Battle of Galactica was a theme park ride at Universal Studios Hollywood. It debuted on June 9, 1979 and was popular enough that it lasted until 1992. The ride lasted only 2 minutes and 45 seconds.
Story[edit]
The ride begins with a bewildered tour guide happening across a huge space ship blocking the road. Off to the driver's left, the tour comes across a tank manned by two Cylon Centurions.
The Cylon driver of the tank instructs the driver to halt: "Halt, foolish humans, you have blundered into a Cylon battle zone. You are now our prisoners. Do not attempt to escape. Move forward immediately or we will blast you!"
When the driver objects, the gunner of the tank fires a warning shot across the bow of the tram at a nearby rock. The Centurion driver instructs the tram to "Move!"
The door of the spaceship opens, allowing the tram to enter while the tour guide comments on their predicament.
Entering into the command center of the battle cruiser, a Centurion presents the prisoners to Imperious Leader, informing them that "strange looking Earth creatures" have been captured while "attempting a sneak attack on our battleship." The Centurion further notes that, "Their general is called Tour Guide."
The Tour Guide objects, but is silenced by Imperious Leader: "Silence foolish mortals, your fate is sealed." He asks a Centurion his standing order, to which the Centurion replies "the total extermination of the life form known as man." Imperious Leader notes that the humans would make good morsels for their Ovion allies. Imperious Leader instructs his Centurions to prepare for departure, fearing further sneak attacks by humans.
However, this is thwarted by a lone Colonial Warrior, who arrives on behalf of the Twelve Colonies of Man and begins firing at Cylons. During the fight, the Warrior blasts another large door open and tells the humans to escape: "Get out of here! I'll be all right!"
The not-General Tour Guide continues their narration following their escape: "Ladies and Gentlemen, we have just survived the Battle of Galactica, inspired by the television series, Battlestar Galactica." [1]
History[edit]
Constructed upon the site of the short-lived "Rockslide" attraction, Battle of Galactica was conceived as a response to the massive initial success of Battlestar Galactica. As prelude to the ride, Cylon Centurions and Colonial Warriors would mingle amongst the Universal Studios Hollywood guests beginning in 1978, as members of the "Streetmosphere."[2]
The ride debuted on June 9, 1979 and lasted until 1992, where it was demolished and replaced with the foundations of the Back to the Future ride, until that too became replaced by The Simpsons building.
Concept Artwork[edit]
Various pieces of concept art were commissioned to assist the developers envision and execute upon the vision of the attraction.
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![A black and white artistic depiction of the tram entering the gaping maw of the landed "Cylon battle cruiser" from the street, and the Cylon tanker "shooting" a rock. Artwork by Gary Meyers.[3]](https://media.battlestarwiki.org/w/thumb.php?f=Battle_of_Galactica_-_Concept_Art.jpg&width=120)
A black and white artistic depiction of the tram entering the gaping maw of the landed "Cylon battle cruiser" from the street, and the Cylon tanker "shooting" a rock. Artwork by Gary Meyers.[3] -
Artwork depicting the Cylon battle cruiser that, having landed on Earth, is discovered by the tourists on the Universal Studios Tour's Glamtram.
The tram drives into the open maw of the ship. Absent is the Cylon tank that would force the tour guide to make that decision. -
Colorized version of the previous artwork, scanned from a printed medium such as a newspaper or magazine.
![A black and white artistic depiction of the tram entering the gaping maw of the landed "Cylon battle cruiser" from the street, and the Cylon tanker "shooting" a rock. Artwork by Gary Meyers.[3]](/File:Battle_of_Galactica_-_Concept_Art.jpg)
Promotion[edit]
Leading up to the debut of the ride, a series of commercials featuring Cylon Centurions, an Imperious Leader (voiced by Lennie Weinrib), and even one alien depicted from "Saga of a Star World"'s Carillon chancery were aired. (See: "Related Videos".)
In addition, promotion for the attraction was executed via print media, including the back side of movie ticket stubs issued by the Universal Amphitheatre.
For print media, press kits on the attraction were prepared and released to the public. (See: "Press Kits".)
The magazine Starlog ran an article on the attraction in 1979.
Promotion for the attraction continued into the 1980s with newsprint advertisements, as well as clips from the actual ride interspersed in commercials promoting the Universal Studios Tour.
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Full color advertisement from 1979. -
Monochrome newsprint advertisement from 1979. -
Front of an unused Universal Amphitheatre ticket for a June 1979 The Beach Boys performance, the back side to which features an advertisement for the ride. -
Back of an unused Universal Amphitheatre ticket featuring an advertisement for the ride, circa 1979. -
Advertisement issued in a Sunday-edition newspaper, dated 6 April 1980. -
Full color one-page advertisement circa 1980. -
Castle Dracula advertisement from 15 June 1980, wherein Battle of Galactica is mentioned. -
Castle Dracula advertisement from 28 June 1980, wherein Battle of Galactica is mentioned. -
The Nude Bomb-focused advertisement for the Universal Studio Tour, featuring the Battle of Galactica.
Press Kits[edit]
The following items were made available via press kits issued by Jim Goyjer, consisting of photographs for reproduction in newspapers and other newsprint media, in addition to corresponding descriptions.
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Folder for the press kit, with full color artist rendering of the attraction's "laser battle." -
Interior of folder containing the park map, park brochure, and stapled packets of technical and additional attraction details. -
A set of three black and white 8x10 inch photos, meant for reuse in print media articles. -
A description memo for each of the photos, along with pertinent contact information of the public relations representative, Jim Goyjer. -
Black and white photo of the Battle of Galactica antagonists, as seen in the commercials promoting the opening of the attraction in 1979. -
Description memo relating to the previous photo.
Miscellany[edit]
Various promotional collateral were also created for use in other non-newsworthy venues, including park welcome kits, envelopes, and other miscellany.
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An envelope featuring artwork for the attraction, circa 1983. -
Guide pamphlet and map of the Universal Studios Tour, featuring the cover promoting Battle of Galactica.
Merchandise[edit]
- See also: Battle of Galactica Merchandise
A variety of merchandise was made available relating to the ride, including t-shirts, postcards, View-Master slides and even pens. Such offerings are documented in the link above.
Related Imagery[edit]
Characters[edit]
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Promotional photo of the Imperious Leader and its minions from the video commercials promoting the ride. -
Imperious Leader from Battle of Galactica. -
"The Tall Ugly," an original alien from Battle of Galactica.
Cylon Animatronic[edit]
The following are photos of a fairly preserved Cylon Centurion animatronic from the attraction, as presented in the 2014 exhibit celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Universal Studios Tour. It was presented alongside the U-87 practical stand-in built for Caprica.
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Front with display base. -
Three-quarter, left side view. -
Close-up of the head with working "eye." -
Close-up of the head and chest. -
Close-up of the left arm and hand.
Colonial Warrior[edit]
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A D Squadron helmet from Galactica 1980, which was repurposed for the attraction. It is identified as "Helmet #6". Right side view. -
A D Squadron helmet from Galactica 1980, which was repurposed for the attraction. It is identified as "Helmet #6". Left side view. -
A D Squadron helmet from Galactica 1980, which was repurposed for the attraction. It is identified as "Helmet #6". Top view. -
A D Squadron helmet from Galactica 1980, which was repurposed for the attraction. It is identified as "Helmet #6". Interior view, showing the padding and helmet strap.
Related Videos[edit]
Commercials[edit]
Ride Itself[edit]
Appearances in Other Venues[edit]
As part of Universal Studios Tour, the Battle of Galactica experience was featured in movies and television during its nearly 13 years of operation, including the 1980 movie The Nude Bomb, the comedy film based from the television series Get Smart starring Don Adams as Maxwell Smart.
In 1988, the "Robot Man" music video segment from Young Talent Time at Universal Studios featuring Courtney Compagnino is shot on the Battle of Galactica set.
Notes[edit]
- Patrick MacNee, who lent his voice to the Imperious Leader in the Original Series, also lent his voice to the ride when it first opened. The voice was changed over in later years.
- The voice of Imperious Leader in the commercials promoting the ride in 1979 is Lennie Weinrib.
External Links[edit]
References[edit]
- ↑ TheStudioTour.com: "Battle of Galactica" (backup available on Archive.org) (in English). Retrieved on 23 August 2019.
- ↑ TheStudioTour.com: Past Streetmosphere - Cylon (Battlestar Galactica) 1978 - 1992 (backup available on Archive.org) (in English). Retrieved on 23 August 2019.
- ↑ ByYourCommand.net: Battle of Galactica Building Concept Art (backup available on Archive.org) (in English). Retrieved on 25 August 2019.