CLASSIC IMAGE: INTO THE CELL BAY!

"This is not gonna work!"

Now disguised as Imperial Stormtroopers, Luke's plan to rescue Princess Leia from the Death Star Cell Bay begins, much to the weary chagrin of Han Solo, in a classic scene of humour from the original Star Wars.

Some of the dialogue scenes linked to the Cell Block would be improvised or enhanced by Hamill and Ford during May 1976 filming.

'STAR WARS' AT 40: CELL BLOCK BATTLE!

Getting into the Death Star cell bay to rescue Princess Leia was one thing, but trying to get out of there with her...? Well, that's going to be a lot more difficult, as our unlikely quartet discover when Stormtroopers rush the scene and pin them down, in this great image from artists Howard Chaykin and Steve Leialoha, launching issue 4 of the original US STAR WARS comic from MARVEL in early 1977.

'STAR WARS' AT 40: A DAMSEL NOT IN DISTRESS!

"Peering through the smoke with an uncomprehending look on her face was the young woman whose portrait Artoo Detoo had projected in a garage on Tatooine several centuries ago, or so it seemed.

She was even more beautiful than her image, Luke decided, staring dazedly at her."You're even - more beautiful - than I -"

Her look of confusion and uncertainty was replaced by first puzzlement and then impatience. "Aren't you a little short for a storm trooper?" she finally commentated.

"What? Oh - the uniform" He removed the helmet, regaining a little composure at the same time. "I've come to rescue you. I'm Luke Skywalker."

"I beg your pardon?" she said politely.

"I said, I've come to rescue you. Ben Kenobi is with me. We've got your two 'droids - "

The uncertainty was instantly replaced by hope at the mention of the oldster's name."Ben Kenobi!" She looked around Luke, ignoring him as she searched for the Jedi."Where is he? Obi-Wan!"

From the STAR WARS novelization by George Lucas (Alan Dean Foster) - 1976 

The classic scene as in the movie was likely shot at Elstree Studios around May 11th or 19th, 1976.

'STAR WARS' AT 40: "BORING CONVERSATION ANYWAY!"

He knows he can only bluff so much when speaking to the confused Imperial officer on the other end of the line, so Han Solo does what he does best: blast the communicator!

To make the scene funny, instinctive and believable, Harrison Ford only cursorily studied the dialogue prior to filming the now infamous "boring conversation" scene. Note that this image was captured on set during rehearsal in May, 1976, and that the scene was filmed before the earlier action - the security cameras above Ford are very much undamaged by pyrotechnics.

'STAR WARS' AT 40: "WATCH OUT, HE'S LOOSE!"

Things get explosive in the Death Star cell block as our heroes and the binder's-free Chewbacca cause blaster mayhem, taking out the Imperial officer (Malcolm Tierney) and guards (Peter Diamond, Colin Skeaping and Reg Harding) and the many ceiling security monitors in the process.

Now they have to find out which cell the Princess is housed, within the labyrinth cell horizon ahead...

GOODBYE, MALCOLM TIERNEY...

"Where are you taking this... thing?!"

Famous words from the original STAR WARS, as spoken by British actor Malcolm Tierney in 1976 playing the suspicious commander of the Death Star cell bay. Tierney sadly passed away last week at the age of 75. Beyond his now infamous STAR WARS contribution, he was a popular character actor in all types of popular UK based series, including a notable appearance in eighties DOCTOR WHO, plus stints in the popular comedy drama series LOVEJOY and the soap opera BROOKSIDE. Film work continued, especially a key role in Mel Gibson's Scottish revolution epic: BRAVEHEART.

Malcolm Tierney, RIP...

STAR WARS AFICIONADO MAGAZINE: MALCOLM TIERNEY