The poor lad’s mind is blown.

Continuing on from the « previous 2 strips: we see young Jack emerge from the cinema in December 1977 – after seeing STAR WARS!

 

The Viewing and the Trip Home

I actually have no memory of emerging from the cinema in 1977 – and to be honest, my memories of sitting there watching the film are fuzzy too. I remember how exciting it was to take my seat, for this much talked-about film. Aware that it was my first solo cinema trip, feeling the added excitement of the 20th Century Fox logo and fanfare blasting out at me – those drums! – but the rest of it is a broken up blur. Maybe that’s what it’s like waking up the morning after taking a load of drugs? “Yeah! It was so good – that I can’t really remember much of it.”

 

Dara Cinema in Naas, County Kildare

Dara Cinema, Naas, County Kildare, Ireland. This is where I saw Star Wars in December 1977

 

I don’t recall the drive home with my dad either! I doubt that I sat in unblinking, stunned silence – but rather – raved on and on about the film in my dad’s ear for the full 20 minutes.

 

Getting it on Paper

 

 

drawing star wars comics on the bedroom floor

It had to be committed to memory and paper asap. Who knew when we’d get to see it again?

 

What I do remember – absolutely clearly – was grabbing pencil and paper the second I got through the door of our house and throwing myself to my knees on the living room floor to make my first drawing of the film.

Star Wars was accorded the great honour of being drawn in pencil rather than the usual Biro or felt-tip pens. It was obviously what I thought proper artists did. You can see that first picture below! It’s interesting that I chose that prison-break scene first. I’m guessing that I loved the suspense of the rescue attempt, the fact that the two heroes were wearing enemy ‘uniforms’ – an oft-used device in WW2 films and comics, and – to George Lucas’ great credit – I loved the loveable, great, furry Chewbacca character! He knew kids would love him. Many adult fans these days can’t stand Chewie – which really surprised me. But maybe he’s just too cutesy and improbable for adults now. I mean, let’s face it, I can’t stand Jar-Jar Binks and any of those muppety characters in Return of the Jedi. You can read more about the drawing here on StarWarsAge9.com »

 

han luke and chewie in the detention block

Han and Luke escorting Chewbacca into the prison block, in Star Wars. Drawn by me when I was 9, in 1977. Read more»

 

 

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Thanks!

** Stay Groovy, all you 1970s kids! **

– John White

↓ Transcript
(Prosey)

Two Quite Interesting Hours Later -

It was December, 1977. Jack's dad returned from walking the dog along the canalside, to the the cinema - where STAR WARS was showing. It was time to collect his 9 year old son Jack. He opened the door and was shocked to see Jack, alone, staggering and wobbling down the stairs in a sort of stunned daze, barely able to hold the stair-rail or operate his legs. He appeared to be in a trance - or even ill.

"Strewth!", he thought.

"Oh - wh - wh - where am I?" Jack barely-coherently muttered.

"Are you alright, lad?" his Dad asked.

"Og ici plof ti ra nici..." Jack babbled (as if from the Britvic TV ad).

Dad felt Jack's forehead for signs of fever and helped him back to the family car, a Ford Capri.

"Easy does it - this way." urged Dad.

"Whu..?" babbled Jack.

"Just watch out for the kerb."

"Neg dewaghi wooldugger..?" Jack babbled - some more - quoting Greedo.

During the drive home along the dark country lanes, Jack sat in mute paralysis - wide eyes fixed on the darkness outside the windscreen - imagining Star Wars. Dad stared out the window, confused and a little concerned, "He actually is speaking in tongues!" he thought.

"I - I..." Jack barely managed.

It was dark outside now, and dad stopped the Ford Capri in the front drive of their house. "Jack? Jack?!?!" he yelled - then whsipered, "We're home."

Bit by bit, Jack eased back to reality. First came the monosylable, "Dad..." followed by an explosive and excited sustained outburst:

"It (Star Wars) was amazing!
It was unbelievable!
It was -
undescribable!!
There were flippin' spaceships an' laser beams an' dogfights an' sword fights an'..."

He paused briefly, regaining some self-control, and solemnly whispered, "You have to see it dad - you have to." Then he was off again -

"An' it went bloomin' p-chew - p-chew! An' blammo! Ka-blammo!! An' 'rrasp - rrrasp' an' bzzz - bzzz - an' an' an' an' an..."

Life would never be the same again.