The Logbook
| Zine | |
|---|---|
| Title: | The Logbook (G.R.A.S. Logbook) |
| Publisher: | Gene Roddenberry Appreciation Society |
| Editor(s): | |
| Type: | club newsletter |
| Date(s): | third issue was in February 1973 |
| Frequency: | irregular |
| Medium: | |
| Fandom: | Star Trek: TOS, Gene Roddenberry |
| Language: | English |
| External Links: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
The Logbook (G.R.A.S. Logbook) was a Star Trek: TOS club newsletter with a focus of Gene Roddenberry.
Published irregularly, there were at least three issues.
Issue 1
Issue 2
Issue 3
The Logbook 3 was published in February 1973 and contains 8 pages.
This issue contains two con reports, one by Richard J. Franco (dated March 5, 1973) for the 1973 Star Trek Lives! con and the brief first part of one by Devra Langsam for the 1972 Star Trek Lives! con (the next part was promised for the fourth issue of "The Logbook". See those pages.
The editors apologize for this issue being five weeks late; one reason was a house fire:
Unfortunately, the aforementioned fire was mine, and everything I owned was destroyed in it. Fortunately I keep my bedroom door closed during the day so we managed to have a house and dog left, but the records and files of material for the Logbook were destroyed. I am therefore declaring a fire sale. Each and every member will receive issues #111, #IV, and #V", irregardless of what they have already received. Since our dues do not operate on the basis of a calendar year, but instead on the basis of three issues of the newsletter (spread fairly well over a year, give or take a few months), this pretty well constitutes a years' free membership. But it is the only way to insure that everyone gets what they have paid for.
We have had a great deal of difficulty with postal services. It seems that they wait until they see our mailing go out, then set out to foul up in the most accomplished manner. Many of you have asked for back copies of Logbook I and II. I had hoped to be able to offer them in this issue. Unfortunately, there are no more back copies to be had. Dana Anderson provided a copy of I that I will Xerox for anybody who would like to have it. The cost would be $1.00. If any of you can provide a copy of Logbook II, I will make a copy and return yours so that we can provide the same service for II. Otherwise, we are left with the rather unhappy thought that the paper things probably went first.
What's Gene Roddenberry up to?:
GR is presently "running his legs off commuting between Warner Brothers and Universal and supervising the various aspects of GENESIS II and QUESTOR at the same time." The information is provided by D. C. Fontana who has been a perfect doll about relaying information back and forth, Dorothy is your nice, everyday talented, famous, sexy, glamorous, etc., etc., person that you hate because she's so perfect. Or you would if she wasn't so so nice about the whole thing. So, to honor this nifty person, we are hereby declaring the D. C. Fontana Annex to the G.R.A.S. Actually, it is a separate and distinct group from G.R.A.S., as we are striking a blow for Women's Lib, and besides what we got in mind for Dorothy, G.R. don't want to know about. Stay tuned, though, for future developments.
One of the many plugs in fandom for Genesis II, as well as some fannish perseverance:
GENESIS II will be shown on CBS on March 23, 1973. Check your local listings for the right time. I hope that you are not in the same boat I am. The local affiliate is pre-empting that movie this year in order to show old movies. I don't mean old classic movies, just old bad movies. The only way I would have been able to see it was to drive 60 miles to Topeka, check into a hotel and watch the show. And then get up at 5 the next morning in order to beat work at 7. I think it is so tacky to call in sick when you can hear the long-distance static in the background. At any rate, the solution is solved. I am merely taking some of my insurance money from the fire [that destroyed my living space and burned up all my personal belongings] and having Cable installed tomorrow. I guess we'll come out better in the long—run. You can never tell what they will pre-empt next.
[...]
Do not under any circumstances forget to watch GENESIS II. And by all means, write and let us know how wonderful you thought it was. And, of course if by some quirk of mentality you should think it lacks something, let us know that. We'll do our best to save you before your sanity is completely gone.
Give the animated ST a chance. you are like me and your enthusiasm is less than rampant. I am no judge, though, folks.
I missed the first episodes of ST because I felt that sci-fi was childish nonsense beneath my college status. Now that I'm 25 and ready for Medicare it is just my cup of tea.
From D.C. Fontana in a January 17, 1973 letter:
Dear STAR TREK friends,
Continuing in our attempt to keep you informed on news of STAR TREK and Gene Roddenberry, this is the latest of our progress reports. Although STAR TREK has been the subject of more than a dozen newspaper and magazine articles, three fan conventions (with four more scheduled), and thousands of fan letters in the past year, Paramount still has made no decision to renew it as a series. They have said they feel new STAR TREK episodes would cause fans to stop watching the old ones in syndication and Paramount thereby would, suffer loss of revenue. Mention was made of the possibility of its return as a motion picture for theatrical release, and we understood Paramount was researching this area to determine whether it would be a profitable venture. However, to this date, no commitments have been made.
Gene Roddenberry has been very busy in the creation of new science fiction projects which he hopes fans will enjoy as much as STAR TREK.
[descriptions and praise for Genesis II and Questor]
In regard to STAR TREK, the only way Paramount can tell what you want is for you to tell them. If you would like to see a STAR TREK movie — if you would watch the old episodes as well as new ones — if you want STAR TREK to return — write to Paramount, not Gene Roddenberry. Only Paramount, which owns all basic rights to the series, can decide whether or not it will return.
Live long and prosper.
From D.C. Fontana in a March 1, 1973:
Gene Roddenberry has full creative control and will function as Executive Producer, I will be associated with the series in some way, at very least contributing scripts. Well-known science fiction and previous STAR TPEK writers have expressed interest in writing new scripts for the show, William Shatner has signed to do the voice of Captain James T, Kirk, and we are sure many of the original cast will recreate their characters as well.
Gene Roddenberry chose an excellent animation house, FILMATION, to do the series. The president of the company, Mr. Lou Scheimer, is not only an avid STAR TREK fan but also a great science fiction fan. He is as determined as Gene to produce an outstanding series. The quality of his artists' work — which Gene and I have seen personally — is comparable to that of Walt Disney Studios, The show will not be a kiddie show, nor will it include any juvenile characters. It will be STAR TREK. with the same quality, intelligent approach, and respect for science fiction that the original series had. There is the additional asset that animation allows us to consider stories we could not do before because of cost or production limitation — great alien landscapes and cities, adventures in the vacuum of space or on planets that are not "Class M" types, exciting and imaginative alien creatures who are not humanoid.