William Shatner Letter Exchange

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Zine
Title: William Shatner Letter Exchange
Publisher: fan club of the same name
Editor(s):
Type: letterzine
Date(s): 1972-?
Frequency:
Medium: print
Fandom: Star Trek: TOS/William Shatner
Language: English
External Links:
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William Shatner Letter Exchange (WSLE) is a gen Star Trek: TOS newsletter.

It was published by a fan club of the same name; the only function of the fan club was this newsletter, so the club and the publication are one and the same.

In 1972, the officers were Luanne Hofschulte (president), Joan Foley (vice-president), and Regina Marvinny (secretary).

The club members were from the United States, Scotland, England, Northern Ireland, and Canada.

Summer 1972

The Summer 1972 issue contains 6 pages.

  • the usual news of what William Shatner has been up to in the news and on the screen
  • fan addresses and "The Friendship Forum" (short fan bios)
first page of the Summer 1972 issue

The encouragement and specific directions to fans for the then-current fan campaign echoed that in MANY fan publications, which in turn used talking points from S.T.A.R.:

Shaturas!

Recently, the possibility of Star Trek's revival has been announced to Trekkis [1]. Wether or not this is actually the case, a letter campaign is certainly worth a try, and we will let you know the places to contact. However, we have it from reliable sources that what is more likely, instead of ST, is the production of an entirely new ST series by Gene Roddenberry. It appears that NBC and Paramount aren’t really excited about a ST without a Spock, Shatner hasn't even been contacted (!) so apparently they feel he and the rest of the cast couldn’t gain enough support. If you feel they can; if you want back Kirk, Bones, Scotty, etc., let NBC and Paramount know - that’s where we must strike!

Write to Paramount, TV Guide, NBC and other networks, local stations, and the Federal Communications Commission. It is very important that the FCC Understand that Star Trek has an anti-violence theme.

[...]

Write neat, mature letters. Do not mention ST on the envelope or use ST stationery; use your own letterhead stationery (like that of a business or school) if possible. Do not mention Gene Roddenberry or identify yourself with any ST revival group. Volume is important! One letter is worth a hundred signatures, so do not send petitions.

Wider publicity means more work for fans:

Jacqueline Lichtenberg has appealed to WSLE for assistance. due to the publicity of ST in the TV Guide, Gene Roddenberry and Al Schuster have been flooded with mail from people wanting to learn about ST fandom. Anyone who can take time out to write about five extra people a month is needed!!! If you can become a part of the Welcomittee, write to her at [address redacted].

Fall 1972

first page of the Fall 1972 issue
questionnaire printed in the Fall 1972 issue

The Fall 1972 issue contains 8 pages.

  • the usual news of what William Shatner has been up to in the news and on the screen
  • fan addresses and "The Friendship Forum"
  • The Men of the Future, poem by Frances M. Pontarelli
  • questionnaire


Spring 1974

first page of the Spring 1974 issue, includes a film clip meant to be a treat to fans

The Spring 1974 issue contains 4 pages.

Reginna Marvinny has resigned from the office of secretary due to being too busy in college.

  • the usual news of what William Shatner has been up to in the news and on the screen
  • fan addresses and "The Friendship Forum"
  • a review by John H. Carter of "Big Bad Mama" starring Shatner
  • a review by Del Reisman of "Burning Bright," an episode of The Six Million Dollar Man staring Shatner


Summer 1974

first page of the Summer 1974 issue, includes a film clip meant to be a treat to fans

The Summer 1974 issue contains 8 pages.

For Christmas, WSIE is planning a mini-zine. If anyone has a short story, poem, or article on William Shatner, there is still some space open. Please send them to me. So far there is a photo-page and a really exciting Kirk story you'll all enjoy.

  • the usual news of what William Shatner has been up to in the news and on the screen
  • fan addresses and "The Friendship Forum"
  • My Hero, a poem by Arlene Bahrenburg


December 1974

  • Changes by Darlene Fouquet (also in Sol Plus #3)
  • other unknown content


Autumn 1975-Winter 1976

first page of the Autumn 1975-Winter 1976 issue

The Autumn 1975-Winter 1976 issue contains 10 pages.

Greetings and Felicitations!

I hope all of you had a holiday season filled with peace and fulfillment. All of your friendships made 1975 a great year for me!

William Shatner was very unhappy.over the cancellation of Barbary Coast, although it was apparently one of those shows networks choose to die long before it is ever aired. With all of the disgusting time slots and pre-emptions, it is amazing Barbary Coast stood up as well as it did.

Mr. and Mrs. Shatner are presently building a beautiful new home overlooking the San Fernando Valley. This seems to discredit some of the unfortunate rumors floating around on the- pages of various movie magazines, and newspapers. Please take anything you read in these sources with a grain of salt.

  • the usual news of what William Shatner has been up to in the news and on the screen
  • "The Friendship Forum"
  • A Time of Mourning, fiction by Karin Kennedy (original science fiction)
  • a reprint of a poem by John Masefield (1878-1967) called "Sea Fever"
  • a wordfind puzzle
  • His Gorgeousness, a con report by JoAnn Westrate for Star Trek Chicago (which the author calls "Chicon" - major emphasis on William Shatner)

Summer 1976

first page of the Summer 1976 issue

The Summer 1976 issue contains 8 pages.

  • the usual news of what William Shatner has been up to in the news and on the screen
  • "The Friendship Forum" and fan addresses
  • a page of black and white photos of Shatner in shows


Winter 1977

first page of the Winter 1977 issue

The Winter 1977 issue contains 10 pages.

  • the usual news of what William Shatner has been up to in the news and on the screen
  • "The Friendship Forum" and fan addresses
  • a word puzzle called "Aye, Captain"
  • review of "Mysteries of the Gods" (narration)
  • a review of "The Answer" (narration of a planetarium show)
  • several reviews of An Evening with William Shatner, a one-man dramatic show in which he read poetry, talked about space exploration, and answered questions about Star Trek, and upcoming plans for a film) (an excerpt: "They started out with delicious excerpts from SHORE LEAVE, then a single spot caught Bill as he entered from downstage right. The crowd went wild! He ambled out casually, his manner and smile telling us he was as glad to be with us as we were to see him. He was dressed all in black - long-sleeved pullover top and slacks. This gave dramatic emphasis to his expressive face and hands. And that VOICE...He began, of course, at the downstage center mike. He started a one-way chat with the 25,000 of us as though we were a small group in a cozy setting. A beautiful intimacy grew between us.")

References

  1. ^ It is not know if this is a typo for Trekkies, or if this is an early variation of the term.
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