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Star WarsPez

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AStar WarsPezis aPezcandy dispenser themed after theStar Warsmovies, and is one of the company's most prominent merchandising deals. Approximately 100 dispensers have been released on the market from 1997[1][2]to 2023, among the many collectibles spawned by the franchise.[3]

The extreme interest of marketing executives in all thingsStar Warshas spawned a scholarly interest in the "materializing fantasy media" such as these Pez dispensers.[4]It has also led to several museums to feature such Stars Wars memorabilia in their exhibits and/or gift shops, as well as media attention on this fairly odd phenomenon.

In museum exhibits and gift shops[edit]

In recent years, several museums around the United States have featuredStar WarsPez in their exhibits and/or gift shops. These products are displayed and exhibited because they are classicAmericana.[5]Despite the dispensers' "popularity and cult status," the manufacturer's original factory inAustriadoes not give tours or sell fancifully-shaped memorabilia.[6]Only in January 2012,Star Warsdispensers are prominently displayed at the company's newNorth Americanheadquarters inOrange, Connecticut.[citation needed]One travelogue wrote, "The company has been making the cartoonish plastic heads for 60 years now, representing everything fromStar Warsto U.S. presidents to the Geico chameleon. "[7]

The Clayton Historical Museum, inClayton, Californiaopened a new exhibit on the history of candy manufacture in January 2012 that featured these confectionery dispensers.[8]

Pez withStar Warscharacters have been featured prominently in the Star Wars Museum inMaryland.[9][10]TheStar WarsPez dispensers are pictured on a fan website, which describes them as "some Candy Heads from 1980."[11]

ThePacific Science Centersold Pez at a popular exhibit aboutStar Wars.[12]

These branded dispensers were among the "top sellers" at the gift shop at theBurlingame Museum of Pez Memorabilia,inBurlingame, California.The museum also displayed "a whole lot ofStar WarsPez, "[13]inPlexiglasdisplays.[6]The Burlingame "unofficial shrine" to the collectibles was unaffiliated with Pez Candy, Inc.,[5]and the manufacturer sued the Burlingame museum in 2009 forcopyright infringement.[14][15]There was a notorious, giant Pez sculpture ofC-3POandChewbaccalocked in aslash fictionkiss.[15][16]The museum closed in 2019.[17][18]

Another Pez museum inEaston, Pennsylvaniaalso has featured prominently their obligatoryStar Warsmemorabilia,[19]( "Of course, we had to include theStar WarsPez Dispensers "), including an oversizeDarth Vaderfigurine.[20]This museum closed to the public in 2012.[21]


Other influences[edit]

Carrie Fisher's "Princess Leia Pez dispenser" is one of the "merchandising horrors" she discusses in her one-woman showWishful Drinking.[22]

These candy dispensers are featured prominently in the 2010Emmy Award-winningfan film,Star Wars Uncut.[23][24]

Star WarsPez has agateway drug-like effect for some young collectors. One fan of Pez dispensers started her huge horde withStar Warsfigurines at the age of three.[25]Another fan calls Pez dispensers generally "a gateway drug to hardcore collecting".[26]Pezheadsshopping for new dispensers frequently placeStar Warsfirst on their shopping lists.[27]

Chronology of releases[edit]

FiveStar WarsPez were released in 1997:[28]


FourStar WarsPez were released in 1998 in advance of the May 19, 1999 premier ofStar Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace:[34]


AJar Jar BinksPez Hander battery operated toy was released in 1999.[39]


ThreeStar WarsPez were released in 2002 forStar Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones:[28]


In 2003 Pez released three Limited Edition Collectable CrystalStar Warsdispensers:[43]


14 Giant Pez were released in 2005 to commemorateStar Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith:[28]


Pez also released five standard-size dispensers in 2005[28]for theStar Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sithmovie release:


Walmartreleased an exclusive limited edition gift set in 2005 containing nineStar WarsPez dispensers previously available individually.[49]That same year, Pez also released the same nine dispensers in a special numbered limited edition set.[50]


For the 2009 animated release ofStar Wars: The Clone Wars (film)Pez released three dispensers:[28]


Pez released two dispensers in 2012 for the 3D release ofStar Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace:[28]


TwoStar WarsPez were released in 2013:


Four limited edition crystalStar WarsPez were released in 2015 as a gift tin:[58]


Only one individualStar Warsdispenser was released in 2015:


In 2016 aRogue Onegift tin was released containing four dispensers:[60]


From 2016 - 2017 seven individualStar WarsPez were released forStar Wars: The Force AwakensandRogue One:[28]


In 2017 aMillennium Falcongift tin was released containing four dispensers:[68]


For the 2018 theatrical release ofSolo: A Star Wars Storya gift tin containing fourStar Warsdispensers was released:[69]


A giant BB-8 was also released in 2018.[70]


In 2019 to celebrate the premier ofThe Mandalorian,Pez partnered withFunkoto produce sevenStar Warsdispensers akin to the Pop! Vinyl line of figures:


For the 2019 holiday season a limited edition gift tin (of which "only 75,000 tins" were produced) with four dispensers was released forStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker:[78]


For the 2019 theatrical release ofStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalkerfour dispensers were released:


Pez released six newStar Warsdispensers in 2020:


In 2021 Pez released the first twoStar WarsPez Clips, a new short-base format "to take on the go."[88]These were sold in a 2-pack including:


During November 2022 Pez released six newStar Warsdispensers including a gift tin to coincide with the debut ofThe Mandalorian (Star Wars character)andGroguatStar Wars: Galaxy's Edge,inDisneyland Park.[89]


October 2023 marked 100 years of Disney, and Pez released several collectable tins of platinum dispensers for the 100th anniversary celebration.[93]The Disney 100Star Warstin[94]includes:


For the 2023 debut ofAhsoka (TV series),threeStar Warsdispensers were released:

  • Ahsoka(second version, updated design)[95]
  • Chewbacca(fourth version, updated design, lighter brown)[96]
  • R2-D2(second version, updated design, dark blue base)[97]

References[edit]

  1. ^Nina Chertoff and Susan Kahn,"Star Wars",Celebrating Pez(Sterling Publishing Company, Inc., 2006), 87.
  2. ^ab"Pez Meets the Force: A History of Star Wars Pez Dispensers".12 June 2017.
  3. ^"The Groundbreaking History Of Star Wars Toys".May 22, 2015.
  4. ^Dou, Cookie (February 1, 2012)."Q&A: Turning Fantasy (Media) into Reality with Professor Bob Rehak".Swarthmore Daily Gazette.RetrievedFebruary 2,2012.
  5. ^abKiger, Patrick (n.d.)."How Pez Works".How Stuff works website.RetrievedFebruary 2,2012.
  6. ^abAsturias, Corinne (March 13–19, 2003)."Rite of Pez-age: Museum of Pez Memorabilia".Metro (San Jose, Californianewspaper).RetrievedFebruary 2,2012.
  7. ^Karge, Anthony (January 29, 2012)."Road Trip: Pez's New Visitor Center: Check out the just-opened visitor center at the U.S. headquarters in Orange".Baltimore Sun.RetrievedFebruary 2,2012.
  8. ^Hartlove, Denisen (January 9, 2012)."Clayton is sweet on candy exhibit".Clayton Pioneer.Archived fromthe originalon 2012-07-18.RetrievedFebruary 2,2012.
  9. ^Matt Lake, Mark Moran, and Mark Sceurman, Weird Maryland, p. 137, 138 (2006 Sterling Publishing Co. Inc.),ISBN978-1-4027-3906-4,found atMaryland at Google Books.Accessed February 2, 2012.
  10. ^"The Star Toys Museum, Inc".Reader's Advice. n.d.RetrievedFebruary 2,2012.
  11. ^"Star Wars Museum, images from April 2009".April 2009.RetrievedFebruary 2,2012.
  12. ^"A Parent's Review:" Star Wars "exhibit at Pacific Science Center".March 23, 2011.
  13. ^Terdiman, Daniel (November 15, 2007)."Savoring Pez's sweet history".CNet News.RetrievedFebruary 2,2012.
  14. ^Doctor Popular (July 1, 2009)."Pez Suing Burlingame Museum of Pez Memorabilia".Laughing Squid website.RetrievedFebruary 2,2012.Original source available atArchives ofInside Bay Area.
  15. ^abXeni Jardin (July 6, 2009)."Pez Candy Inc sues Museum of Pez Memorabilia for copyright infringement".BoingBoing website.RetrievedFebruary 2,2012.
  16. ^Beale, Scott (July 6, 2009)."C-3PO & Chewbacca, Together At Last".Laughing Squid website.RetrievedFebruary 2,2012.
  17. ^https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g32124-d265152-r687122780-Burlingame_Museum_of_Pez_Memorabilia-Burlingame_California.html
  18. ^"Burlingame Museum of Pez Memorabilia - Burlingame, CA".
  19. ^"CColorful PEZ museum captures Crayola crowd in Pennsylvania".New Haven Register.January 4, 2004.RetrievedNovember 21,2023.
  20. ^Beale, Scott (November 2007)."Easton Museum of Pez August 15, 2007".Project Absurd website.RetrievedFebruary 2,2012.
  21. ^"Easton, Pennsylvania: Easton Museum of PEZ (Gone)".
  22. ^""Keep in mind though, I'm a PEZ dispenser and I'm in the abnormal Psychology textbook. Who says you can't have it all?"".April 3, 2017.
  23. ^Acuna, Kirtsen (January 27, 2012)."Here's What 'Star Wars' Would Look Like If Made By Fans".Business Insider.Archived fromthe originalon July 14, 2012.RetrievedFebruary 2,2012.
  24. ^Juan F. Marcelo (January 24, 2012)."Nueva versión de Star Wars IV creata (in Spanish) por los aficionados de la saga".Tuexperto.com Internet.RetrievedFebruary 2,2012.
  25. ^Ripley, Dan (November 20, 2010)."Collectors converge at Children's Museum".Dan Ripkley's Antique Helper. Archived fromthe originalon 2010-11-23.RetrievedFebruary 2,2012.
  26. ^"A Collection a Day #54 – Pez dispensers," posting of August 2, 2010. Found atCool and Colelcted blog.Accessed February 3, 2012.
  27. ^Andre Pope, post, "South Carolina's Largest Garage Sale", July 23, 2010. Found atThe Digitel Myrtle Beach.Accessed February 3, 2012.
  28. ^abcdefgh"Pez Meets the Force: A history of Star Wars Pez Dispensers".12 June 2017.
  29. ^"Darth Vader".
  30. ^"Yoda".
  31. ^"Chewbacca".
  32. ^"C3PO".
  33. ^"Stormtrooper".
  34. ^"May the Pez Be with You Chewy on This: 'Star Wars' Characters to Land at Candy Store Near You",Seattle Post-Intelligencer(April 7, 1999).
  35. ^"Luke Skywalker".
  36. ^"Princess Leia".
  37. ^"Ewok".
  38. ^"Boba Fett".
  39. ^"Jar Jar Binks Pez Machine! - Jedi News".7 May 2015.
  40. ^"Jango Fett".
  41. ^"Clone Trooper".
  42. ^"R2-D2".
  43. ^"Star Wars Limited Edition".
  44. ^"Emperor Palpatine".
  45. ^"General Grevious".
  46. ^"Death Star".
  47. ^"Chewbacca".
  48. ^"Emperor Palpatine Glowing".
  49. ^"Walmart Gift Set".
  50. ^"Star Wars Gift Set".
  51. ^"Obi Wan Kenobi".
  52. ^"Anakin Skywalker".
  53. ^"Ahsoka".
  54. ^"Darth Maul".
  55. ^"Yoda".
  56. ^"Boba Fett".
  57. ^"Giant Darth Vader".
  58. ^"Star Wars Gift Tin".
  59. ^"Darth Vader".
  60. ^"Rogue One Star Wars Set".
  61. ^"BB-8".
  62. ^"Stormtrooper".
  63. ^"Kylo Ren".
  64. ^"Porg".
  65. ^"Praetorian Guard".
  66. ^"Rey".
  67. ^"Stormtrooper Executioner".
  68. ^"Millennium Falcon Gift Tin".
  69. ^"Star Wars Han Solo Gift Tin".
  70. ^"Giant BB-8".
  71. ^"Boba Fett Holiday - Funko POP+PEZ".
  72. ^"Boba Fett - Funko POP+PEZ".
  73. ^"Bossk - Funko POP+PEZ".
  74. ^"Logray - Funko POP+PEZ".
  75. ^"Lando - Funko POP+PEZ".
  76. ^"Ponda Baba - Funko POP+PEZ".
  77. ^"Snaggle Tooth - Funko POP+PEZ".
  78. ^"Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Limited Edition 4pc Gift Tin".
  79. ^"Droid".
  80. ^"Rey Episode 9".
  81. ^"Kylo Ren".
  82. ^"Sith Trooper".
  83. ^"Giant Darth Vader PEZ 40th Anniversary Empire Strikes Back".
  84. ^"The Mandalorian™ Pez gift set".
  85. ^"The Child (Baby Yoda)".
  86. ^"The Mandalorian".
  87. ^"The Mandalorian™ Funko POP+PEZ Gift Set".
  88. ^"The Mandalorian™ PEZ Clips".
  89. ^"The Mandalorian and Grogu Have Landed at Disneyland".
  90. ^"Boba Fett".
  91. ^"Star Wars: The Mandalorian Grogu Gift Tin".
  92. ^"Walmart Exclusive! Two new Christmas PEZ Baby Yoda".
  93. ^"Disney – Celebrating 100 Years of Wonder".
  94. ^"Disney 100 Star Wars PEZ Gift Tin".
  95. ^"Ahsoka".
  96. ^"Chewbacca".
  97. ^"R2-D2".

Further reading[edit]

  • Peterson, Shawn (2001).Collectors Guide to Pez: Identification and Price Guide.Krause Publications, 2001.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Star_Wars_Pez&oldid=1221635600"