I had always tried to tell myself, unsuccessfully, that I didn't need this alien action figure for my collection. The alien it represents is quite unique: this Betelgeusian, who was barely glimpsed in Star Trek: The Motion Picture, is wearing the most expensive costume ever designed for a "no line" movie extra. Mego didn't do the figure justice.
The material for the Betelgeusian Chief Ambassador's robes in the movie was from a bolt of material discovered in the vaults of Paramount Studios: Cecil B DeMille had hand-selected it decades before and, even though it featured real gold thread, it lay forgotten till the late 70s.
The hapless extra playing this background Betelgeusian was placed on a box (to make use of maximum material), and then he was hidden so well in the San Francisco airtram sequence that everyone wondered what the fuss was all about!
So, now that I had a Betelgeusian of my own, I went about customising/perfecting him. Removing his flimsy robe (which I gave to Galoob's Q figure, by the way), I was surprised to see his hidden dagger (above right) on the back of his belt, a cute detail missed by anyone who keeps their toys MOMC (mint on mint card). I guess a dagger is essential for anyone wearing such expensive threads, even in the 23rd Century!
Of course, the new robe I made had to look like the one from the movie! The glittery red Christmas ribbon I found (below left) even had wired seams of metallic gold thread! I thickened and widened the ribbon in layers with "iron on" hemming web.
Finally, I painted the Betelgeusian's face and hands an accurate shade of deep blue. After so many years of planning, it actually took me only a few minutes (and some luck) to buy all the materials I needed - and just one hour to complete the figure! My fastest custom ever! I know which version I prefer!:
Costume still from Star Trek: The Motion Picture © 1979 Paramount Pictures Corp.
A Rogues' Gallery of Andorians
A Summary of the Physiological Roots of Andorian Culture by Leslie Fish
Captain Therin's photo album
See Therin and Grol hosting intergalactic game shows
Therin's Log of the USS Hood (Fiction by Ian McLean)
Ian and Therin's hot links
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Page revised June 2006
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Email Therin and Ian at: lindsay96@ozemail.com.au