Star Wars - From Concept to Screen to Collectible

Nowadays nearly everything linked with the original Star Wars trilogy is valuable, from bottle caps to shoelaces to posters. This beautiful volume, published by Chronicle Books, follows the design and development of these items--and the development of George Lucas from filmmaker into "merchandiser par excellence." Even casual fans will be delighted by dozens of photos of toys they wanted, toys they had, and toys they wish had been made. Models of some of these never-produced toys provide tantalizing glimpses of what might have been, for better or worse. Thankfully Leia wasn't turned into a Barbie clone, but what child wouldn't have loved a Boba Fett's Bounty Set? Many familiar characters and vehicles are accompanied by concept sketches marked by Lucas's rubber stamps, from "O.K." (translation: try again) to "WONDERFUL." The marketing blitz may be off-putting, but it is fascinating to look back over the wide range of licensed products: linens, shoes, watches, and, of course, food. You might remember C-3POs and the ice-cream bars, but did you know that English fans were offered Star Wars Yogurts with flavors such as Luke Skywalker raspberry, Darth Vader black cherry, and tasty Jabba the Hutt peach melba? A photograph of a tiny, vinyl-caped Jawa action figure, now selling for several hundred dollars, reminds us of the true lesson of Star Wars: You should have held on to those toys! --C.B. Delaney