Wookieepedia:Interview/Endicott/Glyn Baker interview transcript

Gilbert: So, we're here today at Collectormania. How are you enjoying the event so far, Glyn?

Baker: It's interesting. You meet so many different types of people come along and their interests, you know, their passions. It's great. You know, you get that energy from them.

Gilbert: What's everyone been asking you today?

Baker: What was it like on the “Bond” movie? They were really interested in that. ‘Cause I was quite young when I did the “Star Wars,” and that was a, you know, a big excitement for me as well, ‘cause it was the third in the trilogy at that time. So, it was, like, gosh, you know. So, those were the questions. A little bit about the celebrity, about who did you meet, Roger Moore, people like that, on “Wild Geese,” which was always the very first thing I ever did.

Gilbert: How did it compare something like “Wild Geese” later in your career...

Baker: I really enjoy “Wild Geese,” ‘cause it was, whereas the others sort of made movies like the “Bond” and “Star Wars,” I mean, literally, I was on the “Star Wars” for a day. I mean, they pay fantastically well. I've got to say that about George Lucas. I think I bought an entire apartment out of that. And then doing the “Wild Geese,” which was an amazing kind of learning curve, I was on that for twelve weeks. So, it's quite a different thing. I think with “Star Wars” it's very focused, and, in fact, complete, I mean, it couldn't be more different than the other one, ‘cause it was very dark, the set was incredibly dark. I mean, they almost had to turn the lights on to see where you were walking, ‘cause it was so moody, you know. So, that was something new.

Gilbert: What was it like being part of two massive franchises, both “Star Wars” and “Bond.” Why do you think they are still so big now and people love them so much?

Baker: Well, they're great stories, aren't they? And they're adventures. They're the modern day parables, aren't they, for people. And people get so caught up in it. Fantastic. It's absolutely fantastic.

Gilbert: Now, were you a fan of them? Because, obviously, you were in the third one.

Baker: Always. I mean, my father was very friendly with Sean Connery. And, so, we knew him when we were growing up. So, it was slightly demystified in a way, but, still, even though you know him very personally. And my father was an actor, so we lived in a theatrical family, so there were characters as well as, you know, the real people.

Gilbert: Now, something like “Living Daylights,” I mean, what was it like working on that?

Baker: It was wonderful, actually. I mean, they're a real family, the “Bond” people, Barbara and everybody there. And they look after you from the moment that you sign up right the way through to the premiere and everything. And it's exciting, because all of those people on those “Bond” movies, particularly, there were a few crossovers, technicians that I met who were on the “Star Wars” and, of course, on the “Wild Geese.” And it's very kind of [unintelligible], ‘How are you?', ‘Great, how's it going?', you know. Theatrically interesting, you know. Nice, and very family like.

Gilbert: What was it you particularly enjoyed about working on “Star Wars,” because it was, as you said, a day, but it sounds quite intense, in a way?

Baker: It is, I mean, you know, at that time I guess I was very young. I was twenty-two, I think? Maybe twenty—if that. And the impact of the first two, I mean, they were just huge, weren't they? I mean, they were the biggest things on the planet at that time. And then getting cast in it, you just think, I have no idea what the role was until you turn up. I mean, I would have been very happy to have played something with a helmet on. Just to have gotten to have seen it, you know. And it was sort of a day getting prepared, you do all the costume fittings and all of that at Elstree. And then the scene was, I think we did three scenes. One remains in it. I think two were cut, but they're now on the Blu-ray. It was a fantastic experience, very nice, seriously professional. Quite quiet, the set. There wasn't a lot of sort of banter. They were very focused, because I think what they were doing, technically, was really quite hard. I think the lighting and that kind of thing was really acute. I'll say it was incredibly dark. So, you'll sort of be in the darkness with people with torches, you know, coming up and whispering to you. And then, suddenly, a couple of lights would go on, and it was a bit like being on the Death Star, you know, I guess. It was exciting. It was really exciting.

Gilbert: And, finally, what do you think about, because, obviously, “Star Wars” coming back for Episodes 7, 8, and 9? And then, also, “Bond,” the fiftieth year as well, the fiftieth film?

Baker: That's right. I mean, I see Barbara from time to time at Pinewood. And I'm not really acting anymore. I mean, I'm here doing this, but 002's still alive. ‘Cause he only gets sort of shot with a paint pellet. Most of the other “Bond” 00 guys kind of [unintelligible] grisly end. Yeah, so there's always an option to come back, I suppose, you know. My old age.

Gilbert: Are you looking forward to seeing the new “Star Wars” films when they're eventually made?

A: Absolutely, and I live quite near Pinewood. They've shifted, they'll be doing them there. Everyone says, I mean, even, I saw it on the news the other day, George Osborne talking about it. And it's a massive thing, isn't it? And now that Disney's got it, I'm sure they'll take it on another stage, won't they? They'll do something, they'll want to put their mark on it. Fantastic. You've got to love Disney.