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The Super Sunday Double Feature: THX-1138 & American Graffiti
June 16 @ 11:00 am - June 17 @ 6:00 am
Now through September, we’re celebrating George Lucas’ 80th birthday with Super Sunday Double Feature virtual watch parties! Lucas turned 80 on May 14, 2024. Perhaps best known for the Star Wars and Indiana Jones series, we are exploring some of his lesser well-known films.
Join us Sunday, June 16 for George Lucas’ first two films, THX-1138 (1971) and American Graffiti (1973). Both were co-written and directed by Lucas before he began developing the Star Wars saga.
The Super Sunday Double Feature pays homage to classic movie matinees, TV weekend movies, and drive-in double features. We’ll be watching two films that George Lucas was instrumental in bringing to the big screen.
The double feature begins at 11 AM ET (10 AM CT, 9 AM MT, 8 AM PT, 15:00 GMT) and runs all day. Each program will include a short intermission in between each feature film. Look for specific showtimes close to the events.
These virtual watch parties are free but exclusive to members of the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Discord server. Join our Discord server free now at discord.gg/galaxysedge.
THX-1138 (1971) [PG]
George Lucas’ first film, THX-1138 explores a dystopian society where mind-altering drugs are mandated to keep humans complacent and productive. Lucas co-wrote the film with Walter Murch, expanding on his earlier student film. Although set in the future, it explores Lucas’ views on American society in the late 1960s.
It stars Robert Duvall as the titular THX, with Donald Pleasence, Don Pedro Colley, Maggie McOmie, and Ian Wolfe in supporting roles. Produced by Lucas’ and Francis Ford Coppola’s American Zoetrope, it was distributed by Warner Bros. THX-1138 received mixed reviews from critics and failed to meet Warner Bros. box office expectations. However, it became a cult classic in later years.
American Graffiti (1973) [PG]
Lucas’ second film, American Graffiti, is a coming-of-age story based loosely on his own experiences with the cruising culture of the early 1960s. Lucas turned to Willard Huyck and Gloria Katz for help writing the script. The three attended film school at the University of Southern California together.
The ensemble cast includes Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Paul Le Mat, Charles Martin Smith, Cindy Williams, Candy Clark, Harrison Ford, Mackenzie Phillips, and Bo Hopkins. Popular 60s radio DJ Wolfman Jack also appears throughout the film. Ford would go on to star in Star Wars: A New Hope (1977) and several other Star Wars films, along with the titular character in the Indian Jones franchise.
American Graffiti was produced by Francis Ford Coppola and distributed by Universal Pictures. Although Universal was reluctant to release it, It went on to be a critical and commercial success.
How Do You Watch?
You can watch for free on the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Discord server. We’ll be broadcasting from Meetup Room 1, and you can text chat with others while you watch.
New to Discord? Discord is a free messaging and discussion app available on all major mobile devices and computer operating systems. Just install the app, create an account, and join our server.
Other events in the Super Sunday Double Feature series include:
- Sunday, June 16: THX-1138 (1971) and American Graffiti (1973)
- Sunday, July 14: Howard the Duck (1986) and Willow (1988)
- Sunday, August 4: Radioland Murders (1994) and Red Tails (2012)
- Sunday, September 8: The Clone Wars (2008) and Strange Magic (2015)
Why Not Include Star Wars or Indiana Jones Films?
The Super Sunday Double Feature is loosely based on movie matinees, TV weekend movies, and drive-in double features. While they might occasionally include a blockbuster, they mostly showed mid-range hits and cult classics.
Adapting those ideas to our modern age, we wanted to focus on George Lucas’ work outside of the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises. Still, Lucas played a pivotal role in making each one of these movies.
Plus, we already host virtual watch parties for the Star Wars movies and are looking at options for an Indiana Jones special presentation in the future.
What Is the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Discord?
The Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Discord is a fan-run group celebrating all things Star Wars and Disney parks. Perhaps best known for hosting lightsaber meetups at Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland and Disney World, the SWGEDiscord is a family-friendly and inclusive space where fans can discuss all aspects of Star Wars and Galaxy’s Edge safely.
In addition to our saber meetups, we host in-person and virtual events, including a book club, watch and listening parties, trivia nights, and more. Our Discord server has channels dedicated to planning your visit to Galaxy’s Edge on either coast, the latest stock updates, and talking about your favorite Star Wars shows, movies, books, and comics.