel before me… Raphael behind me… Michael to my right… Uriel on my left side.”

Because when you’re Christopher Lee, St. Patrick’s Breastplate just isn’t enough!

Today marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of the 6-foot-5 “Lord of Misrule.” Self-described as “Tall, Dark and Gruesome” (the title of his autobiography), over a career that spanned nearly seven decades, with roles ranging from Count Dracula to Count Dooku, Lee was a presence of stentorian authority, if not menace.

For a variety of reasons, May has been an erratic month for “Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner.” But, fear not, Lee acolytes! We will reconvene for a salute to Hammer’s heavy-hitter on June 24th – Midsummer! So prepare your offerings to the Wicker Man. Our high school hobby horse, Paul Miller, will join us to form a triumvirate of terror. I trust Lord Summerisle would approve.

In the meantime, while we’re on the subject of classic villains, to mark the 40th anniversary of the release of “Star Trek II” (which opened on June 4, 1982), Roy and I will have a stimulating Khan-versation about Ricardo Montalban, both in “The Wrath of Khan” and the “Star Trek” original series episode “Space Seed.” So leave your Ceti eels in the comments section, on the next Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner, NEXT THURSDAY EVENING, JUNE 2, AT 7:00 EDT!

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Then join us for Christopher Lee on JUNE 24!

From hell’s heart we’ll stab at thee!

PHOTOS (clockwise from left): Lee doing his thing, as Count Dracula, the Duke de Richleau in “The Devil Rides Out,” Saruman the White in “The Lord of the Rings,” and Lord Summerisle in “The Wicker Man”

May 27, 2022
Sci-Fi Talk Star Trek Salt Vampire and More

In the world of classical music cosplay, as in all things, the T-800 brooks no nonsense.

I terminate last night’s discussion about “The Terminator” (1984) with an honest assessment of the most recent “Star Wars” trilogy. But the show’s not really about that (even if it happens to be a recurring theme). The Skynet apocalypse is inevitable. Watching the show will toughen you up, with some good viewer comments and questions, some of which we really don’t seem to get around to answering, even if they do stimulate conversation. You can watch it here:

“Star Trek” fans take note: Roy will be back tomorrow evening to team-up with Jaime “Fez” Sanchez, host of the podcast “Fez Talks,” to discuss the original series’ third-season episode “The Enterprise Incident,” Sunday at 7 pm EDT.

Then on Friday, May 6, his guest will be actor, stuntperson, and dancer Sandra Gimpel, who played the Salt Vampire in the “Star Trek” original series’ episode “Man Trap.” She also appeared in the series’ pilot “The Cage,” as a Talosian. Furthermore, she found regular work on “Lost in Space” as Bill Mumy’s stunt double. And she danced with Elvis 15 times! Suffice it to say that her list of credits is long, and she’s still working. The May 6 show will begin one half hour later than usual, at 7:30 pm EDT.

Make the trek! And bring your thoughts and questions to the next Facebook livestreams of Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner!

https://www.facebook.com/roystiedyescificorner

April 30, 2022
Star Trek City on the Edge of Forever Discussion

Only Dr. McCoy would leap through a time-displacing doughnut for a shot at a pot of Joan Collins’ coffee. After all, you can’t have doughnuts without coffee.

And you can’t discuss “Star Trek” without Mike and Marybeth of SciFi Distilled. Thanks to both for dropping by last night for our discussion about the original series episode “The City on the Edge of Forever” (1967). Lots of interesting insights into the episode’s genesis. In the end, what was filmed wound up being quite different from writer Harlan Ellison’s original vision.

This is the “Trek” episode most fans genuflect before. Our conversation on “the Edge of Forever” went by very quickly, if I do say so myself. The show is now archived here:

We’ll be BACK with yet another time-travel adventure, supposedly, on the next Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner. Roy will be making the announcement by the end of the weekend. Set your clocks for the next Facebook livestream, next Friday evening at 7:00 EDT.

https://www.facebook.com/roystiedyescificorner

April 23, 2022

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