Influence of Classic Hollywood (Score 1)

I don't disagree with the author of the Salon Article's ideas except that it completely ignores the references to classic Hollywood in the Star Wars movies, which to me are far more obvious. Light sabers came from the Errol Flynn swashbuckling movies, the gun turrett in the Millenniam Falcon was exactly like the B17 gun turrets in World War II movies, the speeders banging into each other in the forest in Empire Strikes Back was the chariot scence from Ben Hur. Also like Ben Hur and Sparticus, the Imperials use Brittish actors (the Romans) and the Rebels are mostly portrayed by American actors (the slaves). Jar Jar Binks *is* Stepin Fetchit. There are many more examples but you get the point.