I remember a girl in my 4th grade class bringing r2d2 to class and letting me play with it at recess. This was 1978 and although I liked the toy, my Dad had somehow placed in my head that Star Wars was a really bad, over rated movie. In the tradition of getting really bad advice from my Dad over the years, I passed on the movie until 1979 when it arrived at the dollar theatre.
If I could have a "Groundhog Day," this might very well be it. Seeing Star Wars for the first time through 9 year eyes. It was magic. I then went to a local toy shop and bought a Darth Vader and I can still remember opening it up outside the store. It was too cool and I had just enough to go back for one more figure...I picked a stormtrooper and had the best time playing with them.
The best part was I spent 1979 totally in all things Star Wars and only had one year to wait for Empire. As great as Star Wars is, my favorite film is Empire. Great time to be a kid!