New archive clip of how Star Wars was received in the UK.

[Twin30mm]

The fantastic Terry Scott footage was from the northern U.K premiere of Star Wars organised by Palitoy at the Birmingham Gaumont cinema. Palitoy wanted its entire sales team to see the film ahead of the national toy fair. Shame that Birmingham got a premiere (all be it with some small time stars and nobody from Star Wars) and London didn’t. The hype was already at a fever pitch, so I suppose 20th Century Fox thought that spending out on a premiere would have been a waste.

Great info.
I've been aware of the Terry Scott footage for some time and always wondered the context of the interview.

Unbelievable that London didn't get a premiere.
Contrast that with the ESB Royal Premiere, three years later.

 

[chipsteak]

Going through other videos from that archive, it appears that the videos were cut really badly ( perhaps from longer reels ) with the start of random films appearing at the end of others.

Now, with the Star Wars footage cutting in abruptly, I'm suspecting there was more of this but it exists at the end of an unconnected video. Which is a pity. :S

 

[Simply Sci-fi]

I agree that lots of archive clips tend to be trimmed, if they survive at all. I welcome any old archive clips of SW.

Regarding the ESB premier, In contrast to 1977, 20th Century Fox was probably concerned that the opening of ESB might have been treated as a non-story, so the entire cast was flown in for a huge press showing and gala dinner and a second time for the premiere.

That's a lovely news clipping - one that I don't have. To explain to those who don't know the story, the cast presented the captain of the Concorde with a commemorative model of the Millennium Falcon, as a publicity stunt. I wonder if that model was kept by the pilot and his family. I can imagine it being worth a few pennies!

 

[Grant_C]

This is stunning.

What a great find.

 

[JFK]

Superb find ,even old granny's were going in to see it the greatest film of all

 

[ScruffyLookingNH]

Wow, I've never seen the Parkinson interview with Sir Alec. Absolutely brilliant. Fascinating the way he talked about it even then. I know in later life he came to hate and despise it but even in '77 during the release over here he was quite off hand and dismissive of it although in a terribly pleasant and ever so slightly patronising way.

 

[Twin30mm]

Wow, I've never seen the Parkinson interview with Sir Alec. Absolutely brilliant. Fascinating the way he talked about it even then. I know in later life he came to hate and despise it but even in '77 during the release over here he was quite off hand and dismissive of it although in a terribly pleasant and ever so slightly patronising way.

Unless you've experienced that situation, it's hard to criticise, but I do find his later attitude difficult to comprehend.

Didn't he negotiate profit points from the films box office?
I'm sure all those lovely royalties softened the blow, somewhat

 

[JFK]

Do you think his estate still recieves the 5% because the film still makes money ?

 

[Simply Sci-fi]

I believe it was two and a quarter, from my memory of the Parkinson interview.

As far as I know Alec Guinness always asked for a percentage on his films and SW was the first one to actually make any serous money for him. I'd imagine that his estate still receives the money - unless we have some legal minds among us who can shed some light?