SKot

User Group: Members
Join date: 3-Apr-2005
Last activity: 12-May-2025
Posts: 935
Web Site: http://www.starwarsholidayspecial.com

Post History

Post: #302460
Topic: The Star Wars Holiday Special De-Campified (Released)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/302460/action/topic#302460
Time: 3-Dec-2007 4:21 PM

Kudos to you, Bob!

This is a project I had hoped someone would try to undertake at some point. Hard to believe, but there is actually some salvageable material in there that would make a great little TV episode type Star Wars story.

You know, when the Special aired in France the French took it upon themselves to edit it as well. They did a similar thing, taking out most of the really campy material. I will eventually be posting an article on it on the starwarsholidayspecial.com detailing the differences. The Swedes edited it as well, but not quite as heavily. Definitely some lesser-known facts about the show.

--SKot

Post: #302199
Topic: Preserving the...cringe...Star Wars Holiday Special (Released)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/302199/action/topic#302199
Time: 29-Nov-2007 4:48 AM

Originally posted by: SilverWook
The Q&A was held at the one and only officially sanctioned Star Wars con of the 80's, the 10th Anniversary Celebration.

Lucas also stated there would be several Howard the Duck sequels.

I've heard elsewhere that during the con, someone had a private showing of the HS in their hotel room. Peter Mayhew was invited, and actually showed up!

I can guarantee that in 1987 very, very few people had a copy of the HS. I was dying to get my hands on a copy ever since seeing it air in 1978, but I still didn't manage to turn one up until around 1994.

zombie84, definitely let me know what you find there. I really want to post that quote on the HS website.

--SKot

Post: #302168
Topic: Preserving the...cringe...Star Wars Holiday Special (Released)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/302168/action/topic#302168
Time: 28-Nov-2007 8:17 PM

Originally posted by: zombie84
Well, despite Lucas' "I would personally destroy every copy" mantra, he was planning on releasing it on video in the 1980's. At a 1987 10th anniversary celebration someone asked him about the Holiday Special and he said something to the effect of "I think we're going to be releasing it on video this year", so something like this is not outside the realm of possibility.

That's a great quote! What was the source for this... video footage of the 10th Anniversary or someone who was there? (i.e., can we actually trace this quote to a hard copy?)

Incidentally, that quote attributed to Lucas about personally destroying every copy of the HS makes for a great anecdote, but there's no actual known proof that he said this. This was something Steve Sansweet apparently claimed Lucas said, while Steve was speaking at an Australian convention... which may be an exaggeration. I have no doubt Lucas may have said something similar, though.

--SKot

Post: #302062
Topic: The Vault
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/302062/action/topic#302062
Time: 27-Nov-2007 2:57 AM

Originally posted by: Mielr

Originally posted by: SKot

I haven't had time to give it more than a compulsory skim, but so far I'm very pleased with it. Yes, it's steep... but oh the goodies you get!

--SKot

When you've had a chance to examine it more thoroughly, could you give us more details about what's included?

I'll try to do that. And yes, I'd say it was worth it so far.

--SKot

Post: #302061
Topic: //Star Wars Begins\\: HD Version Now on Vimeo
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/302061/action/topic#302061
Time: 27-Nov-2007 2:55 AM

Saw the new trailer and was very excited... still, I know it's not even the tip of the iceberg on what's in store for us. I can't wait to see how the final Jabba scene came out.

--SKot

Post: #302009
Topic: Cinematic Titanic- New MST3K Company To Riff Star Wars Holiday Special?
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/302009/action/topic#302009
Time: 26-Nov-2007 5:22 AM

So it's not going to be the Holiday Special then, apparently, so now the question is...

Why not?

What a perfect opportunity to put the film out (but not really)!

--SKot

Post: #302008
Topic: The Vault
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/302008/action/topic#302008
Time: 26-Nov-2007 5:08 AM

I picked this up at Costco for $49.95. Well worth it for me; I planned on buying it the moment I heard about it both because 1. the Holiday Special Life Day song was included, and 2. Pete Vilmur worked on this, and he's the man when it comes to this stuff.

I haven't had time to give it more than a compulsory skim, but so far I'm very pleased with it. Yes, it's steep... but oh the goodies you get!

--SKot

Post: #302006
Topic: Idea: New here... had an idea for a compilation DVD
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/302006/action/topic#302006
Time: 26-Nov-2007 4:14 AM

Our pal Aaron Snyder did a dual-layer Star Tours disc that included most of this stuff. He wants to update it a bit and put it out there. I'll have to see where he is on that currently.

--SKot

Post: #301998
Topic: Preserving the...cringe...Star Wars Holiday Special (Released)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/301998/action/topic#301998
Time: 26-Nov-2007 3:09 AM

Well said, pufnstuf... and I know you know more than a bit about the subject!

If there's any truth to this airing in Australia stuff (I wouldn't bet money on it though!), a number of us will be pretty happy. I never could understand how they managed to air the Special so many times there either... they are the only country known to have aired it more than once.

As far as the masters go, there is definitely no "original negative" per se... the masters would be on videotape and not film, since the Holiday Special was filmed on video. Most likely the masters are professional grade U-Matic half-inch tapes. As to what kind of master Lucasfilm has in their archives and what condition it's in, it's hard to say. There was a segment of the Boba Fett cartoon included in one of the documentaries from Episode 2 times ("Bucket Head"), and from the looks of it the quality isn't much better than a decent VHS tape. So if that's the best Lucasfilm has got for their source, that's not too good.

I expect SOMETHING to happen for the 30th anniversary of the Holiday Special, but I'm unsure what it will be. Considering how little really happened for the 30th anniversary of Star Wars (Celebration 4, and then... nothing? The year's almost over and there won't even be any DVD releases this time!), I don't expect much. But who knows? Considering how much Holiday Special-related official product has been coming out lately, there may be some recognition in store for this red-headed stepchild yet...

--SKot

Post: #301487
Topic: Preserving the...cringe...Star Wars Holiday Special (Released)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/301487/action/topic#301487
Time: 17-Nov-2007 2:53 PM

Happy 29th anniversary of this... thing.

--SKot

Post: #300651
Topic: Cinematic Titanic- New MST3K Company To Riff Star Wars Holiday Special?
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/300651/action/topic#300651
Time: 5-Nov-2007 7:16 PM

Hahaha... this is rather interesting indeed! There does seem to be a bit of a hint here that this thing might be the Holiday Special, as mocked by the MST3K crew. That would be tons of fun.

Perhaps this could be the one way Lucasfilm would be willing to release the Holiday Special? I could see that happening. Though it would wind up being a OUT/GOUT-style fight for some of us who want to see it also released in unaltered form.

Regarding its availability: it's not just out there as bootlegs, folks. Lucasfilm has had at least one master copy in their archives (though I'm not sure what kind of shape that's in at this point). And there are others involved in the production who have master copies as well... so it *could* be released to DVD officially if they wanted to do it. Perhaps now they will.

--SKot

Post: #299946
Topic: Would you give up ESB in exchange for...?
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/299946/action/topic#299946
Time: 25-Oct-2007 5:28 PM

I edited the first post to explain the poll a little better, since I can change the poll question itself after posting it.

I just realized that if ESB never happened, Kenner would have had time to do a lot more toys and figures from the original Star Wars. Suddenly I feel even better about my "Yes" vote.

--SKot

Post: #299942
Topic: Help: looking for... 1997 SE TB Digital Broadcasts
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/299942/action/topic#299942
Time: 25-Oct-2007 4:57 PM

I would love to see the digital TB and/or Gkar versions wind up on the spleen that is mine.

--SKot

Post: #299928
Topic: Would you give up ESB in exchange for...?
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/299928/action/topic#299928
Time: 25-Oct-2007 3:16 PM

I know this one is going to be controversial. But let's just see what kind of results we wind up with, just for fun.

--SKot

EDIT:
To clarify a little bit, here's what this poll is saying:

If you could get rid of the prequels and Special Editions (i.e., erase them from history entirely), but only by getting rid of the sequels (ESB, ROTJ) as well, leaving just the original Star Wars film...would you do it?

Obviously those who don't have any problem with the prequels, or who couldn't live without ESB/ROTJ, are going to say "Hell no!!" Others who see Star Wars as the only necessary chapter are going to say "Hell yeah!!" Others are going to have more trouble deciding what they would do given the choice.

BTW, this poll idea is taken from this thread here.

Post: #299924
Topic: "Lucas can't find home for Star Wars spin-off"
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/299924/action/topic#299924
Time: 25-Oct-2007 2:49 PM

I should have some kind of auto-notify every time the Holiday Special is mentioned on this forum...

Originally posted by: DarthPoppy
When talking about Lucas's (and the Star Wars franchise's) track record with TV, let's not forget the original and mother of them all,
The Star Wars Holiday Special ! But let's also not forget that Lucas was not directly involved with the actual making of that show.

Originally posted by: see you auntie
If it was just Star Wars '77 we'd still have the Holiday Special

Nope... that didn't come out until '78!

Still, I'd take it. There was still enough magic left from the '77 Star Wars to give the Holiday Special (or at least parts of it) a place in my 8-year-old heart.

But add me to the list of people who'd be willing to give up ESB and everything after it if that was the price I had to pay to have Star Wars (and Lucas himself, possibly) remain untainted by the Special Editions, prequels, and EU in the future. I would totally do it.

--SKot

Post: #299879
Topic: ***//BUILDING EMPIRE\\: PAL & NTSC DVD - NEW EDITION NOW ONLINE! ***
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/299879/action/topic#299879
Time: 24-Oct-2007 7:18 PM

Originally posted by: Jambe Davdar
On a side note. I've just obtained a 16mm copy of SPFX. It is one of only two copies I've ever seen for sale.

Is anyone able to shed more light on my latest purchase?

That's quite an amazing find, Jambe. I think I may have heard of this existing, but I can't tell you anything about it. Possibly some prints were struck in 16mm to show to military personnel, or some such thing.

There was supposedly a 16mm print of the Holiday Special that came up on eBay last year, but it turned out to be a scam.

--SKot

Post: #299876
Topic: //Star Wars Begins\\: HD Version Now on Vimeo
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/299876/action/topic#299876
Time: 24-Oct-2007 6:55 PM

Originally posted by: Jambe Davdar
I haven't looked at the 97 release yet to see if that offers up some more of the original shot. My initial thought is that the 97 Jabba may cover less of the background than the 04 Jabba does. In actual fact I don't have the 97 release of ANH anywhere.

Someone needs to get you a copy of the high-quality TB digital broadcasts! I don't have them myself, or I'd offer to help you out.

Looking great, though. It's amazing what a patch-together it's been to get this whole thing in one piece. It's almost like they only let out little separate chunks in very obscure places just to make it difficult. You gotta admit, though, it makes it really rewarding to finally get those last bits... like finally dropping the last couple of pieces into a huge jigsaw puzzle you've been working on for years.

--SKot

Post: #299754
Topic: //Star Wars Begins\\: HD Version Now on Vimeo
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/299754/action/topic#299754
Time: 23-Oct-2007 3:22 PM

Originally posted by: Jambe Davdar
This is a new find! My friend has not be holding out at all. The guy who he got it off obviously didn't realise what he had. I think I just peed myself.

There are of course some drawbacks. It's 4:3 and there are some graphics/credits covering part of the frame, but the important thing is that we have the complete scene with clean audio.

Absolutely! The 4:3 sections and graphic-covered area can hopefully be composited with SE footage to make the whole thing graphic-less and widescreen, like ocpmovie did with his edit originally.

--SKot

Post: #299155
Topic: Star Wars DVD Covers
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/299155/action/topic#299155
Time: 16-Oct-2007 7:11 PM

Originally posted by: Falle
I'm working on this right now .. Should I continue ?

That's definitely way better than the crap they packaged with the 5-Star Collection discs. I'm in favor of it!

I ordered my copies from Singapore way back when it looked like Star Wars wasn't coming out on DVD for a long, long time. It was like 10 bucks a disc, postage included I think. But the media they used is crap, and the discs always gave my players fits. Now my current player won't read ESB or ROTJ at all. Luckily my work PC does, so it's time I did a backup.

--SKot

Post: #299084
Topic: Star Wars DVD Covers
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/299084/action/topic#299084
Time: 15-Oct-2007 5:57 PM

I am looking for alternative covers for my 5-star 1997 SE discs. I'd like something that really emulates the look of the original SE laserdiscs or videotapes. Can anybody suggest any covers that would fit the bill?

Sluggo, I think you were working on something like this once... am I right?

--SKot

Post: #298811
Topic: 'THE INVADERS' - A Quinn Martin production (Released)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/298811/action/topic#298811
Time: 10-Oct-2007 7:16 PM

UPDATE:

At long last, The Invaders has made it to DVD. Only the first season, and only Region 2 so far, but at least it's officially out. We can only hope that there will be a Region 1 release down the road.

It's listed on Amazon UK here.

This is one of the last TV series that I was waiting to see make it to DVD. Now I think I can finally rest on that subject.

--SKot

Post: #298349
Topic: No more Star Wars from Master Replicas
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/298349/action/topic#298349
Time: 3-Oct-2007 1:22 PM

I bought one of the first MR prop replicas, the original Han Solo blaster pistol. It was spendy ($450.00 before shipping), but I was extremely pleased with it. Amazingly enough, since I waited until the last minute to purchase it (they were almost sold out when I bought mine), I got #1500/1500... the very last one made. Pretty cool.

There was one more gun prop replica I was waiting for from them, and that was the Stormtrooper rifle. However, when it came out I took a good look at one... and I must say I was rather disappointed. It just didn't seem to be the same kind of quality that my pistol was and wasn't as accurate as I thought it should be. I think the trigger was non-functioning and the gun was missing the folding stock that I was hoping for. So I actually opted not to get one. They've made some other cool-looking props since, but it seems that their overall quality went downhill a bit (which I've heard from other people as well). The Stormtrooper helmet they produced was a joke as far as accuracy or even appearance goes. So maybe it is time they bowed out and somebody else took their place.

Still, I was a little sad to see their association come to an end. I remember how exciting it was when they first got the license.

--SKot

Post: #298289
Topic: Star Wars film versions and best DVD sources
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/298289/action/topic#298289
Time: 2-Oct-2007 5:27 PM

Originally posted by: Moth3r

Originally posted by: SKot
Star Wars Special Edition (2004 version)
Differences: further digital alterations added
Best source: official 2004 DVD

The best video source for the 2004 versions (and the DVD versions of the prequels) would now be Wookie Groomer's 1080p WMV files.

Aha!

I will have to add that in there... though I think I'll leave the references to the official DVDs, since they are still preferred in some ways.

Actually, this opens up a whole new can of worms since now we're talking Hi-Def... so there may have to be a whole new category in the list.

--SKot

Post: #298212
Topic: The "EditDroid" Trilogy DVD Info and Feedback Thread (Released)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/298212/action/topic#298212
Time: 1-Oct-2007 7:21 PM

Originally posted by: bkev
Thanks, Klokwerk!
I'm wondering, for anyone who has the set, which is better - v1 with the monomix or v2 with the iso score?

Between the two, the v2 is definitely far better video quality-wise. After figuring out how to do better transfers for ESB and ROTJ, the EditDroid crew went back and upgraded the SW transfer for v2. However, I still love the v1 for being able to select the mono soundtrack on the fly... v2 dropped it in favor of the isolated score, I think.

--SKot

Post: #298211
Topic: Star Wars film versions and best DVD sources
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/298211/action/topic#298211
Time: 1-Oct-2007 7:06 PM

Originally posted by: bkev
http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=9&threadid=6994
I think this is it.

Yes, that's the one.

Best historical artifact on these boards, and best evidence of the truth that we have.

May it never be forgotten!

--SKot