As one of those images frozen into millions of minds along with the many other bits of iconic imagery associated with the original film, I agree: this ought to be more well-known. It was substantially Suzi Rice's design, with refinements by Joe Johnston (who also designed some of the spacecraft models and later went on himself to become a movie director of some note).
Lucas asked specifically for a logo that was "very fascist," which led to Rice's researching German typefaces of the appropriate historical period. Good article on the subject, with illustrations:
As one of those images frozen into millions of minds along with the many other bits of iconic imagery associated with the original film, I agree: this ought to be more well-known. It was substantially Suzi Rice's design, with refinements by Joe Johnston (who also designed some of the spacecraft models and later went on himself to become a movie director of some note).
Lucas asked specifically for a logo that was "very fascist." Which led to Rice's researching German typefaces of the appropriate historical period. Good article on the subject, with illustrations:
Lucas asked specifically for a logo that was "very fascist."
First time I've ever read this, but I'm not surprised. I've always thought there was something fascist about "Star Wars." I have thousands of movies on DVD and Blu-ray, but not one Star Wars movie. They just do nothing for me. However, since Star Wars is for kids, it's probably all as harmless as the Blue Meanies in YELLOW SUBMARINE. Yeah, sure it is.
Lucas was influenced by the adventure serials of his youth (which he saw not in theaters, but rather re-run on television), for both Star Wars and Indiana Jones. The olive uniforms, which the imperial officers wear, recall the military style of the Nazis.
Interestingly, perhaps the most noteworthy departure from the down-the-line, dark=evil and bright=good, is the pure white armor of the stormtroopers (a term obviously derived from fascist iconography).
Lucas asked specifically for a logo that was "very fascist."
First time I've ever read this, but I'm not surprised. I've always thought there was something fascist about "Star Wars." I have thousands of movies on DVD and Blu-ray, but not one Star Wars movie. They just do nothing for me. However, since Star Wars is for kids, it's probably all as harmless as the Blue Meanies in YELLOW SUBMARINE. Yeah, sure it is.
The Tom Baker Doctor was still in the time that Who was considered for children, and there was nothing harmless or subtle about the Kaleds in "Genesis of the Daleks". Since that story is from 1975, I wouldn't be surprised that some of the English crew working on Star Wars were guided by it even if they weren't aware of it themselves.
Don't get too hung up on the Nazi thing, folks, unless you're researching a thesis or something. For decades in the movies, and on television, the screen Nazi was just another bad guy. The Nazi uniform was just a more elaborate outfit for the bad guy to wear. But I don't think Lucas meant to invest his evil galactic empire with anything much more deep or meaningful than if he'd had them all wear black hats (except for the stormtroopers, who would strangely wear white hats).
I recall the shot in Jedi when the ewoks pressed stormtrooper helmets into service as surfaces upon which to strike their various items of percussion - very Goldsmithlike bahavior, I must say.
The Tom Baker Doctor was still in the time that Who was considered for children, and there was nothing harmless or subtle about the Kaleds in "Genesis of the Daleks."
I first discovered Dr. Who back during the Tom Baker era, where it ran on PBS here in the States. It was obviously a kids program, but it had that British charm and subtext that could be appreciated by adults. The modern Dr. Who that plays here on BBC America seems to me too "Americanized" and I don't enjoy it at all. It tries too hard.
Back to Star Wars... I'm still bothered by the conclusion of the first one that plays like a homage to TRIUMPH OF THE WILL, in the same way I'm bothered by the ending of DIRTY HARRY where Eastwood throws away the badge instead of the gun. It's all an uncomfortable playing around with fascistic thinking for my tastes.
Now that Star Wars is in the hands of Disney, I can't see how it's not truly going to be more for kids (or 12-year-olds of all ages) than ever before. For me the franchise ran into the ground with the Ewoks, and now with J.J. Abrams at the helm?!!! Oh, man. That guy destroyed Star Trek in just two movies! Be afraid, be very afraid.
I recall the shot in Jedi when the ewoks pressed stormtrooper helmets into service as surfaces upon which to strike their various items of percussion - very Goldsmithlike bahavior, I must say.
I'm bothered by the ending of DIRTY HARRY where Eastwood throws away the badge instead of the gun. It's all an uncomfortable playing around with fascistic thinking for my tastes.
I always took Harry's throwing away the badge as his disgust with the system for failing the victims of Scorpio's murderous crimes.
As for the fascist thinking, I don't find any evidence of extreme nationalism, big business and labor controlled by government, totalitarian control, or a dictator as head of the nation beng depicted in DIRTY HARRY.
As for the fascist thinking, I don't find any evidence of extreme nationalism, big business and labor controlled by government, totalitarian control, or a dictator as head of the nation beng depicted in DIRTY HARRY.
He had to go through an entire movie to make the point you can't go around killing your neighbors just because their dog takes a leak on your lawn.
Then again, his piece is bigger than those of his neighbors.
As for the fascist thinking, I don't find any evidence of extreme nationalism, big business and labor controlled by government, totalitarian control, or a dictator as head of the nation beng depicted in DIRTY HARRY.
He had to go through an entire movie to make the point you can't go around killing your neighbors just because their dog takes a leak on your lawn.
That's inaccurate. Harry doesn't even arrest the guys who beat him up in the "Peeping Tom" scene.
In DIRTY HARRY, Harry Callahan embodies the spirit of the law and common sense whereas bureaucrats and politicians embody the letter of the law, often at the expense of crime victims.
I'm bothered by the ending of DIRTY HARRY where Eastwood throws away the badge instead of the gun. It's all an uncomfortable playing around with fascistic thinking for my tastes.
I always took Harry's throwing away the badge as his disgust with the system for failing the victims of Scorpio's murderous crimes.
As for the fascist thinking, I don't find any evidence of extreme nationalism, big business and labor controlled by government, totalitarian control, or a dictator as head of the nation beng depicted in DIRTY HARRY.
The "Do you feel lucky, punk" scene, and where Eastwood presses his shoe into Scorpio's bullet wound on the football field, are some of the ugliest facistic moments in American film.
