Posted on 05/27/2014 10:57:16 AM PDT by EveningStar
The great writer Harlan Ellison turns 80 today.
Ellison has won eight Hugo Awards, a shared award for the screenplay of A Boy and his Dog that he counts as "half an Hugo" and two special awards from annual World SF Conventions; four Nebula Awards of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA); five Bram Stoker Awards of the Horror Writers Association (HWA); two Edgar Awards of the Mystery Writers of America; two World Fantasy Award from annual conventions; and two Georges Méliès fantasy film awards. -- Wikipedia
Ellison is known primarily to television viewers as the author of two episodes of The Outer Limits (original series) -- Demon with a Glass Hand, and Soldier. He is also the author of The City on the Edge of Forever episode of the original Star Trek series. The episode was heavily rewritten by others. He was also creative consultant for the 1980s version of The Twilight Zone, and Babylon 5
He is also known for threatening to sue the producers and distributor of The Terminator because he felt that the story was based on his Soldier episode. He recieved an out of court settlement. (video)
Ellison is known for his colorful personality, as evidenced by this video clip (PROFANITY ALERT!): Harlan Ellison -- Pay the Writer
ping
Weird guy, but great SF writer.
I should say “weird when compared to people who aren’t great writers.”
A complete maniac. Anyhow, here’s an interview with Isaac Asimov, Gene Wolfe and Harlan Ellison, from 1982.
Gene Wolfe rules.
Warning, a little bit of off-colour vocabulary is utilized.
Freegards
Unfortunately that video has been zapped. :(
Associative Menace.
A great screen name! Wish I'd thought of it!
was also personally fired by Walt Disney (Elison suggested an adult themed cartoon back when animation was only for children)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZvcKB9vQO0
That should do it. My first thought was Ellison must not have received additional royalties or something...
Freegards
I believe he was fired by Roy Disney.
Harlan was overheard discussing involving Mickey Mouse in a pornographic situation; the discussion took place in the Disney studio cafeteria.
Ellison was fired when he returned to his desk after lunch.
Thank you. :)
Happy birthday to a talented writer.
Harlan better not mellow out in his old age, we won’t live long if he mellows out as hell may think it is safe to take him....
Harlon = Harlan.
Ooopsie.
In 1995, Ellison published the original version of this teleplay. I remember seeing it in a mall bookstore, with a photo of Harlan posing with Shatner and Nimoy (both in costume) on the cover. The introduction was vintage, ranting, profane Ellison.
I glanced through it and noticed some of the changes, but given that it was a prime-time series, I totally understand why portions were rewritten. It's probably the most highly-acclaimed episode of the entire Star Trek franchise, yet Ellison has been bitter about it for decades. Stereotypical artist - so gifted, but "not quite normal".
I would read his 'F*** Christmas' essay every December as a reminder to friends and relatives of where they could shove their phony holiday cheer. Saturnalia? Not interested.
Thanks for the peace and quiet, Harlan.
I have that book and have read it. I agree that for the most part the changes were justified.
If you look at the Wikipedia article on “The City on the Edge of Forever” you will find summaries of the original treatments.
It is easy to spot the Ellison books in my bookcase...they are the ones with the broken spines, creases and dog-eared covers.
Ahhhhhh.....A BOY AND HIS DOG.....the newly divorced man’s favorite movie.
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