Star Wars Original Teaser Trailer from 1976

[@napoleonsolo5929]

I was 9. I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

[@recht_voor_zijn_raap5506]

To think the studio wasn't sure this movie would make back its investments.. Oh how wrong they were.

[@StarWarsCantinaUnofficial]

its crazy isnt it, but I kinda get it. Looking at the teaser trailer, Star Wars looked like nothing else that had ever been done. It was such a gamble, but its certainly one that paid off.

[@Damonpuss]

I was 6. This really brought back the excitement... there was nothing else like it in the 70's.

[@StarWarsCantinaUnofficial]

the 70s was a great decade for film. My favourite.

[@mikenash5125]

and yes, it was light years ahead of its time. and still is.

[@StarWarsCantinaUnofficial]

it sure was. even the theatrical versions look better today than a lot of films that come out today...its super impressive.

[@AlbertMarasigan-ec1hj]

This was in the Star Wars empire of the dreams documentary in the original Star Wars dvd

[@fredpagniello3267]

The Loews Astor Plaza in NYC was THE place to see SW, as the theater had been upgraded to 70mm 6 track Dolby sound, superior to the standard 35mm and sound systems of other theaters.

[@mrquirky3626]

I guess the John Williams score hadn't been finished yet when the ad aired. The music they do use sounds like it's from a horror movie with the same key just repeating itself over and over again.

[@StarWarsCantinaUnofficial]

very true. apparently the score by John wasnt recorded until March 5, 8-12, 15 and 16, 1977 now thats impressive!

[@fredpagniello3267]

The music is from am opus by Vivaldi, I believe.

[@StarWarsCantinaUnofficial]

@@fredpagniello3267 ahhh i had heard the piece before. but i never knew more than that. Thanks Fred. May The Force Be With You

[@Blumerang-v7f]

I think the other thing that is going on here is that the studio didn't really understand Star Wars. Science fiction at the time was all strange and otherworldly, and they didn't realize that George was trying to make it feel real, emotional, and lived in. That's why George says it's more like a fairytale than science fiction. Star Wars also had a lighter tone than most science fiction of the time. From what I've heard, the bottom line is that Fox just didn't get it or understand what they had on their hands at that point. I think that's part of why it exploded at the box office after like the first week. Nobody really went in with high expectations, and then they were blown away by what they experienced. 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯

[@fredpagniello3267]

@@Blumerang-v7f Well, Time Magazine's review asked what could a punk kid, has-been general, and a comedy team of robots do? Why plenty! Thus movie was just what people needed, a blockbuster that entertains. First, there was "The Exorcist," then "Jaws," and now "Star Wars." There was a joke about the Devil crying on a sidewalk. When asked why, he said he was displaced by a Shark. I guess later in 1977 the they were both crying on each other's shoulders lamenting how they were replaced by that trio cum wise-ass Pilot and his walking carpet and a Princess...or they joined the crowd and bought a pair of tickets...

[@fredpagniello3267]

By the way, Star Wars was booked for the Loews Astor Plaza in NYC for a month, where it would be replaced by the James Bond fim "The Spy Who Loved Me." Well, that never happened as SW ran continuously for a year, finally replaced by "Superman: the Movie."

[@StarWarsCantinaUnofficial]

I do miss those days where films ran for ages! Now its a rush to the theatre in the opening week or two or its gone! Oh how times have changed.

[@tonysantiago255]

Same here. I worked as an usher in a small twin cinema in Hollywood, Florida throughout the summer of 77. Went back to school for the winter and spring. Spent the summer of 78 in a Summer Theater program in Jekyll Island, Ga. Got my ushering job back when I returned in September. Star Wars was still playing and still selling tickets there Amazing. Talk about legs. Of course, that was before Home Video. Superman opened at Christmas of 78, but Star Wars (NO 'A New Hope' nonsense) was a cultural phenomenon. Annnnd... Disney killed it.

[@fredpagniello3267]

This was played at the Star Trek Minicon III about a month before the film's release. It was played over and over again and saying it generated interest would be an understatement.

[@StarWarsCantinaUnofficial]

was it straight away a 'oh this looks amazing; feeling, or was it more a 'what the heck is that' type feeling? (im guessing the former)

[@areki3852]

Wow, without any of the iconic music.

[@StarWarsCantinaUnofficial]

yep., this trailer was done before John Williams recorded his iconic score.

[@aplaceformystuff7979]

It was around 3:30 in the afternoon, KHOU TV, on a 13" black and white, while I was making my self an after school snack...this trailer stopped me dead in my tracks.

[@deborahbishop3300]

I FELL ASLEEP IN THE THEATRE.

[@mitchsullo]

Maybe it'll break even. Doubt it.

[@phoenix99941]

Cynical viewer in 1976: "That will be a dud when it comes out."

[@frompage2screen]

He he true.