In 2003, an advertising campaign in Chile brought the worlds of iconic cinema and commercial marketing into a collision course, resulting in a legal battle that would captivate both advertising professionals and Star Wars fans alike. Chile’s Channel 13, in collaboration with Cerveza Cristal, embarked on an innovative yet controversial venture by seamlessly integrating beer commercials into the broadcast of Star Wars films. This bold fusion of content and advertisement not only blurred the lines between storytelling and marketing but also sparked a legal confrontation with George Lucas, the creator of the Star Wars saga. Here’s what the article will delve into: By weaving through these focal points, the article aims to offer a comprehensive overview of a unique moment in advertising history, where the desire to captivate audiences led to unforeseen legal challenges and sparked a conversation on the ethics of creative advertising strategies. Unconventional Advertising Meets Iconic Cinema…
Rarities
The Galactic Whisper: Koo Stark’s Brief Star Wars Saga
In a galaxy filled with stars, some shine bright and bold like the iconic Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia, while others, like Koo Stark’s Camie Marstrap, flicker briefly, leaving behind a trail of ‘what-ifs’ and speculative stardust. The saga of Koo Stark’s dalliance with the Star Wars franchise is a fleeting yet endearing narrative that adds a touch of enigma to the vast cosmos of Star Wars lore. Koo Stark: The Star That Almost Shone Camie Marstrap: The Ghostly Presence The Unseen, The Unheard, The Unveiled The Resurgence in ‘The Book of Boba Fett’ Conclusion The tale of Koo Stark and Camie Marstrap is a whimsical narrative about the unseen and unheard stories lingering in the corners of the Star Wars galaxy. While Stark’s starry venture was brief, it left a trail of curiosity, echoing the infinite ‘what-ifs’ of the Star Wars narrative. The allure of the unseen and the…
The Lost Art of Trash-Talking Droids: A Deleted Scene from Star Wars Episode I – The Phantom Menace
It’s no secret that the Star Wars universe is filled with memorable characters, thrilling action sequences, and even some lighthearted moments. George Lucas’s space opera has entertained generations of fans since its inception in 1977. Among its iconic features are its droids, the robotic companions that assist and accompany our heroes throughout their journeys. However, not all droids are created equal. In a recently discovered deleted scene from Star Wars Episode I – The Phantom Menace, we learn that some droids are quite adept at trash talking. The Deleted Scene The scene in question takes place on the Trade Federation ship, where the Naboo invasion is being coordinated. Battle droids B1-664 and B1-679, two seemingly inconsequential droids, have been assigned to guard duty. As they patrol the hallways, they engage in a spirited exchange of trash talk, revealing an unexpected side to the typically emotionless droids. This moment not only…
Have You Seen the Missing Star Wars Celica?
The stories say that back in 1977, a custom Star Wars Celica was built to help promote the very first film. Sadly, it seems, it has gone missing. The Official Blog of Toyota GB is now calling for your help in this post, “Help us find this Star Wars Celica, you must”. Their post explains what they are looking for: Search your feelings – and maybe your garage too, just in case. Toyota fans around the world have been called on to help track down this Star Wars Celica made to promote the first film in 1977. You won’t have missed that the new Star Wars film, Episode 7: The Force Awakens, is arriving in UK cinemas shortly. The release has prompted a renewed search to find the car created for the ‘Star Wars Sweepstakes’ competition, which marked the arrival of Episode 4: A New Hope in 1977. The Toyota Celica Liftback is equipped with MacPherson…
Happy Life Day! The Star Wars Holiday Special Anniversary
Today marks the anniversary of The Star Wars Holiday Special. I wasn’t alive back in 1978 but as a long-time Star Wars fan, I heard about it and of course, wanted to see it. While November 17, 1978 marked the first AND last time this two-hour musical variety show would be aired (thank you CBS), it is still possible to find it on the Internet if you’re so inclined. While the special was intended to capitalize on the success of the 1977 movie and hold fans over until the 1980 release of The Empire Strikes Back, things did not go as planned. It ended up being a terrible flop. I mean, really terrible. Reportedly, George Lucas was only tangentially involved in the production and he hated it so much, he tried to make it disappear. Leave it to the Internet to revive what should be left to die, but I digress. The basic premise of the…
Old Star Wars PSAs About Drunk Driving and Smoking
Here is an old Star Wars Rarity. Back in 1979, creator George Lucas was still in the process of learning how to deal with the unexpected success of Star Wars and the huge incoming of merchandising and marketing opportunities that its popularity brought with it. The majority of the products from this time period are very special, such as early toys that were created by Kenner are now collectors’ items. However, the series of public service announcements have mainly been forgotten. There is a quick clip that was commissioned by the United States Department of Transportation and it features Star Wars characters carousing in the spaceport’s bar. When a Talz patron is way too drunk to fly back home, a responsible Duros offers the friend a ride home to make sure he makes it alive, while not hurting others in space. At the end you can see the copyright mark…
Star Wars Rarities: The Ewok Adventure
Not everyone was a fan of the teddy bear-like additions to the Star Wars universe George Lucas introduced us to in Return of the Jedi (1983), but if you were (as I was), then you were in luck! Just a lucky as you could be plyaing on THA BET. Not only did Ewok fans get an animated series based on the cuddly creatures, but two TV movies as well! Naturally, the most popular Ewok of all, young Wicket W. Warrick, was the star furball in both TV outings which told the story of the Towani family, four humans who had become stranded on the forest moon of Endor betting on THA. The first of these all-knew, live-action Ewok adventures (said to have taken place shortly before Return of the Jedi) was 1984’s “Caravan of Courage,” though it was better known in the U.S. as simply “The Ewok Adventure”. In this…
The Forgotten TV Debut of the Original Star Wars Game
There have been many Star Wars games before SWTOR- seriously, there have been TONS. But there is one Star Wars game that comes to mind first for those old enough to remember, the 1983 Atari game Star Wars. This was the first time a Star Wars game had been created. I was only a year old when it released and I would not see the game or an Atari for quite some time but I did have the privilege of playing it once at a friend’s, more than a decade after its release. Kotaku reminds us of the game on Star Wars Day: The game made its debut during “The Video Game Challenge,” a short-lived television program from the 80’s. Just like the force, this Star Wars game will be with you… always. Actually, considering how regularly I still think about that game…that’s true! Does anyone reading remember that…
Rare Video Interview with Ackbar Voice Actor
“It’s a trap!” San Francisco’s SFGate.com has a rare video interview with KPFA radio dramatist Erik Bauersfeld. For those not up on their Star Wars trivia, Bauersfeld is the voice of Admiral Ackbar from Return of the Jedi. He is responsible for the iconic “It’s a trap!” line and he was also the voice of Bib Fortuna and he even auditioned for the voice of Yoda. Here are some interesting facts from the interview: When the movie first released, he wasn’t listed on the cast but has been credited since then. He was unaware that his famous line had become an Internet meme. He’s still never seen the original “Star Wars”. He saves Star Wars fan letters in a filing cabinet and writes a personal response to each one. Here is a few more videos you should checkout:
Returning To Jedi: The Best Ever Fan Edit?
There are a nuumber of great Fan Edits available for the Star Wars films – the most famous of which is probably The Phantom Edit which righted the many wrongs of George Lucas’ first prequel film (chiefly by removing Jar Jar Binks influence), but by far the best, in terms of the effect the edit has on the viewing experience of the original film has to be Jambedavdar’s Returning To Jedi. The edit is effectively a ‘commentary documentary’, combining existing behind the scenes footage with a newly created audio commentary and text facts, and despite not having all of the details released as part of the Complete Saga blu-ray release (yet) it still stands as one of the most in-depth and informative companion pieces to the entire Star Wars universe. And the good news for all Star Wars fans is that Returning To Jedi is now available in its entirety…
Star Wars: Building “Empire” by Jamie Benning
A fan documentary like no other on the planet, Jambe Davdar brings us “Building Empire” via YouTube in one huge, insightful project that is more than worth the time it takes to watch them. The result of eight months of hard work, author Jambe Davdar ( or Jamie Benning which is his real name) brings us a collection of all the material from “Star Wars : The Empire Strikes Back” in one epic fan documentary that beats the documentary included in the Bluray boxed set by a longshot. Davda’s labor of love gives us Star Wars fans an extensive look at the making of Episode V with deleted scenes and more background story than you’ve ever heard before. The documentary contains rare alternate takes, production audio, on-screen facts, cast and crew commentary, re-created scenes, storyboards and behind the scenes footage that you will not believe. As you watch, on the top or…
Star Wars – Hungarian Film Posters
I have no clue why there were added green monsters to these Hungarian movie posters for the original Star Wars trilogy, but they are pretty awesome! Before this internet thing, I had no idea of the scope of international movie poster art and the variations on a theme. I wonder how they would look if they were made for The force awakens A New Hope Empire Strikes Back Return Of The Jedi
While we wait: Amazing Fan Made STAR WARS Documentary
YouTube user ‘jambedavdar’ has crafted together -possibly the greatest ‘Star Wars’ documentary ever made! I don’t know how the documentary included with the ‘Star Wars’ blu-ray disk release can top this one. He includes video clips, audio from the cast and crew, alternate takes, bloopers, and text facts/insights into the development and creation of one of the greatest films ever made. As a lifelong Star Wars fan who has seen and heard countless interviews with the filmmakers and cast, I cannot believe how comprehensive this doc is. As you watch, on the top or bottom of the screen it’ll say where the video/audio comes from and he mixes in footage that I’ve never seen. And on top of all that, it’s not some ten minute short. It’s over two hours! Again, if you’re a Star Wars fan, hit the jump to be impressed:
Star Wars Rarities: Han & Leia Deleted Scene from Episode V
Here is a great deleted scene. It takes place on Bespin (Cloud City) as they are struggling with trusting Lando. I think it’s a great scene because it really does a better job at establishing the romantic relationship between Han and Leia. For your eyes only: I squealed with girlish delight as I watched it! I wish they hadn’t taken it out. There’s just something about a Scoundrel and a Princess that makes my heart melt every time I think about it. If you didn’t see the lost scenes of Star Wars a new hope, check em out here.
Star Wars Rarities: Donny and Marie Star Wars Tribute
A friend of mine sent me this link today and dared me to watch all 10 minutes. For those too young to remember, Donny and Marie Osmond had a musical variety show in the ’70s called, appropriately enough, The Donny And Marie Show (she was “a little bit country” and he was “a little bit rock ‘n’ roll”). I was in elementary school at the time and actually watched it pretty regularly. But I don’t remember this incredible moment: Donny and Marie lead an all-star cast in this number. Kris Kristofferson plays a too-cool-for-school Han Solo, while the comedian Redd Foxx plays Obi-Wan Kenobi and Paul Lynde is an Admiral with the Empire. There are also dancing Storm Troopers. Wow. I can’t take my eyes off it.
Star Wars Rarities: The Muppet Show featuring Luke Skywalker
From 1980, this episode of the Muppet Show starred Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker. It starts off with scheduled guest Angus the Argyle Gargoyle getting ready to go on the air. But suddenly Luke Skywalker, R2-D2, and C-3PO crash into the studio, in search of Chewbacca the Wookiee, who was kidnapped, and since nobody liked Angus, they replaced his guest spot with the stars of Star Wars. Luke isn’t really interested in hosting the show, so he calls in his ‘cousin’ Mark Hamill to help out. Mark does the necessary song-and-dance parts, until Luke Skywalker and the droids hijack the Swine Trek. After the Swine Trek makes a smooth landing, Luke and the Droids are captured by Derth Nader, and Chewbacca the Wookiee comes to the rescue. It’s amazing. When I watch this, I become a kid again. I can see my parents next to me on our old couch,…
The lost scenes of Star Wars: A New Hope
At Star Wars Celebration V, George Lucas finally made the big announcement that the entire Star Wars saga would be released in a Blu-Ray box set in Fall 2011. Speaking about what will be included, Lucas said, “They’ll be different kinds of additional material,” adding, “I think you’ve seen enough behind the scenes (material) for a lifetime. There’s some really good material that will be included in there, (including) more deleted scenes that you haven’t seen yet.” Lucas said these newly released scenes would be kept separate from the film itself. There is lots of material that never made it into Star Wars: A new hope floating around the internet. Most of it is in so bad shape that it is almost impossible to see and understand what is going on. Some of the material comes from “the lost cut” which was the first edit of Star Wars, edited not by George Lucas but…
Star Wars Rarities: The Mythology of Star Wars (1999)
In an oasis of calm, far, far away from the tumult of excitement that was leading up to the premiere of Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace, Bill Moyers joined George Lucas at Skywalker Ranch in northern California to talk about the ancient myths and personal values that have synthesized into Star Wars. The epic themes in Lucas’ cinematic stories are a springboard for a candid conversation about family, fatherhood, spiritual beliefs, and the importance of moral tales for every generation. Intercut with movie footage from the original trilogy as well as the newly-released prequel, The Mythology of Star Wars with George Lucas and Bill Moyers provides a revealing journey in the company of the filmmaker through some of the most famous scenes of the Star Wars saga.
From Star Wars to Star Wars: The Story of Industrial Light & Magic
The incredible evolution of George Lucas’ special effects dream factory, including an inside look at “Star Wars: Episode One – The Phantom Menace.” I am always interested in behind the scenes programs. “”Star Wars to Star Wars: The Story of Industrial Light & Magic” gives a good behind the scenes look at Star Wars plus many other movies that ILM has been involved with over the years. It is fascinating to see the way special effects have evolved from the original models used in Star Wars to the modern computer generated images. It is also reasonably entertaining without being too distracting. I do have one really big problem with this show. They showed special effects from many ILM movies (Star Wars, Terminator 2, Jurassic Park, Men In Black, Forrest Gump, etc…). However, they did not even mention the Star Trek movies. ILM have done the special effects for all but…
Retro ( and new) Star Wars Advertising
The world would be a different place today if it weren’t for Star Wars. Check out this selection of Star Wars Retro Videos: Kellogg’s C-3PO’s I remember when I was a kid, and saw C3PO’s cereal in the grocery store. I rolled my eyes, wondering what ELSE they were going to slap my friends on. By that time, I was well over the hyper-marketed licensing, though I still loved the films. It’s over two decades later, and I now look at C3PO’s with quite a lot of fondness. Perhaps they seem innocent, in a time when any film marketed at kids gets it’s own cereal (though with the new laws and such, for how much longer). George Lucas Japanese TV Commercial I am fairly sure that George Lucas would never do a TV commercial like this in U.S. So be warned, this video represents the funniest use of stormtroopers since…
Return of the Ewok
Young Warwick Davis decides he wants to be in pictures, so he gets himself an agent. The agent gives him an Ewok outfit and points him towards Elstree Studios. There Warwick wanders from set to set looking to find the other Ewoks. Return of the Ewok is a 24-minute mockumentary starring Warwick Davis, the actor who played the Ewok, Wicket W. Warrick in Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi and the Ewok spin-off films. Davis and David Tomblin, Return of the Jedi’s first assistant director, created it, with Tomblin directing. Lucasfilm planned to use the movie as a promotional film for Return of the Jedi, but post-production on the film was never completed. The film is set in both the “real world” and the fictional locations of the Star Wars universe. Real world locations include an airport, Elstree Studios and the actors’ dressing rooms, while the fictional locations…
Star Wars Rarities: The Directors – The Films of George Lucas
Most of this program was divided into discussing two films: American Graffiti and Star Wars. The latter actually encompasses six films over the years but the first one is talked about by far the most in this Biography episode. The rest of the show is mainly other Hollywood people discussing George Lucas’s ideas and personality. Lucas, himself, is kind of boring, speaking in a monotone with a lot of “uhs” between words. Thankfully, his movies are far more interesting than him. Later, Liam Neeson and Harrison Ford – two dynamic actors on screen – demonstrate they are even more awkward than Lewis is being interviewed. However, it was interesting to see and hear all the main actors from American Graffiti, and they had interesting tales about the film and how Lucas had to really struggle to get it released. Those actors included Cindy Williams, Ron Howard, Charles Martin-Smith, Candy Clark,…
Star Wars Rarities: The Legacy Revealed
Thirty years ago, an unheralded film known as Star Wars opened in theaters and took audiences on a groundbreaking journey to a galaxy far, far away. It instantly seized the public’s imagination, and three decades later still claims that grasp. Through interviews with politicians, academics, journalists and critics — all of whom weigh in on the enduring appeal of George Lucas’s creations — the special demonstrates that Star Wars isn’t just a high-action adventure in space. It’s a remarkably complex and sophisticated story about power, politics, sin, spirituality and redemption–almost Shakespearean in its power, humor, presentation and influence. The special makes the argument that Star Wars‘ intensely compelling stories — borrowed from diverse traditions, from Greek mythology and American westerns to the Bible and even Vaudeville — compel us to explore some of the biggest questions of our time. Star Wars: The Legacy Revealed explores that view through interviews with…
Science of Star Wars Wars: Space Cowboys
How soon will we all be driving our own hovercrafts to work? Various vehicles that use air as a cushion to glide over ground or water are still in prototype stages. HyWire cars (hydrogen and by wire) that use a skateboard chassis are here today, complete with technology that allows the car to “sense” traffic patterns or danger ahead. Electromagnetic force charges a train that can go faster than 250 miles per hour without touching the track. What will be the new hot rods of the future? And will they have gonzo paint schemes? Hosted by C-3PO and R2-D2.