30 Years of Star Wars

May 25th, 1977 seems like a long time ago, and the Patterson Theatre in Highlantown seems far, far away. I was twelve years old and stood in line with my dad for three hours. In my mind's eye I can still see the line, the crowd, the marquee. We sat almost dead center. Then the music and the words STAR WARS appeared followed by the scrolling text. But what really did it was when that little Rebel spacship flew across the screen to be followed by the biggest, baddest spaceship ever. An Imperial Star Destroyer. I would see that Star Destroyer over 125 times that very first summer of Star Wars. Almost every weekday that summer, I would walk the 20+ city blocks to the Patterson Theatre and pay the ninety cents for the "early bird special" show at 10:00 AM. I had wih me a baggie of PB&J sandwhiches. I would buy a coke and find a seat in the middle of the theatre. There I would sit for two, even three and sometimes four shows. I was never kicked out and I got to know the staff. It was a hot summer in the city and the theatre was air conditioned. I like it better than being home, not because home was bad, but because there wasn't much to do except play with Matchbox cars or build models, but I was hooked on Star Wars. It was the best way to spend my summer. By the time school started again, I had the entire script memorized and would recite it, with sound effects, on family trips. It was a great summer. Happy 30th birthday Star Wars.

And for the 30th birthday, BBC News online has 30 pieces of trivia about Star Wars

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The original Star Wars film was released on 25 May 1977. Much to the surprise of many involved in the project, including the studio which backed it, it became a runaway success.

To celebrate the movie's 30th anniversary here are 30 facts and figures related to the film which influenced a new generation of film-makers.