'MERRY CHRISTMAS!' (2024)

Another year quickly closes, but the enduring heroes of the original Battlestar Galactica, and their epic adventures, live on for the future, the saga's main characters, for good and for evil, captured in all their poster art glory by Neil Davies.

Saga of a Star World wishes all its readers a very MERRY CHRISTMAS! And have a prosperous 2025!

CLASSIC MERCHANDISE: SHOWCASING LIGHT AND DARKNESS!

It may not have gone past its fourth and final issue back in 1978, but the distinctive Battlestar Galactica poster magazine series, published by Paradise Press with Universal, remains treasured by fans. I still have to get hold of this one after all these years, what with its memorable Adama/Lucifer cover. 

In the UK, I only remember the first issue coming out, specifically targeted with the theatrical release of Saga of a Star World. Am I wrong about this?

CLASSIC IMAGE: "BLUE SQUADRON LAUNCHED!"

The efficient and amiable Flight Corporal Rigel delivers the happy news that the raw female pilots comprising the new Blue Squadron vipers have successfully launched from the Galactica's bays, generating equal joy from the rest of the bridge crew, in a nice moment for actress Sarah Rush, from Lost Planet of the Gods, Part One.

BEHIND THE SCENES: SPACE LUXURY THE 'RISING STAR' WAY...

Before but also during the Cylon War, the humans of the Twelve Colonies would carry on enjoying the realms of commercial space travel where they could, and what better way for them to begin their vacations than boarding the beautiful and luxurious Rising Star passenger vehicle, which, with the original TV series pilot launcher, would become a home to women and children refugees for the most part. It would ultimately return back to a more leisure-related existence with the regular series, once the Galactica's Rag-Tag fleet had become more organised and efficient for its surviving peoples.

Enjoy these behind the scenes images from the Apogee filming for Saga of a Star World in Summer, 1978.

Concept design.

Jon Erland works on the model at Apogee.

Model filming.

Photographed by Richard Edlund with the Dykstraflex camera. Interesting that the model is quite small but looks bigger on screen. The same visual trick was used with the original Star Destroyer model used with the beginning of the first Star Wars movie of 1977.

Rear view of the impressive model ultimately sold at auction.

CLASSIC IMAGE: THE APOLLO MYSTERY!

The mystery of the garbled communication signal found by Apollo gets even more mysterious in regards to its origins, with even Boomer's tech skills not yet able to penetrate its enigmatic revelations. A memorable scene from The Hand of God.

CLASSIC IMAGE: DAGGIT IN COMMAND!

Every daggit deserves its special day on the majestic bridge of the Galactica, alongside its brave Colonial Warriors, of which Muffey certainly makes a fine fit. Evie the Chimp, playing Muffey, is seen here in posed images likely for either The Long Patrol or Fire in Space.

BEHIND THE SCENES: LADIES WHO LUNCH!

Backstage from their busy work onscreen ensnaring audiences within the Ovion's cannibal casino of death on Carillon, the actresses playing the intriguing and talented Toucana Sisters (including actress/singer Patty Brooks),still in special make-up, take a break during filming of Saga of a Star World. 

CLASSIC ART: BATTLING VIPERS!

The greatest defense for humanity against the ongoing Cylon armada onslaught, the brave Colonial Warrior pilots go once more into battle from within their Vipers, in another great piece of fan art. 

If anyone knows the artists's name, please get in touch. 

CLASSIC IMAGE: THE KRONUS ENCOUNTER!

Aboard the Galactica, Colonel Tigh's celebration of the stern Commander Kronus (Paul Fix) goes awry in all the wrong and embarrassing ways possible during the Celestra Commander's award ceremony, part of the memorable opening to Take the Celestra.

CLASSIC ART: DEATH TO THE OVIONS!

The classic Marvel Comics Galactica series had some very memorable action-orientated covers to win over readers, but here's one that sadly never made it, the original planned version for issue three, which was adapting Saga of a Star World, and sees our heroic Starbuck stealing the limelight as he fights the cannibal Ovions deep within their creepy lair on Carillon. 

Inking art by Jeff Aclin, who originally posted this piece on his Instagram page a while back.

CLASSIC MERCHANDISE: CYLON GOLD!

My own personal favourite figure from the all too few line-up of classic series characters released by Mattel, the Cylon Centurion was in a class of its own, as showcased here in its gold-coloured 'Centurian Leader' form available originally as a mail-a-way (of the product/publicity kind similar to what was being done for the successful Star Wars toy range from Kenner) within advert promotions for Marvel comics and other publications into 1979. 

I don't recall that special figure being released in the UK, but if anyone can correct me on that, please get in touch...

CLASSIC IMAGE: FOR YOUR COLLECTION...

The clothes maketh the Colonial Warrior, as seen here with one of the original partial costumes and distinctive pilot helmets from the original series, created by the talented Jean-Pierre Dorleac, that was sold a few years back by the ever-hungry-for- product Prop Store auctions company. I'm sure it's in a dedicated collector's home somewhere being very well looked after.

CLASSIC IMAGE: POWER OF LIGHT, POWER OF DARKNESS!

Two powerful forces for good and evil meet in Commander Adama and Count Iblis, as Lorne Greene and Patrick Macnee share great character scenes together during the storytelling within the fan favourite War of the Gods.

CLASSIC IMAGE: CONVERGED TO ATTACK!

The newly-arrived Cylon Raider force from Borallus now assembles to seemingly surprise attack the lone Galactica with all the destructive might at its disposal, in a memorable effects shot from Saga of a Star World.

CLASSIC IMAGE: A STAR AMONGST STAR PATTERNS!

Adding some extra zest to being on the Galactica bridge, the gorgeous Cassiopeia helps us find our way across the heavens searching for Earth, in another glorious image making the most of Laurette Spang's beauty. An image captured during filming of Saga of a Star World.

HAPPY 46TH BIRTHDAY, 'BATTLESTAR GALACTICA'!

Adama, Apollo, Starbuck. The three classic heroes forming what viewers will discover, and thrill to, as part of the unique Battlestar Galactica, assemble in this great cover art by David Edward Byrd that was specially commissioned for the US TV Guide magazine back in September 1978. I'm sure it garnered a lot of American viewer attention heralding the series then eagerly-awaited debut.

The quest for Earth continues to delight fans old and new, of which our classic characters, heroes and villains, endure brightly for another special celebration day! 

CLASSIC IMAGE: HAVE SPACESHIP WILL TRAVEL...

That criminal descendant Robber's spaceship isn't the most attractive vehicle to escape a penal colony in, but the battered freighter soon proves worthy enough for the task. And even more so when poor Starbuck is forced to use it when his own sleek recon Viper is stolen. An interesting image of the full-size prop craft on the Universal outdoor backlot, during filming of The Long Patrol. 

BEHIND THE SCENES: THE HEROES AND VILLAINS OF 'ICE PLANET ZERO'

In the company of Cylons!

Here's a nice little addition to the exhaustive coverage we gave to the original version of The Gun on Ice Planet Zero last year, a selection of images that have surfaced online of some of the main cast members taken outside one of the main Galactica filming soundstages at Universal Studios back in mid-1978, some of which sadly never appeared in promotional coverage. There's probably even more images like this out there waiting to be discovered.

Roy Thinnes back in the sci-fi genre as Croft.

Background artists Walt Davis as Sgt. Vickers.

Bond girl turned Clone Warrior! Britt Ekland as Ser 5-9

Apollo and Starbuck captured by the Cylons!

BEHIND THE SCENES: THE ARTISANS OF 'GALACTICA'!

Bringing the same kind of high quality model making and filming to the Galactica saga as they did to the launch film of the Star Wars franchise, producer John Dykstra and colleague Doug Smith look to a specific section of the detailed Battlestar model, for a great posed publicity image linked to Saga of a Star World.

CLASSIC IMAGE: COMPUTER 'SELECTION'!

Deep in the computer centre heart of the Galactica, Starbuck sneakily adds his name on to the important rosta of Colonial Warriors being sent on the Arcta expedition, using the latest female Viper pilot recruits to capture the attention of technician Corporal Komma (Jeff MacKay), in an additional scene added onto the opening episode subplot to The Gun on Ice Planet Zero.

CLASSIC IMAGE: THE FLEET ASSEMBLED!

The mighty force of Battlestars comprising the legendary protectorate Colonial Fleet now face the prospect of peace as they assemble as part of a peace envoy to the Cylons, in this great composite shot that was never shown in the series pilot episode, likely created for publicity/merchandise purposes, as seen here with this classic Topps Card from 1978.

CLASSIC IMAGE: IN MYSTERIOUS COMPANY...

With Apollo captured by the authorities as a traitor, the mysterious light beings liaison 'John' has no choice but to recruit Starbuck to come to his friend's aid and critically help in rescuing the humans of the planet Terra from nuclear destruction, during the near finale events of the whimsical adventure, Experiment in Terra.

CLASSIC MERCHANDISE: FLY YOUR OWN RAIDER!

The Cylon Raiders' powerful and threatening frame, impressively designed by Joe Johnston and Ralph McQuarrie. made it perfect for toy vehicle merchandising in ways that all young American series fans wanted, of which this Mattel radio control vehicle form was surely a must-have back in the day. 

Was this ever released beyond the US territory? If so, please get in touch.

SITUATION: STARVATION!

Things are looking bleak as Apollo and Starbuck continue their Rag-Tag fleet survey on the Gemonese freighter- conditions for apocalypse surviving humanity are poor and the food supplies have been contaminated. A dramatic scene from Saga of a Star World. 

CLASSIC MERCHANDISE:THE 'SPACE OPERATIONS MANUAL'!

Another fun entry of US Galactica merchandising, and surely one for the eBay searchers- the intriguing looking Space Operations Manual, which was available only through a special purchase related to General Mills cereals and primarily a fun compilation of items for younger fans. It included an iron-on transfer, games, a star chart, and even a Colonial patch! 

CLASSIC IMAGE: ATHENA AND ME!

Back in the day, Starlog magazine did a lovely interview with the glorious Maren Jensen during the start of her time working on Galactica, and her hopes for the future. Here are a few of the outtake images of the ever-lovely actress from the posed Universal Studios/ABC TV publicity shoot that the magazine was originally given access to.

CLASSIC MERCHANDISE: WALL-TO-WALL 'GALACTICA'!

As we've said in the past, for a series that was all too brief in its duration, the original Battlestar Galactica nonetheless spawned some great items of merchandise, like this image-packed art (illustrator unknown) used for the American home wallpaper market. I never saw this rarity released beyond the US, but if it was please get in touch.

CLASSIC IMAGE: KEEPING TIGHT!

Raising the bar on special effects work for television, John Dykstra and his Apogee team delivered many memorable shots for Galactica's big-budget opening episodes, including this tight shot of assembled Colonial Vipers before they peel off in varying directions.

CLASSIC IMAGE: DEADLY REUNION!

Starbuck's long-lost father he might well prove to be, but the lovable rogue Chameleon, aka The Man With Nine Lives, might end up losing all of them, as the duo discover shadowy intruders within the Galactica's Alpha landing bay, in this memorable scene for the legendary Fred Astaire and the in-awe Dirk Benedict.

CLASSIC IMAGE: THE COLONIAL EXODUS BEGINS...

From every corner of the destroyed Twelve Colonies they'd come, all carrying the last remnants of humanity to be protected by the mighty shepherd warship that is the Battlestar Galactica. A great effects shot showing the beginnings of the rag-tag fleet from Saga of a Star World.

CLASSIC IMAGE: THE WONDER OF CASSIE!

Launching us happily into the warm Summer months ahead, how about a great picture of that radiant smile and radiant beauty belonging to the wondrous Laurette Spang, as photographed here as Cassiopeia during The Living Legend?

Yep, I certainly didn't think you'd turn down the offer...

CLASSIC ART: CAPRICA ATTACK!

The destructive Cylon bombardment of the Colonial home worlds begins, as seen in this superb production painting artwork by Ralph McQuarrie for Saga of a Star World in 1978.

CLASSIC MERCHANDISE: SCHOLASTIC 'GALACTICA'!

The marketing of Battlestar Galactica as event TV was none more keenly felt by teenagers after the success of Star Wars, and the American Scholastic schools magazine Sprint made the most of that excitement ahead within one of their 1978 issues.

Volume 4, issue 1 inside feature spread.

CLASSIC IMAGE: WHEN CARDSTERS GATHER!

Starbuck thinks he's king of the hill when it comes to all things gambling, but could his lucky streak be running out on him as an Armistice Day Pyramid game with the card shark pilots from Gemon turns sour. A scene establishing Starbuck and his Blue Squadron colleagues Boomer and Jolly that was mostly cut down for time and pace reasons from Saga of a Star World.

Boomer addresses his concerns and the potential loss of his cubits with Starbuck.