Remember This Ad For Star Trek III: The Search For Spock On Showtime?

Growing up, I was thanks to my Father pretty much predisposed to like science fiction films and television series. Whether that be Star Wars, Space 1999, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, or of course Star Trek. Even before George Lucas introduced us to that time long ago set in a galaxy far, far away – I was enjoying the adventures of the crew of the USS Enterprise thanks to that show running in syndication. Granted I think many of us fans of that classic 1966 to 1969 television series found much to love about Star Wars when it was unleashed in 1977 – and if I am being completely honest I will admit my appreciation for the former diminished a little thanks to that space opera. It was however due to Star Trek being constantly seen in reruns that by the time of 1982’s Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan I had realized I could enjoy both properties equally – it did not have to be a case of either-or. It was also those reruns that I fell in love with the USS Enterprise as a character itself – as well as Chief Engineer Montgomery Scott. I truly was blown away by the design of the USS Enterprise – I cannot tell you how many free spaces in my school notebooks were filled with doodled battles between the Enterprise and Klingon D7-class battlecruisers. When Star Trek III: The Search for Spock hit theaters I caught it at the local 62 Drive-In – this was a special event though because my Cousin Brandon was able to see it that night with my Father and myself. Thanks to a Taco Bell television commercial… which shockingly spoiled the fate of the Enterprise – I thought I was prepared for the loss of the starship. I was wrong.

Now Brandon apparently had already seen the film and answered me quite truthfully about whether the Enterprise was destroyed, this was before the film began. When Kirk, Scotty, and Chekov initiate the self-destruct sequence… for the greater good, I wasn’t bawling but I was most definitely crying. Couple that with the funeral pyre sequence of the Enterprise and the late and great James Horner’s score in addition to William Shatner and DeForest Kelley’s lines… I still get teary-eyed watching this scene.

Much like with Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, my Father really disliked Star Trek III: The Search for Spock – thankfully I had Brandon to chat with on the drive back to our Grandparent’s house. Which is as always my long way around to introduce you to this great 1985 ad from Showtime for Star Trek III: The Search for Spock – one that much like that Taco Bell commercial manages to spoil the fate of the Enterprise. Furthermore I cannot express adequately how much I dig the announcer on this – even when he’s talking about hope it sounds rather serious… I kind of want him to narrate my Life.

UPDATE: Thanks to Michael Aaron Frandy as well as Dean Schaeffer – the narrator for that little gem of a Showtime ad is none other than Victor Caroli – perhaps best known for his narration on animated series of the 80’s like The Transformers!