Colonel Gaderaffi Sticks (3)
Last Updated (Tuesday, 22 February 2011 17:34) Written by Administrator Monday, 18 October 2010 00:00
Just one of the versions of that moniker I often used. Gaffi - Gader-fii, Gader-afi, Gaddafi...
Creative Lettering
"AAAA EEEEEEEEEE" It flows from Luke - top-left - across the assailant and down the page as it all goes comical-looking when Luke and Threepio fall off a cliff. Or something.
Art Notes
Late 1978 I would guess. So I was 9 or 10. The bottom left panel is clearly too good to be of my own invention - so yes, It's from the Marvel comic. In fact I'd say it was transferred via carbon paper just as the Mechanically Recovered, Shredded Rebel artwork was and then traced over
Actually I'm going to spill my guts here. Back in primary school I spoofed poor Niall - my desk-mate and best friend incidentally - that I had a printing machine at home. Oh yes, I said, my dad has one of those from his work. And
"Yes, I did draw that brilliant picture of chewbacca (which looks a million times better than anything I ever draw when you're watching)."
"It looks funny like that because it was printed from my drawing with the printer thingy."
In fact, I'm exaggerating: I was only just spoofing him that I could copy and print from the Marvel comic - like with one of those new fangled photocopiers. Now Niall seemed to believe this but he was always very clever so perhaps he was just humouring me? I told my mum about this and she said
"You shouldn't tell him that - it's not true and it's not fair to make someone feel jealous."
From, Star Wars Weekly Comic. (Click for the full ad)
The other part of this story though is that Niall said that he had a cine-camera and projector at home. This made me very envious indeed! Especially considering that Star Wars Weekly comic was advertising an 8mm, 8 minute B&W edit of the film that you could *gasp* show in your own home! I can't tell you the tingles of excitement this caused every time I imagined this possibility. "So that's STAR WARS - the actual STAR WARS showing in my house, day or night, any time I want it." I pestered my mum and dad over this. This was before home video - never mind DVDs and Youtube. Can you imagine it? BLIMEY! Pleasure overload as Bart Simpson would say! But no, I wasn't one of those kids who got everything I asked for. Thank goodness.
I was just now flipping through the comics trying to find the ad and I noticed some pale patches on the artwork. I'm reminded that we used to press Blu-Tack onto them to get a reverse impression of the artwork. I really made a mess of those (collectible) comics. Bits cut out, bits coloured-in, posters removed and put on the wall (where are they now?).
Film Notes
Chaykin's original version of my copied image was terrific. The rifle shattering - Luke's clenched teeth. More violent than the film itself.
Peter Diamond receiving his honorary 501st Legion member award. He must be thrilled.
Ironically, shooting the scene was extremely dangerous. Peter Diamond - who wore the Tusken Raider costume - recalls that he couldn't see anything during the scene as he lashed out at Mark Hamill. So when you see Hamill rolling rolling about trying to dodge those Colonel Gaddafi Stick blows: it's for real.
Comments
When I look at the 80s it seems like it wasn't that long ago that The Last Crusade came out and HArrison and Sean were kicking ass and taking names, now look at the most recent movie, it makes me a little sad that Indy is that old. One side of me thinks they should have left him alone and let us have very fond memories of him and the other loves having another Indy movie but I going on a tangent that Im sure ill reread tomorrow and have no Idea what I was typing so good night.
On a completely unrelated note who is going to one of the Back to the Future screenings ?
Also: vanityfair.com/.../...
One of the problems - as I see it - with flogging something over and over is that you just get into the law of diminishing returns. I haven't looked into the Expanded Universe stuff except for the Clone Wars film which I found awful and 'Splinter' which I found dull. I think when we love something we want more of it - but Star Wars and the 'Raiders' were sort of almost inexplicably great. Everything came together perfectly. The people involved were doing something totally new and were buzzed about solving new problems and exploring new territory.
That's a really difficult thing to repeat. Even if it's analysed and you thnk you have the formula figured out, it's then an uninspired exercise of going through the motions. Eventually you can end up with 2nd rate derivations of 2nd rate derivations. For me, all of this dilutes the power of the original. I'd be concerned about these mooted ALIEN prequels.
I found that when I got really into certain bands and listened to just them for months as I bought all the albums, and progressed through the back-catalogue the disappointment mounted but was coupled with the hope that the next one would be better. It rarely was and compounded the disappointment! I was eventually rewarded somewhat when YES returned to form in the early 2000s with an incredible orchestral album, and RUSH released 'Snakes & Arrows'. I remember listening to the late OZZY/SABBATH stuff over and over convincing myself that it was good. now that my interest has waned temporarily I hear them more objectively and find them difficult to endure. I think some of the SW Expanded Universe people might be doggedly clinging-on praying that it'll all get better eventually.
-------
I'll probably go to the next damned Indy film - and come out kicking myself for it. Again!
-------
Thanks for the good article link! Kerschner's fascinating and inspirational. I wish he had tried his hand at one Prequel.
-------
Look at Temple of Doom, it wasn't very good and people thought the next one wouldn't be good and we got a masterpiece, maybe it will follow the pattern.
It's interesting... when Gabby and I went to see 'Last Crusade' we were a bit disappointed with it. These days, I really enjoy it. Great fun!
RSS feed for comments to this post