The Little Big Deal About Garindan’s Blaster

You already know the tale. It's the story of filming on three different continents, shot over the course of months, and helmed by a director who didn't like directing. Somehow it all came together in the editing room to produce one of the most iconic and evergreen scenes in movie history. It's been almost fifty years, and next to none of the Cantina scene's pop culture indelibility has worn off. The main interior shots were filmed at Elstree Studios in England in April of 1976, and the close ups were completed in the United States at Hollywood Center Studios in early 1977. Maintaining continuity across that much space and time was a massive challenge, and truth be told, they didn't really perfect it. Characters transport instantly across the Cantina from shot to shot like Marvel's Nightcrawler with his "bamfing" ability. Between the Elstree shots and Hollywood Center, props, characters, and Ponda Baba's hands all change.

So what is that blaster that the new Garindan is holding? It's basically, but not quite, the familiar DL-21 blaster pistol:


It's the sidearm that is carried by Hoth Rebel Soldiers. If you own either 2008's BD42 - Hoth Rebel Trooper or 2018's VC120 - Rebel Soldier (Hoth) re-release (or the many multi-pack re-releases), you already have a standard DL-21 accessory in your collection:


But this ins't quite what Garindan is holding in the lead-in image. Take a look at the grip, or the lack thereof. Instead of a standard pistol grip, the handle is sculpted to look like it's wrapped in red electrical tape covered by a red bicycle grip (or something similar):


So how does this connect with the opening paragraph? From what I understand, the team at Hollywood Center didn't know whose arm they were supposed to film on the business end of Ben's laser sword for the close up. To the best of my research, the arm they filmed on the ground was supposed to be Kabe's with an SE-14C "Dr. Evazan" blaster:


In the novelization, and looking closely at the movie frame by frame, she was part of the skirmish. From the film audience perspective, however, the only character with whom we could associate that orange sleeve was Ponda Baba, and since 1977, it's been considered his arm. It's barely questioned. This is why Ponda Baba figures prior to VC70 had humanoid hands, and it's why all modern Ponda Baba figures have come with an SE-14 blaster of some type. This is despite the fact that at Elstree, Ponda had flipper hands which are clearly seen on screen, and he definitely did not carry an SE-14 blaster. He carried a DL-21, but not an ordinary DL-21. The prop department didn't have time to finish the grip (I believe), so they just covered the handle of Ponda's DL-21 in red electrical tape with a red bicycle grip. You can see it in the flipper hand laying on the ground in this actual set photo from Elstree:


And here's a prop replica of the true Ponda Baba blaster:


If you want a true "Elstree" version of Ponda Baba in your display, you will need to donate this new accessory to your flipper-handed VC70 figure.

I don't know if Garindan also carried this prop in Tunisia for the exterior shots. According to Wookieepedia, he carried a 434 Deathhammer blaster. I don't care either way. I love this sort of deep cut reference. Someone clearly did their prop research, and that someone assuredly has the initials C.R. Of course I'm talking about Carmine Rutiglio. Finally, if you think this blaster looks familiar, there's a reason for that. This isn't the fist time Hasbro has included it as an accessory. A similar (but definitely different mold) red-gripped DL-21 came with The Saga Collection 033 - Hem Dazon figure:


I know this esoteric and niche subject matter won't generate a lot of engagement. In addition to catering to an overly specific area of interest, it also doesn't leave much room for commentary (unless I got something wrong). But I can assure you that this type of article is why Bantha Skull was invented.

Update: As pointed out by looseccanno68 in the comments, the grip looks more like a red bicycle grip than electrical tape. I had assumed that was just a shortcut on the prop replica pictured above, but it also appears on the actual photo matched prop seen HERE.

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