Aug 4, 2026
Authors John and Maria Jose Tenuto return to The Trek Files to share a seemingly ordinary filming notice distributed to guests at the Monterey Bay Aquarium during production of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. But for John, it’s much more than a production handout, it’s a family keepsake.
In April 1986, John’s parents unknowingly visited the aquarium on a day when Leonard Nimoy, William Shatner, and the Star Trek IV cast were filming. They saved the notice, recorded the production on a home VHS camcorder, and brought home an extraordinary piece of behind-the-scenes history. Decades later, that footage and flyer helped document one of the franchise’s most beloved films.
Larry, John, and Mary Jo explore the logistics of filming at a working public aquarium, Leonard Nimoy’s commitment to the film’s environmental message, and how a family vacation unexpectedly became part of Star Trek history.
Documents and Additional References
Document of the Week
Additional References
- Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
- Monterey Bay Aquarium
- Leonard Nimoy
- William Shatner
- John Tenuto
- Maria Jose Tenuto
- The Making of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home by John and Maria Jose Tenuto (Titan Books)
- Previous The Trek Files appearance by John and Maria Jose Tenuto discussing Star Trek II, Star Trek III, and Star Trek IV production history.