Words: Bonnie Burton
When I first started working at Lucasfilm 6 years ago, one of my responsibilities was to admin the Starwars.com forums. Because I was an admin, I could choose any Star Wars character (including obscure EU folks) I wanted as my avatar. I didn’t have to think about it long. I instantly chose Ackmena — the night-time bartender of the Mos Eisley Cantina on Tatooine played by none other than Bea Arthur in The Star Wars Holiday Special.
I had always a nostaglic love for that Thanksgiving television special which aired in 1978. It wasn’t because of the Boba Fett cartoon, or the discovery that Chewbacca was married and had a kid named Lumpy. Nope. It was all because of Bea. She was strong, smart, witty, and didn’t take any guff from anyone, including the Empire.
Every character Bea Arthur played — whether it be the sassy bartender Ackmena, Maude Findlay (on Maude), or Dorothy Zbornak (on Golden Girls) — had this inner strength and sarcasm that made her cynical yet lovable. She was liberal without being self-righteous. She was a feminist before I ever knew what that meant. Best of all, she danced with Greedo and sang to that wretched hive of scum and villainy as she threw them out of the cantina.
As a writer for Starwars.com I’ve managed to interview and meet many cast and crew from the Star Wars films, but my ultimate quest was to track down Bea Arthur and ask her about her role as Ackmena in The Star Wars Holiday Special. I always wondered what she thought about this weird bar full of bizarre characters. I wanted to know her opinion of another sassy lady — Princess Leia, and if she had a few choice words for Darth Vader.
I wanted her to tell me backstories about the Holiday Special, and how much fun it was to pour drinks into the head (literally) of the lovestruck alien Krelman played by her friend the late-great comedian Harvey Korman. But sadly, I never got my chance to ask.
Bea Arthur was a broad in the best sense of the word. She was outspoken, funny and never ever dull. When I grow up I still want to be just like Bea. She was one of a kind, and one heck of a cantina bartender.
I’m still waiting for Hasbro to make an Ackmena action figure (HINT! HINT!) so I can act out my own cantina dramas with Han Solo, Hammerhead and IG-88. (Trust me, I have an awesome scenario playing out in my head for some time now.)
Her standard farewell to cantina bar patrons was, “Come back soon, I’ll be waiting.” I’d like to think that she’s in that big cantina in the sky, waiting for us with a few sage words of advice and a pitcher of her best libation.
Rest in peace, Bea. And save me a cantina cocktail!
Read more about Bea Arthur here:
Bea Arthur was a true ‘Golden Girl’ (via Los Angeles Times)
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Very nice tribute! I also really enjoyed this little article, 5 Things You Didn’t Know About Bea Arthur. Of course, for SW fans it’s only 4 Things You Didn’t know:
http://www.neatorama.com/2009/04/26/5-things-you-didnt-know-about-bea-arthur-a-tribute/
That was very nicely written. She really was one of the great TV icons of the past fifty years, and we’re lucky to have her as part of the SW fabric.
What a well-written tribute. I am glad to see that the Star Wars Holiday Special accepted as part of the fold, not ostracized as an unfortunate mistake. Actors are professionals and should be recognized for good work, whatever we think of the larger product. This is as true for Beatrice Arthur as it was for Harvey Korman.
Loved this.
Lovely tribute. She was one of a kind, and it’s great fun that in addition to her iconic work on MAUDE and GOLDEN GIRLS she’s part of our beloved galaxy far, far away as well.
She was a wonderful woman and exciting actress. Will miss you.
Beautiful Bonnie
she is great on the ”all in the family and will be missed.”
Since I wasn’t born yet in 1978 I have never had the fortune of seeing Bea Arthur in the Holiday Special. However, Bea Arthur is one of the iconic women of television along with Lucille Ball and Carol Burnett that I grew up watching thanks the joy of reruns. She will be sorely missed. Thanks Bonnie for the touching tribute to one of the best who just happens to be a part of the galaxy far, far away that we all love.
Goodnight, but not Goodbye Ackmena !
R.I.P Bea
I grew up watching Bea on Golden Girls, and loved her performance in the Holiday Special when I saw it. She had such a great comic timing. She will be greatly missed.
Very nice tribute, Bonnie. I saw the SW Holiday Special, and in addition to the Boba Fett cartoon, the cantina scene was what I remembered most. And I agree that there should be an Ackmena figure! *raises glass* Here’s to you, Bea! May the force be with you!
What a sweet tribute to a truly funny lady. The cantina sequence in the Holiday Special is probably my favorite part of that legendary show! I loved seeing all those great cantina creatures interacting and I accept it as pure Star Wars canon!
I would have loved to read your interview with her, Bonnie. One can only imagine. And then there’s Maude…