Paramount listed the show as Episode 28, and the show was first aired on April 6 1967. But there was something special about Star Trek’s “The City on the Edge of Forever” that clicked with the public and critics. Written by Harlan Ellison, he is now suing CBS Paramount TV for 25% of the net receipts from merchandising, publishing and other income from the show. What made the episode so important?

The show has Captain Kirk and his pals interfering with the time-space continuum, and ‘leaping’ back to New York during the 1930’s Great Depression. The episode also featured Joan Collins who played a Salvation Army-type helper at the 21st Street Mission.

Ellison’s action alleges that Paramount has “earned millions” exploiting the show since it was first shown, and that “Paramount has not accounted to Ellison or paid him for such exploitations as it is required to do under the 1960 minimum basic agreement and 1966 Amendment." Speaking to a trade magazine, Ellison said “I'm doing it for the 35-year-long disrespect and the money!"

Some other fascinating facts about “Edge of Forever”: It won instant critical acclaim, getting onto TV Guide’s 100 greatest TV episodes of all time. Ellison’s original script (although altered by the time the show went into production) won the WGA’s best dramatic 1-hour script of the season. William Shatner said it was his favourite Trek episode. The show was produced for $250,000, compared with the usual $185,000 per episode.

© Rapid TV News 2009