We are going to be awash with tributes to Leonard Nimoy in the coming days and weeks, and deservedly so. I recently commented to another Trek-loving friend that losing him would be like losing one of the family, and it is.
Despite major encouragement from my Dad, I didn't embrace Trek as a young kid. I was too immersed in the Star Wars universe, and it was a bit over my head when Dad was trying to introduce me. Once the Star Wars saga ended in 1983 (or so we thought) I came back around to Star Trek. I embraced the films and soon after, the Original Series, much to Dad's delight.
Embrace them I did-wholeheartedly, and to a degree that far eclipsed Star Wars. It was impossible not to admire Nimoy's performance of Spock, and the steadfast way in which he guarded the character's dignity throughout the series and later the films. He had no problem addressing his concerns over the handling of Spock to the powers that be, and it was his zealous stewardship of that character that allowed him to flourish and attain the heights of popularity he did. Gene Roddenberry may have created Spock, but Leonard Nimoy owned him.
During the era of the films Nimoy helped guide the franchise to new heights as a director and producer, and again he fought to give all the characters their dignity and their moment in the sun. He brought Trek to an unprecedented level of success with Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, a crossover hit that delighted the masses.
I met Leonard twice. The first time was at a convention in Pennsylvania about ten years ago. He was friendly and gregarious. I stepped to the mic to ask a question he had probably been asked 100 times and he gave a thoughtful answer peppered with humor. During a photo opportunity he made sure to ask everyone's name and shake their hand (unlike William Shatner who barely acknowledged us).
The following year I traveled to CA for a convention in Pasadena. Prior to leaving, I saw an announcement that Leonard would be appearing at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood for a retrospective on the films of Jack Broder, a B-movie mogul of the 50s. Broder’s film, “Kid Monk Baroni,” was Nimoy’s first. Another noteworthy actor appearing in the film was Jack Larson (Jimmy Olsen in “The Adventures of Superman”). Mr. Larson would also be appearing with Leonard (as well as several others associated with the film) for a Q&A following the presentation.
My flight into Burbank was slated to arrive in plenty of time for me to attend. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see two of my heroes in an intimate setting like this. Conventions, even the best ones, are usually pretty crazy, and this was to be a small screening for friends, family and a few fans. My plane arrived an hour late so I scrambled to check in at my hotel and drive to Hollywood. I expected hordes of Trekkies and despite having an advance ticket I worried I’d be shut out.
The hordes of Trekkies and Superman fans I expected were nowhere to be found and seats were easy to come by. I found myself sitting in the seats reserved for the Nimoy family so I quickly moved. Soon after Leonard arrived with his wife and he seemed genuinely happy to be there. Jack Larson was seated nearby as well. After a brief intro we were treated to “Kid Monk Baroni,” a B-programmer to be sure, but a harmless story about a guy from the wrong side of the tracks who becomes a prominent boxer, gets in with the wrong crowd, loses his soul and wins it back again, all in 80 minutes.
Throughout the film there were scenes that sparked (unintentionally) great laughter from the audience. Its’ dialogue and situations were hilariously dated and the harmless relationship between Nimoy’s character and a priest seemed pretty salacious in light of recent events that much of their dialogue now sounded like double entendre. Leonard could often be heard laughing at himself.
For what it was, the film was very entertaining. Nimoy’s manager was played by Bruce Cabot of “King Kong” fame and the story had a “Bowery Boys” feel to it in spots. It was priceless to see the always-reserved Nimoy trying to play an Italian kid from the ghetto and somewhat succeeding.
The spirited Q&A was great fun. Everyone there was in a jovial mood. In addition to Leonard and Jack Larson the director’s daughter was there as was the film’s publicist and the ingénue of “Kid Monk,” Mona Knox. They told stories of the production and what those days were like in Hollywood and then opened up the floor to questions.
I was able to ask Leonard a question and he gave a great answer. When asked what “Kid Monk” did for his career, he responded, “Well it was made in 1952. Then I spent two years in the army and by 1956 I was driving a taxi so what does that tell you?” It was like a class reunion for all concerned and it was for me, the unexpected high point of the trip.
Although their literature stipulated no autographs or photos I came armed with my camera and a photo for Leonard, just in case. After the Q&A broke up I accosted Jack Larson first and he was only too happy to pose for a picture. Leonard was not hanging around. I skulked around him for awhile and even ended up next to him at a urinal in the men’s room! After that it was obvious he was leaving. I followed him out and there was a small throng of autograph hounds surrounding him, so I joined the party.
He patiently signed and when it came my turn he took a quick look at the photo (it wasn’t your usual “Star Trek” shot) and signed it. That was the capper to a great night.
Leonard knew how much he owed the fans and every time he met them he was affable, charming, thoughtful, and considerate. Granted, he was being paid and paid well, but the same cannot be said of certain others. His interaction with us on Twitter was delightful, and in recent months he became an adopted grandfather to millions, scolding them on the dangers of smoking.
He never stopped being grateful to Star Trek. On Twitter, he seemed to delight in counting the days to the 50th anniversary of shooting its pilot. He made sure to remember everyone involved with Trek on their birthday or the anniversary of their passing. He had class. He brought his inherent dignity to Spock.
As he evolved, so did Spock. The beauty of watching him develop that character over the course of 30 years was how he carefully allowed him to embrace his emotional side, while never forsaking the logical. For my money, Spock is one of the most well drawn characters in the history of storytelling, and it's thanks to Leonard.
I'm really sad at this moment, but grateful for my brief interactions with him, and more importantly, for all the joy, excitement, and intellectual stimulation his work brought me.
It may be a bit "on the nose" to share this particular scene, but it's my favorite in all of Trek, and I told him that. He was, and ever shall be, our friend.
Spock Dies Scene - Star Trek2: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
Comments