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Comments
Classic, Dave!
That was the replacement Oliver Reed's "Fruit Brute" wasn't it?
Doug
:1devil:
Trivial or not, I am glad to see Mr. Lee on any movie tie in. A friend told me about Count Dooku on band aid boxes but I'll be darned if I can find them. I too have added many additions to my collection from the collector tin w/cards, cereal boxes (since I'm not concerned with eating the junk, I don't have to worry about the lack of nutrition), action figures, the mini bust from AotC, and soon to be added, the action figure w/Blue blast from the saber. It looks more stylized and evil.
Now I know this won't go over well with SW fans, but I didn't wait in line for a month for tickets I have a job and live in the real work not the make believe SW one), but I saw the movie at the second run house because it is $2.00, in a great 1,000 plus seat theater with character. The main reason why I went was because Mr. Lee was in it. Now of course this is my opinion, but other than Mr. Lee and watching the eye candy parts of the film, I was unimpressed. Lame story and acting by some. It isn't that I don't like SW films, I saw the original 5 times when it came out. I understand the suspension of disbelief thing, but come on. I heard George wasn't going to make Episode 2 but rather remake the first and second film.
The least of my problems with the film is if you put someone on a speeder, make the wind blow a bit harder. Looks like they were out for a Sunday bike ride rather than chase scenes or get-aways.
I thought about asking the people at Toys-R-Us for the display with Mr. Lee prominant, but I don't know where I'd put it.
Back to collecting CL, I stopped at Best Buy and they were out of HoD so I went on Ebay and bought the dvd via buy it now. This was my first introduction to a Christopher Lee film so it does hold a special interest for me. I know it's Dracula, but I loved those films growing up as a kid.
I'm still waiting for Jinnah to be shown, released or something, anything here in the states. I'm looking forward to viewing this movie and hopefully soon.
Curse of Frankenstein will be added next.
Now if they put Count Dooku on cat litter, we know they've gone too far. Easy now.
Well if the past is anything to go by, I'm sure that McDonald's and Burger King wiil bring out toys for the kid to collect, they always keep up with the new films.
Small figures from LOTR, SW.
Not sure if its like that in your part of the world, but its like that in England.
And as for cereal boxs all of them will have some thing to do with the new films
Its like when Harry Potter came out evey where you turned thats all you'll see. Harry Potter!
star38.
Well I personally like the fact that Christopher lee's picture is seen all over the stores.
I kept that cereal box with him on it not only because I like to collect Christopher Lee items or simply because my husband is a true Star wars geek but because its about time they made a cereal box with him on it. He deserves way more recognition for his accomplishments than he has.
Not only for the fact that he's been in more movies than any man dead or alive but most of all for all the effort he put into all of his work throughout his lifetime. I can't think of one single person who has accomplished as much as Mr. Lee has.
To me that is truly amazing and I admire what he has done.
Wish he would receive a few Emmys for that alone.
A man with so many talents deserves more than words can say.
LOL. You have a point there, Noblerot. Although I, for one can easily see "Count Dooku" being used to sell salmon steaks. . . or Filet Mignon. . . or Dom Perignon '53. . . or Beluga Caviar. . . or. . . ;)
Now you're talking! Let's put his face on things I'd actually buy!
LOL. You have a point there, Noblerot. Although I, for one can easily see "Count Dooku" being used to sell salmon steaks. . . or Filet Mignon. . . or Dom Perignon '53. . . or Beluga Caviar. . . or. . .
I don't mind the bed sheets, the backpacks, the lunch boxes or the action figures but I do feel a little uneasy about CL's face being used to sell what I consider to be junk food. It's always the highly processed, manufactured products that employ such advertising gimmicks - commercial competition and all that, I suppose. You never see Count Dooku on salmon steaks or Anakin Skywalker endorsing fresh broccoli. Perhaps, for me, it's just a question of quality.
OK. "Apo-polly-loggies" to you Sephirah, to quote Alex the Droog. Consider me lightened. It's just that there has been an almost religious attitude coming from certain quarters about the marketing issue. Almost as though some taboo had been violated. And the "milk carton thing" did seem to push the limit.
Frankenstein cereals, James Bond colognes, Man from U.N.C.L.E. bed sheets, etc., etc.
WHERE are the Man from U.N.C.L.E. bedsheets? That is what the world needs more of, actors in your bed! Incidentially, Robert Vaughn (Napoleon Solo) from the campy U.N.C.L.E. series is doing television commercials here for a Charlotte NC law office. Now THAT my friends is REALLY selling out.
Britney Spears sheets? No...better not go there.
Dude! Lighten up! Ok, maybe I went too far with the milk carton thing. However, my caveat: I said 'I' would rather be on a milk carton than a cereal box. However, that aside, I just get the creeps when they put faces on the front of cereal boxes. I always wake up with the 'morning stares' and I don't like faces peering at me from the front of cereal boxes. Who needs that first thing in the morning? (not even the awesome Saruman could I stand first thing on the morning he he). I always turn them around, or to the side to look at nutrition content (which never fails to make me lose my apetite!) lol
Hey, what can I say, I just think it's corny and cheesy.
Seph
I respect your opinion, but I can't help thinking it's a bit extreme. Not to mention, in any way associating the marketing of a fictional character with the fate of missing and abducted children.
I suspect I just don't understand the depth of some Star Wars fans commitment. To me, the marketing around these films is nothing unusual. Indeed, it has quite a fine pedigree. Throughout movie history popular films and their characters have been marketed in similar ways: Frankenstein cereals, James Bond colognes, Man from U.N.C.L.E. bed sheets, etc., etc.
With all due respect to the some of the opinions voiced here -- and people have every right to be passionate about things -- I can't but think that some people take Star Wars and its characters a little too seriously. I can easily accept someone being offended by the image of Jesus, or Krishna, or Mozart, or Churchill, or Martin Luther King on a cereal box. I can't understand being offended by Obiwan or Dooku on the same product. It appears to me to be raising a fictional character to the same level as the individuals I just mentioned. Veneration, really.
I repeat, I respect people's views on this matter. However, I can't understand it.
I agree with Fred B about these latest films bringing in new fans. I recently loaned Scars of Dracula to a friend who was a huge LOTR fan but had never seen any of Mr. Lee's other films. One of her comments was, "wow, he looks so young." And I think I'll loan her Hound of the Baskervilles next.
It is a good time to be a fan of Mr. Lee's (as if any time weren't) because of the resurgence of interest in his work with DVD releases and his latest roles in Star Wars and LOTR. At this point the fan base is widening considerably (check out recent registration to this site from 200 or so a year ago to nearly 3000).
I've had the same experience and agree with you entirely. If a child with a 'Count Dooku Lunchbox' later goes on on to discover Mr. Lee's magnificent repertory of performances, then I say let's have more lunchboxes and keep the sugar-coated cereal flowing.
I dont know ...questioning Star wars being commercialized is pretty funny. Has any other series been more commercialized then star wars?? I for one was a happy camper when i found out he was going to be in star wars for the reason that he would have his face on anything and everything from temp tattoes to pencils. For way to long he has been almost invisible in major films on this side of the atlantic. With Sleepy Hollow how many people said 'Wow he is still alive. ' Hello alive and well and working non stop but no one knew because he wasnt in major successful box office films. When i found out about Star Wars i knew it would mean he was going to be a action figure. Finally..There is nothing better than a Cl action figure. Nothing.!! My Cl collection has grown so much in the last few months because of LOTR and AOTC. Some 8 year old kid is going to school with a Count Dooku back pack on . If that isnt cool for a Christopher Lee fan i dont know what is? That kid is going to grow up and become a fan and watch and enjoy his movies thats the best thing going. New generations are discovering him from Star Wars. Wow i can live with that. As far as Star Wars villans Darth Vader has graced a lot of products and he is still a major bad guy. I just lent the mummy dvd to a friend who had never seen Cl until LOTR and AOTC. He loved it and cant wait for October when Dracula and Frankenstien come out on DVD because I keep telling him he aint seen nothing yet.If i can turn someone on to these great movies because of AOTC i can live with anything they but the Dooku charactor on.
I respect your opinion, but I can't help thinking it's a bit extreme. Not to mention, in any way associating the marketing of a fictional character with the fate of missing and abducted children.
I suspect I just don't understand the depth of some Star Wars fans commitment. To me, the marketing around these films is nothing unusual. Indeed, it has quite a fine pedigree. Throughout movie history popular films and their characters have been marketed in similar ways: Frankenstein cereals, James Bond colognes, Man from U.N.C.L.E. bed sheets, etc., etc.
With all due respect to the some of the opinions voiced here -- and people have every right to be passionate about things -- I can't but think that some people take Star Wars and its characters a little too seriously. I can easily accept someone being offended by the image of Jesus, or Krishna, or Mozart, or Churchill, or Martin Luther King on a cereal box. I can't understand being offended by Obiwan or Dooku on the same product. It appears to me to be raising a fictional character to the same level as the individuals I just mentioned. Veneration, really.
I repeat, I respect people's views on this matter. However, I can't understand it.
:mad: cheap, definitely cheap. I would rather be on the back of a milk carton, than on the front of a serial box. I'm serious as a heart attack.
I think Lucas HAS marketed too far. There's always been Star Wars this and that and various forms of a bric-a-brac. It's neverending with the Star Wars universe..but that's what the business is about I suppose. But let's hope we don't see Count Dooku on some underoos. Somehow I think Mr. Lee would shake his head and perhaps chuckle a bit.
Is "kipping" something our friends in the USA will understand? Or do they think it is a place in London somewhere?
Answers on a postcard...
Josslyn's right - when you're a kid, you want to take the magic of the film into your own home, or to school, or have it at the breakfast table etc.
I always liked to have the pencil cases, endorsed cereals and action figures from my fave films when I was younger. Still do! I'm having my bedroom re-decorated at the moment, so I'm kipping in my sisters' room - I took my Count Dooku figure and a drawing I did of several CL characters with me! 
LOL
Well, at least Mr. Lee hasn't shown up on Star Wars undies yet. Then we'll know George Lucas has really marketed too far.
Until then it's sort of funny, really.
Star Wars is aimed (in heart) at kids and they love to see their favorite things on EVERYTHING. (Not that adults don't too but we tend to get too philisophical.)
Cereal boxes as noteriety. . . I bet Britney Spears hasn't gotten her own cereal box yet.
We
Very ridiculous to put Count Dooku in front of the cereal box. But, I also think that is a very funny idea.
Hahahaha!! That's a riot, Dave. Good one!
I can see where you are coming from. Not knowing however where you live for sure let me mention the following points.
1- Americans love seeing their heros on cereal boxes.
2- Tiger Woods' Wheaties boxes are going for $50, EMPTY.
3- We have a long tradition of putting famous people on cereal boxes. Usually it is sports SUPERSTARS who make the boxes. People like Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan or an entire Olympics US Hockey Team.
4- This is fairly good company to be in.
5- Cereal companies do a tremendous amount of research on what proposed box designs score highest with core sample groups and consumer advisory panels based on "shelf appeal" and other factors. A majority of people in the test group must like the box design or it never sees the light of day. So this is a testament to Mr. Lee's popularity and to the popularity of the Dooku character.
In closing, let me show you another Mr. Lee cereal box. This one from 1987 didn't hurt his career at all. Bet you all forgot about this one!
Definatley a no no, any publicity is good publicity, and I also like the thought of seeing Mr. Lee peering down at me from a supermarket shelf, it's fun.
An afterthought: "Trivial" or not, I think it's rather cool to see endless images of Mr. Lee (as Count Dooku) glaring down at me from supermarket shelves.
You only ask the question because it is Christopher Lee's character, a character we love because of the actor. At the end of the day it is a character in a money making franchise, and a cool and recognisable character at that, just like Darth Maul, aren't the baddies always the coolest, ask any actor.
The whole Star Wars franchising is tacky sometimes but fun as well. Look at the marketing fiasco that was Episode I. They're still trying to get rid of Episode I merchandising because there was so much of it.
Looks like Lucasfilm and co. got it just right this time.
Well, it is commercial, Irene. The whole Star Wars franchise is commercial. And there's nothing wrong with that. In fact, it's all in good fun.
Star Wars is like Butter Pecan ice cream: Cool, sweet, delicious. . . and about as substantial. When I see SW, I go for pure fun and entertainment -- and actually, the toys, cereal box covers, and McDonald's Happy Meals are part of that fun. If I want serious and thoughtful I'll go watch The Seventh Seal, or Alexander Nevsky not a movie with heavily armed muppets.
For me, it's a non-question because it is "trivial" and "commercial." And that's part of the enchantment. Like a much beloved childhood cartoon. That's it! That's the best way to phrase it for me: Star Wars is a Saturday morning cartoon for children of all ages. "Trivial?" "Commercial?" Sure. But I wouldn't miss it for the world.