bkev said:
I'm not denying the lasting appeal of Star Wars -- hell, I wouldn't be here if I did -- but at least part of that was manufactured.
And I am not denying that part. But that part was small and lasted (had an affect) only a few years around the release. It is not a factor in lasting appeal of SW. I don't know about your case (I am curious) but it certainly had no influence on me. Nor on anyone of my age that I know and who was also introduced to SW 20 years after the initial release. The only influencing factor on me was the film itself. I did not know any of the details about the hype and historical context of the initial released and at that time I did not see nor own any of Star Wars merchandise.