GOODBYE, JAY BENEDICT...

Image: Jay Benedict/Wordpress.

Though his one and only brief scene as a background artist playing bored Tatooine kid Deak ultimately didn't appear in the original Star Wars back in 1977, popular film/TV American actor Jay Benedict was nonetheless a welcome, witty and personable presence at conventions around the world revealing behind the scenes information on his scene with Mark Hamill and company shot in April 1976 at Elstree Studios, which, for years, was never properly available on home entertainment to see. His passing, linked to the awful Coronavirus that has truly blighted the world, is very sad news indeed and he will be much missed- always a fine character actor in the projects he appeared. Star Wars Aficionado sends its condolences to his family and friends in this difficult time.

Jay Benedict in the background to the now infamous Toschi Station deleted scene.

https://jbenedict.wordpress.com/

https://www.fanthatracks.com/news/film-music-tv/rest-in-peace-jay-benedict-deak-in-a-new-hope/?fbclid=IwAR0l30B79YQYUzc25jeIZPicm4FoJvi4Ot_uiwZaOc6cynDOgHgflH373ao

'STAR WARS' AT 40: A CAUSE TO BELIEVE IN...

It's like old times, if only temporarily, for Luke, as his best friend Biggs Darklighter (Garrick Hagon) seemingly makes a quick surprise visit to Anchorhead in order to see him and the old Tosche station gang. In secret, however, Biggs has another ulterior motive for his travels, letting Luke secretly know that he is about to jump ship from the Imperial Space Academy to join the growing Rebellion whose cause he passionately believes in, during an ultimately deleted scene from 1977, thankfully being made commercially available vin 2011, via Blu-ray. It was first screened to an unsuspected and soon delighted San Diego Comic Con fan audience on 28/7/97.

Being Biggs: A Conversation with Garrick Hagon | StarWars.com

Behind the scenes B-roll footage:
https://britishcinematographer.co.uk/ronald-taylor-bsc-ronnie-1924-2018/

Mark Hamill on the classic scene:
https://www.fanthatracks.com/interviews/mark-hamill-on-lukes-a-new-hope-journey-luke-wants-to-be-in-the-empire-if-it-will-get-him-off-the-farm/?fbclid=IwAR3iulx31ErzAtqwcjOIRH_xljL3DM9g1FNfHmLDZ9u5KVs2vyx77JL8W6E

BEHIND THE SCENES: ANCHORHEAD AND TOSCHE STATION

Location production recce images of the eventual Tosche Station site, taken by John Barry and his team in 1975.

Here's some great images of/linked to the Djerba fishing village site in Tunisia used for the original STAR WARS, involving scenes of Luke and his young friends at Tosche Station, filmed during early April 1976, and at the end of main location photography.

Drawing of the site. Not sure if this is from the time, or a later created reference image.

Reference image of the redressed location. This angle would be used for a separate establishing shot for Mos Eisley.

Similar colour image.

Angle of the Djerba mosque from the other side, not showing the shoreline.

The classic deleted scene where Luke and Biggs say goodbye.

Also filmed for the Anchorhead scene was the earlier moment where an angry old woman screams at Luke in his Landspeeder (presumably the craft was to have been superimposed going past her by ILM).

More on the filming in Tunisia and London here: STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: TOSCHE STATION

Angry local woman. Love the background Jawas slouched about!

It is unknown if the woman was played by a Tunisian extra or someone linked to the UK crew (I think it may be the latter). The short scene released on the 2011 Blu-ray was soundless. According to the film's UK Script Supervisor Ann Skinner's handwritten notes, the woman's line was adjusted from "I told you kids to slow down" to "I've told you kids not to go so fast."

With thanks to Ann Skinner and the BFI.

BEHIND THE SCENES: "THAT'S NO BATTLE, HOT SHOT!"

Outside Tosche Station, Luke Skywalker's prior wide-eyed innocence and thirst for adventure ruins his attempts to convince his young friends that a real-life space battle is indeed taking place high above Tatooine, in this now legendary deleted scene from the original STAR WARS, shot in the last days of location filming at the fishing village island of Djerba, Tunisia.

Star Wars A New Hope Lost Scenes - YouTube

Here's a selection of UK Script Supervisor Ann Skinner's continuity Polaroids from the end of the Tunisian filming in April 1976, including costume reference images of Biggs (Garrick Hagon), Camie (played by Koo Stark) and Fixer (Anthony Forrest).

Intriguing shot from the shore-line towards the filming.

Garrick Hagon as Biggs.

Koo Stark as Camie.

Anthony Forrest as Fixer.

Ann Skinner's advance script/character notes for Biggs from early 1976:

BIGGS DARKLIGHTER: Slightly older than Luke. Sc(ene).9: dressed in flashy city attire.

With thanks to Ann Skinner and the BFI.

Blast it Biggs! Where are you?! - By @jamieswb on Vimeo

DELETED SCENE: THE HOTSHOT OF ANCHORHEAD!

A big day for Luke Skywalker. Images: Ann Skinner/BFI.

Arrived at Anchorhead's Tosche Station, the ever-enthusiastic Luke prepares to depart his landspeeder vehicle and see his buddies, in this intriguing behind the scenes continuity Polaroid shot taken in Tunisia by Script Supervisor Ann Skinner, during the near end of filming in Tunisia- April 1976. Note the wooden block supports holding up the speeder at each corner.

Side angle of the Speeder supported by wood planks.

Mark keeps his hat on!

Miss Skinner's January 1st, 1976 continuity script, currently held in the BFI Special Collections, would have specific red underlining for any scenes that were to have been handled in the US by ILM. This particular arrival shot was originally red underlined to have had an establishing background matte painting, described as showing "heat discharging electro bins generating heat waves from a dozen or so bleached white buildings", as well as a "power stand" and some kind of "robot". By the revised 15th March 1976 script draft, however, this idea had been dropped.

With thanks to Ann Skinner and the BFI Special Collections.

DELETED SCENE: WORMIE'S REFUGE!

Before "Wormie" arrives! Image via STAR WARS ARCHIVES website.

The most detailed image yet showing the interior of the Tosche Station at Anchorhead- scenes filmed in April of 1976, upon THE STAR WARS cast’s return to Elstree from Tunisia. Camie (Koo Stark) and Fixer (Anthony Forrest) get a little bit of quality time together whilst the caped Biggs (Garrick Hagon, to their right) plays a futuristic game version of Pool (a lit table board of electronics, according to hand written production notes) opposite friends Deak (played by Jay Benedict) and Windy (actor unknown). Beyond the outside window can be seen a landspeeder (Luke's redressed, with the full exterior transparent dome (previously dropped) now atop and two extra power pods added-this new craft presumably belonging to Fixer), the head of a droid (played by Jack Purvis) that can be seen behind Windy and walks across shot (left to right) at the start of the deleted scene (available on the 2011 Blu-ray), and an outline of some kind of beast of burden-possibly the relatively inert Jerba beast prop that had been prior used on location.

 

Interior stage shot at Elstree, taken by John Jay.

Script Supervisor Ann Skinner’s continuity notes for this scene are thin, of which she only took two Polaroids (one of the lit table in front of Camie and Fixer, and another of the spare parts shelves to the far left of the shoot near them), but we at least have her important costume character details/notes for Deak and Windy, a pair who seemingly had no reference photos taken that we are aware of. 

Deak: High yellow shirt, fastener undone and front side hanging down off waist jacket, one belt with pouches over, short beaker. (Note: of which Deak can be seen holding drink in the above top shot- Editor).

Windy: Blue shirt/jacket-over black round neck sweater under, tall beaker.

Overlapped background dialogue for Deak and Windy as Luke talks abut the space battle:

Deak: Not again, forget it!

Windy (impatiently to Biggs): Will you come back here and play the game?

Fixer had an additional line to Camie when waking up: 'What's all the noise about?

Ann Skinner's notes-packed script pages for the scene.

With thanks to Ann Skinner and the BFI SPECIAL COLLECTIONS for their help and assistance.

▶ 6-minute unedited 'Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope' b-roll behind-the-scenes footage (1976) - YouTube

STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: SCENES WE WANT ON BLU-RAY 7: ANCHORHEAD GRAFFITI!

STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: JERBA BEAST

REBEL GENESIS: FRIENDS IN DESTINY...

As a lead-in to STAR WARS REBELS, AFICIONADO presents a series of images featuring characters, events and history linked to the ultimate creation of the Rebel Alliance against the Empire.

They'd grown up together within a barren wilderness of heat and struggle; they'd dreamed dreams of adventure and heroism beyond the furthest galaxies, and called themselves the shooting stars that could never be stopped. But times and people ultimately change, even on a planet furthest from the brightest centre. Biggs Darklighter's departure from Tatooine to attend the Academy would become not only a major upheaval to the life of his farmboy best friend Luke Skywalker, yet it'd also prove an open window to a potential new future. Now briefly reunited with him at Fixer's place in Anchorhead town, the adopted son of Owen and Beru Lars hears surprising news from the dashingly-attired Biggs- that he will not allow himself to be drafted into the Imperial Navy having become a first-rate pilot, instead deciding to join a more worthy cause he believes in: the Rebel Alliance- a wind to shake the stars, rapidly growing in defiant strength and bold action against the Empire as it tightens its iron hand in planetary subjugation. So young and innocent, the romanticism of Bigg's decision-making quickly stirs Luke's enthusiastic mind and soul, even if it is tinged with the sadness that he may never see his adventurous partner again. But such isolation from events around him will not last for long. Luke may seem confined to Tatooine due to the needs of his foster parents, yet future's tide will sweep him into the maelstrom of the galactic struggles most desperate hours- the rescue of a captured Princess, his journey into and self-discovery of the Force, and partaking in an epic space battle, once more reunited alongside Biggs, that will see his courage and personal strength tested like never before...

The story of Luke Skywalker, A New Hope, has begun...

STAR WARS AT 35: "AYE, AYE, CAP'N!"

A goggle hatted Mark Hamill has fun with Garrick Hagon on the Anchorhead set during the early April 1976 Elstree Studios filming of the original STAR WARS. Originally one of the first released images on the STAR WARS.COM's now no longer existing Hyperspace section circa 2003, linked to a then rare deleted scene, it's also one of my favourites...

This image was likely from an improvised and filmed moment, with Hamill's Luke humorously responding to a salute from Biggs that's mentioned in the film's Revised Fourth Draft script of March 15th, 1976. If it was filmed, and we think it was, it was a moment that didn't make the very rough cut assemblage footage later revealed on the Behind the Magic CD-ROM, nor the Blu-ray in 2011.

DELETED SCENES: CAMIE SPEAKS!

The young Koo Stark poses for a 1976 publicity picture as Camie in Tunisia for STAR WARS.

Here's a rare interview with actress/model/photographer Koo Stark- Camie from the Tunisian filmed deleted scenes of STAR WARS from 1976- talking at a London film fair in 1997, conducted by writer/ex-STARBURST magazine columnist (and all round nice bloke!) Richard Holliss, around the time the SPECIAL EDITIONS had brought STAR WARS interest back to life with an insatiable vengeance. This is but one part (with more promised to come) and is very interesting. Koo looks great, too!

Stark as a London Westminister film memorabillia event in 1997.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8gBQXLPzS4
▶ Koo Stark talks Star Wars - YouTube
Here's the link: Archive

In her deleted scene with Anthony Forrest as Fixer, Mark Hamill as Luke, and Garrick Hagon as Biggs.

I knew of this event at the time, but hadn't seen this interview at all, so it's great that it's surfaced. I look forward to see more gems at the COSMIC LOST AND FOUND site. How interesting would it have been if, in an alternate reality, she had played Princess Leia instead of Carrie Fisher...


With thanks to Chris Baker for the deleted scene screen grab.

SCENES WE WANT ON BLU-RAY 7: ANCHORHEAD GRAFFITI!

At Tosche Station, inside the Fixer's garage/work area in the small town of Anchorhead, the man himself (as played by Anthony Forrest), snuggles up for some quality time with his girlfriend Camie (played by almost Princess Leia-to-be, Koo Stark) whilst their friends Deak (Jay Benedict) and Windy (actor unknown-no one seems to know who played him! UK fan Jason Joiner probably knows but no doubt he's keeping the info to himself so as to try and get the person for an autograph signing!) engage in an intriguing and highly competitive electronic game with the newly returned to Tatooine Biggs Darklighter (Garrick Hagon). In a few scant seconds time, "Wormie" aka the young and exuberant Luke Skywalker, will burst into the room with enthusiastic stories of an overhead space battle-which no one will believe- that will be the starting point of an epic journey that will send young Luke into a bigger adventure than he could ever have dreamed possible...

Here's the sequence:YouTube - ‪"Star Wars" (1977) - The Deleted Scene Of Luke's Friends‬‏

For years the stuff of legend, this deleted scene raw footage, cut from the film by Lucas and Alan Ladd, Jr. because it was seemingly too similar to the kind of material explored by Lucas in his previous AMERICAN GRAFFITI, has only been shown twice officially by LUCASFILM, first as part of a special event held by Steve Sansweet at the San Diego COMIC CON in 1997, and second at a STAR WARS actors panel (which included Anthony Forrest) at CELEBRATION IV in 2007. In 1998 it made its way onto the famous STAR WARS: BEHIND THE MAGIC CD-ROM, where fans have since tried to clean it up and put it online in better quality for all to see and enjoy. It seems likely that this footage will be included, hopefully, in an even better, officially cleaned up state for the September Blu-ray release.