THE 'HOLIDAY SPECIAL' AT 40: FALCON FLYING BUDDIES!

Image from the personal collection of Miki Herman.

Though lots of key props for the original Star Wars (filmed at the UK's Elstree Studios during 1976) had been retained in a London warehouse for potential sequel use (for the never ultimately made, potential cheapie sequel Splinter of the Mind's Eye) the original Millennium Falcon cockpit interior had long since been destroyed by the time The Star Wars Holiday Special was green-lit for production. So, for its brief appearance launching that programme's story, a very basic reproduction was constructed for TV studios videotaping involving Harrison Ford and Peter Mayhew, flying once more as Han Solo and Chewbacca. Both are seen here having fun with much-liked Lucasfilm liaison/consultant Miki Herman, who was also a key figure for the Making of Star Wars TV documentary shown on US TV the previous Summer.