Star Wars Holiday Special

One of the most notorious, least well received TV variety show events in history must be the Star Wars Holiday Special from 1978.  CBS would only air it once, and it has never been available on any home media.  I've read that George Lucas was greatly embarrassed by it, and quoted as saying he would like to scoop up every copy and smash them.  His involvement was minimal, though it was reported it was his idea to center on Chewbacca's family on the Wookiee planet of Kashyyyk as they prepare for Life Day, which seems to resemble Thanksgiving.  The special was in fact aired a week before.  Maybe I should've posted this last month?

I'm fairly sure I watched the original airing.  I was and am a huge SW fan, and regular readers will note that I've reviewed all the movies on this blog.  Also, a review of one of the new series and a remembrance of the NPR radio program.  As I watched this last week on YouTube, parts of it came back.  As a nine year old, I must've enjoyed the scenes with Chewy's wife Malla, father Itchy, and son Lumpy.  They are shaggily cute and there's warmth among them.  The main plot involves the suspense of whether Chewbacca will make it home in time for the holiday.  He and Han Solo (Harrison Ford, looking as if he's already done with the role) are en route on the Millenium Falcon, trying to evade Empire footmen, many of whom who are ferreting out the Rebel Alliance presence on Kashyyyk. 

This being a variety format, musical numbers are included.  There's an incongruity here.  The "Star Wars" storylines are serious dramas.  Pulpy, yes, but not really compatible with these tunes. Maybe any.  Some are emotional - Bea Arthur, playing a Cantina owner/barkeep, sings a farewell song to her loyal patrons.  Others are, uh, surprisingly suggestive, as when Diahann Carroll turns up in a VR program used by Itchy.  Trippy and almost smutty! Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) has her time in the spotlight near the end.  It's kinda meh. 

Jefferson Starship, just before Marty Balin left - do a number inside a music box as Imperial troops watch.  Also just OK.

There is plenty of comedy, too.  Harvey Korman plays three roles: a alien cook sorta modeled after Julia Child, a robot whose malfunction predates the tics of Max Headroom, and another alien with designs on Bea's character.  He's a pro, but his talents are wasted.  As are Art Carney's; he plays Saun, a trader.  But he's so enjoyable to watch he elevates all his scenes.

About halfway through, SWHS includes an animated segment that introduces Boba Fett.  Its artistry looks like something from the later HEAVY METAL movie and was likewise Moebius inspired and produced by the Canadian company Nelvana Ltd.  It was well received and is a pretty tight nine minutes.  It is even available to watch on Disney +.

Yes, overall SWHS is pretty terrible. A mess. Badly written.  Direction by Steven Binder and David Acomba (a few scenes) is decent.  The Wookiees deserved a better showcase.  But it's still pretty sweet.  Anthony Daniels returns as C-3PO, but Kenny Baker does not as R2-D2, explaining why R2 is credited as himself (a remote controlled version was used).  Perhaps the most bizarre thing is Mark Hamill's heavily made up face, apparently done so to cover up damage from an accident.