logo Sign In

Info Wanted: Does anyone know what previews were originally shown before Star Wars in 1977?

Author
Time
 (Edited)

I was wondering if anyone who was alive in 1977 and saw Star Wars in the theater, can remember exactly what previews were shown before the theatrical release of the film. I thought it would be really interesting to see the original previews re-edited before the movie, probably the despecialized edition, and recreate the experience of seeing the movie theatrically. I wanted to try it but I would need to know which trailers played before the movie. It’s possible it could have varied depending on the theater but it would nice to get a general idea from some people who saw the movie in 1977 or knows someone who did. It would also be helpful if anyone knows what previews were shown before ESB and ROTJ and it could recreate the experience of seeing them in the theater as well. Anyway, I was just think it would be great to see for those who weren’t alive then. Thanks.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uGO-SldLrNA&autoplay=1

Author
Time

I don’t see how attaching a preview to the front of Star Wars is a fanedit, but ok.

Author
Time
 (Edited)

I remember there was a trailer for Star Wars… before Star Wars which was confusing for a seven year old. There was the long form trailer for CE3K too. With the experts telling us how based in reality the film about aliens freaking a single mother out by SPOILERS abducting her son with the aid of a vacuum cleaner SPOILERS was. I still have dreams about that film.

Author
Time

Moth3r said:

Take a look at this thread from 2012:
http://originaltrilogy.com/topic/1977-UK-theatre-intro-reconstruction/id/14490

That project’s come on a little since I last posted there - I’ve done UK intros for all three OT films now.

I’d be pleased to get them out there, but still not sure of a distribution method that will work for this kind of stuff - Youtube will probably have issue with the assorted music and audio, and ESB includes Black Angel so the sharing rights are a bit suspect anyway.

Would MySpleen be a route worth trying?

Author
Time

Wouldn’t FE allow them as reconstructions?
I would be very interested in having them for future home presentations. I still have the programme and the collector’s edition my dad paid for in 1977.
If only there was a way of getting those inverted pyramid shaped drinks cartons and mint choc ices.

Author
Time
 (Edited)

Jonno said:

Moth3r said:

Take a look at this thread from 2012:
http://originaltrilogy.com/topic/1977-UK-theatre-intro-reconstruction/id/14490

That project’s come on a little since I last posted there - I’ve done UK intros for all three OT films now.

I’d be pleased to get them out there, but still not sure of a distribution method that will work for this kind of stuff - Youtube will probably have issue with the assorted music and audio, and ESB includes Black Angel so the sharing rights are a bit suspect anyway.

Would MySpleen be a route worth trying?

You could probably post the other intro reels on Vimeo.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uGO-SldLrNA&autoplay=1

Author
Time

I’m okay about it now it was nearly four decades ago 😄

Author
Time

A while back I posted in the weird childhood memories thread about seeing the 1982 double bill and thinking that Empire had some sort of alternate title sequence (with portraits of the characters and a more relaxed theme tune).

I’ve since realised that it was probably this teaser for RotJ, shown between the two films:

http://www.denofgeek.com/uk/40979/a-rare-star-wars-revenge-of-the-jedi-teaser-has-resurfaced

Anyway, I’m trying to contact an admin at MySpleen so we’ll see how that goes. It’ll be nice to get some feedback on my little efforts.

Author
Time

Yes I remember seeing that at the double bill. I also remember people assuming that ESB was Star Wars because they forgot that they started the same way.

Author
Time

I’ve just upped the intro for Star Wars to MS if you want to give it a whirl. It’s full BD quality so around 5GB, but it’s freeleech on there right now…

Author
Time

Just in time for me to not only forget my password but also my username. It’s days like like this that vex the soul and tax the memory.

Author
Time

Thanks Jonno. Time travel made a bit easier (with a bit of divergent universe hopping on the side).

Author
Time

Indeed! We might be able to do something about the dimensional spillage - see my PM.

Author
Time

From what I’ve heard and read, the trailer for William Friedkin’s Sorcerer played before Star Wars in some theatres. I’m not sure what other films were advertised as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BDbIzovuos

<span style=“font-weight: bold;”>The Most Handsomest Guy on OT.com</span>