A tribute to a legend
by Martin Hafer
With the recent death of original Vulcan Star Trek favorite Leonard Nimoy, I couldn’t help but think that it was just the inevitable passing of an actor whose work we have loved over the years. Instead of only sadness, I see it as the celebration of an actor who worked his craft, entertained a lot of fans, and made his mark after a long and successful career. And many of us will always remember the actor that way.
What’s interesting is that, unlike the majority of fans who’ll remember Nimoy mostly for playing the emotion-free character of Mr Spock, or even his younger fans like my daughter who knew him for his video-game voice acting, I remembered him first and foremost as Kid ‘Monk’ Baroni!
Who the heck is Kid ‘Monk’ Baroni, I hear you cry?! I’m glad you asked me that…
*****
The film Kid Monk Baroni was the 21-year-old Leonard Nimoy’s first starring role. Considering he’d made few appearances in film or television before this time, it’s not surprising that the film comes with a very humble pedigree. It’s by no means a classic but it is better than it should be. Plus, it gives you a chance to see the sort of actor Nimoy was in his early days before he and his spread-fingered salutation would become a worldwide phenomenon. It’s the work of a young, struggling actor being given a chance to be a star–and that makes it so interesting.
So, if you’re feeling down at Nimoy’s passing, try watching some of his work to appreciate what he gave us and why his death isn’t so much a tragedy but a part of life. Perhaps you could see an episode of Star Trek or the TV series Mission: Impossible. Or, if you really want something different, try Kid Monk Baroni. The full film is below.
Enjoy the film.
And in the immutable words of Lieutenant Commander S’chn T’gai Spock, Live Long, and Prosper.
Rest in peace, Leonard! I will definitely have to go watch Kid Monk Baroni now!
As I said, it’s no great film–but it gives you a chance to see Nimoy when he was young and a raw talent–and that’s why I enjoyed it.
Recently I saw KID MONK BARONI. It was easy to recognize the young talent of Leonard Nimoy. I’m grateful for all of his films and television appearances we have on record. It’s a comfort to contemplate that library waiting to be viewed.
Wow…not many folks other than the two of us remember having seen it, Ramona.
It was most memorable for his raw emotional performance, Martin. His later Spock seethed with the emotions he did not show and that character was all the better for the volcano that rarely exploded. Leonard Nimoy’s Spock will live on forever as one of the most memorable characters in SciFi.
I really liked Nimoy in the 1970’s version of Invasion of the Body Snatchers with Jeff Goldblum and Donald Sutherland. I always wondered why he didn’t venture into more films. I imagine casting directors probably typecast him, however, I’ll bet audiences would’ve been accepting!