1973: Animated Star Trek

Star Trek is uniquely suited for animation, since animation allows Star Trek to show exotic aliens and locales that would have bankrupted a regular television production. Previous studies have also shown that Star Trek is a hit among the older kids, and an animated version of Star Trek would be natural for Saturday mornings in the United States television market.

Filmation Associates was able to convince Gene Roddenberry to produce the series with them, and D.C. Fontana as associate producer and story editor. The proposal was accepted by NBC, and work started immediately.

In June 1973, the series' original cast reunited for the first time since the show was cancelled. They are together to record the dialog for three animated episodes. Famous authors wrote scripts for the new Star Trek, and finally the new show is ready.

Seven years to the day after Star Trek made its debut on NBC, the new Star Trek aired on NBC.

The animated Star Trek ran for 22 episodes, from October 1974 to September 1975. The series won an Emmy award for best children's series of the 1974-75 TV season.

The success of the animated series prompted Paramount to consider a new Star Trek television series, and Gene will head the effort again.

Now, you can occasionally see animated Star Trek on the cable Cartoon Network. Videotapes are also available.

 

To learn more

Curt Danhouser's Guide to Animated Star Trek

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