PICS: Kermit Eller - the "tour" Darth Vader

blewis17

Master Member

RPF PREMIUM MEMBER

• Sep 22, 2010

• #1

This StarWars.com Hyperspace article appears to be open to anyone, not just members. A great read, with great pics!!

StarWars.com | A Vader Among Us

MODS: since this article has multiple pics of the ANH Vader costume, I figured it best went here. Please move if needed.


GREAT article with a bunch of the ANH Vader suit pics I have never seen before.
Kermit Eller IS the man!

 

Last edited by a moderator: Sep 22, 2010

KevVader

Sr Member

• Sep 22, 2010

• #2

Yup, that article has been around for awhile....great pix.

 

S

SithLord

Sr Member

• Sep 22, 2010

• #3

Ya great article, although I'm not sure if it is still (??) a problem with posting Hyperspace images here on the forum? I thought the old CoC had something about not doing that but I don't see anything about that now.

Still, never hurts to let the new crop of Vader enthusiasts see that great article.

 

Montagar

Legendary Member

Community Staff

RPF PREMIUM MEMBER

• Sep 22, 2010

• #4

The image in the first post has been temporarily removed. Please use the link that was provided to view the images.

 

wook22

Active Member

• Nov 27, 2010

• #5

Awesome Story! Thanks!!! I remember "meeting" Darth at Toys R Us around 1977, it was a thrill and it was amazing to see the Toys R Us ad in the story.
Thanks again!

 

Too Much Garlic

Master Member

• Nov 27, 2010

• #6

Yeah, it's a great read! :cheers

 

TK765

Sr Member

RPF PREMIUM MEMBER

• Nov 28, 2010

• #7

I went to one of those TRU appearances back then, I wonder if that was Kermit Eller. The costume was put on rather poorly. Here are my pics.

 

blewis17

Master Member

RPF PREMIUM MEMBER

• Nov 28, 2010

• #8

Chances are good it was Kermit, and you were seeing a screen used Vader and Trooper suit. Imagine if you could do that TODAY......:wacko

 

S

SithLord

Sr Member

• Nov 28, 2010

• #9

That I am told is a tour suit, so it wasn't Kermit in that case. Kermit only wore the original suit.

 

Mr Fett

Sr Member

• Nov 28, 2010

• #10

Interesting article, thanks! Not being a Vader costumer myself, I found it intriguing when he was talking about the real costume parts, like how the undersuit was 3 pieces and the cod velcroed to the bottom of the vest section, the shin armor was thin plastic while the torso armor and helmet were fiberglass, etc.

Very cool read.

 

M

micdavis

Master Member

• Nov 28, 2010

• #11

Who was the Dentist guy? I helped him get in and out of the suit at an appearance in San Diego in the early 80's, like Sept. 82.

A bunch of us did what would now be called "trooping", in more than just Star Wars costume as it was a general Sci-Fi event. I was Captain Holland from the Black Hole.

I had a chance to walk off with the suit but listened to better angel of my nature.

 

stormtrooperguy

Sr Member

RPF PREMIUM MEMBER

• Nov 28, 2010

• #12

those toy store appearances are one of the things that inspired me to get involved with costuming / the 501st. i used to love getting to meet the characters from my favorite movies and cartoons. i wanted to be able to do that for a new generation.

 

NAZGÛL

Sr Member

• Dec 2, 2010

• #13

Great read. Thanks!

 

C

Cibernite

Well-Known Member

• Dec 15, 2010

• #14

That isn't Kermit! He Looked like Prowse in costume. He would never have the outift on like that.

 

Too Much Garlic

Master Member

• Dec 15, 2010

• #15

Kermit Eller pictures:

At Don Post:


The Corbis pictures:

 

C

Cibernite

Well-Known Member

• Dec 15, 2010

• #16

Thanks for the pics. Was I right about the TRU photos, About not being Kermit in the outfit. If you look closely in the TRU pics, The whole belt is upside down and under the surcoat.

 

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SeanB13

Active Member

• Dec 15, 2010

• #17

''The next thing to put on was a shirt, but the arms were leather.''

Click to expand...

Were the arms leather and the rest of the ''shirt'' made from a different material?​

From the pictures it all looks to be pleated leather.​

What is Eller talking about?​

 

KevVader

Sr Member

• Dec 15, 2010

• #18

Those are all great pix! And they only illustrate all too well that Prowse was the only guy with the size who could really pull off "the look" of Vader. Everybody else looks puny.

 

darthvaderv

Sr Member

• Dec 16, 2010

• #19

Agreed. Even a small thing like the deep chest and the wide feet of Prowse is an instant give away which most have failed to live up to. Those finer points is what makes Darth Vader for me. Ultimately the character is a colaboration but I disagree with those that say any tall guy can pull off Vader, not so. Even Prowse by Jedi and the evolution of the costume differed himself from one movie to the next but his build in that costume is Vader, even with the changes.

 

Ghost Host

Sr Member

• Dec 18, 2010

• #20

SeanB13 said:

Were the arms leather and the rest of the ''shirt'' made from a different material?​

From the pictures it all looks to be pleated leather.​

What is Eller talking about?​

Click to expand...

2 pieces to the upper body... a tunic that had leather arms and then a vest (that closed in the back) that was worn overtop of the tunic, which was leather.