By now, we all know that the Star Wars legacy is in the hands of Disney. The next time we watch Star Wars in the movie theater, we will hear the iconic theme of Disney's "When You Wish Upon A Star" before hearing John Williams' beautiful Star Wars theme erupt in our eras. What many people don't realize is that the 20th Century Fox opening sequence, complete with the drumroll, horns and spotlight, was essential to transitioning into the main Star Wars theme. By 1977, Fox had largely retired that dramatic opening, but Lucas fought to have it put back for Star Wars: John Williams composed the Star Wars theme in B Major, so that the main theme could shift easily from the 20th Century Fox fanfare.
1. Alan Ladd Jr. Gave Us Star Wars
Okay, so it was George Lucas who put his dream out there and created an amazing movie. But people forget that with a big project like a Hollywood movie, it takes someone on the corporate end to believe in you. Alan Ladd Jr. is that man. After studio upon studio rejected George's concept for Star Wars, Lucas sought Alan Ladd Jr., who was the head of 20th Century Fox, to help him with his dream. Though Ladd did not understand much of the movie in 1973, he agreed to take on the project because he saw something in Lucas. Lucas often said that Ladd: "invested in me, he did not invest in the movie." Lucas ran into problem after problem with Star Wars. The budget kept getting increased and Lucas was falling behind schedule. Board members at 20th Century Fox complained about the budget and how they could not understand the storyline. After Star Wars fell two weeks behind, board members wanted to scratch the project, but Ladd intervened and asked for a small extension. Ladd did not get Lucas much time, but he did get him one extra week to finish production. Lucas took his crew, split it into three units, and finished the filming within the deadline. Let's not forget the people who believe in others and have the power to push something through. That's why I believe that Alan Ladd Jr. is the most unknown or, perhaps, forgotten fact of Star Wars and deserves the number one spot. Like this list? How many did you know already? Let us know in the comments section below.
