'SPECIAL EDITION' CLASSIC IMAGE: INSIDE DOCKING BAY 94!

The legendary scene once witnessed only briefly in its raw form within the classic From Star Wars to Jedi: The Making of a Saga documentary of 1983, now enhanced with CGI, as Han Solo and Jabba the Hutt spar at Mos Eisley spaceport's Docking Bay 94, within the seemingly constantly revised Star Wars Trilogy Special Editions, all of which were truly enjoyed by fans upon original release during Jan-March, 1997 (but sadly became controversial over time), kickstarting the saga anew on the big screen whilst also generating a helluva lot of money, much of its tie-in profits ultimately going towards the production costs of the then eagerly awaited, upcoming Prequels, to debut in 1999.

https://www.slashfilm.com/845091/why-a-pivotal-harrison-ford-star-wars-scene-sat-unfinished-for-20-years/?fbclid=IwAR16aWpLTeUSBzohJoC3I0irThjqHQXW9n0iWW5zi8STfIaUepxqkyhaNts

This image and above: the  CGI sequence as seen and updated from 2004 onwards.

1990's storyboard for the revised scene.

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: KSOURS OF THE PAST AND PRESENT

The intriguing granary stores housing of Medenine would be transformed into the memorable slave quarter dwellings of Mos Espa on Tatooine, home to the just about surviving mother and son Skywalker family. The set decorators for EPISODE I clearly did an incredible job, as seen in these great Tunisian location images from Summer 1997, with great continuity to the original work established for A New Hope twenty-one years earlier..

Rick McCallum and George Lucas with the remote controlled Artoo, prior to filming the sandstorm scene at the location.

Though suited perfectly for EPISODE I, the Ksours had originally been planned to be used back in 1976 as a location for Mos Eisley, scouted by producer Gary Kurtz and production designer John Barrr, who provided the sketch below for the scene, ultimately cut from the production time for schedule and budget reasons, where Luke and his party landspeeder through an area of town that would be home to a Jawa community.

John Barry production sketch.

'STAR WARS' AT 40: BACK TO THE CANTINA...

On a hastily built set within a downtown Los Angeles studio, George Lucas and fellow film-making chum Carroll Ballard (later director of the children's classic, The Black Stallion) as his director of photography, prepare to film a 24th January, 1977 shot of a Hammerhead creature for an aliens insert scene set in the Mos Eisley Cantina, for the original Star Wars.

'STAR WARS' AT 40: THE FREEBORN MONSTER FACTORY!

Stuart Freeborn at work on one of the Chewbacca face masks for the Classic Trilogy.

Already an industry legend with regards to make-ups and make-up techniques on the likes of Stanley Kubrick films' Dr. Strangelove and 2001: A Space Odyssey, British talent Stuart Freeborn was the go-to guy for George Lucas once his base of operations for filming the original Star Wars had been set up in the UK. The first creature to get Freeborn's attention was the soon-doomed thug Greedo, re-worked from and based on a previous alien design that Lucas had seen and been impressed by in his London workshop. Then came the beloved wookiee costume for Chewbacca that had to be specifically created using yak hair and via the same special techniques so effectively showcased in the late sixties with the ape-men for 2001. Illness forced Freeborn to abandon work on several never competed Cantina aliens by May 1976, with Rick Baker's US creature make-ups team eventually filling in the gaps with 1977 additional shooting.

A colourized image of some of Freeborn's Mos Eisley aliens at Elstree - May 1976.

Freeborn and Peter Mayhew at Shepperton Studios- mid-May 1976.

A funny, dedicated, much-loved and much-missed inspirational creative genius, Stuart Freeborn, his wife Kay, son Graham, and the rest of his dedicated make-up team would return for the following two Classic Trilogy adventures and even bigger, ambitious creations.

As part of their special Star Wars themed evening on Thursday 21st December, 2017, the UK's BBC 4 have a special documentary showcasing the best of British talent to have worked on the saga over forty years: The Galaxy Britain Built. We're hoping that the more than qualified Freeborn family will be amongst those greats showcased...

'STAR WARS' AT 40: CANTINA DELIGHTS...

In the diverse human and alien filled Cantina of Mos Eisley spaceport, barkeep Wuher (Ted Burnett) enjoys the view and company of the statuesque and striking 'space girls' later named the Tonnika Sisters by the Expanded Universe (played by lovely model/actresses Angela Staines (in green) and Christine Hewett (blue), whose scenes were filmed in mid to late April 1976 on a smokey and atmospheric set at Elstree Studios.

Check out this great all-new interview via Victoria's Cantina with the rarely seen, lively and informative Angela Staines:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8Yu1fKCDko

With thanks to Chris Baker for the heads-up.

'STAR WARS' AT 40: WITNESS THE 'PIRATE SHIP'!

Inside Docking Bay 94 at Mos Eisley spaceport, our heroes get their first glimpse of Han Solo's much-boasted-about smuggling vessel, the Millennium Falcon, as seen in this conceptual painting by Ralph McQuarrie that was soon altered- the craft having been given a rapid, massive redesign in late 1975 by Lucas and ILM, due to its similarities visually to the Eagle craft of the then airing TV series SPACE:1999.

Early thumbnail sketch by McQuarrie for the 'pirate ship' in Dockings Bay 94.

https://starwarsaficionado.blogspot.co.uk/2010/08/ilm-classic-image-first-falcon.html

Check out this great online feature about the creation of the Falcon:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbFu0UNuf9Q

'STAR WARS' AT 40: BACK TO THE CANTINA!

Another one of the finest STAR WARS posters ever produced, as the Hildebrandt Brothers take us back into the atmospheric delights of the creature-packed Mos Eisley Cantina- nostalgically, I first remember seeing this image used in the UK/US STAR WARS souvenir magazine of 1977/78, whose faded pages and ripped corners are a fine testament as to how much I enjoyed reading it from cover to cover, both then and now.

CLASSIC IMAGE: TIME TO WIN A RACE!

Its time for the lively and dangerous Boonta Eva pod race at Mos Espa and young Anakin Skywalker couldn't have better support and friendship than with old pal Kitster and new friend in R2-D2, during important Tatooine set events of EPISODE I.

STAR WARS AFICIONADO sends out Birthday Greetings to Jake Lloyd!

And discover what happened to Kitster actor Druv Chanchani here: The Last Jedi Filmmakers At Celebration and Kitster Attempts a High-Five (Again) - YouTube

'STAR WARS' AT 40: WHISPERS AND OBSERVERS...

Atmospheric shot of one of the Mos Eisley streets built at Elstree.

The deal is done, the Speeder is sold and now our heroes rush to meet up with their hidden droids, and depart via Docking Bay 94. But in the small enclosed streets of Mos Eisley, nefarious spies and observers have their eyes out for anything looks suspicious...

Rushing to get their affairs in order.

On the way to Docking Bay 94, reunited with the droids.

Stuart Freeborn's creature collective pose on the Mos Eisley streets at Elstree in May 1976.

Star Wars Insider magazine creature guide.

'STAR WARS' AT 40: "SORRY FOR THE MESS!"

The original "Han shoots first" scene with Greedo, as presented in the original 1976 Marvel Comics adaptation: Issue Two, 1976. Art by Howard Chaykin. Adaptor Roy Thomas uses most of the dialogue as originally scripted and filmed beween Harrison Ford and Paul Blake at Elstree.

'STAR WARS' AT 40: "FAST SHIP?"

From first impressions, Luke may not be impressed with Han Solo's grand blase about his Corellian flying skills and starship, but Ben Kenobi senses that there's more to the pilot and his loyal Wookiee friend than meets the eye, in this alternate take image of a classic image in the Cantina.

Seemingly one of their primary operating bases, Tatooine and the Mos Eisley Cantina will hopefully make some kind of appearance in the new standalone HAN SOLO movie, which commenced shooting at Pinewood Studios yesterday.

With Alan Dean Foster's novelisation of the original film being done without seeing much completed footage, Chewbacca is described as wearing two bandoliers around him (an idea that can be seen in pre-production concept art for the film in 1975/76.

'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!

'STAR WARS' AT 40: THE TRANSATLANTIC CANTINA SCENES

Lucas oversees the new Cantina insert filming.

With the UK Cantina set footage not proving as successful as he'd wanted it to be, the necessity of extra filming during post production saw some additional alien creatures photographed and inserted into the final editing, created courtesy of rising star make-up genius Rick Baker and his inspired, youthful team, including the likes of Phil Tippett, Jon Berg and Laine Liska.

Filming on a smooth booth set in a Los Angeles studio in January 1977.

Rare and Wacky Behind-the-Scenes Photos of the... - Gwynne Watkins

http://www.starwars.com/news/much-to-learn-you-still-have-9-things-you-might-not-know-about-the-aliens-of-star-wars-a-new-hope

'STAR WARS' AT 40: THE CANTINA

Though he's never not been aware of other worlds and lifeforms, Luke is briefly taken aback by the wide variety of humanoid and alien creatures gathered in one of Mos Eisley spaceport's most popular Cantina den's of iniquity and deal making- a perfect place for Ben Kenobi to open discreet channels for a passenger charter vessel to Alderaan with some local, or not so local, pilot talent.

A classic scene showing the many make-ups and masks created by Stuart Freeborn and his UK team, and the now iconic diverse and interesting looking extras hired in, from careers spanning across UK film and television appearances of the sixties and seventies, to play the various bar attendees.

Meet the Humans from the Mos Eisley Cantina | StarWars.com

'STAR WARS' AT 40: ENTERING MOS EISLEY SPACEPORT

Having cleared the Stormtrooper check-point, our heroes enter the main hub streets of Mos Eisley spaceport, as filmed in the small sea port area of Ajim, Tunisia, decorated with an incredible universe of props and set dressings, on April 2nd, 1976 (of which Sir Alec Guinness' birthday was also celebrated). This is a great image showing the geography of the area - note the far end location of the check-point for a distance shot coming in that never made the finished movie. Director of Photography Gilbert Taylor can be seen top of the scaffold wearing the blue cap, as well as an obscured Lucas wearing his trademark check shirt.

Getting ready to drive in.

Behind the scenes angle.

Deleted establishing shot-alternate take, seen in what was once called The Lost Cut.

BEHIND THE SCENES: STREET PATROL!

A patrol of six Imperial Stormtroopers on the streets of Mos Eisley spaceport are soon quickly surprised by the sight of the unauthorised Millennium Falcon blasting out of Docking Bay 94, in a sequence filmed on location in the small Tunisian town of Adjim (Ajim), Djerba, for the original STAR WARS, circa 2nd April, 1976.

Shot of the troopers as they turn to see the Falcon (ILM added in post) blast away.

Behind the scenes, the film's original Script Supervisor Ann Skinner took a so far not seen by the public continuity colour Polaroid of this filming- a wide shot similar to the above top image, with a costume technician attending to one of the near middle left troopers. The Stormtroopers were played by Tunisian locals, whom the late Stunt Coordinator Peter Diamond recalled were difficult to liaise with, as they didn't speak a word of English.

With thanks to Ann Skinner and the BFI.

CLASSIC IMAGE: THE REAL WOLFMAN JACK!

He may be off the official visual history of STAR WARS since the rise of The Special Editions, but the Wolfman of the Mos Eisley Cantina nonetheless remains an integral part of fandom's collective consciousness. He will return back to proper celluloid insert existence once day, I have no doubt!

I was sad to hear the recent news of Make-up legend Rick Baker's retirement- he and his diverse team working on additional 1977 creature sequences in the US were such an important part of the original film's memorable success, alongside those originally created in 1976 by the UK's Stuart Freeborn.

SWCA: Secrets of the Mos Eisley Cantina Panel Liveblog | StarWars.com

BEHIND THE SCENES: SPEEDER DEALER!

Image: Ann Skinner/BFI.

He's lovingly maintained his Landspeeder since he was young, but Luke only just gets the sales money he needs for Obi-Wan when bartering with Mos Eisley speeder dealer Wioslea (played by Barry Copping, also credited to David Stone), in this scene filmed at Elstree Studios in April, 1976.

Script supervisor Ann Skinner's handwritten costume notes for Wioslea (aka alien dealer): "Purple top cloak-over head beige brown long dress under cloak." Also in her notes, a "Chicken Legs" creature (played by Peter Barbour, wearing stilts and later terrorising "Little Flash Gordon" (Marcus Powell) in a deleted scene), "red/white robot goes across R to L as Luke moves to get poncho", and "white 3po" with "dustbin droid' lurking about.

Other Skinner hand-written notes talk about one of the street extras: "Woman sitting on right side of alley with a silver bowl of dark veg on her knee and small bowls in front" and "Mouse R(2?) of doorway."

I found a pair of giant chicken leg stilts used by my dad in Star Wars - now they're up for auction

Anthony Daniels in a cameo as CZ-3.

As well as the above image, two further colour Polaroids from Skinner, not yet revealed outside the BFI, show Ben with a blue treadwell track robot with squat head, and a three-quarter length of Anthony Daniels as the white droid later named CZ-3 (similar to the above image).

With thanks to Ann Skinner and the BFI Special Collections.

BEHIND THE SCENES: MAYHEW's WOOKIEE PRIME!

Image: Ann Skinner/BFI.

Peter Mayhew's first day of filming as Chewbacca on the Docking Bay 94 set at Elstree Studios, within Stuart Freeborn's superb yak hair material costume, is captured for continuity purposes on Polaroid by STAR WARS original Script Supervisor, Ann Skinner.

From Miss Skinner 's typed pre-filming character/costume continuity notes for Chewbacca, conceived at least a month or two before the character became the one we know and love: "Chewbacca. 8' savage looking creature - baboon-like, large yellow eyes, 2 chrome bandoliers and a flak jacket, brown cloth shorts, 200 years old WOOKIEE. Sc. 82 : Electric handcuffs put on and Sc. 88 undone- lost in that area. Takes a large rifle in that scene- ? keeps it." So, there were some early ideas for the Wookiee to indeed have worn pants!

A Wookiee takes shape in this conceptual art!

With thanks to Ann Skinner and the BFI Special Collections.

STAR WARS AFICIONADO sends out Birthday greetings today to Peter Mayhew, and look forward to seeing him back in action as the 235-year old "fuzzball" for THE FORCE AWAKENS.