Luke Skywalker ANH Lightsabers... Variations?

[jdebord]

I was just going through some publicity photos from Star Wars: A New Hope, and noticed the two below that seem to be from the same session.

What I've never noticed before, and maybe it is old news here, is that the one with the blade stand-in is a totally different type than the ANH lightsaber we are accustomed to - different shroud, more simple body missing details... (click each image for full resolution photos)





Anyone know the story behind the bladed version?

Are there are other substantive variations?

Thanks,

Jason DeBord

 

[Jedifyfe]

I was just going through some publicity photos from Star Wars: A New Hope, and noticed the two below that seem to be from the same session.
Jason DeBord

Well these shots must have been done post ANH, after Hamill had his facial surgery.

The "Bladed" version looks superimposed...

Interesting Jason!

Brad

 

[Anakin Starkiller]

So, throughout ANH, a graflex was used as the handle prop when the saber was unignighted, and when a blade was present, a prop was used that had a rotating wooden blade--covered in reflective material--howsed inside a 1.5 diamter aluminum tube. The tube had a graflex like s-cut on one end and had a graflex glass eye mounted to the bottom, and a graflex button (the thin single knurreled line version) mounted to the top. The body of the prop had a graflex clamp fitted to it and seven grips. There was a wire that came out the back and ran up the actor's sleeve. When this saber was used by Mark, it had a bare metal aluminum emmiter end. But when David used the prop as Vader's lightsaber, the emmiter end was painted black to simulate a MPP shroud. Also, in some shots a square bock was mounted to the prop, just behind the black painted area for lighting pursposes.

Dan

 

[James Kenobi 1138]

Both Luke and Vader used the same bladed stunt saber in ANH.

It was silver for Luke, the top was painted black for Vader to look kinda MPP like.

The body was either a metal tube, or an old flashlight, I've heard both stories.

A Graflex clamp was added, bubble strip in the 12 o'clock position, as well as a glass eye and the older style Graflex red button.

The little hole you see is to insert a nail to hold the spinning mechanism to screw in a dueling blade (wooden, 3 sided, reflective material added on 2 sides).

After ANH the motor was removed and a permanent aluminum dueling blade was added.

The hole seen here between the grips is where the wires went into the saber to run the motor. BTW, that's the V2 with no clamp on the right.

Flming in ANH with Vader. You can see the unhooked electric wire, the blade spun for Luke but was not used for Vader.

Being used as a practice saber with Bob Anderson during ESB.

 

[jdebord]

Thanks for the responses and information. Very interesting.

I'm asking just because I've always had the sense that there was not a surplus of lightsaber parts spanning the OT and things were cannibalized, yet a number of lightsabers have been sold into the marketplace as original props used in the production.

Thanks again,

Jason DeBord

 

[James Kenobi 1138]

Another shot of it.

 

[James Kenobi 1138]

For ESB they made a real Graflex into a screen dueling saber and left the ANH one as a practice saber.

From the Christie's auction back in the '90s.

 

[lonepigeon]

Well these shots must have been done post ANH, after Hamill had his facial surgery.

The "Bladed" version looks superimposed...

Interesting Jason!

Brad

Those shots are both pre car accident. Mark Hamill looked fairly different for ESB, the broken nose being the most obvious. His nose is fine there.
No photo trickery, both sabers were there for the shoot. There are lots of pictures from that session.

 

[James Kenobi 1138]

Carrie's the biggest tip-off, her face is much slimmer for ESB. In those promo shots she's still round faced.

 

[Jedifyfe]

Those shots are both pre car accident. Mark Hamill looked fairly different for ESB, the broken nose being the most obvious. His nose is fine there.
No photo trickery, both sabers were there for the shoot. There are lots of pictures from that session.

MAN, to me he looks so much more haggard than in ANH! Maybe just bad lighting

Brad

 

[Jaan]

The "Bladed" version looks superimposed...

To me it has that old school air brush look that was quite common to see when details needed to be cleaned up and enhanced. It's very apparent in old automobile owners manuals since it was important to show specific details.

 

[jdebord]

Jaan, could you edit your quote tag in your post above - you are quoting me saying something I didn't say (though that wouldn't be the first time I've experienced that on this forum!). That was actually Brad/Jedifyfe.

Thanks,

Jason DeBord

 

[Jedifyfe]

Brad/Jedifyfe is a totally cool guy and I love him with all my heart

Thanks,

Jason DeBord

What do you mean you get quoted writing things you never posted? The above post is completly un-altered!

Brad

 

[Serafino]

As I understand it the evidence for "sided" blades in ANH (3, 4, whatever) is the testimony of some prop person.

Are there any photos showing unequivocally a 3 or 4 flat-sided blade?

 

[James Kenobi 1138]

I've heard both, depends on who you ask.

 

[Jedi Reali]

Cool, I've never seen this auction photo before. That D-ring sorta makes you wonder about the ANH D-ring doesn't it?

For ESB they made a real Graflex into a screen dueling saber and left the ANH one as a practice saber.

From the Christie's auction back in the '90s.

 

[Jedi Loreen]

I wish those 2 pics in the first post showed lower. I'd love to get a good shot of that holster Luke's wearing. That's his outfit for the Yavin Medal Ceremony, minus the yellow jacket.

Oh, and, uh, interesting stuff about the sabers, too. :angel

 

[TK-3811]

I wish those 2 pics in the first post showed lower. I'd love to get a good shot of that holster Luke's wearing. That's his outfit for the Yavin Medal Ceremony, minus the yellow jacket.

Oh, and, uh, interesting stuff about the sabers, too. :angel

Ask and ye shall receive...

 

[Jedi Loreen]

Ah, cool, thanks! I don't suppose you would have a side shot? I may be making this holster for someone in the future. If he ever actually decides that he's going to do the costume. :rolleyes

I have this one, which might be the best side shot I'll get.

 

[micdavis]

I did Luke's Ceremonial outfit back in the day.

Luke carries Leia's pistol from the start of the film in a holster that basically id done like this.