That's actually a funny little gem there. And yes, Star Wars and it's one sequel are as important as D.W. Griffith films, although a bit more subtle on the whole racism issue.
I met up with Dave Prowse a couple of weeks ago at Elstree studios for an open day. We last worked together in 1976 at the same studios on the first ever Star Wars.
Had a great day out and got some pics.
It wasn't luck it was just another job.
I worked in the biz for 32 years and got to work on over 800 productions and tell all about it on my web page. I'll post some pics on here when I'm allowed to.
I did many Doctor Who shows (back in the old days )
It was a great way to make a living and even now I go out and do a few signings and although I'm now retired my grandkids tell their friends at school that thier grandad used to work for Darth Vader .
STAR WARS…DIRECTOR GEORGE LUCAS…
After finishing a couple of Doctor Who’s Central Casting sent me to E.M.I. Studios to work on another space film for seven days.
I did ask them if they had any other work because I was fed up with wearing space outfits and the like… (Little did I know about STAR WARS).
There must have been about fifty Supporting Artists gathered on the first day, some putting on white space type suits, some being fitted out in weird make up and costumes and the rest of us waited around to see what we were going to be.
We had plenty of time to sit around chatting and playing the odd game of cards.
When myself and a chap called Ronnie Conrad got a call to go to the wardrobe dept, They dressed us in black space type suits but without a facemask…(Were they telling us we were ugly enough to look like aliens).
When we were dressed we sat at the back of the set and waited to do our bit.
I got talking to a giant of a man (Dave Prowse) from the West Country and he told me he was playing a character called ‘’Daft Ada’’.
I found out later that day he was playing ‘’DARTH VADER’’ (It must have been Dave’s strong Cornish accent that made it sound wrong).
Ronnie and I did some odd bits during the week and then the 2nd A.D. called for us to do a bit of business with our old mate ‘’DARTH’’.
We were going to arrest Princess LEIA (Carrie Fisher)…
Carrie’s parents were Eddie Fisher (singer) and Debbie Reynolds (singer/actress). Debbie starred in the film ‘’Singing In The Rain’’ in 1952 and I, as a twelve year old, was in love with her... (It soon passed).
Anyway lets get back to ‘’DAFT’’.
Darth, Ronnie and I walk along some corridors and then into the cell where The Princess was being held. Darth had all the lines to say while Ronnie and I stood there looking ugly. (Typecast)
In between lighting the set Carrie was very chatty and asked what else we had done in films. (Has she got that much time to spare?)
I also met Harrison Ford and was to work with him again over the next few years.
Star Wars was the highest grossing money film that I ever worked on.
Some say it took a Billion Dollars at the box office and video sales…
I earned £11 per day for seven days. Total £77. What’s the % ?…
32 years later I am held in deep respect for being one of "DAFT ADA’S" men, by my Grandchildren… Thanks Mr Lucas…
RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK…Director Steven Spielberg…Elstree Studios…
Cast Inc…Harrison Ford…Karen Allen…
A great joy to watch Mr Spielberg at work.. The whole sequence was set out on storyboards. A master of his craft…
There’s about twenty of the chaps dressed up as (It’s that word again) GERMAN’S.
And it’s near the end of the film where the bad guys find The Ark and all us bad guys are going to get our just desserts.
When The Ark is opened strange things start to happen and strong winds and sand are blown all over the set. Steven tells us to react to strange ghost like creatures coming out of the Ark. He’d point at us and shout above the noise of the wind, ‘’It’s coming for you now react, now it’s got you round the face, react to it.’’
George Lucas was standing next to Steven at times and seemed to be enjoying the action.
Harrison and Karen were tied to a stake at the time so I couldn’t get any help from that quarter…
Of course all the special effects are put onto screen months later as is most films these days…
I read Steven Spielberg’s life story and he didn’t always have it easy. (Read it)
Registered: Sep 2006
Location: MANCHESTER - ENGLAND
I recognize you from your many uk appearances including Doctor Who
i recall you being on GERRY SADOWITZ channel 5 show years back too
i recognized you because of your job on Star Wars as one of the imperials who accompany Vader on their way to him torturing Leia and the aformentioned WHO appearances
you have appeared or worked in many films i possess too
Registered: Sep 2006
Location: MANCHESTER - ENGLAND
fantastic
i am sure im not alone in welcoming you to KMC
you are a very familiar face to a kid of the 70s and early 80s and adult then onwards
the pic of you ,Vader,the other chap and Carrie Fisher in the corridor of the Death Star is one of my fave Star wars stills ever
Apr 14th, 2008 08:12 PM
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