When is your Star Wars 40th anniversary?

Star Wars opened on both screens
at the Gaumont, Bournemouth

In a shorter Episode Nothing post than usual (thank my internet provider for that), I'm taking a look at the 40th anniversary of my own first viewing of Star Wars – and asking you for your memories.

Star Wars is now as old as Flash Gordon was in the 1970s. What does that tell us about its staying power?

Star Wars in 1977, when Flash Gordon was 41

Star Wars is as old today as the original Flash Gordon serial was back in 1977.

Today, Episode Nothing ponders that sobering thought – and considers how Star Wars has aged compared with some of the films that inspired it.

40 years ago: Star Wars Weekly #1 arrives in the UK

Star Wars Weekly issue 1 arrived just as the film was spreading across the UK

Star Wars in black-and-white. It was a much more appealing prospect than it might sound when Marvel Comics’ Star Wars Weekly arrived in Britain in the week of February 8 1978. 

Today, Episode Nothing looks at how the UK got the Marvel Star Wars without the colo(u)r but with some extras that the US missed out on. 

Spoilers in 1977: How much did people know about the original Star Wars going in?

The Marvel Star Wars comic book was
one of many ways to get Star Wars spoilers
Photo: Comics A-Go-Go! 

The phrase "spoiler warning" is a pretty recent invention. Back in the 1970s, you could stumble upon films' plot twists quite easily. 

Today, Episode Nothing considers the spoilers that were around in 1977, as news spread of the incredible success of Star Wars.