Hello, you are not signed on. |
|
![[ Blogs.starwars.com ]](/static/skin/default/img/title_banners/site_banner.jpg "[ Blogs.starwars.com ]")     
|
 | Where did YOU first see STAR WARS? |
 This being the 30th anniversary of Star Wars made me do a lot of thinking about my childhood and when I first saw Star Wars. Where I lived, where I was and who I was.
I lived on the same block as a movie theater because back in the day a lot of movie theaters were in people's neighborhoods rather than at the Mall. In fact our first Mall was built the year after Star Wars was released.
This one was not very cleverly named THE RITZ.
Anyway this theater on my block brings back many memories of my childhood. it brings back memories of the local Tot Lot which was a playground next to the theater where we would go every summer morning for a free breakfast program the city did for kids then. You would get a little cardboard container of cereal and some juice and some milk.
The theater was an old movie house that my mother actually worked in as a teenage usher in the late 1940s.
I was thinking about all of this stuff and when I was a mere 9 year old going to see Star Wars for the first time. Good days, the good old days when you were young and still in school and there really wasn't anything to worry about like when you are an adult and "life" happens.
The theater is still there and has been renovated and is now a live public theater with the same stage that was there before but now there is no movie screen in it. It still has the red curtains and i am sure not the same ones that were there when I was a kid but they are there now as before. The curtains open and the show begins.
In the old days I had an allowance and usually spent it at the theater on Star Wars among other movies too of course. Saturday and Sunday were $1 matinee showings for kids and I saw Star Wars in the theater for 2 years every weekend. They had 2 showings a day, one at 1pm and then another at 4 pm so for the weekend I saw the film 4 times.
Recently while feeling all nostalgic and remembering being a youngster I decided to pay a visit to this theater I had so much fun in and got lost in every weekend.
I took a few photos, gone are the lighting atop the marquee and of course the old style movie theater marquee texting. This next picture is NOT this theater marquee but resembles it as it looked back then and
SEEN HERE I wish I could find an actual photo, I searched around tons of websites having to do with Maine where I live and seemed to find every other theater but this one.
The photos I took came out great and give a basic idea of what the theater looked like then. Today it is red but back then it was a brown and tan color with red brick also. it doesn't look like much these days but to me this was my heaven back in the day and a glorious place to live right next to.
Behold my childhood heaven!
THE RITZ 1
THE RITZ 2
THE RITZ 3
THE RITZ 4
Now please tell me where YOU saw Star Wars first!!
|
 |
http://blogs.starwars.com/megatrends/8 |
 |
JawaJoey
Return of the Jawa
|
date Posted: Jun 19, 2007 1:13 AM
I don't even know. I was born long after it came out in theaters. It was just a movie I saw several times as I grew up, since we had it on VHS. Before I can really remember, I knew that Vader was Luke's father, and that green frog guy turned out to be Yoda. No surprises for me. According to my mom, when I first saw ESB, and heard Yoda, I said "That's Grover's voice!"
But alas, my first viewing of Star Wars is not a memory that I hold.
|
| |
striderdemme2005
Expandeduniverse
|
date Posted: Jun 19, 2007 4:57 AM
Sadly I saw it in my home on VHS tapes from the library. This was a few years before the Special Edition was released.
|
 |
hansgirl3
Invoking the Squee
|
date Posted: Jun 19, 2007 6:35 AM
Great walk down memory lane, Psycho!! 
I first saw it at 9 years old as well. My dad took me to our local theatre (which was actually in a mall) and was very close to our home. When I was a few years older, I would walk or ride my bike to the theatre and spend hours a day watching movies. This was the case when TESB came out, actually. I saw that one at least 9 times at that theatre.
Anyway, that first viewing of SW in my hometown theatre has so many wonderful memories for me.
I loved that theatre. It no longer exists, unfortunately. The "mall" isn't really a mall anymore and the theatre is gone. *sigh*
|
| |
APowerfulJedi
|
date Posted: Jun 19, 2007 6:39 AM
My parents decided to bring me to the Drive-in Theater. I can't remember the first movie however the second one was Star Wars, typically I fell asleep during the second movie but I asked my parents if I could sit outside on the front hood of the car. I took the two speakers that hooked on the window and put one on either side of my head. The night was clear with tons of stars behind the screen and to my astonishment the first scene was the opening of a huge wall of stars. My jaw dropped open and didn't close until the end of the movie. That experience which was one of those "you had to be there" has stuck with me all my life. Star Wars is and will always be my favorite movie, thanks to Mr. Lucas and a clear starry night at the drive-in.
|
 |
Michelle1968
M68- Star Wars Kid at Heart
|
date Posted: Jun 19, 2007 6:42 AM
Oooo, I loved this entry. Thay theatre is straight out of 40's... gotta love it. The theatres out here in California, at least the ones I've gone to my whole life are much newer, sadly. I love the idea of sitting in a theatre that has been around for ages and audiences actually watched such classics as Casablanca, Gone with the Wind for the first time on screen.
(cont)
|
|
Michelle1968
M68- Star Wars Kid at Heart
|
date Posted: Jun 19, 2007 6:42 AM
Anyhoo, I was 9 as well (but you already knew this)  and watched A New Hope in LA with relatives. My cousin Chad and I instantly fell in love and both began collecting together from then on.
I remember it so clearly. What was cool is we were at this theatre that was a dome shape and the screen filled nearly half of it and wrapped around... you get what I'm sayin? It was friggin awesome!
Killer entry cowboy!
|
 |
usetheforce19
MasterMonkey13
|
date Posted: Jun 19, 2007 6:59 AM
Honestly, the first time that I watched a Star Wars movie was in May 2005. I got the OT for my birthday and I think that on the 20th, my bro and I watched Episode IV. Later we watched Episode V and VI. We ordered Episodes I and II off of Ebay but Episode II came a week before Episode I. After that, we went to the theaters to see Episode III. That's pretty much how I watched the movies, I saw them all within 3 months rather than having to wait 30 years. But, because of that I missed out on a lot of the fun things that go with waiting for sequels.
May the Force be with us all! God bless!
|
| |
Master Deireanach
|
date Posted: Jun 19, 2007 7:03 AM
I've always loved SW, from my earliest memories. I was born the year starwars came out, my first true memory of the films was ESB, I was only three but I remember my dad taking me to the theatre, the old Paramount my grandmother worked there since it was built in the 30's until she retired about 20 years ago. Then of course came ROTJ and that solidified my love of the GFFA.
|
| |
Master Deireanach
|
date Posted: Jun 19, 2007 7:07 AM
Since I was born in June of '77 I have a theory as to why I'm so infatuated with SW. My mother went to see ANH with me fully developed in her belly and I must have taken with me sounds, feelings really that are ingrained in me. So I was litterally introduced to starwars before I was born.
MTFBWY
|
 |
DJ Maul: Got Feet?
DJ Maul's Dancin' Cantina Party
|
date Posted: Jun 19, 2007 7:31 AM
excellent blog!
I dont remember EXACTLY where I saw SW first; some theater down the Jersey Shore...but my neighborhood had a VERY old theater much like yours there that still exists today and yep, it too went from stage theater in its hey day to movie theater in the modern era and now is back to a stage theater for a local acting troupe. I used to go to that theater EVERY weekend, no matter what was playing really. It was cheap and it was a block from my house and all the kids hung out there Friday night, before, during and after.
|
| |
jedi_master_nichole
|
date Posted: Jun 19, 2007 8:37 AM
I think the first time I ever saw it was when my brother bought the tapes at a garage sale but I might have got it at the library before that.
|
| |
masterkenobi93
confessions of a teenage star wars fan
|
date Posted: Jun 19, 2007 8:43 AM
I really don't remember! My dad saw it the first day it came out in theaters, and it was in a theater just down the street from him. Actually we live in the same house my dad grew up in, so I have lived there my whole life, but any ways, My dad was always playing the Star Wars movies on VHS and I remember always asking him a million questions about them every time we watched them!
MTFBWY
MK93
|
 |
slow
Slow's Rebel Ramblings
|
date Posted: Jun 19, 2007 9:05 AM
Of course you know mine. THE RIVOLI theater in Muncie. Also an old movie house. Here is MY BLOG AND VIDEO about that great place, movie and time in my life.
GREAT ENTRY!
|
 |
Darth_Hiram
A Journey into The Force
|
date Posted: Jun 19, 2007 9:26 AM
Great entry! I believe I saw it at a theatre similar to yours, converted now into a live stage theatre (before that it was bought by a church and used as that!). Seems so long ago now, in a galaxy far, far away!
|
 |
nob01
Oil Bath Bubbles
|
date Posted: Jun 19, 2007 10:12 AM
I was 10 and saw it at my local Odeon Cinema. The irony of it all is that I missed the first 10 minutes when I went to see it - and didn't get to see the opening until a couple of weeks later when I went again.
Some fan I am...
|
 |
Granny-Wan
I Am NOT an Old Fossil!
|
date Posted: Jun 19, 2007 11:10 AM
Ha, I saw ANH in a theater in Puerto Rico when I was 24. Oh my, I'm old.
I was 21, and I saw it the first time in my hometown theatre even though I didn't live there anymore.... LOL
|
 |
megatrends
Confessions of a Psychotic Jawa
|
date Posted: Jun 19, 2007 12:07 PM
No surprises for me. According to my mom, when I first saw ESB, and heard Yoda, I said "That's Grover's voice!"That is okay, it gives a different perspective but not really if watched for the first time in natural sequence.
Sadly I saw it in my home on VHS tapes from the library. This was a few years before the Special Edition was released.
Nothing to be sad about there. You saw it before the prequels, excellent!
Ha, I saw ANH in a theater in Puerto Rico when I was 24. Oh my, I'm old.
That's excellent, I often wonder what i would have thought of it if i were not seeing it with "the mind of a child".
|
|
megatrends
Confessions of a Psychotic Jawa
|
date Posted: Jun 19, 2007 12:13 PM
This was the case when TESB came out, actually. I saw that one at least 9 times at that theatre.
I stood in line for that one and was going on 13 years old I think. I do not remember how many times I saw it in the theater. This was no longer at MY theater as it had changed to showing just prorn.
and to my astonishment the first scene was the opening of a huge wall of stars. My jaw dropped open and didn't close until the end of the movie. That experience which was one of those "you had to be there" has stuck with me all my life.
That is literally what it is all about. AWESOME STORY!
|
|
megatrends
Confessions of a Psychotic Jawa
|
date Posted: Jun 19, 2007 12:17 PM
I love the idea of sitting in a theatre that has been around for ages and audiences actually watched such classics as Casablanca, Gone with the Wind for the first time on screen.
I hadn't really thought about it that way but you are right! Wow .... right between the eyes with the obvious I had overlooked. That rules.
at this theatre that was a dome shape and the screen filled nearly half of it and wrapped around... you get what I'm sayin?
That musta just ruled something fierce! I would have loved that.
Honestly, the first time that I watched a Star Wars movie was in May 2005.
it is never too late, I am so glad you enjoyed them, did they seem dated when you watched SW for the first time? I want to know
|
|
megatrends
Confessions of a Psychotic Jawa
|
date Posted: Jun 19, 2007 12:22 PM
I was born the year starwars came out, my first true memory of the films was ESB,
I love all of these different perspectives, this is awesome. i am enjoying these.
So I was litterally introduced to starwars before I was born.
I actually believe that, it is common nowadays to talk to the fetus inside mommy for that very reason.
I used to go to that theater EVERY weekend, no matter what was playing really. It was cheap and it was a block from my house and all the kids hung out there Friday night, before, during and after.
Yup that is the same thing. AWESOME! I saw movies at another theater too, The Empire but it was further away. I saw Close Encounters, the Towering Inferno, The Black Hole etc.
|
|
megatrends
Confessions of a Psychotic Jawa
|
date Posted: Jun 19, 2007 12:26 PM
I think the first time I ever saw it was when my brother bought the tapes at a garage sale
Seeing them is the important thing, seeing in the theater does NOT make one a better fan or make them any better.
I really don't remember!
Thats ok too, seeiung them with Dad must have been a nice memory and bugging him with questions.
Of course you know mine.
yes and most unfortunate that they demolished your memories like that. bastages!
I saw it at a theatre similar to yours, converted now into a live stage theatre
I hadn't realized that was so common lolz. hey we got to see the danged film and that rules at least. I miss those days so much, i really really do a lot.
|
|
megatrends
Confessions of a Psychotic Jawa
|
date Posted: Jun 19, 2007 12:29 PM
The irony of it all is that I missed the first 10 minutes when I went to see it - and didn't get to see the opening until a couple of weeks later when I went again.
haha that rules, at least you got to see something new the second time. it must have gievn you a shudder when you saw that.
I was 21, and I saw it the first time in my hometown theatre even though I didn't live there anymore
Another adult perspective of the film, I never had that and often wonder what i would have thought of it at 21 or 24 seeing it first. This made me think about that. When you have the mind of a kid it may seem grander perhaps? I don't know, how was it at that age? Tell me.
|
|
hansgirl3
Invoking the Squee
|
date Posted: Jun 19, 2007 1:41 PM
This was no longer at MY theater as it had changed to showing just prorn.
Oh, that's just sad. Well, at least you have the memories!
|
|
Granny-Wan
I Am NOT an Old Fossil!
|
date Posted: Jun 19, 2007 2:26 PM
This made me think about that. When you have the mind of a kid it may seem grander perhaps? I don't know, how was it at that age? Tell me.
It was fantastic. jaw dropping, far out... my older sister was crazy about it, too.... we thought is was the best movie ever made...
It was exciting, intriguing, and action packed with a touch of mysticism... and the special effects were mind blowing....
|
| |
ketal13
HanAnWan
|
date Posted: Jun 19, 2007 3:37 PM
Aww. I can't believe I missed this blog this morning.  What an excellent entry!
Now please tell me where YOU saw Star Wars first!! I thought that you would never ask
Your theatre was much more fancy shmancy than mine was. I saw the original in July of 1977. I was 9 years old. My Dad took me on our first Father Daughter outing, so I was pumped about that but even more so about seeing Star Wars.
|
| |
ketal13
HanAnWan
|
date Posted: Jun 19, 2007 3:38 PM
cont...
It surprises me how well I can remember the smell of the musty theatre, sitting the second seat in from the aisle at the very back of the theatre and how totally cool I thought that the introduction was. My strongest memory though is how I felt when they showed Darth Vadar surviving the destruction of the Death Star, I was so angry, now, of course I feel the total opposite.
|
 |
JediPug1
Like My Father Before Me
|
date Posted: Jun 19, 2007 3:52 PM
My Dad took me to see Star Wars when it first came out and I was almost 9 years old. Oddly enough, I don't have a clear memory of it. Many of my childhood memories are kind of fuzzy, but, obviously it made an impact!!
I know it was at a theater way up north from where we lived in the south suburbs of Chicago. It wasn't showing anywhere closer right when it first came out. My Dad recalls two teenage girls seated in front of us that were very chatty when the movie was about to start, but soon they were transfixed by what they saw...as was I, he says. I wonder if those two girls are here on the blogs somewhere??
cont.
|
|
JediPug1
Like My Father Before Me
|
date Posted: Jun 19, 2007 3:54 PM
cont.
My memories of TESB are much clearer. My Mom did the honors that time... and had to listen to me gush about Luke for weeks after!!  Both Mom and Dad took me to ROTJ.
Awesome pics of your old theater! Thanks for the trip down memory lane... I enjoyed it! Good times!
|
 |
leia19886
Someone get this big walking carpet out of my way ...
|
date Posted: Jun 19, 2007 3:57 PM
I grew up in a small town. The theater is still called Mesa Theater.
Back when I was little they also had curtins that opened up when the movie started.
Being in a small town on the edge of the Navajo Reservation the theater HAD a
beautiful mureal on the walls of the reservation and an old Navajo riding a horse.
The lady whom owned the theater got Star Wars because it wasn't popular.
We usually had to wait until the novilaty of the movie wore off before we got the block buster movies. She sold the theatrer in 95. At the time I was still there, the theater had to wait at least 15 days before getting NEW movies. It dependes on the popularity of the movie after opening weekend.
I first saw Star Wars in 1977. I was 7rys old.
|
|
slow
Slow's Rebel Ramblings
|
date Posted: Jun 19, 2007 4:09 PM
To add to mine. I was 11. It came to our town in June of 1977. Our movie house also had the large cutains that would pull to the sides and up. I believe it had also been a vaudeville house as well. The other one "like" it is still around and has long been the Civic Theater, with local plays and such.
The guy that tore down the Rivoli has a theater named after him in our Center For The Arts (an old masonic temple). THAT theater is quite lovely inside and set to the 1920s furnishings. The sad part is they do not show any movies (not even old classics) and the people that run the center wouldn't know how to treat the place if they could.
|
 |
The Stooge
Star Wars Joke-A-Day
|
date Posted: Jun 19, 2007 4:11 PM
I'm with JawaJoey... I honestly don't remember. I know that I saw ROTJ several times when it came out, and I'm pretty sure it was at the Lincoln Village Theater in Lincolnwood, Illinois... but as for when/where I first saw ANH and ESB, I got no idea...
|
|
megatrends
Confessions of a Psychotic Jawa
|
date Posted: Jun 19, 2007 4:11 PM
My Dad recalls two teenage girls seated in front of us that were very chatty when the movie was about to start
Things never change! That still happens always!
The lady whom owned the theater got Star Wars because it wasn't popular
Who wooda thought that, nice description of the Navajo artwork, musta looked grand!
It surprises me how well I can remember the smell of the musty theatre.
Yeah I remember the music played before the movie, it must have been prerecorded on a tape or something because it was always the same comp. I think of the movie whenever I hear the songs. I was always early anxious for the show and had too long to wait.
|
|
megatrends
Confessions of a Psychotic Jawa
|
date Posted: Jun 19, 2007 4:23 PM
I know that I saw ROTJ several times when it came out,
Well that is good. At least you did see the films whether it was on VHS or in a theater or both.
To add to mine. I was 11. It came to our town in June of 1977.
I may be off base but I have noticed that almost every older person on the blogs here were between 7 and 11 years old when seeing Star Wars.
I don't know what that means .... if anything.
|
 |
gencrs
Technical Manuals from The GFFA
|
date Posted: Jun 19, 2007 6:53 PM
I think the first time I saw ANH was on prime time TV, sometime in the mid 80's. The biggest thing I remember was getting interrupted by commercial breaks every few minutes. (I also think we recorded the show on VHS and my mom might still have them, which would be really cool. I'll have to check.) I finally saw it the first time straight through a few months later after renting the movies. We didn't purchase a set until just before the Special Editions came out.
|
 |
GalacticBabe
I Have a Bad Feeling About This!
|
date Posted: Jun 19, 2007 6:54 PM
The Showcase Cinema. It was a two-story theater, and all the movies started on the bottom in the big theater, then after a while went to the smaller theater up top. The smaller theater seated only about 50 people, so it was nice and cozy.
There was a huge moose head mounted in the stairway (it was real!), I can remember going up the stairs and being able to see up the thing's nose. It used to scare me to death as a child! But not bad enough to not see MY movie!
They've turned my beloved Showcase Cinema into a Blockbuster. **sigh**
Good memories!
|
|
GalacticBabe
I Have a Bad Feeling About This!
|
date Posted: Jun 19, 2007 6:56 PM
I may be off base but I have noticed that almost every older person on the blogs here were between 7 and 11 years old when seeing Star Wars. Bizarre coincidence? I think not!
|
|
Darth_Hiram
A Journey into The Force
|
date Posted: Jun 19, 2007 7:07 PM
Bizarre coincidence? I think not!
Indeed! I have great memories of seeing all three OT on the big screen in their original format. seeing those movies when you're in the 7-11 age bracket really leaves an impression ... obviously with us all!
|
|
megatrends
Confessions of a Psychotic Jawa
|
date Posted: Jun 19, 2007 9:20 PM
think the first time I saw ANH was on prime time TV, sometime in the mid 80s
I probably saw those too, I had recorded TESB and ROTJ on Cinemax in the late 80s unaltered obviously. I had bought the box set in 95 too before the special editions too like you did.
There was a huge moose head mounted in the stairway (it was real!), I can remember going up the stairs and being able to see up the thing's nose. It used to scare me to death as a child! But not bad enough to not see MY movie!
haha that's awesome ... that made me laugh.
|
| |
zach starwalker
|
date Posted: Jun 19, 2007 10:16 PM
hmm... probably at home. maybe the special editions but its really vague. i remember getting excited when i heard there was going to be another one. my first real memory that its still clear. my 7-11 age was during episode two. puts me a 10. episode one puts me at 7. so yeah im following the trendy 7-11. it just so happens 7 times 11 is 77. well my theater is about 10 miles away in our host town(im in a village) adn it was called the roxy. you will never find the right one there are so many of that name. except my theater was tiny. maybe 25 seats or so
|
 |
JediMelindaWolf
Try not. Do. Or do not. There is no try.
|
date Posted: Jun 20, 2007 6:47 AM
Isn't it amazing how much magic can occur within the confines of an unassuming, square, brick building?!
I had just finished my freshman year at college, had returned home, and there was all this hoopla about a new spacey, science fiction flick. I had some free time one afternoon, and got a ride to one of Chicago's great theaters (this was before the day of the multiplex ) - the Nortown. Known for its ornate interior and working organ (sometimes we'd be entertained before the movie began!), it always was a treat to see a movie there beneath its ceiling of twinkling stars.
I quickly lost count of the number of times I saw SW there that summer! I was hooked from the get-go!
MTFBWY
|
 |
JediITL
The Blog Trooper
|
date Posted: Jun 20, 2007 12:19 PM
10 Years ago, in a nearby AMC theater... My dad and I walk up to the ticket counter... "One child, one adult for Star Wars four please" my dad ordered. My dad gave the ticket person the money, got the tickets, and we headed inside. We go to the theater 6 on the right row. We had some trouble finding somewhere just to sit because the place was packed! We finally got a seat. The lights dim and the previews start and end fast. Then I hear the drumming... The 20th Century Fox sign appears, then it switches to the Lucas Film Ltd. sign, And then...
A long Time ago,
In a Galaxy far, far, away...
I was 4 years old... And it was one of the best times of my life.
|
 |
jediprincess77
I Know...
|
date Posted: Jun 20, 2007 12:33 PM
What a wondeful entry, Psycho!!! This was soooo fun to read!
My mom decided to buy the films (OOT...SE hadn't been released yet) because she remembered enjoying seeing them on the big screen. I thought all sci-fi was the same-- stupid! I nearly refused to watch them, until we were all stuck inside due to a snowstorm. School was closed for the day and there was nothing to do...so my mom suggested we watch Star Wars. I was super mad about it, but I had absolutely nothing else to do. We ended up watchin all three in a row-- my whole family!
cont...
|
|
jediprincess77
I Know...
|
date Posted: Jun 20, 2007 12:34 PM
I pretended I didn't like them, but secretly I was in LOVE with the Saga. I finally let the world know my true feelings when Halloween came around the next year...I just couldn't imagine being anyone but Princess Leia.
So, my SW habit is my mom's fault. She had no idea what she was getting into! 
|
|
megatrends
Confessions of a Psychotic Jawa
|
date Posted: Jun 20, 2007 2:54 PM
was 4 years old... And it was one of the best times of my life
That rules i am so glad you enjoyed that time so much with your dad.
Known for its ornate interior and working organ (sometimes we'd be entertained before the movie began!), it always was a treat to see a movie there beneath its ceiling of twinkling stars
THAT is a real theater, awesome. i would love that. The State Theater here has decor like that but they don't show anything. They had music concerts for a while but the place was closed due to being in a decrepit state.
So, my SW habit is my mom's fault. She had no idea what she was getting into!
I love that story, that is great. I am glad you saw the light!
|
 |
Sarlacc-Pitt
Slowly Digested Over A Thousand Blogs
|
date Posted: Jun 20, 2007 9:26 PM
What an excellent, nostalgic entry! I first saw Star Wars on television, whenever it was first shown... early 80's, I suppose? It's always just sort of been there. I was only 2 when it came out in theaters. My older brother and sisters had the priviledge of seeing it several times when it came out in a grand, old theatre called the Victoria, in Wheeling, WVa., right across the river from my hometown in Ohio (I live in Pittsburgh now.) That was before the local mall and the multiplex. I did see several movies there later on as a child, and I'm so glad I did. I saw ESB on HBO, and then ROTJ in the theater when I was 8. So, at least I got to see ONE of the OT films when it originally premiered!
|
|
megatrends
Confessions of a Psychotic Jawa
|
date Posted: Jun 21, 2007 11:55 AM
I first saw Star Wars on television, whenever it was first shown... early 80's, I suppose?
That sounds about right, i remember when it first came on tv and also how much commercials sucked in it lolz.
I enjoyed them more as tape rentals and also on the pay movie channels in the latye 80s early 90s.
|
| |
![]:)](http://blogs.starwars.com/share/img/emoticons/devil.gif)