CLASSIC IMAGE: UNFRIENDLY GESTURES!

He said things 'could get a little rough', and Ben wasn't kidding, as Luke finds out during an unfortunate incident with wanted criminals 'Ugly Human' (aka Doctor Evazan) and 'Walrus Man' (aka Ponda Baba), in an intriguing Cantina scene angle not seen in the finished Star Wars.

Alfie Curtis's original UK UGLY agency showcase advert from the seventies.

I was sad to hear of the recent passing of Alfie Curtis, who played Evazan, at the end of last year:

https://www.fanthatracks.com/news/film-music-tv/alfie-curtis-dr-evazan-passed-away/

A look at the human characters of the Cantina: http://www.starwars.com/news/meet-the-humans-from-the-mos-eisley-cantina

'STAR WARS' AT 40: A FATAL MOVE!

All aggressive, quick to draw their blasters humans and alien scum of the universe should take heed of the fate of the humanoid Doctor Evazan and his associate Ponda Baba in the Mos Eisley Cantina on Tatooine. They thought they could intimidate, bully, threaten and kill a seemingly innocent and precocious young boy and his old hermit acquaintance. Unfortunately, they didn't count on the old hermit being a Jedi and carrying a lightsaber. So that was the end of them!

Alec Guinness gets ready to film the lightsaber move.

Curtis and Ilsey photographed before the rehearsal/filming. Guns and limb already positioned on floor.

Taken out by Kenobi in this reaction footage.

Falling to the floor.

Further reaction shot of the duo, with limb nearby.

Filming the classic scene took place at Elstree on Tuesday 20th April 1976, with Alfie Curtis as the "Ugly Human" and Tommy Ilsey (presumed) as "Walrus Man". Note the original severed alien cup hand replaced in post production with a hairy five-fingered arm. In one of the pre-filming script drafts, the little bat-like creature next to them (credited in that day's call sheet to Gilda Cohen, though Rusty Goffe is the official inhabitant of the mask) was supposed to have been with the evil pair in taking on Kenobi, though this was ultimately changed (the idea of a third creature participant- a little rodent-like being, is also present in the official 1976 novelisation- all three slain in a fast and gruesome way by Kenobi). Off screen from the aftermath, we presume that the mutilated duo limped off fast after collapsing from Obi-Wan's strike, or that the Cantina management had the bodies quickly spirited away by a clean-up crew before any Imperials showed up!

BEHIND THE SCENES: JENNY AND THE MONSTERS!

Another day of fun and danger in the Mos Eisley Cantina! Image: Kurtz/Joiner Archive. 

Lovely "Local Girl", and occasional smooching partner to Han Solo, Jenny (as played by Jenny Cresswell, also known in sci-fi circles for her background appearances in many numerous episodes of the also shot in the UK series SPACE: 1999), watches goings-on on the Mos Eisley Cantina in this in-between shots image taken in April/May 1976 at Elstree Studios. In front of her is one of the Rodian "Alien" creatures- we presume Greedo, played by Paul Blake. Note that the alien's masked hands have not yet been properly attached to the costume. Next to them are a variety of aliens and humanoids including several suited spacemen (one wearing a stock yellow outfit previously used in 60's and 70's DOCTOR WHO, presumably pulled in from the costume warehouse), and a Mosep creature.

Script Supervisor Ann Skinner's costume continuity notes for Jenny Cresswell's character- "Long hair forward over shoulder. Terra-shirt lapped over from right to left- gaping to show boobs. Tied on her left side. Brown suede knee boots. Brown suede skirt (to knees)."

Bald alien female Leesub (Pam Rose) with a Mosep and several humanoid extras (including a later seen Jabba thug played by Tommy Weldin). Image: Ann Skinner/ BFI.

Unseen continuity Polaroids from Miss Skinner currently held by the BFI's Special Collection include one B/W faded full-length image of Cantina aliens towards right of the bar in the smoky environment: pipe-breathing Dannik in corner relaxing by bar tip, Dr. Evazan nearby with Walrus Man, and Luke Skywalker. Another B/W towards left side of the the bar shows Dannik and the multi-armed alien bug third along in shot. Theres' also one colour Polaroid three-quarter length of Doctor Evazan (without gun) and Kabe (aka Bat creature).

Skinner's handwritten notes refer to Walrus Man as "Walrus", with a "piggy monster" (presumably Dr. Evazan (played by Alfie Curtis)). In a small list of creature notes, she lists for front of the bar: "Gas Mask", "Flash Gordon" (the small person later seen running about in the street, played by Marcus Gilbert), "tall man with wrinkly nose", and "hyad" (spelling incorrect here- hard to decipher from the handwriting). Plus: "Gilda (Cohen) - left of matron" (or Marion?)/ "Jenny (Cresswell) behind Gilda."

Walrus Man (Tommy Ilsley) makes an adjustment to his mask between filming scenes. Image: Ann Skinner/BFI.

Other vague aliens or humans handwritten described by Miss Skinner are "Pixie", "Goggles" (presumably Tommy Weldin), "2 girls" (presumably the space hookers- Tonnika Twins), "Man in black anorak", "Pipe" and "Mantis" (presumably the massive fly/stick-insect/ Preying Mantis figure seen at the back of the right side of the bar).

With thanks to Ann Skinner and the BFI Special Collection.

STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: BEHIND THE SCENES: WHERE EVERYBODY KNOWS YOUR NAME...

The space pilot now named Boshek. Image: STAR WARS ARCHIVES Facebook page.

The identity of an important background extra in the Cantina sequence, the space pilot who recommended Obi-Wan to Chewbacca (as heard in the later SW audio drama), has also finally been revealed, played by UK artist Basil Tomlin: Billy Jensen - Storytelling, Product Building, Crime Solving, Money Making

BEHIND THE SCENES IMAGE: A LOAD OF HOT AIR!

The disfigured humanoid who attacks Luke in the Cantina, played by British actor Alfie Curtis, and later named Doctor Evazan in the Expanded Universe, receives some special care and attention treatment from make-up artist Charlie Parker at ELSTREE during STAR WARS filming in April/May 1976 at ELSTREE.