Star Wars (radio series)
A
The radio serials were made with the full cooperation of
Overview
Serial | Episodes | First aired | Last aired | Director(s) | Screenwriter(s) | Home station |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Star Wars
|
13 | March 2, 1981[1][2] | May 25, 1981[3] | John Madden | Brian Daley | NPR/KUSC |
The Empire Strikes Back
|
10 | February 14, 1983[1] | April 25, 1983citation needed] | [|||
Return of the Jedi
|
6 | November 5, 1996[1] | December 1996citation needed] | [
History
In the 1980s,
Despite Lucasfilm's generous offer, NPR was still faced with the costs of writing scripts, hiring actors and renting studio space. With no funding available to cover the $200,000 budget, NPR entered into a
The American science fiction novelist Brian Daley was brought in to write the script. Daley had access to Lucas's early drafts of the Star Wars scripts, and expanded the narrative to include material which had been cut from the final edit of the film so that the 13-episode radio adaptation ran approximately four hours longer than the film version. Casting the audio serial was not as easy as had been hoped; while the producers were able to secure the actors Mark Hamill and Anthony Daniels from the original film, Harrison Ford was unavailable as he was filming Raiders of the Lost Ark at the time, and his place was taken by Perry King, an actor who once auditioned for the part of Han Solo in the 1977 film.[4]
Led by Mankiewicz, NPR promoted the Star Wars serial with a successful publicity campaign, attracting coverage in Playboy, The New York Times and Time, who hailed the production with the headline, "Radio drama is making a resounding comeback".[6] Star Wars was launched at a special NPR event at the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, in which the drama was played under a starry light show. Broadcasts began in March 1981 to critical acclaim, and the drama instantly attracted 750,000 new listeners, representing a 40 percent increase in NPR audiences and a quadrupling of the network's youth audience. On the basis of this success, KUSC went on to produce popular adaptations of the sequel, The Empire Strikes Back.[4][7] An adaptation of Return of the Jedi followed over a decade later, and it was produced by many of the same people who produced the KUSC/NPR productions.
Canonicity and continuity
The Star Wars radio dramas were authorized adaptations of Lucas's scripts, and they were originally considered canon.[
The first radio drama relates the
In 2015 another adaptation of A New Hope was published, The Princess, the Scoundrel, and the Farm Boy. The author, Alexandra Bracken, stated that she was reading the Expanded Universe to try to "sneak elements in" to the canon and adapted material from the radio drama.[14]
Star Wars
Other names | The New Hope |
---|---|
Genre | Radio drama |
Running time | 5 hours 56 minutes |
Country of origin | United States |
Language(s) | English |
Home station | NPR/KUSC |
Syndicates | BBC Radio 1 |
Starring | |
Written by | Brian Daley |
Directed by | John Madden |
Executive producer(s) | Richard Toscan Carol Titelman |
Narrated by | Ken Hiller |
Recording studio | Westlake Recording Studios, West Hollywood, CA |
Original release | March 2[1] – May 25, 1981 |
No. of episodes | 13 |
Audio format | Stereo |
Opening theme | Star Wars Main Theme |
Star Wars is a 13-part (5 hour, 56 minute) radio serial originally broadcast on
Daley adapted the script partly using material from earlier drafts of Lucas's scripts, and restored several scenes cut from the final edit of the film, as well as adding original new scenes created specially for the audio version. The narrative of the first two episodes takes place entirely before the opening scene of the 1977 film, and expands the background to events leading up to the capture of the
When the series was re-issued on NPR several years later, it was retitled The New Hope (as opposed to the official alternate title, A New Hope), keeping in line with the subtitles of the episodes of the original trilogy films.
Episode titles:
- "A Wind to Shake the Stars"
- "Points of Origin"
- "Black Knight, White Princess, and Pawns"
- "While Giants Mark Time"
- "Jedi that Was, Jedi To Be"
- "The Millennium Falcon Deal"
- "The Han Solo Solution"
- "Death Star's Transit"
- "Rogues, Rebels and Robots"
- "The Luke Skywalker Initiative"
- "The Jedi Nexus"
- "The Case for Rebellion"
- "Force and Counter Force"
Cast
Several actors reprised their roles in the film. Mark Hamill and Anthony Daniels returned to reprise their roles as Luke Skywalker and C-3PO, respectively.
- Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker
- Ann Sachs as Princess Leia Organa
- Perry King as Han Solo
- Bernard Behrens as Obi-Wan Kenobi
- Brock Peters as Darth Vader
- Anthony Daniels as C-3PO
- Keene Curtis as Grand Moff Tarkin
- John Considine as Lord Tion
- Bail Organa)
- David Ackroyd as Captain Antilles
- Adam Arkin as Fixer
- Biggs Darklighter
- David Clennon as Motti
- Anne Gerety as Aunt Beru
- Thomas Hill as Uncle Owen
- David Paymer as Deak
- Joel Brooks as Heater
- John Dukakis as Rebel
- Stephanie Steele as Camie
- Phillip Kellard as Customer No. 2
The supporting cast included James Blendick, Clyde Burton, Bruce French, David Alan Grier, Jerry Hardin, John Harkins, Scott Jacoby, Meshach Taylor, Marc Vahanian, John Welsh, and Kent Williams. Ken Hiller provides the narration.
The Empire Strikes Back
Genre | Radio drama |
---|---|
Running time | 4 hours 22 minutes |
Country of origin | USA |
Language(s) | English |
Home station | NPR/KUSC |
Starring |
|
Written by | Brian Daley |
Directed by | John Madden |
Produced by | Tom Voegeli |
Executive producer(s) | Jon Bos |
Narrated by | Ken Hiller |
Recording studio | A&R Studios, New York City |
Original release | February 14 April 25, 1983 | –
No. of episodes | 10 |
Audio format | Stereo |
Opening theme | Star Wars Main Theme |
The success of the first series led to a 10-part (4 hour, 22 minute) series based on the 1980 film The Empire Strikes Back, again written by Daley and directed by Madden. It was recorded in 1982 at A&R Studios, New York City.[7][16] The series debuted on NPR on February 14, 1983.
Like the preceding series, The Empire Strikes Back expands on the movie's story and incorporates new scenes such an Imperial attack on a Rebel convoy taking place before the film's original opening scene and a tense conversation between Solo and Skywalker when the two are stranded in the Hoth wastelands.
National Public Radio's promoted the series in part by getting
Episode titles:
- "Freedom's Winter"
- "The Coming Storm"
- "A Question of Survival"
- "Fire and Ice"
- "The Millennium Falcon Pursuit"
- "Way of the Jedi"
- "New Allies, New Enemies"
- "Dark Lord's Fury"
- "Gambler's Choice"
- "The Clash of Lightsabers"
Cast
Billy Dee Williams reprised Lando Calrissian, and John Lithgow played Yoda at the same time Madden was directing Lithgow in the play Beyond Therapy. Hamill and Daniels returned to voice Skywalker and C-3PO.
- Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker
- Perry King as Han Solo
- Ann Sachs as Princess Leia Organa
- Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian
- Bernard Behrens as Obi-Wan Kenobi
- Brock Peters as Darth Vader
- John Lithgow as Yoda
- Anthony Daniels as C-3PO
- James Eckhouse as Beta
- Peter Friedman as Dak
- Ron Frazier as Deck Officer
- Merwin Goldsmith as General Rieekan
- Admiral Ozzel
- Gordon Gould as General Veers
- Paul Hecht as The Emperor
- Russell Horton as 2-1B
- James Hurdle as Controller
- Nicholas Kepros as Captain Needa
- David Rasche as Admiral Piett
- Alan Rosenberg as Boba Fett
- Jay O. Sanders as Imperial Pilot
- Don Scardino as Wedge Antilles
The supporting cast again included David Alan Grier and also included Sam McMurray, Steven Markle, Stephen D. Newman, John Pielmeier, Geoffrey Pierson, Gary Tacon, and Jerry Zaks. Ken Hiller provides the narration.
Return of the Jedi
Ed Begley Jr | |
Written by | Brian Daley |
---|---|
Directed by | John Madden |
Produced by | Tom Voegeli, Julie Hartley |
Narrated by | Ken Hiller |
No. of episodes | 6 |
Audio format | Stereo |
Opening theme | Star Wars Main Theme |
NPR's plans for a
Like the preceding series, Return of the Jedi expanded its story by incorporating new scenes. One depicts Luke Skywalker constructing a new lightsaber on Tatooine, based on a deleted scene from the movie. A scripted scene between C-3PO and Boba Fett in Jabba the Hutt's palace was rejected by Anthony Daniels, who felt that the golden droid should not be on friendly terms with a bounty hunter. Fett was replaced by the dancer "Arica" (actually Mara Jade in disguise) from Timothy Zahn's Tales from Jabba's Palace short story.[20]
The audio play's adapter Brian Daley died only hours after its recording was concluded; "additional material" was contributed by John Whitman, who introduced changes that were required so the series could have continuity with the newly developed plan for the prequels, as well as changes that were identified by its director and cast. The series was dedicated to the memory of Brian Daley.
The show's cast recorded a special get well message for Daley after the author left the studio, unaware that he would never hear it. The message is included as part of the collector's edition box set.
Episode titles:
- "Tatooine Haunts"
- "Fast Friends"
- "Prophecies and Destinies"
- "Pattern and Web"
- "So Turns a Galaxy, So Turns a Wheel"
- "Blood of a Jedi"
Cast
The adaptation used many of the original radio cast, though Joshua Fardon took over as Luke and
- Joshua Fardon as Luke Skywalker
- Perry King as Han Solo
- Ann Sachs as Princess Leia Organa
- Anthony Daniels as C-3PO
- Bernard Behrens as Obi-Wan Kenobi
- Arye Gross as Lando Calrissian
- Edward Asneras Jabba The Hutt
- Paul Hecht as The Emperor
- John Lithgow as Yoda
- Brock Peters as Darth Vader
- Ed Begley Jr. as Boba Fett
- Samantha Bennett as Arica
- Anakin Skywalker
- Moff Jerjerrod
- David Dukes as Bib Fortuna
- Peter Michael Goetz as General Madine
- Salacious Crumb
- Martin Jarvis as Barada
- Jon Matthews as Wedge
- Natalia Nogulich as Mon Mothma
- Mark Adair Rios as Admiral Ackbar
- Yeardley Smith as 9D9
- Tom Virtue as Major Derlin
The supporting cast included Rick Hall, Andrew Hawkes, Sherman Howard, Karl Johnson, John Kapelos, Ron Le Paz, Joe Liss, Paul Mercier, Steven Petrarca, Jonathan Penner, Gil Segel, Nia Vardalos and Ron West. Ken Hiller provides the narration.
Other broadcasts and releases
Existing radio promos, deleted scenes, and additional music tracks are available which originated on previous releases of this collection and in the NPR broadcast versions.
- "Radio Promo No. 1 – Anthony Daniels"
- "Radio Promo No. 2 – Ann Sachs"
- "Radio Promo No. 3 – Mark Hamill"
- "Additional Music"
- "Star Wars Radio Drama – Alternate Take of 'Your Father's Lightsaber'"
- "Star Wars Radio Drama – Alternate Take 'Bail and Leia'"
- "Star Wars Radio Drama – Episode One Cut scene from the Original'" [Luke and Camie]
- "Star Wars Radio Drama - David C. Fein talking about Two Dialogue Scenes Cut"
- "Return of the Jedi Radio Drama – Alternate Take 'Speederbike Chase'"
- "The Making of The Radio Dramas"
- "The Making of Star Wars for Radio: A Fable for the Mind's Eye"
Spin-off merchandise
In 2013, two special sets of Topps trading cards were released called Star Wars Illustrated, which featured illustrations of scenes from the first Star Wars radio drama. The Topps artwork was also used to illustrate two collectors' editions of the Original Radio Drama released at the same time by HighBridge Audiobooks.[21]
International broadcasts and releases
In July 1981, the Star Wars radio adaptation was broadcast by BBC Radio 1.[22]
See also
References
- ^ ISBN 9781135456498. Retrieved July 25, 2016.
- ^ a b "Star Wars to Blast Off as a Radio Series". Kansas City Star. March 2, 1981. p. 13.
- ^ "Radio Highlights". Courier-Journal. Louisville, Kentucky. May 25, 1981. p. 22.
- ^ a b c d e Robb 2012.
- ^ John, Derek. "That Time NPR Turned 'Star Wars' Into A Radio Drama — And It Actually Worked". All Things Considered. NPR. Archived from the original on June 20, 2016. Retrieved July 22, 2016.
- ISBN 9780275983529. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
Star Wars radio dramas.
- ^ a b c Sterling 2004, p. 2206.
- ISBN 9780826452870. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
- ^ Kausch, Allan (September 1994). "Star Wars Publications Timeline". Star Wars Insider (23).
- ISBN 9781119038061. Retrieved July 25, 2016.
- ^ "The Legendary Star Wars Expanded Universe Turns a New Page | StarWars.com". StarWars.com. Lucasfilm. Archived from the original on July 3, 2014. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
- ^ Koch, Cameron (April 8, 2016). "Before 'Rogue One,' This Was The Star Wars Story About How The Death Star Plans Were Stolen". Tech Times. Archived from the original on April 9, 2016. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
- ^ McMillan, Graeme (April 7, 2016). "'Rogue One' and the Death Star Plans: Revisiting the 1981 Origin Story". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
- ^ "SDCC 2105: Star Wars Publishing Panel Liveblog". StarWars.com. Lucasfilm. July 10, 2015. Archived from the original on July 11, 2015. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
- ISBN 978-1852866280.
- ^ Daley, Brian. Empire Strikes Back: The Original Radio Drama, Mass-market paperback/Titan Books Ltd., 1995, p. 3.
- ^ "Yoda's Incredible Herb Stew". Archived from the original on February 9, 2015. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
- ^ "Official website of Brian Daley".
- ^ "Jedi Adaptation is a Fitting Conclusion to Star Wars Radio Drama Trilogy - Yahoo Voices - Yahoo!". July 27, 2014. Archived from the original on July 27, 2014.
- ^ ISBN 9781465492562.
- Titan Magazines. October 22, 2013. Archivedfrom the original on February 9, 2014. Retrieved July 25, 2016.
- ^ "Star Wars: A Wind to Shake the Stars - BBC Radio 1 England - 4 July 1981 - BBC Genome". Radio Times Archive: BBC Radio 1. BBC Genome Project. July 4, 1981. Archived from the original on October 29, 2014. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
Sources
- Robb, Brian J. (2012). A Brief Guide to Star Wars. London: Hachette. ISBN 9781780335834. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
- Sterling, Christopher H. (2004). Encyclopedia of Radio (Vol. 3). ISBN 9781135456498. Retrieved July 25, 2016.
External links
- A New Hope at archive.org
- The Empire Strikes Back at archive.org
- The Return of the Jedi at archive.org
- Star Wars radio drama article at Wookieepedia
- The Empire Strikes Back radio drama article at Wookieepedia
- Return of the Jedi radio drama article at Wookieepedia
- The Making of 'Star Wars' for Radio: A Fable for the Mind's Eye at Internet Archive
- That Time NPR Turned 'Star Wars' Into A Radio Drama — And It Actually Worked at NPR.org