Starlog Salute to Star Trek: 20th Anniversary Convention

Convention
Name:	Starlog Salute to Star Trek: 20th Anniversary Convention
Dates:	June 21-22, 1986
Frequency:
Location:	Grand Ballroom of the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, CA
Type:	for-profit
Focus:	Star Trek: TOS, money
Organization:	Starlog Magazine and Creation Con
Founder:
Founding Date:
URL:
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Starlog Salute to Star Trek: 20th Anniversary Convention was a joint for-profit production sponsored by Starlog Magazine and Creation Con.

a flyer for a 1986 con (June 21-22, Anaheim, CA), this con was in conjunction with Starlog

Con Reports

Starlog's Salute to ST: 20th Anniversary Convention was held on June 21-22 in the Grand Ballroom of the beautiful Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, CA.

[...]

Also, while in southern California, I had time to once again visit Universal Studios and take the NBC Studio tour in Burbank. Both places have changed a lot since I was there 10 years ago. Also the Movieland Wax museum in Buena Park ( about 10 minutes from the hotel) is quite popular. One of my favorites at Movieland is, of course, the entire bridge of the Enterprise complete with Kirk,Spock, Uhura, Chekov, Sulu, Scotty, and McCoy immortalized in wax with the main theme of ST playing. It was, totally awesome!

Now to more important matters. Since the Disneyland Hotel was full, late registrants had to stay at the nearby Conestoga and Grand Hotels and were shuttled back and forth to the convention.

Consequently, the lines were rather long both mornings. This was my second ST con and the first time I had seen any of the cast in person except for Walter Koenig. The estimated attendance at the con was about 2500 to 3000 registered. (Editor's note: we have heard that the crowd was in excess of 6000...guess what folks? The ballroom did not hold that many! Now what was that episode..."The Mark of Gideon"?)

The first guest was Majel Barrett Koddenberry. I didn't think she was too interesting. She showed the ST blooper reels which I enjoyed. She was also in the dealers room representing Lincoln Enterprises and signing autographs. Not many people were waiting, so I got her autograph.

Rick Overton was the comedian for the weekend. Rick is the sensational comic/actor recently seen in BEVERELY HILLS COP, GUN HO (this was a really good movie directed by Ron Howard), and THE TONIGHT SHOW. His stand-up routines on ST and science fiction films were really hilarious. I missed Alexander Courage, the composer of the ST theme music.

Next, was the the premier of slides and footage from ST IV: THE VOYAGE HOME, as hosted by Eddie Egan. Now, if you haven't heard, here are the latest rumors about ST IV - all of which may or may not be true, we'll have to wait and see. Most questions were asked of Leonard or De and were usually answered by "Next question, please!"

[...]

Nichelle Nichols was very exciting and her enthusiasm was transmitted to the audience as well. She talked about her role as spokesperson for NASA a few years back, sang, talked about her role as Uhura and received two handmade Uhura dolls in uniform from fans in the audience. Her favorite episode was PLATO'S STEPCHILDREN (can you guess why?).

Mark Lenard was very personable. He answered a few questions about his role in the TV series HERE COME THE BRIDES and talked about his role as SAREK OF Vulcan and his portrayals of a Romulan and Klingon in the TV series and ST: THE MOTION PICTURE. Everyone wanted Mark to do the Vulcan salute. He kept saying "No, No", then with a big smile he raised his right hand and everyone was snapping pictures. He was great.

Leonard and De were delightful. Leonard received a cake and answered some questions about ST IV and talked a little bit about his book "I AM NOT SPOCK". He really believes there's a little bit of Spock in him. He said the death seen in ST II was very hard for him and Shatner to portray. De received a cake with the inscription, "To the Best Doctor in the Galaxy". He read a really funny poem which he wrote on all the ST cast members. I will be getting a copy of that tape soon. De also received two handmade Dr. McCoy dolls in uniform, a painting of Dr. McCoy, and a needlework picture. He said his favorite episodes are THE EMPATH and THE CITY ON THE EDGE OF FOREVER.

Walter Koenig was better this time than when he appeared in Chicago in April 1985. He did a great skit between himself and Chekov.

They showed the original unaired black and white episode of THE CAGE starring Jeffrey Hunter and Majel Barrett as Number One which many fans had not seen. This would be released on video cassette in September 1986 for about $14.95.

Phil Weyland, who is a dialogue coach and stand-in player spoke on Sunday. He worked for De Kelley in STI and STII and Bill Shatner in ST III and ST IV. He has also been associated with T. J. HOOKER for the past 5 years.

Other things of interest in Anaheim were the ST Trivia Superbowl, costume contest, the wedding of ST fans Ray Tayner and Holly Nowell (they met at a ST con), ST magic show and ST play, plus the Creation Con no minimum bid auction (a pair of Spock ears, worn by Leonard Nimoy in ST III with a note signed by him, wnet for $395!).

I couldn't stay for Gene Roddenberry's speech, but the audience was only 3/4 full compared to Leonard Nimoy's packed auditorium!

I had a good time there. Starlog was taping the con and will have pictures and an update in Starlog's October 1986 issue.