On this episode of Our American Stories, before he brought us to a galaxy far, far away, George Lucas made two other, often forgotten, movies. His first film THX 1- 1-3-8 was produced by friend and Godfather director, Francis Ford Coppola, but despite the talent behind it, was anything but a box office success. His second film, American Graffiti, was a surprise success, and led to the opportunity to begin his third film… Star Wars. Chris Taylor, author of How Star Wars Conquered the Universe: The Past, Present, and Future of a Multibillion Dollar Franchise, brings us the story behind why Star Wars never should have been the success it was.

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