EVERETT — A long time ago, in a downtown not far, far away, a 13-year-old kid and his 11-year-old brother stood in a long line that wrapped around the 2900 block of Colby Avenue to get into the Everett Theater.
The hype surrounding the opening of “Star Wars” in 1977 didn’t come close to the anticipation that’s now brewing for the seventh film in the series, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” later this month. The new movie’s trailers have probably been watched more times than the original movie itself. But I know my brother, my friends and I were talking about it, especially as we waited in line, as we tried to imagine space ships, light sabers and laser beams. I was still a little confused on how to pronounce the bad guy’s name: Was it Death Vandar? Darth? What’s a darth?
I’m getting the opportunity to relive a little of that teenage geekiness next week as the Historic Everett Theatre, the same theater where the very first “Star Wars” — which yes, is actually the fourth in the series — was released in May 1977. Historic Everett is playing each of the six movies in the series as a lead-up to the Dec. 18 release of “The Force Awakens.” The series is playing each night at 7:30, “Episode I: The Phantom Menace” on Dec. 1; “Episode II: Attack of the Clones” on Dec. 3; “episode III: Revenge of the Sith” on Dec. 7; “Episode IV: A New Hope” on Dec. 14; “Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back” on Dec. 15 and “Episode VI: Return of the Jedi” on Dec. 16.
Admission to the screenings is free.
Even without the Internet and TV ads during NFL games, my brother and I sat, excited as the movie’s opening prologue began rolling from the bottom of the screen into the distant stars, “A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away … ”
It wasn’t like anything that I, raised on “Star Trek” reruns, had seen before. In the opening scene, a small spaceship is fleeing a shower of laser beams. As the ship recedes, behind it comes the tip of a larger spaceship, which slowly starts to fill the screen. From that point on, my mouth was wide open as much as in awe as it was to feed with popcorn. Robots, sandpeople, a young hero — who was kinda whiny, I thought — a wise old man, a cantina filled with weird aliens, light sabers, a swashbuckling smuggler — who by the way, did shoot Greedo first — something mysterious called the Force, a beautiful princess, X-wing fighters, a black-robed bad guy — whose name I did figure out — and —“that’s no moon” — a Death Star and a laser-blasting spaceship dogfight.
Even without the CGI special effects that came later, the first — fourth? — “Star Wars” and its immediate sequel, “The Empire Strikes Back,” remain as the best of the six, because they were just good basic storytelling with bad guys and good guys and imagination.
I remember about where I sat 38 years ago, near the middle of the theater on the left aisle. I think I’ll try to find that seat again. Except for handfuls of popcorn, my mouth probably won’t be open in awe, but there will be a smile, remembering what it was like that first time a spaceship filled the screen.
“Star Wars” events
Sno-Isle Libraries will host a pair of “Star Wars”-themed festivities in December. The Lake Stevens branch will host “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” celebration at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 4. Gather your best “Star Wars” gear for a celebration of the new film in the franchise, “The Force Awakens.” Enjoy crafts, trivia, giveaways and refreshments. For kids aged 5 to 11. On Dec. 15, the Lynnwood branch will host a Feel the Force event at 4 p.m. Wear “Star Wars” gear, enjoy trivia and test your Jedi skills. For more information, visit sno-isle.org.
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