George Lucas had barely turned 17 when on May 25, 1961 John Kennedy boldly began the race to the moon, challenging America to send a man there by the end of the decade. On the same day in May in 1977, Lucas did better than that. He sent movie goers to a “galaxy far far away” beginning his saga at the end when Star Wars opened.
Movies have a long history of loving outer space. My Dad told stories of sneaking into the movie theater as an adolescent to watch Buster Crabbe as Flash Gordon several times. (Apparently in those depression days, ushers were known to leave the back door just slightly ajar for the local boys.)
Of course, TV producers got into the act as well. Lost in Space and the many Star Trex derivative series and films that followed remain popular items in our collection.
So here’s wishing a happy anniversary to George Lucas. After all, the success of that film paved the way for the financing of the Indiana Jones series. Coincidence, I think not. This week Harrison Ford is back in action and I know how I'll spend part of my weekend.