EPISODE VII: FISHY WARRIOR!

His experiences in tactical combat helped bring down the Galactic Empire, now Admiral Ackbar's resolute services have been recruited anew by General Leia Organa to fight the rising menace of the First Order, as the Calamarian becomes a vital part of the Resistance in The Force Awakens, the beloved character once more inhabited by Tim Rose.

'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: 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.

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

EPISODE VII: PREPARING FOR RETALIATION!

"We're still at war with First Order. A war that won't end until either it or the Resistance is destroyed. The next time, without Luke, we won't stand a chance."

A potential lead-in to the events of EPISODE VIII, General Leia Organa addresses the members of her Resistance, warning them that the First Order will retaliate with the destruction of Starkiller Base. This scene can be found in Alan Dean Foster's novelisation of THE FORCE AWAKENS and takes place just as Artoo is reactivating himself from self-enforced slumber. In post production, the gathering scene was likely cut/re-worked for pacing reasons, to hammer home the events of Han's death with Leia and Chewie and then get the audience swiftly perked up for Artoo's return with his vital piece of the holographic map leading to Luke.

CLASSIC IMAGE: FISHY HEROISM!

He was at the centre of the leadership of the Rebellion against the Empire, and now plays a vital part in the subsequent battle against the emergent First Order: Mon Calamari icon Admiral Ackbar and a few of his lieutenants pose for a RETURN OF THE JEDI publicity picture circa 1982.

STAR WARS AFICIONADO was sorry to hear of the recent passing of Ackbar voice actor Erik Bauersfield, who recently returned, along with Tim Rose, to bring the character back to life for THE FORCE AWAKENS.

Erik Bauersfeld Dead: Admiral Ackbar Voice Actor Was 93 - Hollywood Reporter
2015 interview: Erik Bauersfeld: The Voice behind Admiral Ackbar - YouTube

With thanks to Chris Baker

CLASSIC IMAGE: FISHY FINE DETAILS...

Inside the bulky Mon Calamari costume, actor/puppeteer Tim Rose delivers important dialogue as Rebel leader Admiral Ackbar, during Elstree filming of February 1982, for RETURN OF THE JEDI.

He went to make an appearance in THE CLONE WARS, and here's hoping old Acky returns for more hand gesticulating, plan-making Republic-dom for EPISODE VII.

THE LIFE AQUATIC: THE REAL ADMIRAL ACKBAR SPEAKS!

Iconic Rebel Alliance hero Admiral Ackbar of the Mon Calamari has had a very good 12 months, what with his appearance in the epic four-part story arc that was the CLONE WARS adventure Water War, and as a comedian in fun spoofs like ROBOT CHICKEN. His classic line, "It's a Trap!", has now become legendary, too.

Operated as a puppet by Tim Rose on the Elstree sets of England during February 1982, the final voice of the character in 1982/83 post-producion was ultimately provided by actor/academic Erik Bauersfeld. Check out this recent interview that he did for the SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE: Being Admiral Ackbar: Berkeley man reflects on brush with “Star Wars” | The Big Event | an SFGate.com blog, in which he talks about how he got the role of Ackbar and the legacy of playing the part (as well as voicing Bob Fortuna and being a voice test candidate for ESB's Yoda when it wasn't confirmed that Frank Oz would be doing the final voice).

With thanks to the OFFICIAL STARWARS.COM site for the heads-up...

CLASSIC IMAGE: ON ACKBAR'S WATCH

On the top deck command bridge of the immense Rebel Cruiser Home One, the skilled Mon Calamari tactician Admiral Ackbar, as voiced by the multi-talented Tim Rose, overseas the upcoming attack on the Death Star II.