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 Star Wars Timeline By Barbara Vancheri,, Post-Gazette Staff Writer May 14, 1944: George Lucas, future filmmaker, is born in Modesto, Calif. According to some accounts, he is an introvert and frequent target of bullies. He makes a name for himself with a little 1973 movie called "American Graffiti." March 1976: Shooting begins on a space fantasy called "Star Wars." In one of the savviest moves of all time, Lucas cuts his directing fee by $500,000 to gain ownership of merchandising and sequel rights. Ca-ching! May 25, 1977: "Star Wars," written and directed by Lucas, opens and a franchise is born. Post-Gazette readers find this headline atop George Anderson’s review: " ‘Star Wars’ a joyous space trip."Anderson suggests it "may be the greatest comic book movie ever made. An exhilarating throwback to Flash Gordon and an age when science fiction was pure heroic fantasy rather than the ponderous pessimism it has become in the nuclear age, the new 20th Century Fox film is a joy." Across the country, house records tumble. Alan Ladd Jr., then head of production at 20th Century Fox, recalls, "How anybody knew to be there I have no idea." Aug. 1, 1977: Sales of T-shirts adorned with Darth Vader’s black, helmet-like visage approach a million a month. Any day now, floodgates will open and release masks, books, calendars, children’s costumes, cups, toys, model rockets, lunch boxes, plus bubble gum and trading cards, to be inserted into bakery goods. Dec. 31, 1977: By year’s end, "Star Wars" displaces "Jaws" as Hollywood’s biggest grosser. After reissue in January 1997, it will gross $461 million in North America. Only "Titanic" has made more money. March 29, 1978: "Annie Hall" wins the Oscar for Best Picture, but "Star Wars" gets the gold for art direction-set decoration, costume design, film editing, score, sound, visual effects and, for Benjamin Burtt Jr., special achievement. Burtt is honored for creation of alien, creature and robot voices. May 21, 1980: "The Empire Strikes Back" opens at the Warner, Downtown, and three Showcase cinemas. Anderson leads his review with the oft-asked question, "Is it as good as ‘Star Wars’?""A small no, because the novelty ... is gone. A big yes, because the timeless sense of fun that made the first film the most popular movie of all time has been captured again in this new one." In its initial release and 1997 reissue, "Empire Strikes Back" grosses $290 million in the United States and Canada. It’s No. 9 on the list of top grossers. May 26, 1983: In a sign of how movie business has shifted away from Downtown, "Return of the Jedi" opens here strictly in the suburbs. In his review, Anderson writes, "The wait is over. ‘Return of the Jedi’ is here. And it is difficult to imagine any ‘Star Wars’ fan who will come away disappointed." "Return," which also returns to theaters in ’97, grosses $309 million, making it No. 7 on the list of top domestic grossers. Feb. 26, 1984: In an interview to promote the CBS airing of "Star Wars," actor Mark Hamill confesses, "The success of the movie has been a curse and a blessing. I don’t mind the kids calling me Luke. ‘Star Wars’ was a fairy tale meant for the very young audience and nobody expected the crossover audience." When he made his Broadway debut in "Amadeus," adoring fans showed up with T-shirts, bed sheets, underwear and lunch boxes for him to autograph. Nov. 25, 1984: ABC airs "The Ewok Adventure," a TV movie about Wicket (an Ewok from "Return of the Jedi"). A sequel, "Ewoks: The Battle for Endor," premieres on ABC Nov. 24, 1986. Sept. 7, 1985: ABC premieres two Saturday morning cartoon series:"Droids: The Adventures of R2D2 and C3PO" runs a single season, while "Ewoks" lasts two years. May 27, 1987: Lucas thrills a crowd of 2,000 attending a celebration of the 10th anniversary of "Star Wars" by announcing a second trilogy is in the works. March 30, 1992: On Oscar night, Lucas receives the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award. November 1994: Lucas, now 50, starts work on "Star Wars:Episode I -- The Phantom Menace." His tools are legendary: A No. 2 pencil and red three-ring binder. Summer 1997: Production begins on the first new "Star Wars" picture in a decade and a half. Cast and crew head to England, Italy and Tunisia, while special effects experts work their wiles at Lucas’ Industrial Light & Magic in Northern California. Oct. 31, 1997: "Star Wars: The Magic of Myth" exhibit opens at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. It showcases original artwork, props, costumes and characters used to create the trilogy. Winter-spring 1997: The first three "Star Wars" films are re-released, with new digital soundtracks, cleaned-up color, some new effects and at least one restored scene. November 1998: Never have so many been so excited by so little. The 2-minute, 10-second trailer for "Phantom Menace" arrives in theaters and introduces Anakin Skywalker, who grows up to be Darth Vader. Many patrons pay to see the preview, not the feature. April 7, 1999: Fans begin lining up at theaters in Westwood and Hollywood so they can buy tickets to "The Phantom Menace," not opening for six weeks. May 3, 1999: A Durham, N.C., woman changes her name to Obi-Wan Kenobi Briggs, winning $1,000 from a radio station. The school teacher formerly known as Jennifer Briggs says she’ll donate the money to a children’s hospital. May 3, 1999: The force of the marketing machine is with us: Toys R Us opens its doors just past midnight, and shoppers snap up Battle Droids, Darth Mauls and Queen Amidalas. Pepsi, Frito-Lay, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and KFC are on board as promotional partners, and TV commercials commence. May 11, 1999: Exhibitors in New York, L.A., San Francisco, Dallas, Chicago, Toronto, Washington and Boston get their first look at the movie. Concerns are raised that it "plays young," but one film buyer predicts it could make $200 million by the close of Memorial Day. May 12, 1999: Advance tickets go on sale at select theaters and outlets. In a continuing effort to discourage scalping, customers can buy a maximum of 12. May 19, 1999: "Star Wars:Episode I -- The Phantom Menace," made for $115 million, is scheduled to open on 2,800-3,000 screens. An employment consultant predicts this could be the biggest day of work absenteeism in U.S. history. Feel the flu coming on? How’s your grandmother’s health? May 20, 1999: Moviegoers debate how "Phantom Menace" ranks in the "Star Wars" pantheon and whether it lives up to the hype. Anticipation begins for "Episode II." 2002: "Star Wars: Episode II" scheduled to open. 2005: "Star Wars: Episode III" expected to open.
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