The ConventionsSpaceCon I - 1978
The ConventionsReport by Darlene Palernik
The theme of the Space convention in Columbus Ohio, July 29th to August 1st, 1978, was respect and affection, both towards the guests and towards fellow fans. It was, by far, the best convention I've attended to date, and I believe this was due mainly to the willingness of the guests to mingle with fans, and become a part of the general convention atmosphere. Someone could almost always be found roaming around the dealer's room or in the lobby, or even in the elevator.
The convention could be classified, I guess, as small, with about 500 people in attendance. The Sheraton Columbus was a beautiful hotel, located right in the heart of town (even though that didn't help, as the town seemed to shut down at seven p.m., making things rather difficult for people who wanted to find a late-night snack or dinner, in many cases.)
As photographer for David Hirsch of Starlog Magazine, I was constantly racing in many directions at once, and spending a lot of my time with the guests. Which helped me to get to know them as people, but made me miss out on a lot of opportunities to see my pen-pals and friends, most of whom I was meeting for the first time, but there's always next year's con.
My first meeting with Gerry Anderson and Barry Gray was at La Guardia Airport in New York, when Dave Hirsch and I flew out with them to Columbus. We were a trifle uneasy and not quite sure of what to expect, but we were met at the airport by Jeff Jones and many of the convention committee. I must admit I am not used to tape recorders and cameras being thrust at me from all directions. Now I can see why actors can get very uneasy at airport arrivals. I was met by some people with whom I had corresponded and we went to another car. This was the best chance I had to talk to these girls through the whole convention and I had a ball.
I stowed my luggage in the room of two other pen-pals of mine because the friend I was staying with that night (before I got my own room on Friday) was not around, and it turned out that Gerry and Barry were in the room next to these friends. Thank God the hotel wall were not paper thin - if they could have heard some of the things we were saying!
At a casual cocktail party in the bar downstairs on Thursday night, the night before the con officially started, I met Dave Prowse, his manager Jay; Gerry and Barry again; and several members of the committee. It was a very pleasant gathering, even if I didn't drink. Then we went for dinner at Sadie's Emporium, on the twenty-first floor of the hotel, a very exclusive restaurant. The most embarrassing thing that happened to me was Gerry, who was just beginning to trust me, asked me what kind of steak I would recommend. How could I tell him I never order steak in a restaurant (can't afford it). It turned out that several others were as uncertain as I, and Gerry didn't seem the least bit upset that I didn't know (whew!}
The next day, Friday, we (Sam Maronie, the con photographer; June Averick; John Van Kamp, the committee member who was driving; and I) attempted to get to Ohio State University Cancer Research Center for a tour. We never found Jeff's guide car and instead wound up roaming around Columbus for an hour or so, almost like touring the city. Talk about bringing back memories! I'd been to Columbus before and love that city! It's one of the few cities in America where one can walk the streets at 3 a.m, and feel perfectly safe. We did it too! I got an opportunity to talk with Dave Prowse. That guy is extremely fascinating to talk with. I learned some good tips about cameras since everyone in the car was interested in photography.
After lunch I went with Gerry, Barry, Dave Prowse, June, Nelson, David Hirsch and several of the committee to Children's Hospital, the charity to which the convention proceeds were being donated. I was very impressed by that place, as were Gerry and Barry, on our private tour of the facilities. I learned very quickly to keep an eye on Barry and follow him. His curiosity got us to sections of the hospital that no one else saw. Dave Prowse signed autographs for the children there, and it was one of the most moving sights I have ever seen. The children well enough to know who he was were really charmed by him. Before leaving he went to all the rooms in the ward to see the children who couldn't get to the playroom where the main session was held.
While waiting around the lobby I got to see Martin Landau when he arrived from the airport. He looked rather tired and dishevelled. Only later did I learn that he had hopped on a plane directly from the set of his movie to come to the con. That's dedication! I was invited for a drink by Barry while I waited for Nick and Clifton to arrive and couldn't refuse (Barry is a charmer). I did sneak out to get some pictures of their arrival then lost track of everything that was going on in the convention until I saw Martin, Nick and Clifton being interviewed on the 6 o'clock news. To put it mildly, I nearly jumped out of my chair, scaring Barry, but he turned around and watched it too.
The convention officially started at 9 p.m. on Friday, two hours late, with the introductions of all the guest stars, Gerry Anderson, Barry Cray, Nick Tate, Dave Prowse, Clifton Jones and Martin Landau. A letter was read from Barry Morse stating his support for the convention and his regret that he couldn't be there in person. Martin was the "surprise guest"- no one knew for mare he was there until he was announced on stage. He got an superb standing ovation from the fans and guests alike. Which I think set the tone for the whole convention.
I stayed for Gerry and David Hirsch's lectures, then went upstairs exhausted. Dave Prowse's lecture was interesting, from what I heard on tape, but since it started close to midnight there were very few people there to enjoy it. In this respect I think the committee did Dave an injustice.
The next morning I had the only breakfast I was able to get the con and on the way back up to ray room I ran in to Chuck Raue, who asked me if I wanted to be escort for Clifton. Of course I did: later when I went backstage to meet the other escorts whom I knew personally from before, I ran into Nick, who was waiting to be introduced for his lecture. I found out that he did remember me and managed to get a couple of pictures of him.
I listened to his lecture until it was time to go upstairs and get Clifton. He was glad to see us and I got my introduction to service elevators at this point. Clifton's speech was very informative. He told us what some of the cast members were doing now and also how he felt about the role of Kano.
Lunch with Clifton and Nick was an experience, especially with the group of fans that we had with us, all people Nick knew from August Party and/or escorts and assorted persons.
I went back to my permanent assignment of escorting Barry, at his request, after lunch and had opportunities to get pictures of him with fans, at the lecture, where he sang the 'Con song' he wrote - "I Wish I Was A Spaceman" - and played the piano to "Marina" and the theme from "Journey To The Far Side Of The Sun (called Doppelgänger in England). The fans loved it, not to mention me.
I must have been in the British Nick Tate Club meeting at least for a few minutes, but I don't ever remember being there, but I do have pictures to prove it. Not that I wasn't interested, but by this time I was totally running on nervous energy and don't know where I was from one minute to the next.
I did get out of Gerry and Dave Hirsch's lectures to get to the Main Mission Alpha Party, on the pretext of having to get dressed for the banquet. Nick was absolutely marvellous with the fans and seemed to be enjoying himself immensely. I really didn't want to leave and I believe I waited until Nick and Clifton left before dashing upstairs to get dressed for the banquet.
After an insane half hour I managed to be decently dressed for the banquet. My dress should have been pressed, something I had in tended to do. Room-mates, other friends and I went downstairs only to discover that while we were late the guests were even later. I waited outside for Dave Hirsch while the appetizer was being eaten, and I think the main course was being served before the guests, Gail, Mark, and the committee and I sat down to begin eating. The highlight came after the meal. The guests went from one table to am other and talked with the fans, signing autographs and posing for photographs. It was just a casual chance to get to meet the guests and it seemed as if everyone enjoyed themselves.
We then raced upstairs for the art show judging and Mary Bloemker (president of Main Mission Alpha and member of the British Nick Tate Club) won first place for her sketch of Alan Carter. The only major criticism I have of the convention is that no one knew what was happening during the art show and judging; it was very poorly organized and this caused a lot of embarrassing confusion.
The came the costume call. Nick was the only one who had judged a costume at all before and kindly told the other guests what to look for and what to expect before they went out. There were some excellent costumes. The winner being an excellent rendition of the chlorine breathing monster from A B Chrysalis [Sue Cole], second place went to Elysian [Ellnan) Huntress from Devil's Planet. Both these people were friends of mine, so you can imagine how excited I was. Third place went to a super Maya in Alpha Uniform. She was picked because the costume was perfect every detail, according to Gerry, and I believe him.
The disco, which I never got to and wish I had, was held in the ballroom before the costume call and all the fans who couldn't go to the banquet wound up there. All the most popular tunes (not including the Star Wars disco version) were played. Someone's camera caught Dave Prowse dancing in the disco, probably when the others were judging the art show.
All the guests, except Dave Prowse, showed up at a private party after the costume call, that lasted until after 2 a.m. A piano was brought in for Barry to play, until the hotel security came in to complain about the noise. It was a very relaxed atmosphere and one in which we got to know the guests as real people. It was a great way to end the evening.
Sunday morning at 10 was Nick and Clifton's joint lecture, which we found out about purely by accident and sent me racing to the ballroom with my hair wet, not wanting to take time to dry it and miss the lecture. Nick and Clifton had a great rapport with each other and the fans. Nick showed some of his slides from License To Love And Kill.
The other highlight of the afternoon was the auction that was held for the benefit of Children's Hospital. All sorts of material was on hand, donated be Independent Television Company, for example scripts from first and second season, pictures, the original uniforms from the show. Over $6,OOO was raised for Children's Hospital and everybody was very happy.
All the were very willing to spend time with the fans where-ever they encountered them and the fans, on the whole, were the most respectful, orderly and nicest bunch of people I've ever met.
As for the guests, they were the most fascinating people I've ever met. Gerry Anderson is a quiet charmer, very polite and more than slightly awed by the respect and interest his shows received at the con.
Barry Gray is very much like Gerry; polite, quiet, and very sweet with fans, very much the fatherly image. He loves to play the piano for anyone on any occasion. Marvellous people, he and Gerry.
Dave Prowse is very nice with the fans and a fascinating talker. I couldn't believe how tall he was, and found the real Darth Vader is a super person, who just happens to love cameras as much as some people I know.
Clifton Jones is a down-to-earth man, who cares for the fans. Four of my friends, who Clifton said looked alike and couldn't believe they weren't related, adopted him as their dad. Several others were also members of the 'Jones family', but Clifton is very easy to talk to and fascinating.
Martin Landau is quiet and shy, reserved and friendly with fans. He was never afraid to mingle with the fans and this led to a feeling of camaraderie at the convention. At the private party he sat on the floor with the rest of us and was almost embarrassed when everyone in the room applauded. He loves to talk about his daughters and is very proud of them. He and I got to talk about Boston for a few minutes (shades of Elliott Norton Reviews?) and I loved it when he remembered Park Street Station. He said Barbara was home helping Susan get ready to leave for college, but that she sent her love. Martin was sincere when he said "Boy - am I glad I came," at the Star Introductions. Martin converted me for life. as a fan, just by his kindness to me and to others at the con, a very sweet human being.
Nick - we all know how much he appreciates, remembers and cares, about his fans, and my memories of him cannot really be recorded, for they deal with his kindness to me and to close friends and how our lives have changed because of it. The way he taught me to get the film out of my camera without destroying a roll of auction photos helped me immensely. Thanks Nick.
Report by Mary Tchir
I'd like to share a memory with all the English fans (I'm English, too) who couldn't make it to Columbus, Ohio last July.
I live in Oregon, on the western U.S. coast and I had to save all year in order to make it to the Save: 1999 Con. It cost almost $500, but the banquet alone was worth it. The original plan was to have a star sit at each table but there were too many tables. So the stars sat at their own table and the plan was that they start circulating to other tables for dessert. Naturally everyone's eyes were on that table and, before dinner was half over, Nick (naturally) was already at the next table.
After a little while, the others followed suit and eventually our table had the pleasure of meeting Dave Prowse, Gerry Anderson and Barry Gray. But the highlight of the evening was when Nick finally made it to our table. I have never met such a warm, outgoing and friendly person. I had expected to exchange a couple of remarks to him of the "Can I have your autograph please!" and "how are you? I'm fine" variety., Then he mentioned one of the things uppermost on his mind - his puppy, who was sick. He told us he and Hazel tried to adopt a dog from the humane society and they couldn't have it because it was sick. We have three dogs and I know a little something about them and before I know it, there we were discussing dogs! It was just for a couple of minutes as he had to move along to the next table, but it's a memory I treasure,
Then, the next day, having cup of coffee with two fans before leaving to catch our plane, who should come in but Nick with some fans. He stopped by our table for a few words and gave us another warm memory to take away with us.
To Nick and all the other stars who gave so generously of their time, I say Thank You! And please come to Pittsburgh.