[Digression: kids, in that distant decade there was no way to record Star Trek or any other TV program for later viewing; there were no shows or movies on DVDs, "VHS" or "Betamax" tapes, or "laserdiscs" that you could rent from neighborhood stores; and there was certainly no cable TV or satellite TV with a science-fiction channel.]
We had seen a 1976 futuristic movie called Logan's Run that had pretty decent special effects, much better than Star Trek. Then I heard about a movie called "Star Wars" that was supposed to be even better.
Star Wars opened at San Francisco's Coronet theater on May 25, 1977, and we went to see it on the second day. Though we were an hour early, the line went around the block. The 1,350-seat theater was sold out, and we were lucky to get seats in the back. At least they were not in the front row.
The Coronet had a giant curtain that parted as the movie was about to start. Curtains were a feature found only in the old, classy theaters; they hardly exist anywhere today.
The 20th Century Fox logo appeared, the familiar trumpet fanfare sounded, then surprisingly continued a few extra bars, the notes rising in anticipation of the entrance of something grand. Text ("It is a period of civil war...") started scrolling through space, and we were transported to a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away.
From its opening scene I knew that we were watching something special. The Imperial star destroyer filled the screen. In close-up it didn't look cheesy, like 1950's flying saucers or, dare one say it, some of Star Trek's hastily put together vessels, weapons, and fake-looking aliens.
The special effects, John Williams' score, the distinctive characters, the rapid pacing, humor, and, most of all, the vivid details of George Lucas' world(s) all came together in a way that science fiction fans had never seen before.
It was only the second day of the movie, but I could hear people behind me reciting the lines before they were spoken. We were witnessing the birth of a phenomenon.
(This week the Chronicle ran some pictures of people standing in line at the Coronet and is hoping some would come forward for where-are-they-now stories.)
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| Star Wars, Day 4 (May 28, 1977) - Chron photo |
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