Star Wars prequels-why all the hate?

[Earth 2 Chris]

20 years ago David Prowse was a guest at the comic shop I worked at, and I was his gopher for those days. Despite all the stories you hear around the web, he was very pleasant, and answered questions about ALL of his work, and yes, even then, he told us he was most proud of his Green Cross Man work.

As for the prequels...I don't hate them with every fiber of my being like some, but yeah... Lucas forgot what made Star Wars "Star Wars". Centering the whole thing around political intrigue and trade agreements was a mistake right out of the gate. Good actors are given bad dialog and even worse direction, so they can't work with that bad dialog. And there's no wiseacre character like Han Solo to point out how silly all of this is. The movies take themselves WAY TOO seriously for the most part, and the only humor is provided by the way too young Anakin and heaven help us, Jar Jar.

I don't mind watching them with the kids, but they aren't something I'm going to revisit often on my own.

Chris

[Bruce Banner]

He continued doing it because he considered it a worthy cause and road safety was a passion of his. The Green Cross Code Campaign was what he received his MBE for.


In Prowse's own words:

The 14 years I spent as the face of the government’s road safety campaign – as the Green Cross Man – is the best job I’ve ever had, including my Star Wars role, and by far my proudest achievement. When the campaign started in the mid-70s, there were 40,000 children every year who became road accident casualties – a terrible statistic which needed to be addressed, which was why the Green Cross Man was created.

During that time we made a number of road safety films that were regularly shown on the telly but we also needed to get the message across to schoolchildren, which is why between 1976 and 1980, I travelled around the UK, often visiting up to three schools a day, five days a week. It was a busy few years.

I loved going round the schools talking to the children and educating them on “STOP, LOOK, LISTEN and THINK” – four words I know many people still fondly remember, even if they don’t apply it. And by the end of the campaign the number of children involved in road traffic accidents had been halved, down to 20,000. It’s been estimated that the code saved as many as 250,000 children from being injured or killed on our roads.

Many people will know me for being the ultimate screen villain, Star Wars’ Darth Vader. But being a “goodie goodie” and heading up the Green Cross Code campaign, helping to save thousands of lives has always been the ultimate honour. Road safety is a real passion for me.

[huedell]

WOW! I would've thought he wouldn't need the PSAs after Star Wars.

Need them?

Here's my guess... it was likely a job he took that has some wiggle-room for "lowering himself" because its a "safety" thing for the public good... and, like, a government sponsored thing... ya know?

That said... Prowse is a bodybuilder turned actor, correct?

If that's the case, then only one man has ever made me feel there's good money in that... and his name is not Lou.... and Prowse doesn't even have the charisma of a Lou.

Guess what I'm saying is... regardless of what the money/career dynamic of a PSA spokesman is... Prowse seems like the type of actor who'd have to accept some pretty low-end work throughout his career. Not that I know that for sure, and not that there's anything wrong with that if I was right.

[Brue]

That one I posted was from the 80s, so the Green Cross robot was certainly inspired by Artoo.

WOW! I would've thought he wouldn't need the PSAs after Star Wars.

[fallensaviour]

How is that no-one has yet done a Green Cross Man Mego? The mind boggles.

Honestly,I don’t understand it myself???
It’s a brilliant idea and would have probably sold thousands of them in the 70’s.
He deserves to hang out with the super collector.

[Bruce Banner]

Did you notice the R2 D@ish robot that probably inspired Lucas in the one Bruce Banner posted?

That one I posted was from the 80s, so the Green Cross robot was certainly inspired by Artoo.

I know this is getting further off topic but being The Green Cross Man and Darth Vader is a pretty cool legacy. Not to many all his other accomplishments.

Yeah, Prowse is really proud of his Green Cross Code work. He considers it one of his greatest and most worthwhile accomplishments.

[phil]

Yep, there's also playing Frankenstein's Monster with Peter Cushing twice in Hammer Films, a cool role in Vampire Circus, and a pretty unforgettable role in a Clockwork Orange. Not too bad.

Arrgh!!! I meant to write "not to mention his many other accomplishments". He helped get Christopher Reeves into shape to play Superman.

[Hector]

David Prowse’s health problems...

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Prowse#Health_problems

[Hedji]

I know this is getting further off topic but being The Green Cross Man and Darth Vader is a pretty cool legacy. Not to many all his other accomplishments.

Yep, there's also playing Frankenstein's Monster with Peter Cushing twice in Hammer Films, a cool role in Vampire Circus, and a pretty unforgettable role in a Clockwork Orange. Not too bad.

[phil]

I know this is getting further off topic but being The Green Cross Man and Darth Vader is a pretty cool legacy. Not to many all his other accomplishments.

[Hedji]

How is that no-one has yet done a Green Cross Man Mego? The mind boggles.

Omigosh, I'd totally buy one.

[Brue]

I'm pretty sure the Green Cross Man has hijacked this thread. And I'm getting on that bus.

This is awesome!
I never would have gotten fallensaviours reference if hedji hadn't posted the video.

Dubbed voice before SW!
Did you notice the R2 D@ish robot that probably inspired Lucas in the one Bruce Banner posted?

The PSAs themselves and the British cultural history is supercool.
And the video that Youtube prompted of the recent renewal ad is over the top cool.

And yes PNGwynne, I want to see a Green Cross Man in the 2018 Mego Meet Auction!!!!!!!!!

[PNGwynne]

How is that no-one has yet done a Green Cross Man Mego? The mind boggles.

[Bruce Banner]

His voice was dubbed by another actor in that one. (Which of course was something he was to experience again a couple of years later. )

Here's a later one with his real voice:

[phil]

No need to imagine. Here he is himself.

Being the Green Cross Man helped him get an MBE, Member of the British Empire.