CLASSIC IMAGE: PRISONER AND ESCORT!

Breaking through Jabba's palace enforcers on Tatooine, the mysterious bounty hunter Boushh arrives at court with his captured prey, the mighty Chewbacca. But how was this possible? And what surprise lays in store for the Hutt slug?

A great atmospheric image from Return of the Jedi. 

'JEDI' AT 40: INTRODUCING SY SNOOTLES...

The most popular and acclaimed alien singer on the star circuit, it can only be the memorable big-lipped Sy Snootles, belting out the popular 'Lapti Nek' hit track to the delight of her audience within Jabba the Hutt's palace on Tatooine.

Created by the ILM Creature Shop, Sy Snootles would become a popular monster by the time she reached the Elstree Studios set in early 1982, with extended red lips deliberately inspired by the iconic singer Mick Jagger. It's frame was operated by thin piano wire and rods from under the floor by puppeteers, whilst it's unique lips would sing to the microphone via a thin piece of piano wire that could pull them forward.

Maquette polaroid image by Phil Tippett.

Early under panel tests at ILM by Phil Tippett.

The fully conceived creature operated in more test filming by Tim Rose, presumably at ILM.

Some kind of test/rehearsal material. Close-up shots of Sy singing would also be performed by a puppeteer above set.

'JEDI' AT 40: PARTY TIME WITH MAX REBO AND THE BAND!

Slightly different outtake to the standard publicity released image.

Every night is party night at Jabba the Hutt's palace, and what better way to celebrate his ongoing criminal activities and continuous profit-making than a performance from Max Rebo and his music trio, performing the sensational and irreplaceable number 'Lapti Nek' to the great worm ridden filth of a gangster, alongside a special dancing performance to her master from his number one Twi'lek slave girl, Oola.

Created by the ILM team in California across Summer to Winter 1981, Rebo, horn/saxophone player Droopy McCool and singer Sy Snootles would be shipped to England for filming at Elstree for mid to late January 1982 onwards.

Original Max Rebo maquette.

Maquette with his electronic organ equipment.

The creature costume under construction at ILM.

Getting a paint job from Phil Tippett.

The costume and prop organ now arrived at the UK.

Positioned ion set for filming within Jabba's Palace.

Phil Tippett at Elstree supervises the puppet.

Filming the band on the Throne Room set at Elstree in January/February 1982.

Close-up filming.

With a drunk Bib Fortuna in a deleted scene moment conceived by David Tomblin with a second unit.

Richard Marquand gives on-set instructions.

Droopy McCool (Deep Roy) and Max Rebo (Simon Williamson) on the Throne Room set between takes.

Droopy McCool- a true musical talent!

'JEDI' AT 40: NEW EMPLOYMENT!

Now finding themselves employed to Jabba the Hutt's cruel services, Threepio and Artoo are soon herded by Gamorrean Guards to the palace's doom-laden droid dungeon, where, amongst the litter and carnage of destroyed and tortured protocol droids and astro units, they encounter the menacing droid master EV-9D9, who swiftly assigns Threepio to ongoing duties as an interpreter droid. Meanwhile, Artoo heads to Jabba's unique sail barge for a role that it will prove well suited for...

Lovely production painting art by Ralph McQuarrie used within his later Return of the Jedi portfolio, as well as numerous types of promotion linked to the film by 1983.

'JEDI' AT 40:THE MAKERS OF MONSTERS!

Two of film's greatest visionaries and pioneers in monster creation, from the UK and US - Stuart Freeborn and Phil Tippett - combine forces beautifully to create a splendid menagerie of grotesques for the memorable opening to Return of the Jedi, set within Jabba the Hutt's palace on Tatooine. And there's no greater and monumental grotesque than Jabba himself, specially built as an incredible feat of puppet engineering by Freeborn and his team at Elstree Studios. 

Two great behind the scenes images presumably taken either during the creatures dress rehearsal day at Elstree on 16th January, 1982, or possibly on 23rd January, or at the end of filming on the sequence by early February, 1982.

New British and American created aliens (plus re-used previous aliens created by Freeborn for the original Star Wars) gather for this memorable posed imagery. 

'JEDI' AT 40: INTRODUCING SALACIOUS B. CRUMB!

The Star Wars equivalent of Peter Lorre to Jabba the Hutt's Sydney Greenstreet, the creepy and nasty little Kowakian Monkey Lizard known as Salacious B. Crumb (named by creature-creating guru Phil Tippett), makes the most of his status within the court of Jabba the Hutt, and being aligned to the power and intimidation wrought by the super slug. A gross combination of a 'groupie' and a evil court jester type, for sure...

Brought to reality within the US environs of ILM's expansive 'Creature Shop' during 1981, its puppet operator would be the talented Tim Rose for the majority of filming at London's Elstree Studios during early 1982. 

A basic shape begins at ILM.

Evolving into its final form.

Getting a detailed spray painting for skin texture.

Tim Rose watching a monitor as he manipulates the puppet in tests/rehearsals.

Detailed looks as Salacious.

On set, and nastier than ever.

Director Richard Marquand offers acting advice.

A deleted scene moment of Bib Fortuna and Crumb getting drunk in the throne room. It was conceived on set and filmed by David Tomblin, but never made the final cut.

'JEDI' AT 40: DELIVERING MASTER LUKE'S MESSAGE!

As an impatient Jabba the Hutt and his monstrous entourage looks towards them, Threepio has Artoo play the special message to the crime lord from Luke Skywalker - Jedi Knight and friend to Captain Solo. Jabba is surprised to see a Jedi Knight, but is ultimately not impressed with him, refusing to give up his favourite wall decoration in Solo's carbonite form. On a more shocking note, Threepio discovers that Master Luke has given him and Artoo away to Jabba as an offered gift of service!

Luke's hologram message was filmed at then end of shooting at Elstree Studios. For some reason, the footage was shown in flipped form-note Mark Hamill's reversed hair style.

Conceptual art by Joe Johnston for Luke's hologram message scene at Jabba's Palace.

The sequence as captured in the film's Marvel Comics adaptation - art by Al Williamson and Carlos Garzon.

A busy time between scenes on the palace throne room set at Elstree.

On a packed set full of technicians and industry related visitors, the message scene is filmed with multiple cameras - January, 1982.

Alec Mills handles the cinematography as several stills photographers take images from floor level.