Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea

Interview with David Hedison, 1967 From the collection of John & Diane Kachmar.

The following is a brief interview that occurred sometime during the third season.  The interview was given to the late Barbara Waggoner, who was the 1st president of the David Hedison Fan Club.   Q:  Do you watch Voyage? A:  Every Sunday night at 7 on ABC.  I usually watch the       shows that don't have monsters. Q:  Do you get along with the other stars? A:  Exceptionally so.  There is no time for temperament       on Voyage. Q:  Of all the episodes you have done (to date) which did       you enjoy doing the most? A:  The Saboteur, The Human Computer, The Phantom       Strikes and The Return of the Phantom.        Q:  If any of the club members came to Hollywood, could       we watch the filming of Voyage? A:  Unfortunately, it's what we call a closed set.  Because       of the limited time we have to shoot each segment --       we feel visitors would slow us down.  It's the general       rule of the production department.      Q:  Several of the members have asked if you are tired of VOYAGE? A:  I think everyone in a television series is tired after the first month.  Variety is the spice of       life -- and I think that is why actors prefer movies. Q:  Would you ever go down in a real submarine? A:  Yes! Q:  Is there anything new on the show this year? A:  Everything is about the same, but minus Allan Hunt who played Riley.  He was drafted.        Q:  What do you like best about working with Richard Basehart? A:   He keeps me on my toes.  I feel like that Hertz-Avis car        advertisement!  I'm no. 2.  I work harder. Q:  During Voyage's first season there was an article that said       you put your hand through a glass door during a fight       scene.  What episode was that? A:  2nd segment of the 1st season, Village of Guilt. Q:  Do you like the Flying Sub? A:  Yes.  It's fascinated me from the first.  The government        is in fact working on such a type of "flying fish." Q:  Do you enjoy being in the limelight? A:  Believe it or not -- NO!  I hate premieres and all that       jazz.  It always seems to be smile time.  I just love       acting and everything about acting. Q:  Why don't you like acting on the show? A:  I DO like acting on the show.  Very much.  I just don't like the monsters all that       much in some of the segments.  But I guess part of our audience does. Q:  Is there any one thing you have learned from working with Richard Basehart? A:  Concentration.  During rehearsals of various Voyage segments the sound stage        was usually a mad house -- all those sets being hammered in place, all those sound        effects being tested and lights being adjusted while the actors tried to remember       their lines with pages of dialogue usually submitted the day before.  One extra-loud       noise would throw me off as it would most of the other actors.        But Richard remained immersed in the part.  His       concentration during the actual filming of scenes was        brilliant and I've always admired that talent in him.  I       worked on it for myself.  And by the third year of Voyage I       believe that I succeeded. Q:  If you were elected President of the United States, what       would you do first? A:  Make Richard Basehart Vice President. Q:  How do you measure success? A:  If a person has realized their goal -- then they are       successful.  I don't consider myself successful yet.  And it       has nothing to do with money.

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