The Last Beam up.

James Doohan died today, I'm not the cryin type but being a trekkie I did kind of get misty-eyed. Montgomery Scott (Scotty) to the rest of ya'll was by far my favorite character on the orgional series. He virtually personified human achivement and what man was capable of. All of Star Trek did but he was the guy that got things done. Kirk needed more power, he got more power and in half the time too.

Not being of that generation when Trek first come out, I was more familiar with the Doohan of the movies. I especially remember a couple of times when he managed to save the Enterprise one way or another and while everyone else was cheeting, he just looked at his engines and smiled. He was the orgional 'Miricle Worker'.

I'm just glad he got his star on the walk of fame last year. I remember watching it and thinking 'bout time'. He needed the regonisation, I read a story once about some of the engineers at NASA not having any posters of any other Star Trek character except Scotty.

When I go out this weekend I'll be sure to get a glass of Scotch and toast him.

Kirk - "Scotty, we'll need everything you've got."
Scotty - "Aye. Warp drive standing by."

Star Trek III: The Search For Spock

Post 1

Wednesday, July 20, 2005 - 10:09pm

The flag flies half mast over the sci fi museum today (if they had a flag.) :(

Post 2

Friday, July 22, 2005 - 12:50am

From the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame in Seattle (see also sfhomeworld.org for the obituary):

YOU ARE INVITED TO: A Wake for Mr. Scott �Scotty�

Celebrating the life and work of James Doohan

Join us at the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame tonight in Level 3 for a tribute to one of Star Trek�s most well-loved characters, �Scotty,� the Starship Enterprise�s Chief Engineer. James Doohan passed away early in the morning Wednesday the 20th of July and will be missed by all who loved his work in the original Star Trek series as well as the movies that followed.

We�ll watch a few clips from the original series and films that illustrate his character and humor, read a short eulogy, and look at photos while listening to bagpipes play in honor of �Mr. Scott.� All are invited to attend, from those of you who simply enjoyed his character in the series to those who knew him well, come share in an hour of celebrating his life and a career that spanned a half a century.

Where: Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame (Level 3)
When: Thursday, July 21st at 7:00 PM
Cost: Free

Sincerely,
Bob Santelli
SFM Artistic Director

Post 3

Tuesday, July 26, 2005 - 12:43pm

I guess I have never understood this. Shouldn't you be exalting the writers of the series and films, rather then the man who merely read a script? I haven't seen the series, or the movies, and I'm sure he really brought some gusto to the role, but I doubt he made any serious contributions to the content.

For your sake, I hope the rumors about Brad Pitt playing Galt or Roark are false.

MCD

Post 4

Tuesday, July 26, 2005 - 12:52pm

Those people are not unimportant, but it is the actors who embody the work, concretize it and we identify with the person, not the lines on the page. And it is not merely reading a script; if an untrained non-actor such as myself read the lines, it would probably be a good bet that it would not be the same...Would you want to hear a lyric writer sing the words to your favorite song, or the singer? The writer gives you the content, but the singer/actor makes you FEEL it.

"In order to think clearly, one must feel deeply." Nathaniel Branden.
(Edited by Joe Maurone
on 7/26, 12:53pm)

(Edited by Joe Maurone
on 7/26, 12:55pm)

Post 5

Tuesday, July 26, 2005 - 1:02pm

Joe,

Good point. I concede that for Mr. Doohan to have the ability to play the role effectively and dynamically (again, I have not seen his work myself) he would have to obtain sufficient understanding of the subject matter. That, precisely, is what differentiates a quality actor from the hacks.

I appreciate your taking the time to respond.

MCD

Post 6

Tuesday, July 26, 2005 - 1:22pm

Shine on, Matthew.

Tuesday, July 26, 2005 - 4:02pm