Roddenberry on Patrol (Video 2003)

A very funny short film that parodies Gene Roddenberry's quest to find Star Trek. On the way he encounters several people who help him create the Sc-Fi TV show we all know and love.

Director:

Tim Russ

Writers:

Sky Douglas Conway (story), Dan Danko,

Stars:

Robert Beltran, Daniel Chace, Richard Herd

Cast

Credited cast:
Robert Beltran	...	Shirtless Man
Daniel Chace	...	Roddenberry (as Dan Chase)
Richard Herd	...	Captain Kirkus
Walter Koenig	...	Mr. Lofcheck
Leonard McLeod	...	Hit & Run Victim
Mildred Neal	...	Witness
Nichelle Nichols	...	Grace
Robert O'Reilly	...	Officer #2
Ethan Phillips	...	Mr. Gorn
Robert Picardo	...	Doctor
Doug Purcell	...	Officer #1
Tim Russ	...	The Red Shirt Bandit
Bart Shattuck	...	Mr. Scott
George Takei	...	Narrator

Storyline

This story takes a funny look at a time when Gene Roddenberry was working in Los Angeles in the late 60's as a motorcycle cop, writing part time for TV westerns, and pitching his new series concept, "Star Trek." The story takes place over the period of a week or so as Roddenberry's character encounters several personaltiies, sights and sounds that eventually become part of the orginal "Star Trek" series lore.

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Genres:

Comedy | Short

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 November 2003 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Planet X

Technical Specs

Runtime:

14 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Goofs

Gene Roddenberry himself didn't design the Enterprise. Matt Jeffries did. The drawing that Roddenberry was doodling in his apartment wasn't one of Jefferie's initial concepts for the ship.

User Reviews

A treat for Trekkers

This short film (way too short) winks at the origin of Star Trek, suggesting Gene Roddenberry was helped out of his writer's block by the encounters he had as a motorcycle cop. Many many cameos from stars from various series keep the viewer on the edge of their seat watching for subtle and not-so-subtle elements. My biggest complaint is all the potential material that doesn't make it into the show ... but then it would be several hours long!

The actor portraying the Great Bird bears a good resemblance to him, though Roddenberry's charm and humor aren't expressed perhaps as well as they could be. But it's clear this is a labor of love and must have been enjoyable to produce. Director Tim Russ and other Trek veterans are clearly having a blast playing it out.

Afterwards make sure to check out the outtakes as well. All in all a very funny effort worth the time to track down.