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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Huckleberries Online

Star Wars at 40

Darth Vader makes his entrance in the 1977 movie “Star Wars.” Director George Lucas did more than make history. (Associated Press)
Darth Vader makes his entrance in the 1977 movie “Star Wars.” Director George Lucas did more than make history. (Associated Press)

But there was a time before a long time ago. This was prior to 1977 B.C. (Before Chewbacca). George Lucas, hot off his semi-autobiographical 1973 nostalgia reverie “American Graffiti,” was struggling with a script called “Adventures of the Starkiller” featuring a swashbuckling accessory known in early drafts as “a lazer sword,” with a Z, like Liza. The new/old word combo “lightsaber” sounded better, I think we can agree. That script adjustment was one stroke of luck among thousands that made “Star Wars” blow up like a Death Star. More here.



Huckleberries Online

D.F. Oliveria started Huckleberries Online on Feb. 16, 2004. Oliveria's Sunday print Huckleberries is a past winner of the national Herb Caen Memorial Column contest.