A few months ago I posted an entry called "Poseidon Lives!", which has proven to be very popular among readers. It focused on a visit to the Los Angeles Maritime Museum and to the model ship used in 1972's "Poseidon Adventure." I've decided to post a few more photos from my visit since I'm only allowed to upload a few at a time.
A view of the aft docking gear that no longer exists on the Queen Mary. All of it was removed during an unsympathetic renovation in the 1980s.
A view of the Poseidon's stern, rudder and port propellers.
Yours truly standing beside the model. This should give you an idea as to how massive it is!
"The Poseidon Adventure" was a part of the disaster movie craze that really started in the 1970s. Parts of it (prior to capsizing, of course) were filmed aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California. For the rogue wave scenes, a fully operational scale model of the famous Cunarder was also built - complete with working propellers and funnels.
"The Poseidon Adventure" was a star-studded 1972 disaster movie which was based on the novel by Paul Gallico. In the story, SS Poseidon capsizes on New Year's Day after being hit by a rogue wave and suffers tremendous casualties. A model was built to capture these dramatic scenes on film (and to stunning effect too, if you ask me). But where is it now? Why, at the Los Angeles Maritime Museum in San Pedro, California!
It was during my search for the Queen Mary's propellers that I was able to take these photos. The Poseidon is a scale model of Long Beach's most famous ship (a quarter inch on the model equals one foot on Mary), weighing close to 2,000 pounds and measuring 21.5 feet long. A team of 15 modelers constructed it from the Queen Mary's original plans in about 3 months, and included battery-operated propellers, working funnels and interior lights. It was loaned the museum by 20th Century Fox and resides there to this day.
Two classic views.
A shot of the bridge, where Captain Harrison and his officers met their fates.
Here's a view that very few people get to see of the real Queen Mary nowadays (unless by boat...or Carnival cruise liner for that matter). These photos do not really do the model justice; it is amazing to see in person! No detail is too small. I do really suggest paying the Poseidon a visit if you happen to be in San Pedro.
Leslie Nielsen passed away on November 28, 2010 at the age of 84. But before his defining roles in "Airplane!" and the "Naked Gun" movies, he commanded the Queen Mary. Twice.
"Surely you can't be serious!"
I am serious...and don't call me Shirley.
Really, though. Leslie Nielsen appeared as Captain Harrison in "The Poseidon Adventure" back in 1972. Although he gets very little real screen time, his character did strike me as being quite the capable seaman. And is it just me, but does Leslie Nielsen bear a slight resemblance to Captain John Treasure Jones? Captain Harrison, anyway, is presumably killed when the Poseidon capsizes.
Mr. Nielsen would again take "command" in 1985. An episode of "Murder, She Wrote" found Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) aboard a ship bound for the Caribbean and under the command of a Captain Daniels. No doubt the producers thought it would funny to have him reprise his role. Thankfully the ship fared better.
In all seriousness, though, it's sad to hear that Leslie Nielsen is gone. He brought so much laughter and joy to audiences everywhere with his uncanny ability to be silly and hold a straight face. May he rest in peace.
And to conclude this post on something somewhat related to ocean liners:
A few months ago I posted an entry called "Poseidon Lives!", which has proven to be very popular among readers. It focused on a visit to the Los Angeles Maritime Museum and to the model ship used in 1972's "Poseidon Adventure." I've decided to post a few more photos from my visit since I'm only allowed to upload a few at a time.
A view of the aft docking gear that no longer exists on the Queen Mary. All of it was removed during an unsympathetic renovation in the 1980s.
A view of the Poseidon's stern, rudder and port propellers.
Yours truly standing beside the model. This should give you an idea as to how massive it is! 
