Photo Credit: American composer John Williams in 1952 at the Atlantic Films studio on Prescott Street in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Behind Williams are Ralph Blei, sound engineer, and Margeurite Reid, scriptwriter. (The Rooms Provincial Archives Division, A 68-51 / AFE)

“May the 4th be with you.” What started as pun affectionately shared by fans has become a complete Star Wars holiday: Star Wars Day, a special once-a-year celebration of the galaxy far, far away.

Fans of the movie franchise are celebrating because Friday is May the Fourth, which sounds like the famous line from the movie, “May the force be with you.”

What would Star Wars be without Newfoundland influenced music?

The renowned American composer of Star Wars, John Williams said he has many fond memories of his two years in St. John’s, Newfoundland, the first time he had ever travelled outside the United States of America. He found Newfoundlanders to be friendly and welcoming, and many of his Air Force buddies became lifelong friends.

He also became well-known in St. John’s for being able to arrange many kinds of music and songs for the Air Force Band.

In 1952, Williams came to the attention of Atlantic Films, a Newfoundland production company which had been commissioned by Premier Joey Smallwood to make Newfoundland tourism films.

His initiation in film was in Newfoundland. Williams has said after his experience in Newfoundland he developed and refined his musical composition style, and returned to the United States to work in Hollywood film orchestras.

Williams’ scores for the Star Wars movies count among the most widely known and popular contributions to modern film music.

Other contributions of John Williams include: Jaws and Superman and Schindler’s List and Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

May the force be with you.

Watch and Listen: In 1952, John Williams  came to the attention of Atlantic Films, a Newfoundland production company which had been commissioned by Premier Joey Smallwood to make Newfoundland tourism films. Watch this film  that John William’s arranged the music for : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3Yd3o-_00w