Page 6 May 5, 2016 EL SEGUNDO HERALD Police Reports Documentary ‘Elstree 1976’ Is A Tribute to the Unknown Faces of ‘Star Wars’ By Ryan Rojas for www.cinemacy.com Amidst the recently renewed “Star Wars” mania, with the beloved franchise’s acquisition and and re-boot by Disney with last year’s behemoth blockbuster, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, new stories, worlds, and characters have been introduced to new audiences. But a long time ago–or rather, “About forty years ago, in a suburb of North London...”–a then, fresh-faced and unknown cast of actors and extras took jobs to make a movie that would later send ripples through the universe, which are still felt today, and for future generations to come. Those actors have gotten their fifteen minutes of fame extended in Elstree 1976, a new, dutifully made and honorably praising documentary that gives the background and lesser-known actors face-time in the spotlight. With its running time of one hour and thirty minutes, it’s a stuffed movie with a number of actors telling their stories of how Star Wars affected their lives, which, with its heavily nostalgic, leaning on somber tone, should excite only the most die-hard of fans. “How many actors can say they’ve got their own action figures?” It’s a fair question, and one that writer/director Jon Spira digs into with his documentary (fundraised by Kickstarter), comprised of sit-down interviews of the people that lent their faces (and some only their bodies) to a movie that would become the most popular of all time–even if those people didn’t know it at first. “It didn’t seem anything special to me. I thought it was a low-budget film to begin with,” says one Star Wars actor, and it’s the same sentiment that all of the interviewees genreally share. Of course it was–absolutely nobody could have predicted that success, with it’s wacky sci-fi costumes and set pieces and space-serial story about the “the Force.” But after the Death Star’s space dust settled, 25% of the planet’s 8 billion inhabitants have been statistically polled as having seen the classic space opera; reasoned in the movie, meaning roughly 2 billion people have seen these lesser known people filling in the rest of the roles and spaces surrounding such actors as Mark Hamill’s Luke Skywalker, Alec Guiness’ Obi-Wan Kenobi, Carrie Fischer’s Princess Leia, and the director himself, George Lucas. The talking heads who tell their stories range from the more well-known unknowns of their personal career–Jeremy Bulloch, who donned bounty hunter and fan favorite Boba Fett’s costume and helmet in The Empire Strikes Back, is in front of the camera. So is David Prowse, the bodybuilder-turned-actor inside Darth Vader’s iconic black helmet and suit (those may know, that legendary James Earl Jones only provided his voice to film’s most iconic villain), is also interviewed here (fun fact: that’s also Prowse as the muscly caretaker who carries a beaten-up Alex inside from the rain in Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange–just one piece of even more obscure trivia that the documentary digs up). And then there are the fully unknown actors, who, blink-and-you’ll-miss-them, are featured here, which should put a smile on viewers’ faces as they recognize the freezeframed interviewees’ faces, blurry in the background and otherwise, as they pop up in the original movie. Take Garrick, whose role as a Rebel fighter came with his own action figure, created with his full 70s-moustache likeness, yet now self-deprecatingly refers to himself as an “ex-’X-wing’ pilot.” Laurie, a female stormtrooper, offers her story as well. Derek almost became a male prostitute before his casting in the movie. Elstree 1976, whose title of course, the most fervent of fans will know refers to the sound stage and year of production on what was then called The Star Wars, squeezes out just an ounce more of fun facts, history, behind-the-scenes footage, and trivia that even the most passionate of fans might not know. There’s the story of the actor who played the X-wing pilot who made his run to destroy the Death Star at the end of A New Hope, who, when he couldn’t remember his lines, had the script taped down to his legs, making it look like he was looking at buttons and cockpit-gadgetry instead of the lines themselves. Fans will also delight in seeing the Stormtrooper, who can famously be seen hitting his helmet on a closing blastdoor, recount that moment as well. To accurately cover the gargantuan following surrounding ‘Star Wars,’ the movie then predictably turns to its “Where are they now?” segment. Derek speaks of his Buddhist practice that help him deal with the depression that ultimately set in after the movie. But an uplifting side shows the lifespan that these actors’ obscure but beloved characters have taken on at fan conventions, which Derek says has been “beneficial to his health.” Showing up at conventions to sign autographs all day (bringing about twenty to twenty-five pens, varying in color and weight, to sign any number of collectibles with), they recount stories of lighting up when making someone’s day, satisfying “loony” fans, and the hurt of when people walk by who don’t want your autograph. And even within the “Star Wars” actor community itself, there are a few who more than wish that their fame was as high as the likes of Kenny Baker (who operated the R2-D2 costume) and Dave Prowse as Vader, whose actual faces were never seen in the film. “Our faces were actually in the movie!” say some of the impassioned, unknown actors. As Han Solo’s space-gangster friend Greedo, Paul Blake states how, earlier in his career, he had played the part of Macbeth, as well Film Review Elstree 1976. Photo credit: Sonny Malhotra. Strange Brew from page 2 a student at the University of Southern California, and brought to the Rock & Brew concept his expertise and background in craft beer and food service. Zislis opened his Manhattan Beach Brewing Company in the 1980s, before beer was trendy. “He was from Manhattan Beach and he knows the area, and has an incredible sense for restaurants,” said Bill Ruane, the El Segundo Realtor who co-owned the patio next door to the pizza business. “He got the demographics there, literally just outside the Chevron gate.” Rock & Brews carries locally crafted brews at each of its locations, making a visit to any of the restaurants outside Southern California a chance to sample new beers. The decor screams rock ‘n’ roll, but beer is celebrated as much as KISS and the legendary bands plastered on the walls. “What’s the first thing someone asks when they’re out of town. What do you have that’s local?” said Zislis. Strange brew is the ready answer. Before a new restaurant opens, the owners meet with local breweries to sample and decide which up-and-comers the bar staff will promote when they’re asked about the hometown selections. He’s introduced the El Segundo Brewery and its Mayberry IPA to Southwest and Delta travelers who’ve grabbed a bar stool waiting for a flight at Los Angeles International Airport. “We celebrate the local breweries in every market,” he said. The beer menu includes the half-dozen domestics Bud, Coors, Miller and Stella Artois - sometimes referred to “the “Budweiser of Europe.” Zislis and his management staff backfill the rest of the list with Mama’s Little Yella Pills, Rio Grande Outlaw Lager, and Isotopes Slammin Amber, to name a few New Mexico favorites. In Maui, it might be Green Flash West Coast or a Kona Fire Rock Pale Ale. The Rock & Brews concept features a menu built on American appetites for burgers, wings and beers. People living in New Mexico and Texas don’t eat the same way that Southern Californians do, so a regional specialities section was added to the menu once expansion got under way. “The menus have changed a little bit because of the appetites around the country,” Zislis said, explaining that local favorites now appear on the menu. “It’s not something I was ready for.” A New Mexico diner wants green chiles on his burger, and in Florida they like their barbecue sauce made with mustard, according to Zislis. A kale salad, which is a top seller at the South Bay and Buena Park restaurants, isn’t listed on the menus outside of Southern California. One Albuquerque diner left a Yelp review complimentary about the regionally influenced menu. She wrote, “The menu is really long, but showcases pub type food but with a New Mexico influence. Lots of green chilies of course, tacos, and dishes with a Tex-Mex feel.” Then, there’s the Yelp reviewer - a former Redondo Beach resident and surfer - who was stoked to have fish tacos again. “Growing up in OKC with Mexican food as a weekly family tradition I was deep into adulthood before I enjoyed my first fish taco. I lived in Redondo Beach and two super surfer yoga friends insisted I eat fish tacos before our safari south to San Onofre State Beach (beside the nuclear cooling towers). … That was a life-changing experience - warm water surfing and the fish tacos, which I have loved since. “Fast forward, last year I visited Redondo Beach, curious I cruised into the Rock & Brews off Pacific Coast Highway for the first time and parked myself at the bar. After perusing the menu I asked, “How are the fish tacos?” The bartender thrust two thumbs up. “Excellent, best in the South Bay.” He was right. … “So, a short story long, I was ecstatic when I heard Rock & Brews was opening in OKC.” Zislis said as many as eight more restaurants could open this year and a dozen more in 2017. The company doesn’t own or operate all of the locations, though the partners want to open more of their own around Southern California. When you think about brands like Hard Rock, they’re only going to be in the Super Bowl cities, where the Super Bowl is. The stadium with tourists, Zislis added. “We see Rock & Brews can work in any community. It works in Calabasas, it works in Corona, in Buena Park,” he explained. “We can be anywhere.” • Monday, April 25, 2016 A petty theft report was taken at 1913 hours from the 1400 block of East Imperial Avenue. Taken was jewelry. Property Report-A found property report was taken at 2020 hours from Virginia Street and Imperial Avenue. A credit card and a garage door opener were found at the location. A vandalism report was taken at 1039 hours from the 2200 block of East Grand Avenue. Unknown suspect(s) spray painted the victim’s vehicle. Property Report-A found property report was taken at 1219 hours from Kansas Street and Pine Avenue. A black bag containing a bracelet, two blankets and a stuffed animal was found at the location. Property Report-A found property report was taken at 1638 hours from the 500 block of Arena Street. A black laptop bag was found at the location. Tuesday, April 26, 2016 A shoplifting report was taken at 2016 hours from the 700 block of South Sepulveda Boulevard. A cell phone was taken. A battery report was taken at 2108 hours from the 800 block of South Nash Street. Suspect struck the victim after a verbal argument. Two male adults and one female adult were arrested at 0423 hours from the 500 block of North Sepulveda Boulevard for robbery and conspiracy. A burglary (vehicle) report was taken at 0832 hours from the 500 block of East Maple Avenue. Unknown suspect(s) gained entry into the victim’s vehicle through unknown means. Vehicle was ransacked and miscellaneous coins were taken. A traffic accident (with injuries) occurred at Maple Avenue and Indiana Court, vehicle versus a light pole. One male adult was arrested at 1037 hours from Indiana Court and Maple Avenue for misdemeanor DUI (drugs), possession of a controlled substance for sales and transportation of a controlled substance. A dog bite report was taken at 1109 hours from Imperial Avenue and McCarthy Court. Male adult sustained a hand injury while breaking up a dog fight. A burglary (commercial) report was taken at 1123 hours from the 700 block of South Sepulveda Boulevard. Unknown suspect(s) took miscellaneous merchandise from a business. A burglary (vehicle) report was taken at 1839 hours from El Segundo Boulevard and Richmond Street. Unknown suspect(s) gained entry into the victim’s vehicle through unknown means. Miscellaneous property was taken. Wednesday, April 27, 2016 An online lost property report was taken at 1700 hours from the 600 block of Richmond Street. An Apple iPad mini was lost at the location. One male adult was arrested at 0424 hours from 400 North Continental Boulevard for being under the influence of controlled substance. A petty theft report was taken at 1135 hours from the 2200 block of East Rosecrans Avenue. Unknown suspect(s) stole the victim’s cellular phone. • See Film Review, page 13
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