Open Letter by "S.T.A.B. Paramount" Regarding a Proposed Boycott of All Paramount Productions
| Open Letter | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Open Letter by "S.T.A.B. Paramount" Regarding a Proposed Boycott of All Paramount Productions |
| From: | Cathy Schappe, Lisa Curran and Vickie Winslow |
| Addressed To: | Star Trek fan groups and Gene Roddenberry |
| Date(s): | 1973 |
| Medium: | |
| Fandom: | Star Trek: TOS |
| Topic: | Star Trek Association Boycotting Paramount (aka "S.T.A.B. Paramount") |
| External Links: | https://www.facebook.com/TheTrekFiles/posts/1199550260219219 |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
"We are showing Paramount that we are loyal fans who will stop at nothing... [until] there is going to be a Star Trek movie."
Open Letter by "S.T.A.B. Paramount" Regarding a Proposed Boycott of All Paramount Productions is an open letter written in reaction to the 1973 announcement of the forthcoming Star Trek: The Animated Series, to demonstrate support for a Star Trek movie.
It was distributed to fan groups on the form of a flier.
The letter was a proposed fan campaign which promoted the formation and goals of the Star Trek Association Boycotting Paramount, a fan group based in Wisconsin.
In anticipation of a reaction from The Powers That Be at Paramount, a copy was also sent to Gene Roddenberry. [1]
From the Letters
"THE purpose of the STAR TREK ASSOCIATION BOYCOTTING PARAMOUNT is to boycott all PARAMOUNT PRODUCTIONS. This includes TV series, TV movies, and motion picture productions. The ones we know of so far are... [list of seven TV series, 26 movies and three TV pilots]..."The dues for joining the official club are $2.00. We must charge the $2.00 to cover postage, envelopes, letter, etc. the $2.00 enables you to have a membership card and a possible STAR TREK LIVES! button...
"S.T.A.B. PARAMOUNT because STAR TREK LIVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!" -- (Cathy Schappe, President [and committee], Madison, WI, 1973.)
P.S. "We have four states backing us: New York, New Jersey, Utah and W. Virginia." [2]
"Dear Gene,"I belong to a group called S.T.A.B. PARAMOUNT. I believe Margaret Basta has told you of us. We are responsible people and we write Paramount according to the rules sat [sic] down by STAR and Bjo Trimble. What I would like to ask you is what do you think of our group. I know you will say no to it but please consider all the good we can do. We are showing Paramount that we are loyal fans who will stop at nothing...
"I myself will quit only when I hear from you that there is going to be a ST movie, not a possibility but it is going to be made. We are neutral on the animation. We are going to watch it then comment on it. I repeat, we are neutral on the animation." (Lisa Curran, Vice President, July 21, 1973.) [3]
Reply from Gene Roddenberry
Roddenberry responded to the personal letter accompanying the flier and set forth his own position on the damage that may have prevailed upon a Star Trek movie if such a boycott had had an impact.
"Thank you for your letter and for all the enthusiasm on behalf of STAR TREK. You are quite right about what my position must be on a Paramount boycott. Such action by fans at this time could seriouly [sic] interfere with current discussions regarding a STAR TREK feature motion picture and any suspicion of my involvement by Paramount, even totally unfounded and incorrect, might very well kill the project... "... I suspect Paramount is already becoming aware that STAR TREK fans are exceptionally loyal and may wield unusual power and so I think there is really very little to be gained at this particular time by attempting to prove what is already known..." (July 27, 1973) [4]
The Podcast
To celebrate 50 years of Star Trek, Eugene "Rod" Roddenberry Jr. of Roddenberry Entertainment, uploaded much of his father's archived correspondence (newly watermarked), including the material originally generated by "S.T.A.B. Paramount". These files are the subject of a podcast hosted by The Trek Files group on Facebook. [5]