May the 14th be with you.

Photo by Gage Skidmore*

Today we celebrate the 82nd birthday of George Lucas, a man who, as they say, needs no introduction - it is hard to think of anyone who has had such a massive impact on popular culture with the creation and evolution of the Star Wars franchise.

That being said, pop quiz: how many full-length movies has Lucas directed in his legendary career?

Six.

Yep, that's it, six:

• THX 1138
• American Graffiti
• Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
• Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
• Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones
• Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith 

To provide some perspective, Steven Spielberg's directorial feature film score is 34. 

I was amazed to discover this bit of trivia - it seems like such a low number, considering the man's stature in Hollywood. That being said, it's a deceptive statistic that ignores an epic resume of contributions to the industry in virtually every aspect of production in some form or another.  

Regardless, as far as I'm concerned, Mr. Lucas, you had done everything that you needed to do the first time I saw the words "A long time ago in a galaxy far far away..." on the screen at the Norwood Cinema in 1977.  Thank you for your service, George - and happy birthday!

- Sid

* This was not the photo of Mr. Lucas that I would have preferred to use, but apparently all the production photos from the first Star Wars movie are controlled by the mailed fist of Getty Images, and I have very little desire to be the victim of a cease and desist lawsuit.  (Which I've narrowly avoided in a small freelance project, so I speak from experience.)  My thanks to Wikipedia™and Gage Skidmore, whoever he may be, for the above image.