STAR WARS: LATEST MOVIE DRAWS 300 SEEKING TICKETS

Area movie enthusiasts and helpful relatives had light sabers and jovial attitudes in place Wednesday as they waited for advance tickets to the newest "Star Wars" movie.

Some 300 people began lining up outside the Cape West 14 Cine as early as 8:30 p.m. Tuesday to be the first to purchase advance tickets for the newest "Star Wars" movie, "The Phantom Menace." Some brought light sabers and other props, a couple dressed as characters, others brought books and toys.

Ticket-buyers were in good spirits despite the long lines and muggy weather. Most credited their good humor with shared enthusiasm about the first "Star Wars" movie in 16 years.

"This is actually the first time I ever got in a line like this to see it," said Mike Gardner, who joined some two dozen people when he arrived at the theater at 7:45 a.m., not long after he had ended a night shift at work. "I never thought it would grow into this type of groundswell."

The movie is a prequel, the first in a series of nine episodes in the "Star Wars" story. It is set 30 years before the start of the original "Star Wars," which is Episode Four. The original "Star Wars: A New Hope" debuted in 1977. "The Empire Strikes Back" debuted in 1980, and "The Return of the Jedi" hit movie theaters in 1983.

Wednesday marked the first day advance tickets to "The Phantom Menace" could be sold. The film opens locally at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.

"When I was a little kid, nearly every Halloween I was a "Star Wars" character," said Jeff Jackson, who was the first to arrive at the theater Tuesday and camped out overnight to ensure himself tickets when the movie opens. "Since I was one of the kids in a baby carriage at the original "Star Wars," this is the event of my life, the best event of my lifetime."

Jackson was dressed as Obi-Wan Kenobi to jazz up his long wait. Like many other ticket-buyers, he planned to purchase 12 tickets, the maximum an individual can buy. His efforts to be the first to purchase a ticket were in vain, however: Tickets were distributed by lottery rather than on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Even so, Jackson's enthusiasm was not dampened. When the lottery draw began, he happily took his place in the 12th spot in line to purchase his tickets: five for himself -- one for every showing on opening day; one ticket for his mom; two each for his sister and girlfriend; and two for a co-worker.

"This is probably one of the most brilliantly written stories of all time," Jackson said. "It has been very painstaking getting my (work and school) schedule together so I can be here all day Wednesday."

Kevin Dillon, manager at Cape West 14 Cine, said the crowd was the largest since the movie theater opened nearly two years ago. Fans of "Star Wars" movies are diehards and are loyal to the series, he said.

"The anticipation, I guess, is just driving them crazy," said Dillon. "With this particular movie, everybody wants to be the first ones in."