Elstree Calling

John Maxwell Building at Elstree Studios. Photo: © Paul Burton

Star Wars Recollections:

Nobody could have predicted how successful the Star Wars films would be. In 2007, Darth Vader actor Dave Prowse MBE and supporting artist, Harry Fielder, shared with me their experiences of working on George Lucas' film series:

Paul: Dave, how did you come to be cast in the role of Darth Vader?

Dave: George (Lucas) had seen me in the 1971 Stanley Kubrick film A Clockwork Orange, and had kept me in mind for five years. After being shown some conceptual drawings for Star Wars, George offered me either the role of Chewbacca or Darth Vader.

Asking why I requested to play the latter role, I said it was because people always remember the villains in productions. As if to prove my point, 30 years on and many hundreds of convention appearances later, I am still remembered for playing the ultimate villain - Darth Vader.

Paul: How long after making of Return of the Jedi, in 1983, was it until you returned to Elstree Studios?

Dave: Not until 2006, when I was delighted to visit when music mogul Simon Cowell was having a plaque unveiled there in his honour. Following this unveiling, I attended a special Star Wars screening at the nearby Reel Cinema. The whole event was very emotional for me, and I have lots of great memories of the night.

In 1977, after appearing in a couple of Doctor Who series, Central Casting sent supporting artist Harry Fielder to Elstree to work on a certain space film for seven days.

Paul: What are your memories of your first day working on the first Star Wars film at Elstree?

Harry; There must have been about 50 supporting artists gathered there that days, some putting on white space-type suits, some being fitted out in weird make-up and costumes, while the rest of us waited around to see what we were going to be.

A chap called Ronnie Conrad and I got a call to go to the wardrobe department. They dressed us in black space suits without facemasks. When we were dressed, we sat at the back of the set and waited to do our bit. I got talking to a giant of a man - David Prowse - and he told me that he was playing a character called 'Daft Ada'.

I found out later that day he was playing Darth Vader. It must have been his strong West Country accent that made it sound so wrong."

Paul: What scenes in the film did you appear in?

Harry: Ronnie and I did some odd bits during the week and then we were called to do a bit of business with our old mate Darth. We were going to arrest Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher).

Darth, Ronnie and I walked along some corridors and then into the cell where the princess was being held. Darth had all the lines to say while Ronnie and I stood there looking ugly.

Paul: Star Wars was the highest grossing film that you ever worked on, but did it make you rich?

Harry: No, I personally only earned £11 per day for seven days, earning a total of £77.

But all these years later I am held in deep respect by my grandchildren for being one of 'Daft Ada's' men. Thanks Mr. Lucas.

My special thanks go to Dave Prowse MBE and Harry Fielder for their time and help.

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