‘Star Wars’: What it felt like the first time

Our intrepid columnist, Wendell Wittler shared his story of seeing “Star Wars” for the first time. Now here are some of your stories.

‘How did they film that up in space’
I was only five and a half. I'm such a "daddy's girl," that my dad took me out on a "date" to see the movie. I don't remember why we went to see it, because I don't remember thinking I wanted to see it, but see it we did. I was dressed in a cute little sundress, my hair up in a bun; my dad was in a casual suit and tie. I remember thinking: "How did they film that up in space?" That's how real it looked to me! I've kept up with all of the "Star Wars" movies, despite them not being as good as the originals. And now, since my husband will be deployed to Iraq at the time the last one comes out, my dad will be taking me to see "Revenge of the Sith". How appropriate! —Krystyna Calloway, Los Angeles

‘My dad had to drag me out’
I was three years old and remember it like it was yesterday — this from a guy hard-pressed to recall what I had for dinner last night — anyway, it was at the Edwards Cinema (now closed) in Fountain Valley, Calif., on Brookhurst. I loved every second of that movie, so much so that I absolutely refused to leave the theater when it was over — my dad had to drag me out!! I'll never forget my vantage point, in the car, hands and face pressed up against the back window, watching the Edwards Cinema disappear in the distance, desperately wishing to see it again. I'm not sure anything else ever so completely captured me like “Star Wars” did. —Adam Weisbacker, Cincinnati, Ohio

‘I wanted to be Han Solo’
I was five. My dad took me. I couldn't talk or think about anything else for two days. It was THE coolest thing I had ever seen. I wanted to be Han Solo and pretended my dog was a Wookie. To this day I think I am still trying to be Mr. Solo (but not having much luck). —Matt Ostrowski, Frisco, Texas

From the back of a Toyota
I first saw “Star Wars” at the Drive-in. I remember sitting in the hatchback of our 1975 brown Toyota Corolla wagon. I stayed awake from the opening crawl through to the droids landing on Tatooine, and then fell asleep. Hey, I was only three years old. But I'll never forget it.  —Kristoffer Hall, Denver, Colo.

A life-altering experience
In 1977, I stood in line with hundreds of other “Star Wars” fans at the Avco Westwood Cinema in L.A. for an afternoon show. I was to repeat that exercise at least two other times, bringing with me converts — friends, family members, college mates — to subsequent showings. The lines grew longer yet each viewing remained a revelation. There was so much excitement and so much communion with others that transcended mere movie-going — “Star Wars” became a life-altering experience never to be repeated. “Star Wars” was a unique movie, from the first reel of the film, with its incredible THX visual and sound effects, to the thrilling battle scenes and destruction of the Death Star. George Lucas truly delivered and I thank him for his single-minded cinematic vision of a “galaxy far, far away...” —Cathy Garnica, Fillmore, Calif.

‘What a rush!’
I went to the very first showing on the first day in Honolulu. I knew pretty much what to expect — I had read the novel that came out about six months before. But nothing prepared me for that first overhead shot — what a rush! Nothing has ever topped that as a first moment in a movie. —Katharine Kan, Panama City, Fla.

Schoolyard lightsaber battles
The first time seeing a lightsaber ignited, it was the coolest thing in the world. I remember all of my friends in kindergarten making lightsaber sounds all day until our lips turned blue. Every time my siblings and I would see a flashlight we would pick it up and pretend it was a lightsaber and have a good lightsaber duel. We're all in our 30s now and when we see a flashlight we're still having lightsaber battles with each other!  —Joe B., Ewa Beach, Hawaii

Long lines even in Germany
I remember queuing for three hours at the end of a line that stretched six times up and down the sidewalks outside the theatre. I remember not feeling impatient at all because I was finally seeing the movie that had shattered every kids’ mind and made him want to see this incredible event for him or herself. The moment the movie began I was hooked and have been ever since. Why? It's “Star Wars” for Pete's sake! The first one (Episode 4) changed the way I saw movies and heard music forever for me. No other piece of cinema comes close because although I love other movies, just hearing the music is enough to make my spine tingle and my senses go through the roof. I'll never forget the moment I walked out of the theatre and just wanted to go straight back in and see it again. I'd even stand in the line all over again. Have you ever seen an event like it since? Somehow, in a world of CGI and all, I doubt we ever will. —Mick Trezise, Hannover, Germany

Film that defined a childhood
I've seen it so many times it's hard to tell when “the first time” was. I was only five when the original “Star Wars” was released so my first memory is of my parents leaving me with baby sitters on a number of occasions to go and see a movie called "Star Wars."

But then I remember seeing it with my mom and being very sad when Obi-Wan was killed by Vader and her reassuring me. I remember it was such a pop culture juggernaut that we even managed to drag my grandparents to see it on one of our many summer visits. I also remember countless hours of playtime throughout the course of a childhood devoted to acting out feats of heroism and yearning for life of swash-buckling adventure far from a tiny town that felt very much like it's own “Galaxy Far Far Away.”

Now with the arrival of my first children (twins) only two months away, it seems fitting (and a little ironic) that the films that defined my childhood should end at the same time.

I still get that same sense of yearning every time Luke looks to the horizon and sees those two setting suns. —Chris Waters, Virginia Beach, Va.

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