Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Star Trek Script, The Man Trap
Roddenberry, Gene
Doohan, James
Johnson, George Clayton
Ms.2022.063
0.1 Cubic Feet
1 folder
1966
This collection contains an autographed copy of the script for Star Trek, The Man Trap, the first episode of the original Star Trek television series to be broadcast. The episode first aired in the United States on September 8, 1966. The screenplay was written by George Clayton Johnson, and this script is signed by Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry and actor James Doohan.
The materials in the collection are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use
The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.
Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction.
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Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder],
Star Trek Script, The Man Trap, 1966, Ms2022-063, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
Source of Acquisition
This collection was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in 2016.
Processing Information
The processing, arrangement, and description of the
Star Trek Script, The Man Trap was completed in October 2022.
Historical Note - Star Trek
Star Trek (also called Star Trek: The Original Series) is a television series created by Gene Roddenberry. The first episode, The Man Trap was written by George Clayton Johnson and first aired in the United States on September 8, 1966. Although the series only ran for three seasons (1966-1969), it became a cult classic with a large fanbase and eventually spawned a number of additional TV series, films, books, and more.
Biographical Note - Gene Roddenberry
Gene Roddenberry was born Eugene Wesley Roddenberry, Sr., in El Paso, Texas, in 1921. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1941 and flew B-17 planes in the South Pacific and later served as a plane crash investigator in the United States, ultimately earning the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal. After World War II, he worked as an airline pilot and worked for the Los Angeles Police Department.
In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Roddenberry wrote scripts for television programs. In 1964, he began pitching
Star Trek. He initially had difficulty gaining support for the show, but the pilot premiered on September 8, 1966. While the original Star Trek series was cancelled in 1969, Roddenberry continued to write other TV shows and films. He returned as a producer of the series Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1987. He was the first writer/producer to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame upon reception in 1986. Roddenberry died on October 24, 1991.External Sources:
CBS Studios, Inc. "Roddenberry." Official
Star Trek website. https://www.startrek.com/database_article/roddenberry. Accessed October 12, 2022. Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Gene Roddenberry."
Encyclopaedia Britannica, June 19, 2020, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gene-Roddenberry. Accessed October 12, 2022.
Biographical Note - James Doohan
James Doohan was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, on March 3, 1920. He joined the Royal Canadian Artillery in 1939 and became an officer. He served in World War II and was wounded in combat at D-Day. After his service, Doohan performed in radio shows and trained as an actor at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City. He performed in over 4,000 radio shows and over 400 television programs, but is best known for his role as "Scotty" in the original
Star Trek series, which aired from 1966 to 1969, as well as various Star Trek films. He maintained an active public presence until his death in 2005.External Sources:
"Doohan." https://www.startrek.com/database_article/doohan. Accessed October 12, 2022.
Scope and Content
This collection contains a copy of the script for the first episode of the original
Star Trek television series to be aired. Titled The Man Trap, the screenplay was written by George Clayton Johnson. This script is addressed "To Rocco" by James Doohan, who played the character Scotty. A director's note is signed in pen by "Gene," producer and creator Gene Roddenberry.
Rights Statement for Archival Description
The guide to the
Star Trek Script, The Man Trap by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).
Science Fiction
Speculative Fiction
Star trek, the original series
Star Trek Script, "The Man Trap"1966-06-161