The Questor Tapes (1974) (TV)

Director:

Richard A. Colla

Writers:

Gene L. Coon (writer)
Gene Roddenberry (screenplay)

Release Date:

23 January 1974 (USA)

Genre:

Sci-Fi

Plot:

Project Questor is brainchild of the genius Dr. Vaslovik: he developed plans to build an android super-human...

Plot Keywords:

Android | Unsold TV Series Pilot | Computer Tape | Airplane Stewardess | Unlikely Friendship

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Robert Foxworth	...	Questor
Mike Farrell	...	Jerry Robinson
John Vernon	...	Geoffrey Darro
Lew Ayres	...	Vaslovik
James Shigeta	...	Dr. Chen
Robert Douglas	...	Dr. Michaels
Dana Wynter	...	Lady Helena Trimble
Ellen Weston	...	Allison Sample
Majel Barrett	...	Dr. Bradley
Reuben Singer	...	Dr. Gorlov
Walter Koenig	...	Administrative Assistant
Fred Sadoff	...	Dr. Audret
Gerald Peters	...	Randolph
Eyde Girard	...	Stewardess
Alan Caillou	...	Immigration Offical

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:L

Company:

Jeffrey Hayes Productions

Trivia:

The character of Questor is considered a prototype of Gene Roddenberry's later creation, Mr. Data of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (1987). In particular, a scene written for this movie in which Questor makes love to a female character was reportedly ordered cut by censors, but Gene Roddenberry later arranged for a similar scene to be included in the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (1987) episode, "The Naked Now."

Goofs:

Factual errors: In the scene supposedly in London (obviously a set in Hollywood), a neon sign reads "Jewelers", with the American spelling. A real British sign would read "Jewellers".

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Royale (#2.12)" (1989)

---MORE DETAIL TO THE PLOT SUMMARY--(and opinion)

Questor was played by Robert Foxworthy (rather starchedly and robotically and well). His abilities are superhuman. But, with his programming incomplete, he doesn't know his mission and needs the help of Mike Farrell to find his creator and his ultimate purpose.

This was definitely presented as a pilot to a proposed series. The incomplete android needing a human to guide him and further his mission, makes the perfect team to explore humanity. A creation of Gene Roddenberry, the exploration of the universe, contrasted through the eyes of humans and non-humans, has been a familiar (and successful) theme for him. The movie was very enjoyable and it ended well. I don't think I could handle their exploits on a weekly basis. It would grow old quickly. Where-as, our days have a great deal of violence, these were days of pacifist excess. It takes too much away from the all too human option of necessary violence. A middle ground would have served it well.

And, not to accuse Roddenberry of nepotism or favoritism, but look for Majel Barrett (Mrs. Roddenberry) and Walter Koenig, both of Star Trek fame, in this TV movie.........