I was born in January 1978, about 9 months after Star Wars: Episode IV first hit theaters.
Empire Strikes came out in June 1980. I remember my mom taking me to see it, and I think they re-released Episode IV so people could relive the awesomeness again or see it for the first time before the new movie, which was what we did.
We were still living in San Bernardino at the time. We had a couple of theater choices. Some of the bigger blockbusters played at the “mall theater” as I referred to it versus the little twin theater we typically frequented that played double features of new Disney movies. We spent a lot of time there as you can imagine but ventured to the other part of town to see movies like E.T., The Goonies and in this case, Star Wars.
Even at a really young age, I was hooked on this series. It really was like nothing I had seen before. What kid wouldn’t love a big hairy Wookie, a shiny gold robot, a little trash can looking robot, a green chunky alien, and lightsabers.
I remember for Christmas that year my letter to Santa included mostly Star Wars toys, with the Storm Trooper gun that literally went “pew pew”. It was likely the coolest thing ever. (Sidenote: During our recent trip to Disneyland, found this pin and a shirt that matched it.) Santa came through and I ran around the house shooting everything. My mom and dad were probably really happy when the batteries started to run down and the “pew pew” was fainter. It’s been almost 38 years of loving Star Wars since that first Christmas and my collection of swag has grown pretty radically.
Seeing Star Wars: The Force Awakens reminded me of that day my mom and I saw Empire. It was that nostalgic and true to the original movies. I cried like a baby. I cheered and clapped like the rest of the theater. It was ridiculously good. And, it made me love JJ Abrams that much more. He honored the “nerdom” that is Star Wars, especially when all the critics hypothesized that by the franchise selling out to Disney it would be a laughing-stock. Well, they’re laughing all the way to the bank.
I’m headed back for Round 2 and I likely will see it even more before it leaves the theater. I already saw a countdown on Facebook that it was 524 days until the next movie. It can’t come soon enough.
From Rushia With Love 
Great blog! Your writing is excellent – you write from your gut. I just read all of your entries, I’m impressed.
Star Wars in the late 70’s – early 80’s was a magical time that I thought would never be repeated. And the prequels arrived, and with such disappointment. I thought the magic of Star Wars was lost. But leave it to the creator of Lost to rediscover the amazement and wonder of the original trilogy! J.J. Abrams has cemented his place in history – and restored Star Wars to the place it deserves!
Thanks, Kevin! Appreciate the kind words. 🙂 JJ is what the franchise needed for sure.
Boy you have a good memory Sissy – the fun fact I remember most is the Stars Wars little book with the matching cassette….. as we drove everywhere – you sat in the front of the El Camino with the book on your lap – pretending to read the words – looking at the pictures…listening to the voice over and turning the page when R2-D2 made his magically computerized sound…. I’m glad the new films honor the first ones…. not complicated, good guys versus bad guys, laughter and tears… just the way it should be! Love, Mom
Yes, Ma! Loved my R2 book and cassette tape. I just about ruined the tape wiith all the trips back and forth from Bishop to Grandma’s because I was still listening to it that many years later on our road trips. 🙂