May the 4th
It was 1977 when a space opera called ‘Star Wars’ was released for the first time. It made its way to a 1300 seat theater called the Coronet in San Francisco, right on Geary Blvd in the Richmond district. There wasn’t another theater within 50 miles that screened the film, but once opening weekend hit, the movie became the talk of the town. Lines around the corners and up and down the block to watch the film in the one screen theater. Fast forward to 1997, Lucasfilms re-released all three films within a three months span, all showing at Coronet.
This was my first introduction to the series, as my uncle had me line up with him in the morning, just to watch it on opening night. Five films, the original trilogy and the two prequels (Coronet closed 2 months before Revenge of the Sith), we waited out Friday morning of the premiere with a line full of Star Wars fans, just to get a good seat. As the hours went on, the lines grew and the buzz became electric. Fans would do lightsaber duels, Star Wars pop quizzes for free prizes, some back then would call it a nerdfest, now they would call it Comic-Con. There was nothing like opening nights at Coronet.
In 1999, The Phantom Menace released, being only 8/9, I didn’t know or care about any of the criticism around the film. I just knew it was goin to my uncle, myself, and the hundreds lined up at Coronet theater again. I remember anxiously sitting there as the famous Star Wars rolling title card came on screen and the deafening roars of the 1300+ in attendance. Then Obi-Wan was the first to come on screen, and it went bananas. Lightsabers glowing all around, Star Wars toys flying everywhere, as a kid, it was a perfect childhood moment. Because of that, Episode 1, as much criticism as it has, has been one of my favorite Star Wars films.
As time has gone on, and I got older, my Uncle and I lost that spark of a relationship that I held as a child. When he took me to all the opening premieres of Star Wars, Batman, James Bond, and so much more. I haven’t been to an opening night of any film for probably a decade and a half. Disney bought out Lucasfilms, and produced a new trilogy, but also creating one of my favorites, Rogue One. Covid has put theaters in the back burner, as streaming and renting at home has grown to an unthinkable height. However, I’ll always try to go into the movies when possible. Not to chase after what was, but sitting in a full or empty theater, always brings me back to the comfort of watching movies with my uncle. Happy 4th.
