Prop Store is holding a Toys & Collectibles auction on Thursday, February 28th and Friday March 1st with multiple items from Lucasfilm movies – including many from the private collection of former Vice President of Production for Lucasfilm and Producer of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi Howard Kazanjian. Now a respected author, Kazanjian answered a few questions from Paul Simpson…

 You say in the press release for the auction that the time is right to let some pieces go – what prompted the decision?

George Lucas let Lucasfilm Ltd. go because it was time. It was just time to let some of my treasures go. It is as simple as that. Let someone else who appreciates the toys enjoy them.

 

When you were given the items as samples, or to approve, did you instantly recognize those items that might become worth more (emotionally as well as financially) to the fans? Or have you seen what the reaction has been over the years when they’ve become available?

As Vice President of Production and Producer and Executive Producer at Lucasfilm I was on George’s mailing list for toys as well. Not just samples from Kenner. Many of the toys were given to my young children even though I did see some value in them. Some I thought would be worth more in the future, and some I did not. Many I thought would not have great value do today.

Which item that’s in the auction do you think best demonstrates the creativity of the toy makers?  

The early action figures from tiny metal ones to 15 inches in height have marvellous detail. Many of the toys had to be approved in looks and colour before the movie came out.  Some I approved as our Lucasfilm merchandise people had not seen the film or character or prop.

If you had to save just one piece – whether it’s in the auction or not – from your collection, which would it be, and why?

That’s a tough question when I now know what items are the most valuable. Perhaps the large Darth Vader action figure and the large Millennium Falcon. Why? Darth Vader was a great character and the Falcon seemed to be a friend.

Star Wars has been part of the zeitgeist for four decades now – what do you think it was about that original trilogy that kept fans interested, particularly through the fallow periods (between Return of the Jedi and The Phantom Menace, and then between Revenge of the Sith and The Force Awakens)? 

First and foremost Star Wars IV, V and VI are fabulous stories. Star Wars is the American fairytale. Beside story and great characters, George was making films like no other. Story, story, story, less dialogue, the best effects in the world by ILM, fast cutting, great visuals, props and sets, and Johnny Williams’ fabulous music. George took you away from this world. But if I had to use just one word, I’d say story.

Ten years after Return of the Jedi, the audience (fans) still remembered Luke Skywalker’s (Mark Hamill) story of the Jedi Knight. They wanted to know the beginning and George gave them Episodes I, II and III. Not to put down Episodes VII, VIII and soon IX, I think those are ‘add-ons’. As good as they may be, they are not the original cast or storyline that we all grew up with.

I would like to have made Episode I prior to ever reading the script or knowing what George had in mind.

Have you remained a fan of the franchise since departing Lucasfilm? Have you had a hankering to return to that galaxy far far away?

I am a fan of Episodes IV, V and VI because I was there and closest to George and his thinking, his creativity, and him who I greatly respected. Today I have no desire, or hankering as you put it, to return to that galaxy far far away. I see the films, read the articles, and keep up on the characters, but I’ve moved on as I think George has.

You’ve written books about the Westerns – what attracts you to those? And have you similarly collected memorabilia over the years?

I grew up on Westerns as most my age did. And I love period pieces whether they be stories in books or movies on the screen. We make Westerns today, but the horse is now the car, the wagon now the SUV, the stagecoach the helicopter, and the guy in the white hat the policeman. The stories haven’t changed much. There is still the damsel in distress and the guy in the black hat how with a hooded mask robbing a bank. Today’s modern show is a remake so to speak of the old western.

Most of the books we’ve written are Westerns – not all. Most were written hoping to someday turn them into a movie or TV show. It is so much fun creating the old world than shooting a story on the modern streets of California. It certainly is more creative for all the crew from costumes, sets, styles, locations, etc.

 

Prop Store’s Toys & Collectibles auction will be held as a two-day live auction in Los Angeles County, California on Thursday, February 28th and Friday. All lots can now be viewed in a free-to-download PDF catalogue; printed copies of the catalogue are also available. In addition to live bidding, out-of-town fans can participate via telephone or online via www.propstore.com

Thanks to Felicity Beardshaw at Prop Store for her help in arranging this interview.