Club NewsEvents

Angeles explores Warner Bros., watches Shatner documentary

The USS Angeles this summer explored Warner Bros. Studios, saw “Star Trek” actors in Las Vegas and watched a William Shatner documentary at a viewing party.

July and August were active months for us.

In July at Warner Bros., Lili Queen, Joe Queen, Cassie Queen, Jeremy Kranz, Lisa Sobien, Bill Johns and I got on a tram and toured the historic backlot. We saw the gritty urban neighborhood where Tobey Maguire hung upside down as Spider-Man for that kiss with Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst) in a 2002 movie. We saw the cement area that served as the pond where Natalie Wood sang “The Sweetheart Tree” in the 1965 comedy “The Great Race.” We went by the gazebo and town square famous from the 1962 musical “The Music Man” and the 2000-2007 TV series “The Gilmore Girls.” Yes, it turns out Burbank, Calif., is actually Star Hollows, Conn.

Elsewhere, we explored exhibits, which featured Christopher Reeve’s costume from the “Superman” movies and the Batmobile from the “Batman” movies starring Michael Keaton. We also saw displays related to the Harry Potter movies during our day of movie magic.

In August at the “Star Trek” convention in Las Vegas, we saw everyone from Capt. Kirk himself, Shatner, to Mary McDonnell, aka President Laura Roslin in “Battlestar Galactica.” Angeles members at the convention included David and Pat Westbay, Amanda Payatt, Chris Mulrooney, Lisa and me.

And at the end of August, the Queen family hosted an Angeles party in Placentia, where we viewed the Shatner documentary, “Call Me Bill.” We also watched the the 1996 “Trials and Tribble-ations” episode of “Deep Space Nine” and marveled at the Queen family’s collectibles, which included action figures playing miniature video arcades.

In addition to Joe, Lili and Cassie Queen, members at the party were Janice Willcocks, Janice Sobien, Gloria Rodriguez, Bill Johns, Chris Mulrooney, Lisa Sobien and I.

Stories on these events will appear in our late September issue of Angels Flight. To get the newsletter, become a member by clicking on “Join us.”

Facades complete with fire escapes add an urban flair to the backlot at Warner Bros. Studios. ({Photo by Dave Mason/USS Angeles/Angels Flight)
The Batmobile lfrom the “Batman” movies starring Michael Keaton graces an exhibit area during the Warner Bros. Studio Tour. (Photo by Dave Mason/USS Angeles/Angels Flight)
The famous Warner Bros. water tower stands at the studios. According to popular folklore, the cartoon characters from “The Animaniacs” live there. (Photo by Dave Mason/USS Angeles/Angels Flight)
Lisa Sobien faces the Borg Queen inside a balloon Borg cube at the “Star Trek” ceonveniton in Las Vegas in August 2024. (Photo by Dave Mason/USS Angeles/Angels Flight)
The USS Angeles gathers at the Queen family home in Placentia for a club party. From left are Chris Mulrooney, Joe Queen (standing), Janice Sobien, Cassie Queen, Lili Queen, Janice Willcocks, Dave Mason, Bill Johns and Gloiai Rodriguez. (Photo by Lisa Sobien/USS Angeles/Angels Flight)

Dave Mason

Commanding officer of the USS-Angeles Rank Fleet Captain