Ahoy, squirts! Quint here with the new This Week In Star Wars.
This was going to be a very, very light week, but I had one particularly interesting item that I was able to lock down as happening in November, but couldn't find exact dates, so I figured instead of just putting out a column with one birthday in it, I'd throw it into this one.
So, let's get going, shall we?
November 8th, 1926 - Ted Burnett (Wuher) born.
Yep, this week sees the birthday of everybody's favorite robo-bigot bartender! Burnett was a regular face on UK TV and in regional films, but there's no doubt his most recognizable performance is his bit part in Star Wars. It's a role that still gets referenced, spoofed and hat-tipped to.
You didn't hear his voice (he was dubbed by a crankier/less British sounding actor), but he really conveyed his disdain at young Luke and panic when the blasters and lightsabers came out. Yet another great little piece of flavor that made up that first film and set up this massive franchise we all love.
Mid-November, 1975 - George Lucas' initial East Coast casting session.
On his way back to California from location scouting (the very same trip he settled on Tunisia for Tatooine), George Lucas stopped off in New York to interview some actors for his leads. Two big names pop from that side trip: Jodie Foster and Christopher Walken.
Foster was in the mix for Leia and Walken as Han. I don't remember if this was known when Kevin Spacey did his great SNL bit or that was just a happy coincidence, but trying to picture Walken, who was a frontrunner for a long while, in his Annie Hall-era as the charming, selfish smuggler with a heart of gold puts a big smile on my face.
Also, how different would the movie have been if Foster had been cast? She was 13 when this audition happened. That would have totally shifted the core dynamic of this series. The love story would have certainly gone out the window.
Anyway, interesting moment as Star Wars was still forming.
Short column. Next week isn't packed, either, but it's got some good stuff, including significant moments involving David Prowse, Peter Mayhew and editor Paul Hirsch! See ya' then!
-Eric Vespe
”Quint”
quint@aintitcool.com
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