Enterprise science officer
The Betelgeusians were a sentient avian species that had been encountered by the Federation by the 23rd century.
During the 2270s, at least two Betelgeusians served as a Starfleet sciences division officer aboard the USS Enterprise during the V'Ger incident.
When James T. Kirk arrived at the air tram station in San Francisco, on stardate 7410.2, three Betelgeusian ambassadors were on the nearby platform. (Star Trek: The Motion Picture)
Background
Detail of face and attire
The Betelgeusians were designed by Fred Phillips and Robert Fletcher for The Motion Picture.
In 1980, Mego released a 3¾" Betelgeusian action figure as part of its second series. [1]
In an article appearing in the January 2002 edition of Star Trek: The Magazine Volume 2, Issue 9 entitled "Who is that Alien?", the following information about the Betelgeusians, as taken from Fletcher's original background notes, added:
"The inhabitants of the real star Betelgeuse were seven-foot-tall humanoids who were actually descended from a race of leopard-like eagles. They had claw and bone-like structures like a condor, but walked upright."
The robe worn by the Betelgeusian ambassador was one of those costumes made from bolts of rare fabric, scavenged from storerooms around the Paramount lot, for the San Francisco crowd scenes. This particular fabric was originally hand-picked by Cecil B. DeMille for a 1938 production, and was made of silk thread with real gold and silver details. Its estimated cost was at least $10,000, probably making it the most expensive costume worn by an extra. (The Making of Star Trek: The Motion Picture) The robe was auctioned as part of 2006's Profiles in History auction with an estimated sale price of $1,000 to $1,500; the final sale price was $1,000.00. [2]
Two additional Betelgeusian related lots were included in the It's A Wrap! sale and auction, each containing an original Betelgeusean mask. The first mask sold for $202.50 [3], the second, which also contained the Shamin's mask and attire, sold for $732.00. [4].
External link
- Template:NCwiki