A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away....Chewbacca, with Han Solo along for the ride, is heading back home for Life Day, the Wookie equivalent of Christmas. Don't remember this from the movies? Believe it or not, this scene was actually filmed! But not for the big screen. The Star Wars Holiday Special was televised at the height of Star Wars mania in 1978. Directed by Steve Binder of the Elvis 68 Comeback Special fame, the Christmas television special took the now legendary characters from … [Read more...]
The Man in Black…Darth Vader!
During 1978 to 1985 Kenner created over 100 action figures based on characters in the original Star Wars movie trilogy. These 3 ¾ inch Star Wars action figures became legendary and are enormously popular as collectibles even to this day. But for the fledgling collector, where to begin? Concentrating initially on the first twelve releases – known as “12-Back” figures because the original packaging cards featured a picture of all 12 characters in a row on the back of the card – is certainly a … [Read more...]
It’s Ol’ Blue Eyes himself…Squid Head!
If poor old Walrus Man was a rare example of a Kenner Star Wars action figure which saw the toy company cutting corners on movie-likeness accuracy in the design, their work on Squid Head shows just how good they could be when at the very top of their game. Making his first outing on the Return Of The Jedi 65 back cards in 1983, this may be a later figure in the Star Wars original trilogy figures, but he's certainly on my list of must-haves thanks to the sheer attention to detail. And if don't … [Read more...]
Goo Goo G’Joob…It’s Pink-tusked Walrus Man!
Whilst almost all of Kenner's 3 ¾ inch Star Wars action figures were pretty accurate movie-likenesses by the standards of the day, Walrus Man here – later revealed as being called Ponda Baba when secondary characters were issued with colorful back stories too - stands out from the crowd as being one of the least like his movie counterpart. Walrus Man's screen time may be brief, but it is certainly a memorable moment when Obi-Wan Kenobi slices off his arm with his light saber during the famous … [Read more...]
Star Wars Variations: Sand People aka Tusken Raider
George Lucas just can't stop meddling with those Star Wars movies! Star Wars: Episode One - The Phantom Menace will be hitting cinema screens all over the world AGAIN this weekend - only this time in 3D. The 2D version was already bad enough, so I think I'll pass on that one...Instead, let's take a look back at a vintage Kenner Sand People action figure from the original trilogy, indeed from the very first Star Wars movie, which is nowadays known as the rather less catchy Star Wars Episode IV: A … [Read more...]
You better watch out…Darth Vader is coming to town!
'Tis the season to be jolly, so here's a look back at Hasbro's Holiday Edition Darth Vader action figure that was a StarWarsShop.com exclusive back in 2005. Essentially the same figure with eight points of articulation which had been issued as part of the Original Trilogy Collection in 2004 and earlier still as part of the Toys 'R' Us Star Wars Saga multipacks in 2003, this Darth Vader had one major difference which you may just have spotted – a head-to-toe Santa-style coat of red paint! … [Read more...]
Star Wars Variations: Han Solo on Bespin
The Internet has been abuzz with news of the Blu-ray edition of the original Star Wars trilogy which hit stores world wide recently, so I thought I'd stick with another vintage Star Wars action figure this post. Of course, I use the term “original” trilogy with some caution - as is well known, George Lucas has continued to mess with tweak the movies with every re-release to the exasperation of many fans. Probably the most controversial change occurred in the 1997 Star Wars Trilogy Special … [Read more...]