GOODBYE, GARY KURTZ - A PHOTO TRIBUTE (PART TWO)

Have camera will travel! Gary Kurtz on location in Norway for The Empire Strikes Back. Image via Damien Slattery/Facebook.

STAR WARS AFICIONADO continues its visual archive celebration of the work and dedication of the late producer Gary Kurtz to the Star Wars saga, who sadly passed away last Sunday. This final part concentrates on his accomplished creative and artistic contribution for the film that many fans consider to be the finest entry of all: The Empire Strikes Back.

Part One:
https://starwarsaficionado.blogspot.com/2018/09/goodbye-gary-kurtz-photo-tribute-part.html

Archive material:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O10Aesc5hw4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=es7bfrrk0yI

(12) Star Wars discussed on BBC Heart of the Matter in 1980 - YouTube

With thanks to Chris Baker for selected imagery.

Enjoying a quiet break between takes with director Irvin Kershner in Norway.

Working out the set arrangements on the all-new Star Wars Stage at Elstree, with Ralph McQuarrie, Norman Reynolds and a bearded Peter Suschitzky.

A genuine creative dream team: Kershner and Kurtz with the newly arrived in London George Lucas and Lawrence Kasdan.

Ironing out the script with the main stars at Elstree.

Harrison welcomes Lucas and Paul Hirsch outside the Falcon interior set.

Supervising a camera test with a lighting double filling in for Dave Prowse.

Kurtz on the Bespin set with his co-stars Hamill and Fisher. Image: Kurtz/Joiner Archive.

Working out camera angles on the nearly finished Rebel hangar set at Elstree.

Taking his turn on the prop Tauntaun.

The launch of the new stage to the press, alongside Ford and Kurtz.

Kurtz on the impressive set with the newly built Falcon vessel in the background.

Clowning around with their producer on the Medical Frigate set.

Attending to Hamill's injury make-up in backlot pick-ups at Elstree. Image: Kurtz/Joiner Archive.

Helping Mark through the long and arduous shoot on the Dagobah set, with a dummy Yoda seen here.

At one of the sound/music recording sessions, also with Robert Watts.

All together for the Washington D.C. charity premiere of TESB.

All suited up with an unknown young fan for the London Royal Premiere-May 1980.

Kurtz, Marilou and Mark Hamill with Princess Margaret.

Mark clowns around as Kurtz and Billy Dee Williams look more somber at a press launch.

Happy days promoting TESB in Japan.

Friends reunited at the launch of the final VHS version of the unaltered trilogy in London, circa 1995.