San Fran, CA 30 Years of The Empire Strikes Back

May 21, 1980 - Where were you?


After Star Wars left theaters, all I could do to relive it was to read comics, books, collect stuff, and listen to the Story of Star Wars and the soundtrack LP's. Even the Star Wars Holiday Special teased about a new character called Boba Fett.

My brother's birthday fell around the time a new Star Wars or Indy film opened, and we were in line at the Northpoint Theater in San Francisco, and the line went around the block. For each showtime, they would count each person coming in until it reached capacity. After we got in, they capped it until the next show! The lobby was booming with excitement, and they had a souvenir stand in the lobby, with souvenir magazines, shirts, buttons, stickers, etc.

I also remember the silent GASP when Vader said his famous line. No one ruined the surprise for the people still waiting in line to see it. These days, someone would tweet or text it right after it was said!

Where have the thirty years gone?!


Let the anniversary celebrations begin!

 

Some anniversary stuff:


*An anniversary print:

http://starwars.com/vault/collecting/esb_artwork_collection_2/index.html


*StarWars.Com is showing sneak peeks at the upcoming The Making of "The Empire Strikes Back" book due later this year:

http://www.starwars.com/vaults/books/making_esb_spread1/index.html


*CNN is looking for people to share their ESB memories:

http://www.ireport.com/ir-topic-stories.jspa?topicId=437235


*Have fun playing with these sounds:


Wampa vs. Tauntaun:

http://starwars.com/games/playnow/soundboards/#/?theme=30

Battle of Hoth:

http://starwars.com/games/playnow/soundboards/#/?theme=36

Dagobah:

http://starwars.com/games/playnow/soundboards/#/?theme=39

Space slug:

http://starwars.com/games/playnow/soundboards/#/?theme=40

Boba Fett:

http://starwars.com/games/playnow/soundboards/#/?theme=38

Cloud City:

http://starwars.com/games/playnow/soundboards/#/?theme=37

Lobot:

http://starwars.com/games/playnow/soundboards/#/?theme=41


*Hot Topic is jumping on the ESB bandwagon too:

http://www.hottopic.com/hottopic/LicensedGear/EmpireStrikesBack.jsp


*Put yourself in The Empire Strikes Back:

http://www.starwars.com/media/jibjab/index.html


*SW.Com has ESB pics up (many never seen before):

http://www.starwars.com/movies/episode-v/empire_30th_anniversary.html


*Just like the Tauntaun sleeping bag, you'd think this would've come out by now:

http://www.starwars.com/vault/collecting/space_slug_oven_mitt/index.html


*Someplace to wipe your feet after a long day:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/plush/e071/


*And a little heads up for you ESB 30th Anniversary Pin Collectors and Star Wars Weekend fans. Here is the artwork for the SWW 30th Anniversary Celebration of ESB. The pin is a "Jumbo Pin"

[image=http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc69/hmpotc33/2010JUMBOPINS.jpg]

Release Date 05/21/10
Price $124.95
Edition Size 250 Pins
SKU# 184067

Can be ordered through Disney Delivears


*The original 6-part ESB comic book is now online:

http://starwars.com/clonewars/comic/?book=esb#/?page=-1


*Hallmark has some ESB ornaments coming this year:

http://theforce.net/latestnews/story/2010_Hallmark_Star_Wars_Holiday_Ornaments_131317.asp


*"The Empire Strikes Apps"

http://www.theforce.net/latestnews/story/The_Empire_Strikes_Apps_131401.asp


*Win a lifesize Darth Vader bust:

http://www.sideshowtoy.com/?page_id=16371&source=052010news&utm_source=newsletter-pers-052010news&utm_medium=email


*A report from the ESB charity screening with Harrison Ford (look who also showed up!):

http://www.starwars.com/fans/events/esb30th_screening/index.html


*An ESB-themed print by Nathan Hamill:

http://shop.starwars.com/catalog/product.xml?topcatID=1300264;product_id=1321010



And starting today, check out your local TV listings for all things ESB for the next few days!