It's like Christmas in September

Santa Claus visited me early this year, and he brought Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Chewbacca and Bea Arther (yes, Bea Arthur!) with him...

That's because almost 31 years after its one and only airing, the "Star Wars Holiday Special" has now found a home in my DVD collection! Sure, it hasn't been officially released by George Lucas or anyone else associated with either "Star Wars" or CBS, the network which broadcast it on Nov. 17, 1978 — probably 'cause everyone involved has tried their best to forget it — but that couldn't stop a true "Star Wars" geek fan like me. Make no mistake: This hastily produced "Star Wars" tie-in, made to capitalize on the success of the then-recent release of the movie that started it all, was horrible from the onset — the story stinks, there's no flow to the plot and the first 8 minutes of the thing are just Chewbacca's wife, son and father talking to each other ... in their own Wookiee language, not English! (Yup, just 8 minutes of grunting and growling.) Still, having heard how bad it is, I had to see for myself.

Don't get me wrong, the DVD was the best $11 (including s/h) I've ever spent, if for no other reason that I now possess a piece of "Star Wars" lore that many people don't even know about, let alone own.Another reason this was such a great buy: The only thing I love more than "Star Wars" is Christmas, and while this "holiday special" centers around Life Day, who are we kidding(?), they're talking about Christmas.

There are, however, some redeeming gems found (deeply) within this almost-31-year-old, once-aired, two-hour holiday special. It includes, for example, a 9-minute cartoon which introduces us to bounty hunter Boba Fett ... a full two years before the rest of the world met Boba Fett (seen here in the animated short) in the second film of the "Star Wars" saga, "The Empire Strikes Back." This first appearance almost makes up for the rest of the terrible content contained within. (Well, not really.)

Oh, and the cameos! The "Star Wars Holiday Special" guest-stars "Honeymooners" veteran Art Carney, comedic actor Harvey Korman (playing a trio of horrific characters) and a singing Bea Arthur. Yup, Dorothy Zbornak of "Golden Girls" fame belts out a tune in between tending bar at the Mos Eisley Cantina. Does it get any better than this?!

Yes, it does, as the whole thing ends in style with Princess Leia Organa sings a delightfully off-tune diddy commemorating the Life Day celebration. (Needless to say, I wouldn't invite her to go carolling with me.) It's a fitting finale to what are, for better or worse, two hours of "Star Wars" history that whoever watches them will never be able to forget. Anyone with two hours to kill (and a strong stomach) can scour the Internet and find the "Star Wars Holiday Special," in bits and pieces.

If you've got the guts to watch if, may The Force be with you.