Arena: Cestus III Fortress Set

[Spock's Barber]

Compared to most other sets that were used in TOS, the ruined outpost of Cestus Three had an impressive look to it. To my eyes, it didn't look cheap (relatively speaking). It didn't look like the standard studio backlot set.

I would have to say that the production people did a good job. Because, with the craters and ruined appearance, it was visually believable that a battle took place there. And what added to the luster of the set was that it was actually outdoors.

Yes. I always liked the episodes where the filming was done on location. If the production crew would have had to film Arena’s outdoor scenes inside a soundstage it would have greatly diminished my appreciation of this episode, in the same manner of Squire of Gothos, et.al.

 

[Timo]

Then again, in a soundstage, they could have gone really alien. It's more like they were already at Vasquez Rocks so... But had they not been, they could have done "Obsession" and created an extensive planet or indeed two out of the usual papier-mache, then done something really fancy to it like in "Spectre of the Gun".

I'm glad we got Vasquez Rocks. I'm not sure it was vital to the success of "Arena", and I would have appreciated getting it in some other episode, but it only ever happened due to the synergy of this already being a location shoot episode. And now we can't unsee the tilted strata behind the man in the lizard suit and the bamboo cannon, this defining Star Trek for many. And definitions are good.

Timo Saloniemi

 

[Nerys Myk]

It could be argued that the Gorn knew a bit too much about the humans that were encroaching upon their space! Their faked message to Kirk personally on the Ship proves that. How did they know the name of the Captain of the enemy vessel coming into orbit or the friendship between Commodore Travers and Kirk? They may have deciphered the Cestus Three computer files but how could they have known of their relationship and later we discover it's the Metrons that actually allow each Captain to understand each other's language on the surface of the asteroid?
JB

I think the Gorn were quite versed in human language, before they and the Enterprise kicked the hornet's nest and roused the Metron.

 

[Herbert]

Here is a shot from The High Chaparral, 1968, where you can see part of the unfinished side. (Henry Darrow in the foreground, RIP)

Haven't read the whole thread so I don't know if it's been mentioned yet but I'm watching Mission Impossible right now. Season 2 episode 2 Trek and I think this same location was used in this episode. Ironically, the episode is called "Trek" and Mark Lenard is in it.

 

[Christopher]

Yes, M:I "Trek" was definitely shot at Vasquez Rocks. And not only does it have Mark Lenard, it has Gerald Fried doing the music.

 

[Spock's Barber]

I just saw a Wild, Wild West episode (Night of the Flaming Ghost) where this fort was utilized.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Maybe there should be a Trek locations in "surprising roles" thread.

 

[Christopher]

Maybe there should be a Trek locations in "surprising roles" thread.

That would just be mostly Vasquez Rocks, wouldn't it?

 

[M'Sharak]

That would just be mostly Vasquez Rocks, wouldn't it?

Or Bronson Canyon.

 

[Spock's Barber]

Or Griffith Park.

 

[scotpens]

Or Griffith Park.

That's from "The Paradise Syndrome," right? That's actually Franklin Canyon Park, just north of Beverly Hills.

 

[Harvey]

By the way, I read that Shatner said that he began having tinnitus while filming "Arena". I guess he paid a price for all that explosive excitement from the episode.

His account on this has varied. Other versions have it involving a shockwave that occurred because of an explosion that went off on the soundstage, I think "The Apple." The production reports for "Arena" don't have any medical notes on them, so it probably wasn't when the accident happened.

I have some notes on this somewhere. If the production reports for season 2 ever turn up they might clear this up.

 

[publiusr]

One of those charges went up close to his feet IIRC.

 

[Spock's Barber]

One of those charges went up close to his feet IIRC.

Ka-Boooom!!!!

 

[J.T.B.]

Maybe there should be a Trek locations in "surprising roles" thread.

I've been thinking of it for a while, I'm going to do it for the rocks.

 

[publiusr]

This ep’ is up there behind Doomsday and Balance ’

 

[M'Sharak]

That's from "The Paradise Syndrome," right? That's actually Franklin Canyon Park, just north of Beverly Hills.

It is, yeah, so about five miles west. Bronson Canyon/Bronson Caves are in a corner of Griffith Park, though.

 

[PCz911]

Those locations aren’t quite as easy to do a “then and now” sequence as Vasquez or trw (Deneva ). I went to Vasquez and identified all the specific locations/angles used a few years ago. Geek that I am, made a PowerPoint showing camera angles. Not surprisingly, given how cumbersome the old cameras were, they made sure that most of the camera locations were close and near the car park.

 

[Mres_was_framed!]

I know they went to the "Valley of Fire" for "Generations" because they wanted somewhere more expansive, and it was beautiful at times, but if they really wanted to feel of bringing the multiple eras of Star Trek into one, sometimes I think they should have just used Vasquez Rocks, precisely because it would have looked vaguely familiar and "right" to Star Trek fans of both eras.