May the fortune be with you!
QUESTION
What was Sir Alec Guinness’s Star Wars deal? Did he get a percentage?
SIR Alec Guinness did receive a percentage for his role in Star Wars.
One of Britain’s greatest actors, he was a surprise addition to the cast of a science-fiction film.
He outlined his own misgivings in a letter dated December 22, 1975: ‘I have been offered a movie (20th century Fox) which I may accept, if they come up with proper money.
‘london and north Africa, starting in mid-March. Science fiction — which gives me pause — but it is to be directed by Paul [sic] lucas, who did American Graffiti, which makes me feel I should.’
Then there’s this diary entry from April 6, 1976: ‘Apart from the money, which should get me comfortably through the year, I regret having embarked on the film. I like them all well enough, but it’s not an acting job. The dialogue, which is lamentable, keeps being changed and only slightly improved.’
The deal he negotiated included 2 per cent of the film’s profits. In a June 3, 1977, diary entry he wrote: ‘Am pinning my hopes on Star Wars percentage, which could bring me in £100,000 or more.’
When Sir Alec appeared on Parkinson in December 17, 1977, he was probed over rumours surrounding his Star Wars fee. He explained how George lucas, buoyed by the Press reaction to the film and grateful to the actor for improving the film’s dialogue, had offered him a further 0.5 per cent, which he accepted.
By this time, Sir Alec had seen the completed film and been won over, praising its ‘marvellous, healthy innocence’.
He told the Parkinson audience how the film’s success prompted him to ask for the 0.5 per cent increase to be formalised. He phoned the producers and said: ‘I’d just like to get this little gift in writing for my agent, you know.’ They replied: ‘Yes the 0.25 per cent!’ This made the Parkinson audience laugh.
Sir Alec embellished the story for the TV audience. His June 13, 1977, diary entry says: ‘[Producer Gary] Kurtz telephoned and came up with 0.25 per cent instead of the 0.5 per cent lucas had suggested. A bit of an Indian gift, but I said nothing.’
Sir Alec died in 2000, leaving an estate worth £2.5 million, which has grown considerably since — it’s believed it has since earned more than £50 million from Star Wars.
Jack Moles, Guildford, Surrey.
QUESTION Did either side achieve their aims in the Iran-Iraq war? Did it end with a peace treaty?
Few conflicts have been so futile. When Saddam Hussein invaded Iran on September 22, 1980, he claimed the Iranians had reneged on the 1975 Algiers Agreement, which formally ended the Iran-sponsored Kurdish insurgency in Iraq and secured dual ownership of the Shatt al-Arab waterway.
The river forms the border between Iraq and Iran for 55 miles until it empties into the Arabian Gulf. The Shatt and the region around it have strategic and economic importance for both countries, but particularly for Iraq since it is its maritime access to the world.
The conflict was rooted in a regional rivalry that has lasted centuries. Persia, now Iran, has been the bastion of the Shiite branch of Islam while Iraq’s political elites oriented the country towards the Sunni denomination.
consequently, Saddam Hussein felt threatened by the 1979 Islamic revolution that brought Ayatollah Khomeini to power. Khomeini saw Saddam as a Sunni tyrant oppressing a Shia majority.
Saddam ordered a pre-emptive strike to overthrow the fledgling Iranian regime before it could attack him. He believed the turmoil of revolution had left Iran vulnerable. It was a huge strategic mistake. Saddam’s attack galvanised support for Iran’s new regime. The war was fought over eight years, killing more than one million people. neither side achieved its aims. Saddam and Khomeini remained in power. Saddam did not secure any territorial gains.
The war ended on August 20, 1988, with a un-brokered ceasefire. However, it wasn’t until 1990, when the impoverished Saddam had turned his attentions to his oil-rich neighbour Kuwait, that he agreed to withdraw his claim of total sovereignty over the Shatt al-Arab waterway.
John Marais, Oxford.
QUESTION Is the bizarre helmet worn by singer Gregory Porter a medical requirement or fashion statement?
JAZZ singer Gregory Porter sports a Kangol Summer Spitfire cap with a modified strap covering his neck, ears and chin. He calls it his ‘jazz hat’.
He has been asked about it many times and is reluctant to say more than: ‘I had surgical scars [due to a childhood accident] and decided to cover them.’
Penny Collins, Upper Slaughter, Glos.
QUESTION How would 100 archers from Henry V’s army fare against 100 riflemen from Wellington’s army?
The previous answer suggested riflemen would have the advantage in wooded terrain because of their bayonets. However, archers also carried a short sword with a 2 ft blade.
In a melee, this weapon would be highly manoeuvrable. The longer a weapon, the harder it is to control.
An archer with a short sword could deflect the bayonet and make a riposte to the head of his enemy, who wouldn’t be able to recover fast enough for a second thrust or parry. As a fencer, I’d take my chance with the short sword.
J. C. Madgin, Durham.