Saturday, May 11, 2002
A short while ago at a movie theater not far, far away...
They won't gain admission until 12:01 a.m. Thursday, but more than 40 "Star Wars" fans were lined up outside Southwind 12 Theatres at 9 a.m. Friday to buy tickets to "Attack of the Clones," the latest episode in the movie series.
Thad Allender/Journal-World Photo
Kansas University senior Mark Goode, Littleton, Colo., won't have to stand in line for tickets next week when the latest "Star Wars" episode begins its theater run. Goode was among "Star Wars" fans who bought tickets on Friday to "Attack of the Clones," nearly a week ahead of the 12:01 a.m. Thursday showing at Southwind 12 Theatres.
"I think the first person showed up about 12:30, 1 a.m.," said Melissa Decelles, Southwind 12's assistant manager. "I was disappointed no one showed up in costume."
Lawrence resident Chris Fields has a costume � he spent $1,500 in 1998 to dress up as evil sidekick Darth Maul for the premiere of "The Phantom Menace," the most recent "Star Wars" movie. He bought tickets Friday to the first Thursday showing of the new movie, but he's not so sure he'll dress up again.
"It takes three hours to put on all the makeup," he said.
Fields woke up at 4 a.m. Friday to see if a long line was forming at the theater. When he saw the small crowd, he drove back home for a few more hours of sleep.
Indeed, Decelles said Friday's waiting line paled in comparison to 1998. The theater waited until the day the movie opened to start selling tickets that year, however. With nearly a week to wait this time, "Star Wars" fans trickled in throughout the day.
And like Fields, most were excited about renewing a childhood passion.
"I've been collecting ("Star Wars" paraphernalia) since I was a little kid," he said. "I've been waiting for this movie for years."
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