I spent most of my life working in films and tv as a supporting artist 1966-1998.
In 1976 an agent sent me to EMI Elstree studios to work for seven days on a new film called Star Wars.

I had worked on many other Sci Fi shows but this one looked big. (and it was)
Last Sunday 10th I went to my first Star Wars convention at Cheshunt Herts and met up with some of my old mates from 30 years ago. We had a grest day.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v422/ ... r20053.jpg



Aitch. (H)

Did you get to work with any of the big names on set? What was it like working with Lucas?

Hi, when we made the film 30 years ago everyone thought it would be just another space film. I had just finished a couple of episodes of Doctor Who and didn't fancy getting back into space costumes for a while. (but it was a weeks work)

It seemed at the time that it was a very dark set and then I got to meet Carrie Fisher and Dave Prowse. Both were very chatty and made all the new guys very welcome.
(On year 1977 of my web site I talk more about it)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v422/ ... yaitch.jpg

That must have been soooo coool to be part of!

Looking back, and assuming you saw the movie when it was finished... Did you get any kind of vibe that the scenes you were filming were gonna be exciting at all? Or was it completely lifeless, and surprised you when it was edited and completed with music and sound effects? Also, did the Darth Vader costume seem as mighty and amazing to people on the set, back then, as it did to us who just saw the movies?

Everybody involved on those first 3 movies were part of making a little bit of magic in my life, and still do, everytime I see these movies. So you all hold a special place in my heart! Cheers, mate!! And may the force be with you! :

Welcome to MF, Aitch. Congrats/thanks for doing your part. It's a terrible shame, though what you people did to Alderan. "Just following orders" didn't work at Nuremburg, buddy. And don't you forget it!

Seriously, though. Good job. Considering what sci-fi was in the late 70's, I'm sure it wasn't an acting job anyone would have thought would be notable 30-ish years later. Do you have like a hundred of your own action figure, or at least modify existing figures to look more like you? Because I sure as hell would.

Hiya guys, now strange as it may seem I've never seen a Star Wars movie.
The whole thing seems bigger now than ever it was in the 70s. My kids and grandkids are proud that I was in the movie and tell thier pals about me but then again they tell them if a repeat of Doctor Who comes on or a Space 1999 or any of the 850 shows that I was lucky enough to work on.

Being a film or tv extra was a good way to make a living but like any job you do in life you have to work hard at it to get a living. I could of had a 9-5 job for 40 years but to me that would have been a waste of my life.

I'm retired now but every now and then I'll get a call from an agent to ask me if I fancy a day or two on a show and if it's local I'll do it. No more chasing up and down motorways for me. I did get to work with Harrison Ford a few times like this one on ''Raiders'' 1981.

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Hi again Harry! I checked out your page, and seeing how much you've been a part of, I can totally understand why you haven't had the time to see *any* films the past 40 years! I'm *extremely* impressed, you've been in most of my top 50 favorite movies and series, ever. I mean, MY GOD!

The films:
You Only Live Twice
Where Eagles Dare
The Man With The Golden Gun
Return Of The Pink Panther
The Pink Panther Strikes Again
Voyage Of The Damned
Star Wars
The Spy Who Loved Me
The Eagle Has Landed
Superman
Force 10 From Navarone
Superman II
For Your Eyes Only
Raiders Of The Lost Ark
Return Of The Jedi
Octopussy
Superman III
A View To A Kill
Batman
The Man Who Knew Too Little

Series:
The Saint
The Prisoner
The Persuaders
Fawlty Towers

That's what I call one hell of a carreer!

Btw, did your character in Eastenders have a name? Me mum is a big fan of that series, you see. Maybe she remembers you.

You'll have to tell Mum that out of the 200 episodes I did on EE, I was only a background artist. I did get to say some lines when I was a gorrilagram on Cathies 40th birthday many years ago.

Oki! Cheers, mate!

I've always felt that (you) the one Death Squad Commander that opens the door when Vader goes to torture Leia was one of the most positively evil looking Imperial officers in any of the movies. For such a bit role, very effective.

Geeze, will you look at this guy's resume? It reads like A-Z of some of the biggest productions that were shot in the UK! Amazing!

Some times I would get to play the good guy. lol.....

Blakes 7...

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On the 10th I got to meet up with my old pals again..30 years later.

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Is it possible to see you in Where Eagles Dare? And did you meet Eastwood and Burton? My family is probably the biggest fans ever of that movie. We even went to visit the castle, in Austria, a couple of years back.

I never got to meet the stars on that pic. I was left to look after the tanks in case someone stole them

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Hehe, ok. Nice outfit though. I'm not a nazi, but I sure like those uniforms!

I got to play Germans many times like this one in ''Raiders''

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v422/ ... asNazi.jpg




Me and the Boss man.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v422/ ... Probe2.jpg

Were you at Levingstion (<---don't know if thats spelled right) studios when George was frantically trying to make the shooting deadline for Fox?

Hi, I don't know Leviston ?? and I only got to work on Star Wars at EMI Studios.

But got to work at nearly every studio in the UK on other shows.

OK. my appologies. I don't know exactly where levingston came from. I got it confused with Elstree Studios'. But anyway, to recap what I quoted earlier, were you there when George was rushing from set to set trying to make filming deadline for fox?

I don't think George rushed anywhere. (he has people do that for him)
I thought he was a nice quiet man and was in full control.

Heh, all this time I was lead to believe that George was literally rushing from set to set trying to make deadline.

You are my favorite Death Star trooper.

Isn't this the case on most movie sets?
If not the director, then somebody is working their ass off.

That was toward the end though, right? When he had the heart attack scare.

Well he treated me and Ron Conrad pretty good and he still looks good 30 years later.
starwarstcganewhope-127.jpg

Props to you Harry!

May I say (as a young lad) your portrayal of a member of the Imperial Death Squad use to bring a certain un-easy feeling over me. 'Tis nice to chat w/ (and finally put a name w/) someone who made many a summer day's viewing experience rather tense - Great Job!

Say, Are you planning on attending either 'Star Wars' Celebration Europe or 'Star Wars' Celebration 4 in Los Angeles next year?

Hiya Capt,

I'll tell you a true story. The first tv job I ever did was on Doctor Who. Then 2001 film, UFO, Space 1999, Blakes 7, another 20 Doctor Who's so have traveled the planets many times. But in truth (blush blush) I have never been on a plane.

I will try to get to the London signing next year. (by rail )

Aitch, (hangs head in shame)

I had a bit of trouble with this big guy on a Sci Fi series called Blakes 7.
(he didn't worry me...gulp)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v422/ ... 002py0.jpg

Hi guys,
In my younger days I always seemed to be Space bound

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v422/ ... lf1125.jpg

The video screen (in the pic) seems to have gone under a major transformation/Evolution (from then) until how it is presented in todays Sci-Fi. Example, say .... The video screen in 'The Phantom Menace' which looks to have borrowed alot from the much earlier 'Flash Gordon' Etc.

The 'SW' Celebrations r drawing closer - Hope your making your travel plans - Won't make it to the European one .... but, there is C4 (in Los Angeles) which (if u possibly can) u should attend

Any thoughts, reflections (funny happenings) Etc. u can relate from your time spent on the 'SW' set

I had to take screenshot from same scene in HD.

http://tiedostot.pilvikaupunki.net/ANH1 ... ap0127.png

Here's another,

1976
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v422/ ... arwars.jpg



Same two guys 2006..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v422/ ... G_0540.jpg




How time flys when your having fun...

Aitch.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v422/ ... derweb.jpg

Nice!

Congrats on the cool career.

Next year one can have the Death Star Trooper in action figure form when Hasbro releases The Anniversay Collection.

Hasbro Death Trooper and The Anniversay Collection Wave II

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I'll have to get a couple of those for my Grandsons.

Being a guard in this Doctor Who episode 1981 could sometimes be a tough job..

(but someone had to do it)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v422/ ... lva_31.jpg



Aitch

Dr. Whoa, more like it!

Hey Aitch,

I know this isn't you but did you spend any time on this set, Out of the Ol' Prison Lockdown, Y'know some Death Star O.T for the Grand Moff?

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/6338/r11by6.jpg

I'm trying to think back 31 years but the old grey cells are not what they was.
I don't remember being in this scene...???

Aitch,

Here is another pic (This would be a Deleted scene - Still to see the light of day, unless this was set up for the purposes of Still photography

Do you remember how many 'Death Squad Commanders' like you, for this movie, were there?

Were all the scenes (your scenes) involving those (your) character(s) filmed at once?


http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/5396/r12cp4.jpg

I was in the studio for seven days (it's in my diary) and can't remember too much about it...Times were busy back then.
See year 1977 on my web....

Aitch,

Before Patrick went into space....

www.turnipnet.com/aitch/aitch/maybury.ram

Back to Elstree for a visit.....

http://www.a-free-guestbook.com/guestbo ... rryfielder