As an Otaku, or Sci-Fi Nerd, I was always big into Star Wars. I loved all of the characters in the original (4-6) trilogy that I grew up on. I had a huge crush on Princess Leia as well. I must say it was a very sad day in my household when we learned she had passed away. Just the other day my wife found this amazing Princess Leia Tribute on Youtube. I wanted to share it with my readers, who I’m sure share an appreciation for Princess Leia like I and my wife do.
(The video above is an amazong musical Princess Leia Tribute. You have to watch it, and the vocals(?) are by Princess Leia herself!)
First Time I Saw Star Wars
I remember the first time I ever saw Star Wars! It was originally released on May 25th, 1977…just 4 days before my 6th birthday!!! I saw it at the drive-in with my father, mother, and older sister. It’s hard to find a drive-in these days, so some of my readers may not have experienced one yet. I hope you get the chance some day.
I had to watch from the backseat of our car. Back then you had one speaker you had to place usually on the driver’s side door window, with it slightly rolled down. That was it for sound. Drive-ins were not always the best experience, but back then they were cheap and the only thing we had in town. It definitely is something I’ll never forget.
I Was Awe-Struck
I remember not really knowing what Star Wars was before we saw the movie. I just know my father was very excited to finally go see it! I remember my father reading the opening scroll as the movie started and I was a little not sure what was going on, but I was 6-in-a-half then. I just rembmer how awesome it was seeing the giant Starship come into view and I was hooked.
Everything about Star Wars was new and orginal to me. I had seen some episodes of Star Trek and Space:1999 and liked both, but Star Wars was different. It was fun and exciting and easier to understand for someone my age! I especially remembered when R2-D2 finally projected the holograph of Princess Leia and wondered how they could do such a thing! Star Wars was almost unbelievable to me!
Empire Strikes Back!
Since the original Star Wars, many other Sci-Fi series and movies came and went. The ones I especially liked for television were Battlestar Galactica and Buck Rogers. I had a huge crush on Erin Grey as Colonel Wilma Deering!
Finally on June 20th, 1980 the Empire Strikes Back came out! Sadly, I was never able to originally see that one at the drive-in or in the theater. I had to wait until it came out on VHS and we rented a VCR to watch it! VCRs and VHS tapes were very expensive to purchase back then, and still kind of expensive to even rent.
I finally got to see the Empire Strikes Back in the winter of 1984, when the VHS was finally released!!! I loved it more than A New Hope actually, and it is still probably my most favorite Star Wars movie to date!
Return Of The Jedi!
I did not miss seeing Return of the Jedi in the theater! No way was I not going to see it, like I missed Empire Strikes Back when it came out! As I mentioned, I saw this one in an actual sit-down theater. It was a nicer experience than the drive-in, but not nearly as memorable from my childhood as seeing Star Wars at the drive-in!
I was 13 when I saw the Return of the Jedi with my childhood best friend. Like A New Hope, it was released, May 25th 1983, 4 days before my 13th birthday. I however did not see it it in the first week of release. One thing I remember clearly from Return of the Jedi, is Princess Leia in her Jabba the Hutt slave outfit. I think every boy my age, and older remembers that well!
Return of the Jedi is still one of my favorites from the Star Wars movies.
Star Wars And Beyond
Carrie Fisher, will always be Princess Leia Organa to me and many others. She played the part perfectly, and I can’t imagine anyone else ever portraying her. She was able to be serious, a little humorous, and added a necessary strength to Princess Leia as her character evolved, especially in the newest trilogy. The Last Jedi features a very memorable Princess Leia tribute that won’t be forgotten. Rest in peace Sweet Princess, your memory will last in our hearts and minds forever.
Note – Please check out the MelodySheep’s youtube page by clicking the video above if you like it, even if you don’t. He has some very interesting and amazing videos on his page that are worth watching. Personally I love how he made this musical Princess Leia Tribute. It’s amazing!