the star wars (1977) thread in '70s Horror and Sci-Fi Forum

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the star wars (1977) thread

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MonsterKid71		#41	[-]
Nov 4 10 8:13 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I was 6 when Star Wars came out. I remember going to go see it but it was sold out and saw "The Rescuers" instead. Then finally on a trip visiting my grandparents I saw it. My brother and I were watching an episode of Dr. Who on T.V. when my dad strolls into the room and says 'You guys want to go see Star Wars?". I think my brother and I were already in the car by the time he finished his sentence! The movie did change my life because I had never seen anything so huge before. To a 6 year old who was just starting to get into monster movies, this film is massive! I'm not insane -- my mother had me tested.
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Bill Warren		#42	[-]
Nov 4 10 2:19 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I was intensely aware of STAR WARS before it was released; I loved AMERICAN GRAFFITI, had already read the script, also talked to Alan Foster about his writing the novelization. I helped Charley Lippincott and Gary Kurtz with the Star Wars display at the Kansas City worldcon. (Where I learned Mark Hamill was a hardcore monster kid, to the point he recognized my name from my Cinefantastique articles, and was extremely excited by the prospect of meeting Fred Clarke down in the dealers' room.) Charley invited me and other local SF types, such as a few others from LASFS and the staff of a local SF book store, to an advance screening at Fox. Afterward, Allan Rothstein, who went with me, and I were initially dead silent as we drove off the lot. Finally, one of us said "Well, did you think that was as good as I did?" We both loved it. We started talking about whether it would be advisable to invest in Fox stock, but concluded nahhh, it's just us, SF fans... Of course, after the movie was released, Fox stock went through the roof. STAR WARS opened in only two or three theaters in the Los Angeles area, including Graumann's Chinese. Still extremely curious about the possible success of the movie, since despite what legends have sprung up, it had fairly understated advertising. There were quite a few three-sheets, a poster size no longer in use, scattered around town; one said just "In a galaxy far, far away...." with STAR WARS discreetly at the bottom; another just said STAR WARS in bigger letters. That trailer had been released at Christmas, played heavily for a couple of weeks, then was sort of put on a back burner. TV advertising was minor. So I drove down to the Chinese theater in Hollywood on opening day, just to see what the heck was up. To my amazement (and delight), the line not only went all the way around the block, it doubled for some distance. And that was opening day. Who WERE all those people? I wondered. Even Lucas was surprised. A few days after the movie opened here in the U.S., he and Marcia were still cutting the foreign release versions. Exhausted, they went for lunch to Hamburger Hamlet, a restaurant on Hollywood Blvd. He thought seeing a movie might relax him, and noticed the huge line across the street. He remarked that must be a good movie, so maybe we should see that. Marcia could see the marquee from where she sat. "George," she said, "that's Star Wars." Lucas says that's the point at which he realized his life had permanently changed. The next summer, the Westercon was the first convention allowed to show Star Wars. The auditorium was standing room only, with the audience cheering and screaming all the way through. When the movie finished, everyone was so jazzed that when Beverly stepped in to say Invasion of the Bee Girls was starting in a few minutes across the hall, almost everyone dashed over to watch it. They just wanted to see another movie. Probably the most enthusiastic audience Invasion of the Bee Girls ever had. My friend George Carlisle a little hesitantly took his six-year-old son to see Star Wars. The boy usually got antsy during any feature, even those aimed at children. The boy sat very still all the way through Star Wars. After the end credits unrolled a bit, George suggested to his son that maybe they could leave. "No!" the boy said, remaining stubbornly in his seat. "Something else might happen!" Last Edited By: Bill Warren Nov 4 10 2:23 PM. Edited 1 times.
Andy Sheets		#43	[-]
Nov 4 10 2:26 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I always had fond memories of my Hammerhead action figure. I think he might have been the first one I owned? I do remember that Star Wars pretty much went into a coma after Return of the Jedi came out. People would always groan at me if I wanted to watch the occasional tv rerun of Star Wars because to them it was so over. Just dumb kids stuff. My wife and I recently re-watched her VHS copy of the non-special edition Star Wars and I think it holds up the best of any of them. It just has a sense of purity to it, a classic adventure story that just happens to be set in space, and somehow despite the more primitive special effects it feels like the most believable of any of the films. I like the little touches like the Death Star stormtroopers blandly gossiping about stuff while Ben sneaks around behind them. I think Lucas talked about wanting a sci-fi universe that felt lived in and Star Wars has that the most of any of the series. Han Solo was by far my favorite character as Luke was way too annoying. Darth Vader was a great villain but I wonder if Peter Cushing has been lost in the hype over the years? He was the real bastard of the film while Vader was more like his formidable henchman. And one more rambling thought: I don't care for the treatment of the Jedi and the Force in the later films as I liked it better when the Jedi were more like enlightened warrior monks with some vaguely mystical abilities (mostly over the mind) and less like Dragon Ball Z characters.
G Vallejo		#44	[-]
Nov 4 10 2:32 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	^^^ Bill's post is the kind of post I love to read here. A perfect Monster has no end...
Rick		#45	[-]
Nov 4 10 2:37 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	My pre-release STAR WARS experience is almost the opposite of Bill's. I knew of its existence because I subscribed to Variety in those days and I had followed it on the production charts (as it changed titles--ADVENTURES OF A SKYWALKER, ADVENTURES OF A STARKILLER, things like that). And I certainly knew who Lucas was, since I very much admired and enjoyed AMERICAN GRAFFITI. I think I'd seen some art on the film (maybe in CFQ?). Incredibly, I don't think I'd seen the trailer. That's odd, because I was constantly in movie theatres in those days, but I have no memory of seeing any STAR WARS footage of any kind before the movie was released. So I was aware of it, but somehow had gotten it in my mind that it was gonna be just a cheesy kids' flick. I have no idea where I got that notion. Anyway, when the Time Magazine arrived, naming it the year's best movie, I was floored. That came out of nowhere. And it must have been the norm in Louisville because, as I wrote earlier, at that first showing, the theatre was no more than half- to two thirds filled.
G Vallejo		#46	[-]
Nov 4 10 3:40 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I started reading the original Star Wars Marvel comics the other day. I'm currently reading the first few issues after the 77 movie tie-in issues. I have never read these before, except for one or two of the search-for-Han issues later... and my favorite issue, Droid World. They must have scripted it based on the shooting script, because Biggs's scene is in there, as is the scene with Jabba, in which they apparently just made up his appearance. In the later issues, I kid you not, there is a giant green bunny rabbit asskicker named Jaxxon. This is probably old news to hardcore fans, but I find the lack of brand standardization/enforcement refreshing A perfect Monster has no end...
delgadosaur		#47	[-]
Nov 4 10 6:04 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I grew up around used cars, old cars, so when this film came out I saw the rusted, broken landspeeder, the amazing Sandcrawler and the 'hunk of junk' that was the Millenium Falcon, I subconsciously embraced that philosophy of junky spaceships wholeheartedly. There's a shot in the film where the falcon banks as it turns out from the Death Star, and I still swear that it looks completely real.
Jonatwork		#48	[-]
Nov 4 10 6:43 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Regarding the comics, I believe they were scripted and drawn based on a draft of the script--and maybe the novelisation?--and photos from the set. I'm pretty sure I recall reading that they didn't see the movie before the comics were done.
Servant of Legendre		#49	[-]
Nov 5 10 6:51 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I remember being puzzled at the that the Marvel comic of TESB had two different versions of Yoda, one in the comic and a different one in the Paperback collection of the comics. Also re the comics, over here in the UK I got my STAR WARS #1 ( with free bubble-gum ) and later on loaning it to a guy in my class at school so he could practice drawing Chewie. I never got it back, and I've never forgiven him. By the by, can anyone answer this TESB question. I distinctly remember telling my dad when I went to see TESB that I was especially looking forward to the shot where Luke is on Hoth, looks up, and sees Star Destroyers in orbit. I'm sure I read about that shot in a Star Wars comic or magazine during the making of TESB, but does anyone know if there ever was such a shot?
Jonatwork		#50	[-]
Nov 5 10 7:08 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	This is the first I've heard of such a shot. If it took place while he was on patrol, it doesn't seem like it would make sense--wouldn't the base be evacuated immediately if he saw it? (Or when he woke up from the wampa attack?) From the point where he's rescued and brouight back he's inside the base until he flies the snow fighter out, so I don't know where such a shot would go. Sounds cool, though! In the cut scenes from STAR WARS there's one of Luke seeingflashes of light in orbit, I think through his binoculars, of the destroyer in orbit--maybe that's what you're thinking of?
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Bill Warren		#51	[-]
Nov 5 10 7:42 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Jonatwork wrote: Regarding the comics, I believe they were scripted and drawn based on a draft of the script--and maybe the novelisation?--and photos from the set. I'm pretty sure I recall reading that they didn't see the movie before the comics were done. The Lucas company (not yet Lucasfilm) sent writer Roy Thomas Xeroxes of everything--and I mean everything--they had in print on Star Wars. This included many drafts of the script--and the various story outlines, beginning with one even more similar to THE HIDDEN FORTRESS--there are two human characters instead of the droids. Also, some peculiar stuff, like Gary Kurtz interviewing Lucas, who responds in the persona of Luke, Han and even Leia. (It was Roy who added the green bunny rabbit.)
Jonatwork		#52	[-]
Nov 5 10 8:22 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Rick, Related to the variety of titles you encountered, one of the most interesting articles Starlog (or Future--they're among the boxes and boxes of my stuff stored at my mom's house) published about STAR WARS was on the rejected ad campaigns. They show how public perception of the film would have been wildly different if one of these other approaches won out. One shows a photo of Luke and copy that indicated the movie took place in the year 3000. It was like they were trying to sell it to the same audiences as those for mainstream studio science fiction like Omega Man or Logan's Run or something. If you or anyone is interested in an extensive--even obsessive--dissection of the writing of all six Star Wars movies, check out The Secret History of Star Wars by Michael Kaminski. He draws on what seems like every piece of paper Lucas ever used in the writing of the scripts. Kaminski shows that perhaps the single most significant choice Lucas made was to have Vader revealed as Luke's father. It was undeniably brilliant in terms of setting up one of the great twists in movie history, but it also altered the series from being a galactic history with a scale never explored to such an extent on film, to a story of the redemption of one man by his son. This is a thick book, and one of those that, if it's of interest, can cause you to stay in all weekend and cancel appointments. I don't consider myself a Star Wars geek, but I really could not put the thing down. Last Edited By: Jonatwork Nov 5 10 8:31 PM. Edited 1 times.
Rick		#53	[-]
Nov 5 10 8:28 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Yeah, some of those ad ideas (and certainly the titles) may have led me to expect lousy. It's always puzzled me that I could be so out of touch on something that turned out to be so big. In those days I devoured Variety, Film Comment, whatever I could get my hands on. I was the guy who told everybody about the new movies coming out. How I missed STAR WARS of all things I'll never know.
Bill Warren		#54	[-]
Nov 5 10 8:31 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Until shortly before release, it was called The Star Wars. I had some decals with that title; the image was Luke with a lightsabre in front of a planet. These were triangular.
Jonatwork		#55	[-]
Nov 5 10 8:36 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Heck, everyone missed it. Who would have believed such a movie would become such a hit? Everyone knew LOGAN'S RUN was the shape of science fiction to come!
Rick		#56	[-]
Nov 5 10 9:14 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I found a few little pre-release clippings in my files. Variety 7-12-75 "Production start on "The Star Wars"....is set for January, with release slated for Christmas 1976...Lucas will script and direct from his original story "The Adventures of Luke Starkiller."' Variety 10-22-75 "George Lucas and Gary Kurtz in town working on budgeting of their multi-million dollar sci-fi epic "Adventure of Star Killer." Variety 3-31-76 "Sir Alec Guinness has been cast for one of the four major roles in 'Star Wars,' George Lucas $8,000,000 scifi fantasy film for 20th-Fox, which began lensing March 22 in Tunisia. Guinness will play a bearded old desert rat who was once a leading general in the galactic wars. Cast will also include three large roles for relatively unknown young perfs, who haven't yet been confirmed." Take One 3-77 "Watch for The Star Wars to open (in 70mm!) around the end of May....the sets and costumes make 2001 look downright unimaginative."
happydude33		#57	[-]
Nov 5 10 10:42 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Jonatwork wrote: Rick, Related to the variety of titles you encountered, one of the most interesting articles Starlog (or Future--they're among the boxes and boxes of my stuff stored at my mom's house) published about STAR WARS was on the rejected ad campaigns. They show how public perception of the film would have been wildly different if one of these other approaches won out. One shows a photo of Luke and copy that indicated the movie took place in the year 3000. It was like they were trying to sell it to the same audiences as those for mainstream studio science fiction like Omega Man or Logan's Run or something. If you or anyone is interested in an extensive--even obsessive--dissection of the writing of all six Star Wars movies, check out The Secret History of Star Wars by Michael Kaminski. He draws on what seems like every piece of paper Lucas ever used in the writing of the scripts. Kaminski shows that perhaps the single most significant choice Lucas made was to have Vader revealed as Luke's father. It was undeniably brilliant in terms of setting up one of the great twists in movie history, but it also altered the series from being a galactic history with a scale never explored to such an extent on film, to a story of the redemption of one man by his son. This is a thick book, and one of those that, if it's of interest, can cause you to stay in all weekend and cancel appointments. I don't consider myself a Star Wars geek, but I really could not put the thing down. I am whole-heartedly a Star Wars geek and I think that's a great read for anybody interested in the genesis of idea to page to film. Ironically, I ended up having more respect for Lucas when it was done, though, I think the intent was to expose him as the wizard behind the curtain. And you're right. The genesis of the Vader as father stuff is really pretty great.
happydude33		#58	[-]
Nov 5 10 10:45 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Servant of Legendre wrote: I remember being puzzled at the that the Marvel comic of TESB had two different versions of Yoda, one in the comic and a different one in the Paperback collection of the comics. Also re the comics, over here in the UK I got my STAR WARS #1 ( with free bubble-gum ) and later on loaning it to a guy in my class at school so he could practice drawing Chewie. I never got it back, and I've never forgiven him. By the by, can anyone answer this TESB question. I distinctly remember telling my dad when I went to see TESB that I was especially looking forward to the shot where Luke is on Hoth, looks up, and sees Star Destroyers in orbit. I'm sure I read about that shot in a Star Wars comic or magazine during the making of TESB, but does anyone know if there ever was such a shot? Ah those sweet, sweet days before the internet, where your imagination could grow (or fester) based on something you saw for a minute and a half in a theater vs. something you could slow motion frame-advance. My brother swears, to this day, that he saw a scene in the full Empire trailer where Vader uses the force to support Luke in mid-air after Luke decides to let himself fall on Bespin...
Jonatwork		#59	[-]
Nov 5 10 11:29 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Happydude33, I'm glad you, too, enjoyed this book. I can't say it improved my opinion of Lucas, but I will say I ended up feeling sorry for him. Another surprise was the way the writing of ATTACKN OF THE CLONES was so anticlimactic. By this point, Lucas was "writing" by having the designers making sketches, and he'd draw on them, and according to the book, CLONES was more or less dashed off. To me it showed how he was really out of ideas. The original STAR WARS and its first sequel were so wonderful to me because they were bursting with energy. After Lucas made his decision regarding Vader, it seems like the next four films were just a matter of lining up scenes that were deemed necessary by his plan. I think the movies were a lot better when he didn't really know what he had. When he decided it was a "saga," he just started filling in the things he "had" to have to retroactively set up what we already knew. That's boring. It was funny to be reading pages upon pages focusing on single scenes/twists. I kept thinking, "No one but me could possibly be interested in this level of detail on this subect!" I think the SW geeks (not meant in a negative way, btw) who are into the novels and characters would be bored to death. I have no interest in the spin-offs, only the original movies and, to a lesser extent, REVENGE OF THE SITH, but reading about every decision and choice made was like eating popcorn by the handful. STAR WARS and EMPIRE are crucial parts of my movie and fiction-writing history, and this was like getting into the secrets of the cosmos would be for an astronomer. Last Edited By: Jonatwork Nov 5 10 11:32 PM. Edited 1 times.
ryanbrennan		#60	[-]
Nov 6 10 4:16 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	How I missed STAR WARS of all things I'll never know. There just wasn't much of an ad campaign or publicity. As I mentioned in my earlier post _I_ knew about it, had read the novelization and gotten my hands on that nifty publicity booklet. But I didn't think much of anybody else knew about it. The day it opened a friend and I just sort of casually decided to go. I wasn't expecting much of a turnout. So it was a shock to see a huge line at the theater around noon on that first day. How we got such good seats I'll never understand. Obviously, a lot of fans knew about the movie and the word had gotten around on the grapevine. Fun tidbit: The only reason STAR WARS got Graumann's was because William Friedkin's SORCEROR wasn't ready.
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