Star Wars at the Movies: Recent Episodes
Stephen Danley
It has often been said that Star Wars changed the way movies were made, but it also fundamentally changed the way they were seen. Featuring interviews with a diverse ensemble of first generation fans and collectors from around the world, the Star Wars at the Movies Podcast logs personal, first-hand accounts that define a game-changing era of theatrical exhibition and created a popular culture that is still thriving. The show presents an international oral history which delves into the lasting impact of seeing the movies for the first (or 100th) time, focusing on various theater localities and the circumstantial peculiarities fans encountered along the way. In addition to the whos, wheres, whens, and hows discussed in the "Feature Presentation" interviews, the podcast offers analysis of vintage trailers and radio spots, as well as commentary on other movie-going topics from a long time ago at theaters in our own galaxy.
The Prequel 20th Anniversary Saga is Complete as REVENGE OF THE SITH is revisited and recontextualized through memories past and present. Broc Walker and I remember Celebration III and our last big screen experience from 2005, Steve Sansweet tells the tale of the infamous San Diego Comic Con Episode III title reveal and Skye Paine relives attending the Los Angeles charity premiere. Plus, additional reflections on George Lucas' climactic magnum opus from David Quinn, Dave Brott, Danny Katzel and Mark Newbold. Yeh!
Actress, cosplayer, first generation fan and Chicagoland native Lezlie Sawyer recounts her day on the set of the legendary Lee Phillip Show with the original STAR WARS trio of Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford, along with early convention-going memories and the feelings of hope and inspiration that the Galaxy Far, Far Away has continually provided.
A commemorative caravan of interviews and anecdotes celebrates the 40th Anniversary of The Ewok Adventure. Jason Gibner remembers tuning into the stereo broadcast, Amy Sjoberg guides a tour of international Caravan collectibles and composer Peter Bernstein shares memories from his time on the film and insight on the music’s creation. Plus, additional stories from: Mark Newbold, Dave Brott, Ryan Beise, Jean Courtleciel and Yohann Rigobert.
Three guests share Star Wars moviegoing stories from the Hoosier State of Indiana. Roberto-Juan Gonzalez and Keith Roysdon fondly remember pilgrimages from Muncie to the Eastwood Theatre in Indianapolis, one of the “Original 32” opening day venues where the first film ran for an impressive 55 weeks. Steinunn Danley then recounts a cross-country move to Ft. Wayne and a fateful night that led to our family’s generational love for that galaxy far, far away.
With the Man in the Hat returning to the big screen for the first time in 15 years for one “last” adventure, enjoy this one-time-only special presentation dedicated to Henry Jones, Jr. Mark Newbold closes a pub with Robert Watts, Jason Gibner stealthily skips school to see The Last Crusade on opening day, Ryan Beise ponders Indy’s immortality and Imagineer Tony Baxter looks back on bringing Disneyland’s Temple of the Forbidden Eye to life. It’s an INDIANA JONES EPIC MOVIEGOING MEMORY SPECTACULAR!
Writer, researcher and all around Star Wars enthusiast Amy Richau shares memories of seeing the Original Trilogy during her youth in Billings, Montana and traces her career path in film preservation that led to a stint in the vault of the Lucasfilm Archives at Skywalker Ranch. Amy also reflects on the inspiration for and development of the 365 Star Wars Women project and finding a second family among the Star Wars fan community.
Talking Bay 94's Brandon Wainerdi recalls formative movie-going moments growing up in Plano, TX in the late 90s and early 2000s. Traversing the entire modern and postmodern Star Wars theatrical experience, Brandon shares how it's inspired his behind-the-scenes passions and creative fandom. Plus, an observance the Star Wars Trilogy: Special Edition's 25th Anniversary.
The 20th installment of the podcast commemorates 20 years of Attack of the Clones with a battalion of fans and friends sharing their Episode II recollections and reflections. From online spoiler forums and Celebration II to red carpet encounters and the hunt for the elusive “digi-proj,” 2002 springs back to life like an incredibly old frog dueling an evil retired Jedi in this retrospective on a movie created at a pivotal crossroads of cinematic art and technology.
To cap off Season 5, host Stephen Danley descends alone into the Erso homestead cave bunker to take a retrospective look at Rogue One on the 5th Anniversary of its theatrical release in 2016. The film’s advertising buildup and onscreen follow-through as a “war picture” sets the stage for Stephen’s personal Rogue One movie-going “Star Wars Story” in cinemas around Los Angeles and an epilogue of on location memories from the South Coast of Iceland.
Genre geek podcaster and fan Carlos Perrone shares memories of his introduction to Star Wars (or La Guerra de las Galaxias) in Uruguay’s capital of Montevideo before moving with his family to New York ahead of the release of The Empire Strikes Back. Carlos then recalls an opening day double viewing of Return of the Jedi in his Queens neighborhood of Jackson Heights and making a special trip to Los Angeles for Starlog’s 10th Anniversary convention.
Washington DC local and lifelong fan Erik Janniche shares stories of seeing the Original Trilogy while growing up in the nearby Maryland suburbs of Greenbelt and New Carrollton. Erik then discusses collecting ephemera documenting the area’s theatrical Star Wars history and recounts the spark of seeing Star Wars: Special Edition at DC’s legendary Uptown Theater that led to him to organizing (and negotiating) the venue’s epic campout for The Phantom Menace.
A trio of key contributors to the Rancho Cucamonga Public Library’s “Star Wars Day” lead off Season 5 of the podcast. Event co-founders Allen Callaci and Adam Tuckerman along with Master of Ceremonies Shawn “Obi-Shawn” Crosby recall seeing the classic films in several cherished Southern California theaters (and one unidentified cinema in Illinois), then share memories of the Library celebration’s humble beginnings and reflect on its growing community impact.
Aviation enthusiast and first generation fan Hal Bryan recalls seeing the Star Wars Trilogy in some of the Seattle area’s classic movie theaters, including the UA 150 where The Empire Strikes Back’s record-setting 61 week run took place. Bryan also sheds light on the origin and development of The Rocketeer Minute podcast. Plus, a behind-the-scenes look at Empire’s Fall 1979 theatrical trailer in celebration of the ultimate sequel’s 40th anniversary.
Disney Legend and Imagineer Tony Baxter shares memories of seeing Star Wars at Graumann’s Chinese Theatre and remaining wide awake for a 5am opening night screening of The Empire Strikes Back. Baxter then recounts the trajectory of his long and impactful career designing Disney theme park attractions, including the pathway of collaboration and ingenuity that made the Star Wars adventure real with the original landmark Star Tours simulator ride in 1987.
Graphic artist Kaz Oomori reflects on seeing the Original Trilogy at the O.S. Gekijo cinema in his hometown of Osaka, Japan as well as his career in illustration and movie poster design for modern blockbusters. Kaz breaks down his inspiration, dynamic style, and process behind creating standout promotional artwork for the contemporary Star Wars sequels, concluding with an ambitious 6-piece ensemble for The Rise of Skywalker exclusive to Arclight Cinemas.
Film historian, journalist, and first generation fan Michael Coate shares personal recollections of seeing the Original Trilogy on the big screen while frequently on the move being raised in a military family. Coate also provides insight on a number of significant Orange County cinemas and discusses the research methodology behind his monumental effort to trace the theatrical history of Star Wars that culminated in his epic retrospective for The Digital Bits.
In the first installment of an Orange County double bill, Lisa Cowan recounts cofounding and running Mark Hamill's official fan club in the early 80s, trekking to Buttercup Valley to witness the filming of the sail barge battle from Return of the Jedi, and writing for the Lucasfilm Fan Club magazine, among many other SoCal moviegoing memories. Next, fan and collector David Carr discusses growing up with Jedi fervor and the mad dash from Main Street USA to Tomorrowland when Star Tours debuted at Disneyland in 1987.
This Triple Feature focuses on the Trilogy’s impact on a trio of guests with ties to the Queen City of Cincinnati, Ohio. In Part I, Nilmini Klur reminisces about spending the summer with The Empire Strikes Back at the Skywalk Cinemas. Next, Dave Brott recalls trips to the Esquire Theatre, a family outing for Return of the Jedi, and enduring the dubbed Star Wars: Special Edition in Hungary. Part III features former Kenner designer Jim Swearingen sharing memories of his involvement in the legendary toy line and attending the first public preview of Star Wars in San Francisco, among many others.
In this 20th Anniversary Episode I retrospective, 15 fans share stories that capture the sense of anticipation, excitement, confusion, disappointment, jubilation, and hysteria that was Star Wars movie-going in the Summer of 1999. These tales of frantic trailer-downloading, compulsive toy-buying, painstaking line-waiting, and all around pandemonium collectively reflect on and celebrate The Phantom Menace as the epicenter of a one-of-a-kind cinematic and cultural experience.
Sonoma County native and Feature Presentation guest Dwayne Smith recalls a trip to see Star Wars at the Parkway Drive-In in Petaluma, California and reflects on how his lifelong passion for the original films led to his volunteer work at Steve Sansweet's Rancho Obi-Wan and donning Darth Vader's helmet for the 501st. Plus, a look back at the bizarrely unsettling early radio ads for Star Wars and the familiar voice behind them.
Australia-based Feature Presentation guest Mark Raats discusses his career as a movie poster artist. Originally from South Africa, Mark recalls early influences that inspired him to draw, his introduction to Star Wars on the big screen, and his longstanding collaboration with Lucasfilm. Breaking down the creative process for several of his standout Star Wars illustrations, Raats reinforces the importance of respecting traditions of the past while offering something different, culminating in his most recent piece for Solo: A Star Wars Story.
Heading back across the Atlantic, Feature Presentation guest Zia Rezvi remembers growing up with the Star Wars Trilogy on the big screen in the Belgian capital of Brussels. From his first glimpse of Star Wars in Readers Digest, Zia was intrigued. Rezvi reflects on his initial viewing at the historic Eldorado Cinema, getting Darth Vader’s autograph in the U.K., becoming enthralled with John Williams' score for The Empire Strikes Back, and anxiously recording a Return of the Jedi trailer on local television among many other memories, tracing the history of his fandom of the Original Trilogy that has never subsided.
With the saga's newest installment arriving in theaters, two generations of Jedi fans from the "Friendliest Small Town in America" offer reflections on the past and commentary on the present. In a welcome in-person interview, Feature Presentation guest Broc Walker recollects growing up in Murray, Kentucky and seeing Return of the Jedi at the Cheri Theatres as well as the ongoing significance of seeing Star Wars continue on the big screen through the eyes of his 7 year old son, who offers his own keen observations following his first viewing of The Last Jedi.
At last, the podcast returns with a Triple Feature dedicated to a special venue in the theatrical history of Star Wars: the Westgate Theatre in Beaverton, Oregon, whose 76 week engagement set the record for the film's longest in North America. First, Westgate soujourner Tracee Larson remembers her visits to the theater in the Summer of '77 and the empowering impact of Princess Leia. Next, Dave Ewing recounts his time as the young manager of the Westgate during the film's epic run, from dealing with hooligan hijinks to counting the movie's box office cash for hours on end. Finally, journalist and film historian Michael Coate sheds light on a court battle for the Westgate's big screen between Star Wars and Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
Crossing the border into the Great White North, Feature Presentation guest Scott Bradley of the Canadian Star Wars Gallery recalls seeing Star Wars at the Somerset Theatre in the capital city of Ottawa in August, 1977, enduring a local projectionists' strike in the Summer of 1980 by trekking to the suburb of Pembroke to finally catch The Empire Strikes Back, and scoffing at paying hustlers $5 a piece for Adam Joseph buttons while waiting in line for Return of the Jedi. Plus, Jedi's Canadian reception is explored through CBC News segments that aired amidst its debut.
Returning stateside, Feature Presentation guest and Staten Islander Shawn Moynihan looks back at his permanent transformation upon seeing Star Wars for the first time at the Fox Plaza Theatre in the Summer of 1977, reading the entire Empire Strikes Back Marvel comic adaptation before seeing the hard-hitting sequel in Menlo Park, New Jersey, and enduring one of the worst movies ever made to catch a glimpse of the trailer for the then-titled Revenge of the Jedi. Moynihan also reflects on the inseparable experiences of growing up with the movies in theaters and Kenner toys on store shelves. Plus, a breakdown of the original (and unconventional) teaser trailer for The Empire Strikes Back.
The first episode of the Star Wars at the Movies Podcast is a 40th Anniversary commemoration with a distinctly British sensibility. Following a brief look back at the original film's U.K. debut, Feature Presentation guest Mark Newbold from Jedi News recounts his movie-going memories growing up in the West Midlands of England. Newbold revisits his March, 1978 first viewing of Star Wars at the former ABC Cinema in Cannock and his endeavors to acquire early merchandise. Plus, some staggering statistics that shed light on the movie's rapid proliferation in cinemas across the United States.
In this inaugural "teaser" episode of the Star Wars at the Movies Podcast, host Stephen Danley introduces the show's concept and outlines its basic format, revisiting his first truly cinematic experience with the Star Wars Trilogy at a special hometown screening at the Arlington Theatre in the summer of 1992. Plus, a breakdown the very first (and at times, quite foreboding) teaser trailer for Star Wars that arrived in theaters during the holiday season of 1976.