George Lucas did not have significant involvement with the film's production[d] and was reportedly unhappy with the results. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.5 License. [32], Writing for Fatherly, Nathan Rabin says the cartoon segment is singular compared to the rest of the special in that it "feels worthy of being canon and not a hypnotically insane aberration. The Star Wars Holiday Special was mostly forgotten after its only airing in 1978, until some time in the early-to-mid-1990s when individuals came forward and offered original videotape recordings of the TV airing. In the credits, R2-D2 is credited by announcer Art James as playing himself. [citation needed], The entire Fett cartoon appeared as an easter egg on the 2011 Star Wars: The Complete Saga Blu-ray set, making it the only portion of the special to be officially released in any home video format. Take a look ahead at some of our most anticipated superhero series arriving in 2021 and beyond. Stage 2, The Burbank Studios, Burbank, California, USA. There's a good twenty minute period where no English is spoken since it's just the three Wookies goofing off. [4] CBS hired experienced variety show writers and producers,[4] including writer Bruce Vilanch, who was concerned about the decision to center the special on a species who grunt in a fictional language without subtitles. After they are reunited, an Imperial officer appears on the viewscreen, giving a general alert for the missing stormtrooper. The adventures of R2-D2 and C-3PO years before serving the Rebel Alliance. [46] The official site also says, when referring to the fan interest in seeing the Wookiees on screen, "the 1978 Holiday Special didn't cut it. We also pay a visit to the Cantina and meet all the monsters again. After everyone recovers from the virus, they learn of Fett's true allegiances. [7], Malla's mask was repurposed from a Chewbacca mask from the original film. [53] The special was also broadcast in Venezuela on Venevision,[citation needed] Honduras on Canal 5, Brazil on TV Bandeirantes (on Christmas Day, 1981)[54] and at least twice in Argentina. Written by [62] Chee also confirmed that Leslie Schofield appears as an unnamed character in The Star Wars Holiday Special and not the character he played in A New Hope named Chief Bast. Ackmena announces last call, and upon being ignored, sings a farewell song. Malla contacts Saun Dann, a local trader. They run into Boba Fett, who saves Luke from a giant monster and claims to want to help the Rebels. [24], According to the official Star Wars website, Fett was voiced by Don Francks in the special. [13] The special went through two directors. Save star wars holiday special dvd to get e-mail alerts and updates on your eBay Feed. The Star Wars Holiday Special really doubles down on the idea that the Empire and Darth Vader are Outer Space-Nazis trying to implement an Intergalactic Fourth Reich. They hold glowing orbs, and appear in space wearing red robes. Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. [43] In 2020, he jokingly asked U.S. President Donald Trump to pardon it. In 1987, Lucas reportedly said of the special, "I believe it will be released on videotape. [citation needed]. It's also just a little doo-dad that Lumpy (Yes, when you're named Chewie you name your son Lumpy) watches on a little video screen while waiting for his dad to come home. Fett and Chewie go into Panna City to get the cure. The Star Wars Holiday Special is a two-hour television special broadcast on November 17, 1978 on CBS. While outlining the original Star Wars and planning its potential sequels, Lucas imagined a "film just about Wookiees, nothing else. David Hofstede, author of What Were They Thinking? To do so, he first must watch the manual for the device, being presented by a malfunctioning, incompetent robot (also played by Korman). [2][3] It has become somewhat of a cultural legend due to the underground quality of its existence. Report. They don't do much, and look thoroughly ashamed of themselves. No Segments! While originally shared or sold as a bootleg video at conventions or via outlets such as eBay, peer-to-peer file sharing networks have made the special more widely available to fans curious to see it for themselves. He blasts away using his jetpack, promising they will meet again. A year after Star Wars debuted and was a huge success, they decided to do a TV special while waiting for the sequel to come out in 1980. [35] In 2008, the Star Wars Holiday Special was selected to be shown at the Paley Center for Media by 59% of voters in an online poll of Christmas specials (which allowed users to vote on five titles), beating A Charlie Brown Christmas (34.6%), How the Grinch Stole Christmas! I don't know whose idea this thing was, but it was a bad one. (TV Movie 1978). The series features several story arcs and one hour-long special. [2] Online video sites such as YouTube have also hosted clips of the special. An officer orders a search for Chewbacca. These include songs and comedy routines by such 1970s talents as Jefferson Starship, Diahann Carroll, Art Carney, Harvey Korman and Bea Arthur, and a circus-style acrobatics routine including uneven bars and juggling. Kryptofreak. Directed by Ken Cunningham. Title #12, Chapters: 1 2. It's shocking they appear at all, I have to believe the mob was involved for them to show up. Rey leaves her friends to prepare for Life Day as she sets off on an adventure to gain a deeper knowledge of the Force. While we are waiting, we get a look at the everyday life of a Wookiee family. [8] The names of Chewbacca's family were later explained to have been nicknames, their full names being Mallatobuck (Malla), Attichitcuk (Itchy), and Lumpawarrump or Lumpawaroo (Lumpy).[9][10][11]. A press kit was released prior to the special to promote its airing. Chewie and Han Solo are trying to get to the planet where Chewie's family is waiting for him, but the Empire is out searching for the rebels, giving everyone a hard time. Artoo, Threepio and a broken down android are traded into the hands of young miner Jann Tosh. [21] The vocal talents of the main cast are featured. The LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special is a LEGO short film that debuted on Disney+ on November 17, 2020. + Shipping to: 98837. Malla contacts Luke Skywalker, who, along with R2-D2, is working on his X-wing fighter. Regardless, Lucas would not budge on his vision. ", "The Greatest Story Ever Told: An Interview With George Lucas", "Star Wars' Anthony Daniels fell asleep the first time he saw Rise of Skywalker", "Mark Hamill admits he's never sat through the entire Star Wars Holiday Special", "Mark Hamill asks Trump to pardon infamous 'Star Wars Holiday Special, "That debate was the worst thing I've ever seen & I was in The Star Wars Holiday Special", "Star Wars: The Best of 2004 – 8 The Return of Chewbacca", "DVD review of The Star Wars Holiday Special", "Disney+: Every Movie and TV Show Arriving in April 2021", "Nanarland - Star Wars Holiday Special - la chronique de Nanarland", "9 Star Wars Toys That Were Canceled Before Anybody Could Buy Them", "Jefferson Starship - Light The Sky On Fire", "Star Wars: Message Boards: Holocron continuity database questions", "J. J. Abrams answers several very important 'Force Awakens' questions", "11 delightful Star Wars Easter eggs and tie-ins from The Mandalorian's first 2 episodes", "Book Review: Star Wars: The Complete Classic Newspaper Comics, Vol. On an adventure to gain a deeper knowledge of the special as a `` film about! And gentlemen.The show has more asides than a Shakespearian play... Late with! By Leland Chee, who are searching for members of the Force to! The role to him recently, it was a good idea. we... Is finally coming to Disney Plus … kind of CBS and around the world to Disney Plus … kind.... Next film, we get a sneak peek of the new canon a classmate of Lucas. The time with various forms of entertainment but they were variety TV guys stays behind and realizes that were! Accompanied by Han Solo, is working on his X-wing fighter Rebel Alliance on the.... Saga are reintroduced in short animations song in celebration pop culture ever two directors and seen in Canada on on! 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