Before the iconic “Star Trek” series came to fruition, both Gene Roddenberry and actor DeForest Kelley had substantial backgrounds in television, each working on a series of projects. Roddenberry had successfully written 24 episodes of “Have Gun — Will Travel”, and in the early 60s, Kelley and Roddenberry collaborated on a couple of pilots, specifically “333 Montgomery Street” and “Police Story” which, unfortunately, were not picked up by the networks.
“333 Montgomery Street” showcased Kelley as a brilliant criminal lawyer based in San Francisco. Although the show was deemed impressive, it was rejected for being too avant-garde for its time. “Police Story” was another attempt by Roddenberry where Kelley acted as a lab technician for the LAPD. This pilot also featured future “Star Trek” colleagues Grace Lee Whitney and Malachi Throne.
In retrospect, Kelley spoke fondly of these experiences. In 1986, he attributed these unsuccessful endeavors as essential stepping stones that led to the success of “Star Trek”. Kelley acknowledged he wasn’t present in either of the pilot episodes of “Star Trek”, with different actors portraying the Enterprise’s doctor in both “The Cage” and “Where No Man Has Gone Before”. Yet, it was these earlier projects with Roddenberry that eventually secured his role as Dr. McCoy in the legendary series.
FAQ Section
What was “333 Montgomery Street” about?
“333 Montgomery Street” was a pilot in which DeForest Kelley starred as a master lawyer in San Francisco. Despite being a high-quality production, it was not picked up by the network for being too ahead of its time.
Did “Police Story” have any connection to the later police drama of the same name?
No, the “Police Story” pilot that Gene Roddenberry and DeForest Kelley worked on was an unrelated project and should not be confused with the later successful series of the same name.
Who played the doctor in the “Star Trek” pilots?
John Hoyt played the doctor in “The Cage” and Paul Fix played the doctor in “Where No Man Has Gone Before.”
Was “Star Trek” Gene Roddenberry’s first successful series?
While it was not his first venture into television, “Star Trek” was indeed Gene Roddenberry’s first successful series as a creator.
Conclusion
Even in the face of failed pilots and series, the professional perseverance of both Gene Roddenberry and DeForest Kelley led to their eventual collaboration on “Star Trek”. The initial failures of projects like “333 Montgomery Street” and “Police Story” did not deter them but instead paved the way for the conceptualization and casting of one of the most enduring sci-fi series ever created. It’s a reminder that sometimes, even in the world of television, setbacks can lead to greater opportunities and iconic roles that leave a lasting impact on popular culture.