The movie 2001: A Space Odyssey is still the best depiction of spaceflight available. Even now, over 40 years after its release, it has a realism that no other film has ever achieved. Over the years, I have originated and participated in many public events concerning 2001, and I would like to share some of those great times.

We had been waiting all throughout the year 2001 for something to happen, and Warner Brothers finally released the movie after the year was nearly completed. The Egyptian Theater in Hollywood ran the movie in 70mm for two weeks at the end of 2001. The Orange County Space Society, with the special assistance of Dennis Gilliam and Scott Alexander created a large display that consisted of several sections, filling the lobby area of the theater.

There was a display case for models and artifacts, a set of display walls with graphics and a large representation of my 2001 Timeline, pieces of space station furniture, the original red helmet, and finally the very first prototype of Scott's 11-foot long Discovery from his 2001 Recreation Project.

This was a great venue and many of us had the opportunity for multiple viewings of the movie during its run. The most special showing was on the evening of December 31, where we had a large contingent of people (photo below) to celebrate the final showing anywhere in the world of the movie during the actual year of 2001.

A photographer using the Egyptian Theater for a backdrop was invited inside to use the 2001 display for his model.

A 10-foot Discovery,.

The red spacesuit helmet from Dennis Gilliam. Have to try it on!

I created a special hour-long presentation entitled, "2001: Odyssey to the Future" which was presented five times during the April and October events. The movie itself was also shown in the DSC laser theater.

Dennis Gilliam with Keir Dullea at the ISDC.

Keir Dullea and his wife, Fred Ordway, Robert McCall and his wife.

Dan Richter with Michelle Evans. Note Dan is holding Moonwatcher.

A spaceship building workshop for kids at the 2001 LosCon focused on 2001: A Space Odyssey. Styrofoam was used to create various ship designs from the movie. Also, during the convention, I gave my presentation, "2001: Odyssey to the Future."

Space Station 5.

Pan Am Space Clipper Orion.

Discovery 1.

Aries 1-B Lunar Shuttle.

Gary Lockwood and Keir Dullea at the Astronaut Autograph Show. I supplied the background display for their signing booth. (right) First spacewalker Alexei Leonov with Bowman and Poole.

Working with Ed Buckbee from Space Camp–Huntsville, we provided a display at the Ontario Mills shopping center, featuring Scott's 5.5-foot Discovery prototype. The event also featured a talk and book signing by Buckbee of his work, Space Cowboys.

Michelle Evans, Cherie Rabideau, Dennis Gilliam, and Robert Kline.

2008 marked the 40th anniversary of the release of 2001: A Space Odyssey. To celebrate the occasion the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (the Oscars) held two events in April and May 2008. The first was a showing of the Academy's private copy of 2001, followed one month later with a very special behind-the-scenes presentation that was hosted by Tom Hanks and Douglas Trumball.

At the movie screening in April, Hanks had jokingly complained about not having any popcorn and Red Vines, so at the May event, Dennis Gilliam provided a Pan Am Orion stewardess hat, and a hostess from the Academy delivered Hanks his refreshments!

I was asked to bring Scott's Discovery prototype for display. Many other actual artifacts from the movie were on hand, including a 70mm Panavision camera and numerous props.

Douglas Trumball with the Discovery. Cherie Rabideau is next to him.

Dan Richter (Moonwatcher) with the Discovery.

Michelle Evans with Scott's Discovery that I was asked to provide for the AMPAS event.

Greg Jein's white Moon suit helmet.

Crowds check out the Discovery display after the presentation.

Couldn't resist — again!