'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: INTRODUCING JABBA THE HUTT!

Deep in the heart of Jabba's palace on Tatooine, our unlikely droid pals are finally introduced to the Hutt slimo supreme within his throne room fantasy land of greed, power and ambition, flanked on either side by his dancing pleasure girl Oola (dancer Femi Taylor), and the creepy Kowakian Monkey Lizard called Salacious Crumb (operated by actor/puppeteer Tim Rose).

The first time we see the grotesque but living up to his evildom Jabba on screen in Return of the Jedi, in an arena atmospherically captured by top UK cinematographer Alan Hume (with support from Alec Mills), Stuart Freeborn's incredible skills at realizing this bulky and fascinatingly gross creature, from Phil Tippet's crazy but brilliant maquette, are firmly cemented, indeed it proves itself as a deliberate, direct tribute requested by George Lucas to the classic B/W film baddie Sydney Greenstreet and other odious baddies of similar ilk within the realms of Hollywood noir.  

CLASSIC IMAGE: SALACIOUS DAYS!

Though Jabba the Hutt was the biggest star of the alien universe of Return of the Jedi, his little sidekick Salacious Crumb was the clear scene stealer, as brought to wicked life on and off screen by Tim Rose from the creature's seat of power and intimidation on the Throne Room set of Elstree Studios during 1983. Director Richard Marquand particularly enjoyed seeing the character brought to life on screen, as seen here giving direction to the little horror.

"Hey, where's Edgar?' Time Rose brings Salacious to life at ILM.

Not everyone enjoyed Salacious Crumb and his talents, though. An hilarious anecdote from Tim Rose on how Harrison Ford tried to fire the character actor/puppeteer during the early filming:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-7093041/Harrison-Ford-tried-Admiral-Ackbar-puppeteer-Jamie-Stangroom-fired-Return-Jedi.html

CLASSIC IMAGE: SALACIOUS SIDEKICK!

Keeping his watchful eyes and snout on proceedings within Jabba the Hutt's Palace on Tatooine, Salacious B. Crumb was very much the STAR WARS equivalent of Peter Lorre (if a lot smaller) to Jabba's bulky and intimidating Sydney Greenstreet, during the beginning of RETURN OF THE JEDI.

This shot was one of numerous images sent as reference to KENNER back in 1982 when the ROTJ toy line was in preparation.

UNCHAINED WOMAN! CARRIE FISHER AT THE MADAME TUSSAUDS 'STAR WARS EXPERIENCE'

Images: MADAME TUSSAUDS.

Giving her seal of approval, Carrie Fisher (accompanied by the beloved Gary the dog) poses for a special publicity session with her magnificent Slave Leia waxwork rendition, alongside the grossly immortal Jabba the Hutt keeping her prisoner, within the excellent STAR WARS EXPERIENCE exhibition at London's Madame Tussauds, part of twelve specially recreated scenes from across the first six movies, and which will soon showcase additional characters from The Force Awakens.

Star Wars' Carrie Fisher meets her character Princess Leia at Madame Tussauds in London  | Daily Mail Online

Get tickets here: Madame Tussauds™ London: One of London's Best Tourist Attractions

FACEBOOK page: Madame Tussauds London

Star Wars Celebration The Ultimate Fan Experience - Star Wars Celebration • July 15 - 17, 2016

CLASSIC IMAGE: JABBA IN DA HOUSE!

Here's another classic B/W image sent by LUCASFILM to KENNER for reference use in 1982/83, this time of Jabba and friends from RETURN OF THE JEDI, inside the palace throne room on Tatooine. If ever there was a great image that should be released via OFFICIAL PIXS, this is certainly one worthy for consideration.

C'mon, OP, release more rare JEDI pics please!

And, check out this great and highly informative web feature from John Coppinger going behind the scenes at Jabba's creation : Star Wars - Passion4Makeup Magazine

With thanks to Chris Baker for the image.


And, linked to JEDI, check out this rare interview material (including Richard Marquand conversation)/behind the scenes footage that has returned to YOUTUBE about the making of JEDI, and most importantly, the creation of Jabba's Palace creatures/ Sail Barge.

YouTube - mrjohnavery's Channel
YouTube - ROTJ Richard Marquand, Anthony Daniels

With thanks to the YOUTUBE posters for these great TV finds.