Happy Birthday Star Wars!
Filed under: Action, Classics, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fandom, George Lucas, Comic/Superhero/Geek
There were a lot of photos I could've chosen to represent Star Wars on the film's 30th anniversary of its original release in theaters. Which, in case you haven't noticed, is today. But this pic -- featuring Princess Leia sending a message to Obi-Wan Kenobi through a tin can named R2-D2 in a last ditch effort to save herself and her people -- sparked a series of events which ultimately led to, what some say, is the greatest franchise in movie history. Seeing as I was born 16 days before Star Wars hit theaters, I never had a chance to be part of the hype -- to be among the first to lay eyes upon a film that would change our world forever. Say what you want about where George Lucas took the series in the thirty years since its debut, but you can't argue the fact that this little sci-fi flick had an enormous impact on the lives of so many people.
In celebration of this glorious time in movie history, we here at Cinematical have a number of things to keep you busy. First off, our own Kevin Kelly is on the ground at Celebration IV (that big Star Wars convention in Los Angeles), and he'll be bringing us all kinds of tasty nuggets; including pics, interviews, etc ... throughout the weekend. Apart from that, our friends at Moviefone have compiled a number of similarities between the Star Wars and Pirates of the Caribbean franchises, as well as a special tribute that asks: Star Wars: Where Are They Now? (Hmm, I think I know what Han Solo is up to ... ) For you fanatics out there, feel free to use this space in any way you see fit. How has Star Wars had an impact on your life? Where were you when the film first arrived in theaters? In your opinion, what would you like to see from this franchise in the future? Remember, stay positive -- last thing you want is to get caught up in this kind of negativity. We're here to party! We're here to celebrate! Happy Birthday Star Wars -- your next drink is on us.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-25-2007 @ 4:43PM
Christopher Campbell said...
Now we all know how old you are, Erik. I was just over 2 months old when the first Star Wars came out, and I believe it was the first movie I was ever taken to. Fortunately for other moviegoers, I was a completely silent baby, and also I think the viewing was at a drive-in anyways.
Oh, and of course I don't remember the experience at all. I barely even remember seeing Jedi in the theater about six years later.
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5-26-2007 @ 12:57AM
Denise said...
I'll never forget what was going on in my life when Star Wars came out. I was 7 months pregnant with my first child. That didn't stop my husband and me from seeing the movie about 12 times. I miss those days.
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6-01-2007 @ 11:39AM
Jake said...
I first saw the original trilogy just before the special edition was released. Loved it from day one. In fact, for my 11th birthday I got to see A New Hope in theaters.
Would anyone else like to see a new Star Wars? I mean a brand new storyline in the Star Wars Universe. New characters, plots, planets, vehicles. It would be cool to see the Galactic Civil War from an Alien perspective or maybe even in a completely different time in the galaxy far far away...
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5-30-2007 @ 2:54PM
venus said...
star wars, HAPPY 30TH!!!! my Father & i went to see this opening night '77. i was seven. i remember the people, the excitment, the fun! one movie i'll never forget. and then the filming of Empire strikes back, for my birthday at that time i got a wonderful suprise, my father had it arranged for me to meet some of the cast & crew. Carrie Fisher ( so beautiful),Mark Hammill, Harrison Ford, and of couse George Lucas. all & all a time to never forget. and now my Son William, 15, he loves these movies. and i'm happy we can enjoy them together. happy 30th Star Wars.......
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5-30-2007 @ 4:23PM
Rob said...
I was 10 when Star Wars hit the big screen. Now, 30 years later, I watch it on the small screen and still remember the wonder and excitement I felt all those years ago. May the Force be with us all.
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5-30-2007 @ 5:18PM
Lynn said...
30 years ago! Can it be that long? I was eight when my parents took my brothers and myself to see it opening night. It was single movie theatre in a small town in VT and was all the buzz. Although it was 30 yrs. ago I still get that excited anticipation when I hear the theme song. And Han being my first big-screen crush still makes my heart flutter!
Aren't we all still the kids with wide eyes and racing hearts?!
Happy birthday Star Wars!!!
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5-30-2007 @ 5:49PM
Hog said...
I was 22 at the time and me and about 8 friends rolled in a VW micro bus in the day (hung over from the 60's). I remember the movie line was packed and there was a fire juggler entertaining the crowd giving the feel of something magic in the air and the movie certainly did not disappoint.
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5-30-2007 @ 7:11PM
Scott Hintze said...
On June 17, 1977, when I was six years old, my parents, brother and I went to see Star Wars. It blasted me away. I was stunned at the special effects, lightsabers, space dog fights, creatures, and strange worlds that fill in this masterpiece of George Lucas. I have seen it on the screen 15 to 20 times and can't get away with it. Thirty years later it's still the best of the sci-fi films of all time. I attend sci-fi conventions in Richardson and Plano, TX, and I was able to meet the Star Wars actors and actress from either classic or prequel trilogy and get my autographs and pictures taken with them. I still have all the merchandice both old and new and still collect new ones of today. Star Wars will always be the number one movie trilogy of all time.
The Force will be with us...Now and Forever.
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5-30-2007 @ 6:21PM
BJSH said...
I was 22 when the first Star Wars came out, and am still a fan. I just wish they'd come out with a 6 piece DVD set for my family to enjoy! Enough with the partial sets, we true fans want the complete set now, before our grandkids are 22! The sound effects still excite me, many times my son is watching and I'm doing dishes or something, but have seen the movies so many times, that you can kindof tell where in the movie he's at! Go Star Wars!
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5-30-2007 @ 7:02PM
Rosemary said...
I was 14 years old and probably saw this movie 22 times in the days before most people owned VCR's...imagine that. I wrote a letter to Dave Prowse and since I was one of the first fans he ever heard from, he wrote many letters to me over the years.
What made the original 3 Star Wars special to me was the fact that there were NO trailers back then. Until you walked ino the theater, you had no idea what the set of The Empire Strikes Back would look like. No McDonald toys, NOTHING to give away the characters. I feel sorry for people today seeing movies. There are no more suprises.
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5-30-2007 @ 8:07PM
Elizabeth said...
In 1977 I was married and had a 2 year old daughter. My husband thought Star Wars was a waste of money to go see, so I never saw it until it came out on VHS. I now own the original VHS release, the re-make on VHS and all 6 DVD's. It's the most awesome movie ever made. I watch it frequently. I even own the two children's VHS spin=off movies that star the little fur balls on the moon of Endor
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5-30-2007 @ 8:15PM
JAMS531 said...
Happy Birthday Star Wars!!! Hard to believe it's been 30 years! I was 13 when I saw SW the first time. I hadn't even heard about it yet - I was just going because my best friend wanted to see it. I was swept away! We sat through it twice that night, and I lost count of how many times I went back to see it. It truly impacted my life. So much, in fact, that I wanted to be the next George Lucas! I majored in Broadcasting in college because that was the closest degree my university had to film studies at the time. Fortunately for George, I was not destined to give him any competition . Sigh...I never made it to Hollywood, having taken a wrong turn somewhere and ending up becoming a probation officer. But even 30 years later, when the opening credits start to roll and the theme song booms out through the speakers, I get goose bumps and relapse to the grinning 13 year old who dreamt of galaxies far, far away...
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5-30-2007 @ 8:29PM
Elaine Johnson said...
I did not see Star Wars until my grandson was two years old (1977). That's all he wanted to watch. Sometimes it would be 3 am in the morning. After watching all the original movies I was hooked. When Episodes 1, 2 and 3 came out we went together to the movies. He is now 11 and we still watch Star Wars together. His bedroom is all Star Wars. He has dressed up as many of the characters for Halloween in outfits his mother makes. This year he will be a stormtrooper. This movie has definitely influenced his life. He wants to build robots when he's older. George Lucas, You Rock! Happy Birthday Star Wars!!!
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