Star Wars: SE Video Launch
(a report by Jan Wilson, originally printed in issue 30 of Star Walking's journal The Force)
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On the Saturday evening of October 11 1997, the Bourke Street Mall outside Myer Melbourne's main entrance was thronging with an eager crowd of Star Wars fans, who had gathered in answer to an invitation. They had read about it in a special mail-out from Star Walking Inc., or in advertisements placed in The Herald Sun, or displayed in the Star Wars concept store within a store at Myer, or heard about it over the airwaves on 104.3 Gold FM. What was this invitation? It was the special launch by Fox Home Entertainment Video of the Star Wars Special Edition Trilogy, prior to the official launch the following week.

The lure of free video give-aways drew a respectable crowd to the special stage area outside the Myer windows. Giant video screens played the Special Edition films, while Star Wars music blared out over massive speakers. Banners proclaimed the event, and a special pyrotechnic display accompanied the "arrival" of the fantastic X-wing, piloted by the very capable Justin Dix.

Onstage hosts Tim Ferguson (wearing an Imperial uniform kindly lent by Darren Reid) and Gold FM's Craig Huggins kept the crowd amused, asking Star Wars questions, with prizes ranging from videos to toys. A barrel filled with entry forms was frequently opened and names of winners drawn, with the prize being the boxed video set of the Special Editions.

There were special appearances onstage by Darch Vader, stormtroopers, Imperial guards, Imperial officers, a Biker Scout, X-wing Pilots, even Princess Leia herself. Children in the audience were entranced by the sight of their Star Wars heroes and villains live onstage, and the distribution of limited edition posters throughout the crowd certainly went down well.

It was a festive occasion, a worthy way of celebrating the release of the Special Editions, and a very generous promotional event by all concerned. Star Walking Inc. would like to thank Myer and Fox Home Entertainment for the donation of items for raffles, prizes and auctions. The spirit of Star Wars is alive and well in Melbourne!

Photos
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