I’ve never seen “Star Wars”.  Any of them.  I tried watching the original once in the past few years and I couldn’t get past the first few minutes.  I’m just not a sci-fi fan in general. And I’m one of those weird movie buffs that will choose an obscure pre-code film over “The Godfather” (oops I’ve never seen that either).  I won’t tell you how many years it took for me to sit and watch “The Wizard of Oz” all the way through.  I think I was just about eligible for AARP.  This is how much I sometimes avoid the “classics”.  I know. Weird.  

As a “movie buff” with a formidable autograph and memorabilia collection, I always get the “WTF?!?!” unbelievable wide-eyed look when I tell anybody that I’ve never seen the original “Star Wars”. Nor do I want to. I tried watching it once within the past few years but I couldn’t get past the dated cheesiness of the first 20 minutes (or less). I know, I know … stand in the hate line for me. 

That didn’t stop me, during my fanatic collecting, of adding key “Star Wars” pieces to my own treasure trove.  I do have autographs from every star in the main cast and even met Carrie Fisher and James Earl Jones, but they all deserve their own pages because they’ve had other roles/activities outside of “Star Wars” and I’ve got fun stories on some. 

But with these two guys, they are immortal cinematic icons, who will probably always be primarily identified with their lovable “Star Wars” characters.   

I may not know or have seen the movie, but I’ve seen enough clips, commercials, stills and collectibles that even I have a fondness for Chewy and C3PO.  Although I have zero clue about their characters and what they did in the movie.   

Considering myself lucky and glad to have this original 1977 10”x8” color still of Anthony Daniels as “C3PO” and these great shots of Peter Mayhew in character as “Chewbacca” 

 In the case of David Prowse – although I don’t know much about Darth Vader – I DO know that David Prowse has a bodybuilding background. That’s more interesting to me than being Luke’s father. 

I've included my unabashed mashup of David as the Star Wars villain and when he was a bodybuilder strongman.   

In my collection, I also found Kenny Baker as R2-D2 and Phil Brown as Uncle Owen. I'm sure I'll come across more "Star Wars" autographs in my collection. In the meantime, how about a listen to the disco version of the “Star Wars Theme” by Meco?

I keep coming across more Star Wars actors in my collection.  There’s many a time when a random signed index card, when researched, turns out to be primarily known for a “Star Wars” appearance.  Such is the case with Amy Allen, Lydia Green, Mike Edmonds and Jason Wingreen.  Stay tuned … I’m sure there will be more!