PFS Staff Shares Their Favorite ‘Star Wars’ Memory!
PFS Staff Shares Their Favorite ‘Star Wars’ Memory!
By the PFS Staff
It may or may not surprise you but some members of the Philadelphia Film Society staff are HUGE nerds! So, of course, we were very excited at the news that Rouge One: A Star Wars Story would be playing at our home – the Prince Theater. Some of the PFS staff decided to take a walk down memory lane and share their favorite Star Wars memories.
Alex Gibson, Events Manager –
My favorite Star Wars film is Return of the Jedi. That film is home to a lot of my favorite Star Wars moments & characters, including ewoks, Jabba the Hut’s lair, and heroic Lando Calrissian. Not to mention “It’s a Trap” and Luke and Leia realizing exactly how weird that kiss in EMPIRE was.
Ben Miller Marks, PFS Roxy General Manager –
When I was a kid, about 7 or 8 years old, I was introduced to Star Wars by my Uncle Mark in 1995 (Pre Special Editions). Everything of my fandom I owe to my Uncle, who got me into everything from Star Wars, Comic Books, and Video Games.
Perhaps my favorite memory, though an infamous occasion for me looking back, was sometime after I had first seen Star Wars (1977). Completely obsessed, I rented it over and over again from West Coast Video, mainly because The Empire Strikes Back was always checked out. One day, I was at my staying at my grandparents in North East Philly close to where my Uncle Mark and Aunt Mindy lived. My Aunt was excited to see me and hang out but all I wanted to do was see the next Star Wars movie. Not even knowing at the time that it was called The Empire Strikes Back, I simply asked that she bring the “second one” so we could watch it. She agreed and came over with popcorn and candy. As we settled down in the basement of my grandparent’s house, I was so very excited. The familiar theme and title crawl filled the screen. I was dancing in my seat until I observed R2D2 and C3PO entering the house of Jabba the Hutt, and Han Solo was frozen Carbonite. Wait what? When did this happen? Who is that sick little green guy? What did I miss??? My Aunt, as lovely and kind as she was, had no idea she had grabbed the wrong one and thus eventually ruined perhaps one of the most shocking reveals of cinema history.
SPOILER ALERT: Darth Vader is Luke Skywalkers Father!
Where my Uncle was at this time, I’ve no idea and nor does he remember. But I’m sure he was equally upset.
Truth be told, my childhood love of Star Wars burned out a long time ago. Coming of age during the prequels made it real easy to get totally disillusioned about what was once a childhood passion. Even the nostalgic blast of The Force Awakens did very little to rekindle any spark of affection for the series. But when we hosted local brass band Wookiedelphia for Rogue One‘s advance screening at the Prince, I couldn’t help but get chills watching their clever and inventive reworkings of John Williams’ iconic music, especially when the audience lingered in the lobby so as not to miss any of their performance. The incredibly talented (and funny!) members of the band showed me how much Star Wars means to people and how much joy this 40-year phenomenon can generate. Seeing audiences delighted and thrilled by a moviegoing experience is what I work in film exhibition.Blake Washington, Membership and Development Associate –
Staff Screening of the last Star Wars here at The Prince…it was my first ever Star Wars movie on the big screen!
Charles Grafman, Director of Development
I went on opening night for the 20th anniversary re-release of A New Hope. There was serious energy in the theater: costumes, ovations, tears, etc. It was a completely memorable, over-the-top movie-going experience. There was so much excitement, I don’t think I heard anyone complain about George Lucas’ updates until at least the next day….
Kait Calabrò, Marketing Associate –
As a child I watched all the Star Wars films and remembered the CliffsNotes, Luke and Leia are really brother and sister and Darth Vader is their father, you know — big picture stuff. It was not until I was a young teenage girl trapped in a car traveling from Philadelphia to South Carolina with my two younger cousins for Summer vacation that I truly fell in love with the Galaxy Far Far Away. On a tiny portable dvd player the three of us watched Episodes IV-VI and it was magic. That is how I will remember Star Wars, even in an over packed car – I was able to travel to space and be engulfed in the saga of the Organas, Skywalkers, Solos, and so many more wonderful characters.
And I don’t care if it seems cliché but New Hope will always be my favorite Star Wars film — “Obi Wan Kenobi, you’re my only hope.”
ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY is Now Playing at the Prince Theater in Center City!
Get Tickets HERE.