The "Star Wars" Mos Eisley cantina sequence isn’t just a landmark for special effects. It is enough of a cultural sensation that CBS created a sitcom in 1979 called "Starstruck" inspired by the scene. The show centers on a human family running a hotel in space where creatures and robots from all over the galaxy stay. Of course hi-jinks and hilarity ensue. There is also a subplot involving one of the characters wanting to start a singing career (hence the double-meaning of "Starstruck"). Here’s the full synopsis:
"Starstruck (Pilot; Comedy; CBS; June 9, 1979). Ben McCallister, a widower, and his children, Kate, Masrk and Rupert operate McCallisters Midway Inn, a hotel-restaurant-saloon on an orbiting space station ‘somewhere between Earth and Pluto.’ It is the 22nd century and the proposal was to relate the problems encountered by the family. Ezra and Abigail are Ben’s parents; Amber is the lounge singer; Delight is the waitress."
Chris Cirino, who worked on the special effects for the show, posted a video of the pilot to Reddit. This is probably the first time it’s been seen by the public in 35 years. Here’s what Cirino had to say about his involvement with "Starstruck":
"There are a couple of names in the end credits. Mine is Chuck Cirino. I did the visual effects and supervised the miniature space ships. My good friend Jim Wynorski, a production assistant on this show went on to direct dozens of b movies for Roger Corman. I now write the music for Jim’s movies. And many of them play on Syfy. Other people of note are Dick Durock who plays the villain at the end, who also played Swamp Thing in the film THE RETURN OF SWAMP THING, who was also directed by Jim Wynorski in that film 10 years later. Robert Short, who played Hudson the robot also created and built the robots for the cult classic, CHOPPING MALL… also directed by Jim Wynorski and music by me. Many of the aliens at the bar were played by actors who also appeared in the cantina band sequence in STAR WARS. The masks they wear in this show were of their own personal construction. I could go on and on…"
The video is worth a look, despite the corny jokes, awful writing and a surfeit of cheesy ’70s sets and costumes, all very reminiscent of "Mystery Science Theater 3000." Also look for an intergalactic, synth-infused rendition of "As Time Goes By" over the end credits. Watch the pilot episode below. [via AV Club]
