We meet Biggs (16)
Last Updated (Wednesday, 07 July 2010 10:40) Written by Administrator Monday, 05 July 2010 00:00
In another deleted scene from the film, we meet Biggs. Is that derived from Biggles - fictional British WWI fighter ace? - or from some physical attr.. never mind.
Art Notes: a little ambiguity!
"BLARP!
GLUK"
This page elicited an interesting response from one reader last year on the old site:
"Are Biggs and and Luke kissing? I guess they are supposed to be hugging, or were you going in a new direction?"
I mean, just who is kissing who? And have a look at the 'Love hearts' - was I kidding? Do you think Stan Lee would have passed that visual device if I'd submitted it to him? I don't really like this page to be honest: just look at Luke's face in the bottom left panel.
Above: Howard Chaykin's Marvel comic adaptation - 1977
You can see once again that I had to turn to Marvel for references. Also, notice that Fixer's girlfriend in the Marvel version refers to Luke as Wormie. In the deleted movie scene Luke seems as if he could be the younger one of the whole gang - and the butt of all the jokes. It actually gives a nice bit of added depth to his character and makes us even more sympathetic to him. Little do they know how much Space Travel and adventure really are in his blood - and genes.
Film Notes
This is a much longer more complex scene with luke and his friends which slows the film down quite a bit, see the footage here.
And the follow-up scene with Luke and Biggs that slows even more. Garrick Hagon's performance - I hate to say it - is a bit wooden. He actually reminds me of Zapp Brannigan in Futurama. With a touch of an unrealistically heroic Charlton Heston vocal delivery. I didn't adapt this deleted scene, just the one before it.
Once again, I think it'd be nice to have a fuller, restored film in addition to one single cleaned-up original theatrical release - which would be the definitive one but I think George Lucas feels differently. With some justification. It's quite reasonable that he should leave out scenes that, in his opinion as writer/director, didn't work. It's a normal part of the creative process. But adding all sorts of superfluous rubbish is just silly: Special Editions anyone? I mean, you have to move on don't you? And focus on producing new - better work that fulfils you creatively.
So yes, the one definitive version - that we all loved - and one curiosity with the restored scenes please!
On Wednesday: ????
Comments
John G. Said:
Are Biggs and and Luke kissing? I guess they are supposed to be hugging, or were you going in a new direction?
Hiya John G,
Good God, yes, it does look like that doesn’t it?
It looks as though a male character possibly named ‘Fix’ is kissing one of the women as she’s in mid-sentence. I’m guessing this came from the novel: guessing because the last time I read it, was probably in 1979 or something! In the panel above you’ll see the laughable use of lovehearts! It’s extraordinary how little effort was put into that page!
Whatever happened to that actor? Well, I’m off to Google to find out!
Garrick Hagon is his name – which ironically, sounds like a Star Wars character. You won’t recognise him from the shot above.
What’s extraordinary, is that he occasionally stars in The Archers! A BBC Radio soap that’s been running for 50 odd years. I hear it all the time in our kitchen whilst cooking etc.
If he has kids, I’d love to know what they think of his little role in the most popular film of all time.
Just looking at that again: in the bottom left panel, Luke looks like he’s in shock after Biggs’ big wet kiss.
