AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 1999
Sept 25 Sorry about the lack of news, been on holiday in America for two weeks. Things are pretty quiet out there, did find some Beanie-style Star Wars toys, will try and get a pic of them soon. Other than that there's not much State-side to report, but I'll keep checking!
Sept 9 The much-awaited Lucas in Love will be premiered at the Toronto Film Festival on September 18. The film is a tribute to the man himself and centres on a young Lucas who has a day to finish his script, seemingly unaware that he's surrounded by Yoda and C-3PO clones. Click here for details.
I've been contacted by 10th Planet, of Barking, Essex, who asked me to mention a couple of events they have coming up. On October 16 Mark Strickson and on November 6 Nicola Bryant, both from Dr Who, will be at their shop for a signing session. Visit www.tenthplanet.co.uk for details.
Sept 7 Sir Alec
Guinness has revealed he disliked making the Star Wars films and can't understand why
anyone likes them. "I shrivel up a little every time someone
mentions Star Wars to me," Sir Alec said in an interview in US Talk magazine.
He claims to have event plotted the death of his character by convincing George Lucas that
Obi-Wan Kenobi might appear more poignant as a ghost.
"What I didn't tell him was that I just couldn't go on speaking those bloody
awful, banal lines. I'd had enough of the mumbo jumbo."
The 85-year-actor said he is mystified by the film's popularity.
A couple wrote to Sir Alec saying their marriage was on the rocks and thought
he could repair it by spending a week sharing his Jedi wisdom with them.
He threw the letter in the rubbish bin.
Sir Alec's dislike of Star Wars is nothing new, but it is worth noting he didn't hate it so much that he turned down the two sequels and that he has made millions by receiving a per centage of the film's profits.
I also recall hearing that it was Sir Alec's wife who was more than a bit miffed at the thought of her husband biting the dust so early on but it was Lucas who felt Obi-Wan was left hanging around after his fight scene and so decided to kill him off.
Sept 5 Slightly old news this, but George Lucas has received the DigiGlobe award, which recognises information technology pioneers who have made a noticeable impact on everyday life. The award was founded by Deutsche Telekom and the FOCUS news magazine in Germany.
The Phantom Menace has also opened in Switzerland - again. The latest offering is in Italian.
Sept 4 More than 700 fans flocked to the Clacton Sci-fi Convention today. There were long queues outside as fans waited to get in the morning to see a theatre decked out in spectacular displays by dealers. On the stage nine actors signed and chatted with autograph-hunters throughout the day.
Sept 3 One day to go and tickets are flying out the door! There are now more than 30 trade stands booked up, including sci-fi books and Star Wars face painting. If you're coming along on the day don't worry though as there will be some tickets available at £6.
Sept 2 Well, if you haven't got your ticket for the Clacton Sci-fi Convention you're leaving it late! We've had plenty of publicity this week, in local papers, including the Evening Gazette, on SGR and Dream 100 Radio and a mention on www.starwarsemail.com
There's about 25 trade stands coming now, with face painting, books and toys all involved, and hundreds of tickets have been sold. So don't delay in booking!!
LucasArts has revealed it is to release The Phantom Menace on PlayStation. It will also exclusively offer the Duel of the Fates music video.
Sept 1 The rumour that James van de Beer from 'Dawsons Creek',will be Anakin in Epsiode II didn't falter when the actor was evasive in an online chat. When asked if he had gone for the part he replied: "I can neither confirm nor deny that rumour". So that's a definitely maybe then...
August 30 The Daleks' cry of "Exterminate" has been voted the greatest moment in television history. The poll, conducted by the Radio Times, had the Dr Who villian in top spot. And of course we've got one at our convention....
August 29 The Dalek has landed! Our original Dalek from the 1960s arrived in Clacton on Saturday. As a bonus we have also got hold of a K-9 model from the forthcoming Dr Who film and a Cyberman helmet and breastplate. They will all be on display on Sept 4 at our convention. Call 01255 253220 for details.
August 28 The Smithsonian "Magic of Myth" exhibition is going on the road - but only in the US. The popular show, which includes numerous original costumes and props from the Star Wars movies, starts at San Diego on September 25 and moves on to Minneapolis, Chicago, Houston, Toledo and Brooklyn, finishing on June 9 2000.
August 27 If you're anywhere in Essex at the moment head for the Clacton Air Show, apart from seeing the Red Arrows today, you can pick up convention tickets for just £4 - but only while the air show lasts.
August 26 Star Wars has been voted the best film of all time in a new poll of movie fans. While UK films like Four Weddings and the Full Monty failed to get a look in Star Wars came top and The Empire Strikes Back came third in the Empire magazine poll.
August 23 The new issue of Star Wars Insider is out. The official home page explains how it looks at the impact of The Phantom Menace over the summer and has reactions from George Lucas, Liam Neeson, Natalie Portman, Samuel L. Jackson the fans.
There's also an interview with Ahmed Best (Jar Jar). The issue hastwo covers: newsstand copies will feature the Naboo battle scene, while subscribers receive a cover shot of mysterious bounty hunter Aurra Sing.
August 20 1999 More international openings, as Germany gets its first chance to see The Phantom Menace. It also opens today in Austria, Denmark Norway and Spain.
August 19 1999 A new book, The Art of Star Wars: Episode 1 The Phantom Menace, is due out in early September, according to the offical site. The 215-page book will explain all about how the designs came to be and offers a step by step guide to the Podrace. It was written by Jonathan Breman and is published by Del Ray/Ballantine Books.
August 13 1999 The Phantom Menace continues to grow, opening in Guyana and Iceland today.
August 10 1999 Two new guests have been confirmed for the convention. Katie Purvis, who
played an Ewok in Return of the Jedi will be there, as will John Chapman, an X-wing pilot.
Katie's father was the late Jack Purvis, Kenny Baker's former cabaret partner. Jack
himself had a part in the original Star Wars as a Jawa.
August 9 1999 Found some images floating around of South Park turns Star Wars. Check out http://parkwars.streetpreacher.com for more of the same.
August 8 1999 The Clacton Sci-fi Convention is offering visitors a world exclusive offer to buy a new Hammer Horror CD before anyone else. Volume Two of the Hammer Film Music Collection, a collection of digitally remastered themes from the original tapes, goes on sale on September 6. But anyone attending our convention will have the chance to buy it two days before anyone else in the world.
August 6 1999 The official site has news of Yoda's Challenge being released on CD-ROM this month, the first game for those 6 +.
August 5 1999 The Phantom Menace could be in line for a new award - for its trailer. Because of the unprecedented popularity of the trailers and as they were productions in their own right, they could be in for some Golden Trailer recognition
August 3 1999 Managed to get hold of the free Pepsi Star Wars CD which is being given away with some products. For a freebie it's excellent, with details on locations, people, vehicles and filming. A great taster for things to come when the main version is released sometime soon - hopefully.
And in an interview with
Empire Lucas dismisses any idea of Darth Maul returning in Episode II. He was cut in half
to try and dispel those rumours, he said.
August 2 1999 Check out this month's FHM for an interview with Ray Park, plus some pics of him in martial-arts action.
Best quote: "I couldn't even touch my face while I was wearing it (the make-up).The make-up artist had to scratch me if I had an itch, and if I needed to pick my nose he'd grab a snot rag and stick a finger up there!"
August 1 1999 Jeremy Bulloch, who played bounty hunter Boba Fett, will only be making three appearances at English conventions this year - and one of them will be at Clacton, so be sure to book now!