Catacombs Reference LibraryUK Press
Intergalactic gadgetry
Catacombs Reference Library
Westminster & Pimlico News, 11 Nov 1977 p4
We have not found any other information about this The World of Visual Effects exhibition in December 1977. Note that Star Wars did not open in the UK until 27 December 1977 (7 months after the US 25th May 1977 premiere). The first season of the Blackpool Space City exhibition had closed at the end of October 1977, so some models may have been displayed at this exhibition.
Wembley Conference Centre was the first purpose built conference centre in the UK, opening in January 1977. It was a filming location for Blakes 7 in 1979 and Superman IV in 1987. It was demolished in 2006.
Fans of Star Wars, the new sell out high-energy space movie, will get a chance to go behind the scenes next month when some of the sets and models are brought to London for a special exhibition.
The boom in sci fi movies and television space dramas has prompted Kensington businessman Jim Campbell to stage a display of the technical wizardry that goes into making them.
"In the troubled world of today," he says, "more and more people are turning to stories set on other worlds, in other times.
"They are populated with heroes all ready and willing to swash their buckle, rescue maidens in distress and combat the evil forces attempting to take over their worlds"
Such is the stuff of which dreams are made nowadays, says Mr. Campbell.
So to satisfy the voracious appetite of all space freaks Mr. Campbell has arranged an exhibition of "The World of Visual Effects" at the Wembley Conference Centre on December 18, 19 and 20.
Favourite
As well as Star Wars, which is released in December, visitors will be able to see sets from Dr. Who, The People that Time Forgot and Space 1999. There will also be special effects models, costumes and clips from some of their favourite films and television shows.
Mr. Campbell also promises special guest stars, lectures on how the visual effects are created and spaceships and robots.
Space 1999 producer Gerry Anderson has helped back the exhibition. His past television successes include Thunderbirds, Stingray, Captain Scarlet and UFO. Mr. Campbell is convinced the enthusiasm for space fiction and all its related paraphernalia will bring visitors to his exhibition in their thousands. Dr. Who alone has over 12 million viewers every week on television and is one of the most successful series ever made.
He is a seasoned maker of short films for television and creator of special effects for both the small and large screen. He reckons his exhibition will have a special effect on all those who see it.