Skywalking Through Neverland: Keeping the Star Wars Magic Alive

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483: James Earl Jones Remembered Sep 19, 2024

Show notes

This episode is dedicated to James Earl Jones - the man behind the booming voice of Darth Vader, a lion King, and so many more. In this episode, Richard and Sarah have gathered together obscure sound bytes, fun facts, and share YOUR favorite James Earl Jones quotes. We may even share some Top Ten Lists and Sesame Street moments. Let's celebrate the life of a man who has impacted all of us.

Today in Star Wars History - 9/16/1977

The Making of Star Wars as told by C-3PO and R2-D2 airs on ABC-TV. The hour-long special is hosted by C-3PO (Anthony Daniels) and R2-D2. This behind-the-scenes special features film footage intercut with R2 and 3PO as they go through different scenes in the making of Star Wars. They begin by watching the ceremony at Grauman's Chinese Theater as they, along with Darth Vader, put their footprints in cement. The man inside the Vader suit, Bryce Eller, talks about this moment in Skywalking Through Neverland Episodes 236-237.

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482: FREAKY FRIDAY vs. FREAKY FRIDAY! (1977 vs. 2003) Sep 12, 2024

Show notes

It's FREAKY FRIDAY 1977 vs. FREAKY FRIDAY 2003!! Seeing Jodie Foster & Lindsay Lohan introduce Jamie Lee Curtis at the Disney Legends Awards Ceremony this year, plus the title announcement for 2025's FREAKIER FRIDAY, inspired a rewatch of these films. So why not do a podcast episode comparing them?? Courtney and Kelly Turckel (Neverland Clubhouse) join us to compare each film. What were our nostalgic memories? How did each handle the body swap, the crush, the little brother? Did the big climactic moment measure up? And how did the 2003 version update the original? This is guaranteed to be a freaky conversation! (If you've seen the 1977 version, you'll agree!)

Today in Star Wars History - 9/9/1977

After thirteen weeks on the Billboard 200 chart, the Star Wars Soundtrack peaks at the #2 position. It is topped by Fleetwood Mac's album, Rumours.

The 2-LP soundtrack, released by 20th Century Fox, is released in June and goes on to become certified Gold and Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. It goes on to sell 4 million copies and becomes the best-selling symphonic album of all time.

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481: "A New Dawn" 10th Anniversary Celebration Sep 05, 2024

Show notes

We celebrate the 10th anniversary of the novel, Star Wars: A New Dawn, by John Jackson Miller! Published on September 2, 2014, this book details the first meeting of Hera Syndulla and Kanan Jarrus which led to the series premiere of STAR WARS REBELS. A New Dawn marks the first novel published under the rebooted Star Wars canon - and all the previous Expanded Universe novels were rebranded "Legends". What is the legacy of this novel? How does it hold up today? And where is Chopper?? Richard and Sarah go into the story, the legacy, and also share clips from Vanessa Marshall (voice of Hera) and Dave Filoni, who wrote the foreword to this novel. Let's go back in time 10 years, Skywalkers!

Today in Star Wars History - 9/2/2014

The novel, Star Wars: A New Dawn, by John Jackson Miller, is published!

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480: Classic Marvel Star Wars Comics #49 "The Last Jedi" Aug 29, 2024

Show notes

Do you recall Prince Denid from THE LAST JEDI? Do you remember Luke's red-bladed lightsaber, or his tryst with an Imperial captain? No? Then I'm wondering if you know THE LAST JEDI at all! In this episode we will breakdown Marvel Star Wars comic issue #49: "The Last Jedi" (1981)!! Mark Hamill even tweeted that this comic contains spoilers for the 2017 film. So does it? Let's find out, with Richard and Sarah!

#49 "THE LAST JEDI"

Release Date: April 21, 1981 Writer: Mike W. Barr Artwork: Walt Simonson, Tom Palmer Cover Art: Walt Simonson

Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker and the droids bring Prince Denid and his guardian Jedi-diah, a Force-wielder who refused the call to be a Jedi knight, to the planet Velmor. There, Denid will take his rightful place on the throne before his Imperial-sympathizer brother is appointed.

Will he make it in time before the Empire can assassinate him and the Rebel heroes? It all comes down to the Star Wars Hunger Games!

As usual, we take our Facebook Group Comments on the cover into account as we analyze this issue. Become a part of our Facebook Group to contribute!

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479: Mary Poppins & A Sherman Brothers Tribute Aug 22, 2024

Show notes

This D23: Ultimate Fan Event 2024 celebrated The Sherman Brothers in a big way. They have contributed so much to Disney's legacy, so we wanted to take this episode to pay our own special tribute to them. Walt Disney hired Richard and Robert Sherman in 1960 to be the Walt Disney Studios ONLY in-house composers, and they worked on such classics like Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book, The Parent Trap, "The Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room", "it's a small world after all", and hundreds more. Richard and Sarah give a brief history of the Sherman Brothers and share our personal stories meeting Richard Sherman.

Then, sit back and listen to the entire "Road To Cherry Tree Lane: Walt Disney's Mary Poppins" panel, recorded at D23 2024. Disney music historian Randy Thornton hosted this panel in which he shares how Walt's daughters Diane and Sharon, Davy Crockett, Disneyland/Vista Records, and Annette Funicello were all crucial intersections on "The Road to Cherry Tree Lane " and Walt Disney's Mary Poppins. You'll hear some great history, and also audio excerpts from the story meetings between the Sherman Brothers and P.L. Travers - writer of Mary Poppins books. If you watch this episode on YouTube, you'll see a slideshow of images to go along with the panel.

Prepare yourself, because the tributes continue! During the D23 Disney Parks Showcase panel at The Honda Center on 8/10/24, Meghan Trainor stepped onstage to sing "Feed The Birds", and we've included an excerpt here.

Today in Star Wars History - 8/19/1973

Happy Birthday Ahmed Best! For the Star Wars Prequels, Ahmed Best provided the motion capture and voice for Jar Jar Binks who was the first fully-computer-generated supporting character in a feature film.

He also provided the voice for Jar Jar in Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated series and has a cameo as Achk Med-Beq in Attack of the Clones.

Ahmed returned to the Star Wars saga in a flashback to Order 66 in The Mandalorian episode, "Chapter 20: The Foundling," He is the Jedi Kelleran Beq who saves Grogu. Best had previously appeared as Kelleran Beq when he hosted the children's game show, Jedi Temple Challenge.

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478: D23 2024 Recap, Part 2 Aug 16, 2024

Show notes

Welcome to Part 2 of our D23 discussion! After attending the entire weekend and all the big Disney Showcase panels, we sat down with Courtney & Kelly Turckel (Neverland Clubhouse) and Joey Pittman (Disney Universe Podcast) to record this roundtable into the wee hours of the morning. This Part 2 discussion includes:

Disney Parks Showcase
- Deadpool crashes the party
- Avenger's Campus updates
- Avatar coming to DCA
- Villains Land and Cars update at Magic Kingdom
- Tropical Americas with Encanto and Indiana Jones coming to Animal Kingdom
- Smuggler's Run getting Mandalorian and Grogu update
Legends Ceremony
- Harrison Ford
- Frank Oz
- John Williams
- Jamie Lee Curtis
- Miley Cyrus
- & more
Overall experience wrap-up

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477: D23 2024 Recap, Part 1 Aug 14, 2024

Show notes

Is your head still swimming from all the D23 2024 news?? We will happily break it all down for you in 2 episodes! After attending the entire weekend and all the big Disney Showcase panels, we sat down with Courtney & Kelly Turckel (Neverland Clubhouse) and Joey Pittman (Disney Universe Podcast) to record this roundtable into the wee hours of the morning. Part 1 discussion includes:

D23 2024 Disney Entertainment Showcase
- Lucasfilm
- Marvel
- Disney+
- National Geographic
- Disney Animation
- Disney Live Action
Overall Show Floor Experiences
Pros and Cons of the convention
Disney Parks Showcase - just the opening. This discussion continues in Part 2.

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476: DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE Breakdown Aug 02, 2024

Show notes

LFG with Deadpool & Wolverine!! In this episode, we discuss the film that broke all R-rated box office records and made $444 billion in its opening weekend - DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE. We'll give our opinions, explain some cameos, and share sound bytes from Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman about their beloved characters. We also have some behind-the-scenes info from D&W composer Rob Simonsen, courtesy of San Diego Comic-Con! This is an in-depth, awesome discussion so YES, there will be SPOILERS.

Today in Star Wars History - 7/31/2001

Luke Skywalker and Mara Jade become parents to Ben Skywalker in The New Jedi Order: Edge of Victory II: Rebirth, written by Greg Keyes. This is the second book of The New Jedi Order duology that is contained within the 19-part New Jedi Order series.

Mark Hamill: "Pablo Hidalgo just told me about this. It doesn't surprise me. Somebody's using their head. George had talked about me handing Excalibur down to the 'new young hopefuls' if there ever was a sequel trilogy. it makes sense that Ben ends up being the most influential person in Luke's life. I'm glad the caretakers are doing such a good job with the galaxy."

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475: THE ACOLYTE Series Breakdown with Mike Celestino Jul 24, 2024

Show notes

Our ACOLYTE breakdown continues! THE ACOLYTE marks the 5th live-action Disney+ Star Wars series. We've seen the entire first season, so now it's time to share our educated review. We invited Mike Celestino (Laughing Place/ Who's the Bossk) to join us in sharing our favorite moments, surprises, and cameos. What is Qimir's relationship with Darth Plagueis? Should season 2 be R-rated? Will there be a season 2? And did the soundtrack by Michael Abels stand the test of time? Tell us if you agree with our assessment.

If you haven't already, listen to Part 1 of our series review with creature performer & actor Dee Tails (Rogue One, Solo, The Force Awakens). He played Senator Chuwant and had some great behind-the-scenes stories.

Today in Star Wars History - 7/22/1976

Lucasfilm Head of Marketing, Charles Lippincott, presents the panel, "The Star Wars: A preview w/ Roy Thomas, Howard Chaykin, and Charles Lippincott" at San Diego Comic-Con International.

Marvel comic writer Thomas and artist Chaykin follow the slide show with a Q&A. The Chaykin poster sells for $1.75, (You can get it on Ebay right now for $6,195!)
According to Lippincott, this presentation starts the tradition of announcing and marketing films at San Diego Comic-Con.

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474: Behind-The-Scenes of THE ACOLYTE with Creature Performer Dee Tails Jul 22, 2024

Show notes

Creature performer & actor Dee Tails (Rogue One, Solo, The Force Awakens) joins us to talk about his role as Senator Chuwant and shooting the finale for THE ACOLYTE! He upheld a J.J. Abrams tradition when playing this character - do you know what it is? You can meet Dee at our Classic Marvel Star Wars Comics panel at San Diego Comic-Con, and he will also be signing on July 29 during the Virtual Cantina tour at Scum & Villainy in Hollywood.

We planned on having Dee on the same show as our ACOLYTE breakdown with Mike Celestino (Laughing Place / Who's The Bossk) but there was so much to each part that we separated them and our full breakdown will come out in just a few days. Stay tuned!

Today in Star Wars History - 7/21/1978

Due to its overwhelming popularity, the theatrical run for Star Wars extends another seven weeks. Although some may call this a re-release, however it was never pulled from theaters. Fun Facts:

A new poster is created for this extended release featuring artwork by Charlie White III and Drew Struzan.
A monaural audio mix with extra lines of dialogue and sound effects was included in these additional prints. Extra dialogue includes C-3PO's line about cutting the Death Star's tractor beam to allow the Millennium Falcon to leave, and the Stormtrooper shouting to "Close the blast doors," while chasing Han Solo and Chewbacca through the Death Star corridors. Before this we only heard "Open the blast doors!"
The number of film prints totals 1,756 for this release which is an industry record. 300 more prints is added the next week which is the first time a film played in more than 2,000 theaters.
Because of a clause in their contract, the only theater to continue playing Star Wars following the seven week extension is the Westgate Theater outside of Portland, Oregon. Following the 76 week run, Star Wars continues there until 11/07/1978.

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