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Toy Empire: The British Force Behind Star Wars Toys

Superfan David Whiteley celebrates how an unassuming band of designers and factory workers in Leicestershire created the toys which were to define a generation.

Star Wars superfan David Whiteley celebrates the unlikely toy heroes of the 1970s.

Toy manufacturer Palitoy based in Coalville, Leicestershire, was chosen to make toys for the new Star Wars movie in the UK. The company was already successful with Action Man and Tiny Tears. But Star Wars toys were about to become the must have toys of a generation. It was an unexpected success. At that time toys from films didn’t sell well. Rich archive brings the nostalgia of the 1970s back to our screens, as David Whiteley meets the men and women who made it happen against all the odds, and the enthusiasts whose pocket money toys now fetch eye watering sums.

‘Toy Empire: The British Force Behind Star Wars Toys’ tells the success story of the toys would change the way movies are marketed forever.

29 minutes

Last on

Sun 19 Dec 202100:10

Music Played

  • London Symphony Orchestra

    Star Wars Main Theme

  • London Symphony Orchestra, John Williams

    The Throne Room/End Title

Credits

RoleContributor
PresenterDavid Whiteley
DirectorMatt Wildash
Executive ProducerDiana Hare

Broadcasts

  • Mon 16 Dec 201919:30
  • Mon 16 Dec 201921:00
  • Sat 15 Aug 202000:30
  • Sat 15 Aug 202018:30
  • Sat 15 Aug 202023:30
  • Sun 16 Aug 202005:30
  • Sun 16 Aug 202011:30
  • Sun 16 Aug 202014:30
  • Tue 18 Aug 202001:30
  • Tue 18 Aug 202008:30
  • Tue 18 Aug 202014:30
  • Fri 21 Aug 202017:30
  • Christmas Eve 202008:30
  • Christmas Eve 202014:30
  • Christmas Eve 202023:30
  • Christmas Day 202005:30
  • New Year's Day 202115:30
  • Sun 19 Dec 202100:10