CLASSIC IMAGE: DROIDS ABOUT TOWN!

I found out about the London May 1980 Selfridges Department Store exhibition for THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK shortly after it had closed, but I've heard many great things about it since, what with its many props and costumes, parts of sets and photo posters. And of course, the iconic droids in Threepio and Artoo, as pictured here. The Chris Kelly presented CLAPPERBOARD children's movie special for TESB was filmed at the exhibition, interviewing UK effects whizz Brian Johnson, Anthony Daniels and Dave Prowse, and providing a nostalgic glimpse of what was on display.

Clapperboard The Empire Strikes Back Special - YouTube

HAPPY SITHMAS!

Darth Vader makes a conversion to the confectionery side, for Kinnerton's UK Xmas chocolate advent calender!

The Happiest of Xmas and New Year Greetings to all STAR WARS AFICIONADO readers worldwide!

See you in line next year for THE FORCE AWAKENS!

Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and co. in 1980: Star Wars on Blue Peter! - YouTube

Check out the Awesome 'Star Wars Rebels' Crew Christmas Card | The Star Wars Underworld

Lucasfilm Christmas Card (featuring Artoo and Chopper!): Happy Holidays

Tsuneo Sanda Christmas Card: Greeting Card 2014

CLASSIC IMAGE: AN 'EMPIRE's MUSICAL MEMORIES...

I still remember that day of 21st May 1980, and what a wonderful one it was for my ten year old self. My mum, a big fan of the original STAR WARS and of the then youthful Harrison Ford, took me to a signing at FORBIDDEN PLANET bookstore in Denmark Street, where we'd meet Mark Hamill and Dave Prowse, both of whom would prove so kind, enthusiastic and friendly with the long line of fans desperately waiting to see them, then off to the then prestigious ODEON Leicester Square cinema to queue for that afternoon's exclusive 2pm screening of THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, where the epic Walker battle blew my mind, the Carbon Freezing Chamber duel between Luke and Vader left me with both awe and chills, whilst the unresolved ending made me anxious for part three to come very soon.

But the final icing on the cake was the two-disc LP music for the film by John Williams and the LSO, released via RSO, that she kindly brought me-played on and on for years in the lead-up to RETURN OF THE JEDI (how it never got any scratches I don't know!).

All in all, it was the end of a perfect day! Thanks Ma...

MARK HAMILL: BACK IN ACTION!

Way back in 2004, Ian Trussler wrote a very nice career overview feature for AFICIONADO's issue 5/6, long since out of print from its original limited edition run, called MARK HAMILL: WHAT HAPPENED?

With Mark's recent convention appearance at Celebration V this year, I thought it would be a nice idea to revise and update Ian's feature with a new design and additional pictures.

Here's the link to it on the main site: http://www.starwarsaficionado.com/markhamillwhathappened.html

And here's another great feature on Hamill's varied film and TV career that's worth a look:

http://www.toplessrobot.com/2008/07/mark_hamills_10_greatest_poststar_wars_roles.php

UPDATE: 3/10/2011 And check out this great post-WARS career feature via the AVCLUB:
Mark Hamill  | Film | Random Roles | The A.V. Club

And if you're a fan of Mark's performance from THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, check out this rare audio recording of his appearance on the UK BBC 1 Children's series ASK ASPEL, from May 1980, where he talks to presenter Michael Aspel about working on the saga and reveals the then title for the final Classic Trilogy STAR WARS film! With thanks to Robkizzy for all his work in putting it on Youtube.

Ask Aspel part 1 (1980) with Mark Hamill - YouTube