Photoart for Dabogah Action Playset Box: Featured here are two different pieces of photart that were used to produce the box to Kenner's 1981 Dagobah Action Playset. These photos were actually featured on the sides of the box and were used to demonstrate the "Action Features" of the playset. Each of these pieces are roughly 9 x 11 inches, larger than the size of the photos used on the production boxes.

The above piece shows the R2-D2 and Dagobah crates "levitiating" with help from the action levers and rods in the playset base. The motion lines around R2-D2 and the crate are all airbrushed in to give the illusion of moving to demonstrate the features of the set. Each motion line and the yellow-brown background have been airbrushed in by hand, a practice that has been replaced by today's computers and programs like Photoshop which can do the same effects digitally. The airbrushing is evident from the overspray that goes onto the protective backing on the right side. This is also typical of photoart to have a protective cover and plastic sheet where revisions can be made (the cover is folded back in the photo.) This piece shows the Sensorscope version of R2-D2 which was released in 1982. While the original showed the normal R2-D2, the updated Dagobah box from 1982 included this picture of R2-D2; theres a good chance the circled "R" on the piece refers to a "Revision" of the original.

This second piece is a bit more interesting in my opinion. While the photo used on the box was croped closely around Darth and Luke's battle, the picture was actually taken in a room with just a small portion readied; the piece of paper under the playset is even only used on the left side. The base which the playset is proped upon and the room are clearly visible and are airbrushed in quite a bit.

These pieces are particularly interesting;  they are essentially the masters for the thousands of Dagobah Playsets released around the world and were finished by hand by an artist at Kenner to get the desired look.

Description: Steve York
Photos: Matt Mitarotondo
From the collection of Matt Mitarotondo