Han Solo jacket fails to sell at movie memorabilia auction in London

LONDON - A jacket worn by Harrison Ford as Han Solo in the Star Wars film "The Empire Strikes Back" failed to sell at a London auction of movie memorabilia on Thursday, the sale's organizers said.

The blue-grey jacket, which was found at a costume house and screen-matched, is the only significant costume piece from the original film trilogy to come to public auction.

The item had a pre-sale estimate price of between 500,000 pounds and 1 million pounds ($660,000 - $1.33 million).

The bidding climbed to 450,000 pounds before stalling.

"Han Solo's jacket ... didn't meet reserve but we've already had a number of post auction enquiries," said the sale's organizer, Prop Store, in a statement.

Collectors had a chance to get their hands on film props and costumes from other films as well, such as "Indiana Jones", "Forrest Gump" and "Back to the Future II".

The London and Los Angeles-based Prop Store put more than 600 lots from some 150 movies and television shows up for sale.

Other Star Wars items - which are among the most sought-after pop culture collectables - include Anakin Skywalker's lightsaber from the "Revenge of the Sith" movie, which sold for 110,000 pounds.

The most expensive item at the auction was a fedora hat Ford wore as Indiana Jones in "Raiders of the Lost Ark" which sold for 320,000 pounds.

A hoverboard used by Michael J. Fox in "Back to the Future Part II" sold for 30,000 pounds.

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Harrison Ford in near-miss landing private plane

LOS ANGELES - Hollywood star Harrison Ford was involved in a near-miss at a California airport as he was piloting his private plane, officials and US media said on Tuesday.

Ford, a seasoned pilot and vintage plane collector, was approaching John Wayne Airport in Orange County, NBC reported, when he headed towards a taxiway rather than the runway, passing over an Boeing 737 with 110 passengers and six crew.

The 74-year-old "Indiana Jones" star was captured on air traffic control recordings, according to NBC, asking: "Was that airliner meant to be underneath me?"

The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) said it did not identify people involved in air incidents but confirmed it was investigating what had caused the misunderstanding.

"Air traffic controllers cleared the pilot of a single-engine Aviat Husky to land on Runway 20L at John Wayne Airport Monday afternoon," spokesman Ian Gregor said in a statement.

"The pilot correctly read back the clearance. The pilot then landed on a taxiway that runs parallel to the runway, overflying a Boeing 737 that was holding short of the runway."

The American Airlines plane managed to depart safely for Dallas just minutes after the incident, according to NBC.

The FAA prohibits aircraft landing on taxiways and sanctions for pilots found at fault range from a warning letter to a suspension of their license.

Ford suffered a broken arm and minor head injuries when he crash-landed a World War II plane on a Santa Monica golf course two years ago, after the carburetor failed.

He also crash-landed a helicopter during a flying lesson in Ventura County, California in 1999 and, a year later, his Beechcraft Bonanza scraped the runway during an emergency landing in Nebraska.

The actor has been in accidents out of the cockpit too, suffering a broken leg three years ago on the set of the Millennium Falcon spaceship after he was pinned down by the heavy, metal-framed door while reprising his role as Han Solo in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."

A longtime aviation enthusiast, Ford owns several aircraft and claims more than 5,200 hours in his log book. He is certified to fly and land planes, seaplanes and helicopters, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.

His representatives refused to comment.

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Hollywood mourns 'Star Wars' icon Carrie Fisher

Co-stars, friends and fans added their voices on Tuesday to a torrent of tributes from Hollywood for "Star Wars" actress Carrie Fisher, after she died at the age of 60 after suffering a heart attack.

The screen icon, who was catapulted to worldwide stardom as rebel warrior Princess Leia in the original "Star Wars" trilogy, was pronounced dead in Los Angeles, four days after collapsing on a transatlantic flight.

Here is a selection of the most notable tributes:

- Family -

"Thank you to everyone who has embraced the gifts and talents of my beloved and amazing daughter. I am grateful for your thoughts and prayers that are now guiding her to her next stop."

- Fisher's mother, the actress Debbie Reynolds

"She was loved by the world and she will be missed profoundly."

- Simon Halls on behalf of Fisher’s daughter, actress Billie Lourd

- 'Star Wars' -

"Carrie was one-of-a-kind -- brilliant, original. Funny and emotionally fearless. She lived her life bravely... We will all miss her."

- Harrison Ford (Han Solo)

"no words #Devastated"

- Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker)

"In 'Star Wars' she was our great and powerful princess -- feisty, wise and full of hope in a role that was more difficult than most people think... she will be missed by all."

- "Star Wars" creator George Lucas

"I'm deeply saddened at the news of Carrie's passing. She was a dear friend, whom I greatly respected and admired. The force is dark today!"

- Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian)

"I thought I had got what I wanted under the tree. I didn't. In spite of so many thoughts and prayers from so many. I am very, very sad."

- Anthony Daniels (C3PO)

"I am extremely sad to learn of Carrie's passing. She was wonderful to work with. Condolences to her friends, family & fans around the world."

- David Prowse (Darth Vader)

"There are no words for this loss. Carrie was the brightest light in every room she entered. I will miss her dearly."

- Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca)

- Hollywood -

"I have always stood in awe of Carrie. Her observations always made me laugh and gasp at the same time. She didn't need The Force. She was a force of nature, of loyalty and of friendship. I will miss her very much."

- Veteran director and producer Steven Spielberg

"I'm deeply saddened to learn of the death of Carrie Fisher. I will miss our banterings. A wonderful talent & light has been extinguished."

- "Star Trek" actor William Shatner

"Millions fell in love with her as the indomitable Princess Leia; she will always have a special place in the hearts of 'Star Wars' fans as well as all of us who were lucky enough to know her personally."

- Bob Iger, head of The Walt Disney Company

"Carrie Fisher has passed, she was funnier&smarter than anyone had the right to be. Sail On Silver Girl. Condolences Debbie & Billie R.I.P."

- Actress and comedian Whoopi Goldberg, who co-starred with Fisher in "Soapdish"

"@CarrieFisher was a brilliant writer, actor, and friend. She was so much fun. I can't believe she's gone."

- US talk show host and actress Ellen DeGeneres

"We just lost a great ally for mental health and addiction. Be strong, be as (strong) as she'd want you to be. Rest in paradise."

- Comedian Margaret Cho

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Actor Harrison Ford injured in small-plane crash in Los Angeles -reports

LOS ANGELES - "Star Wars" star Harrison Ford was seriously injured on Thursday when the actor crashed his vintage plane on a Los Angeles golf course shortly after taking off from a local airport, celebrity website TMZ and local media reported.

Reuters could not immediately confirm the TMZ report, which said Ford, 72, suffered multiple gashes to his head in the crash just over a mile (1.6 km) from Santa Monica Airport and was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

"We can confirm that there was a plane crash and the male occupant was a 65-70 years old man. He was transported to a local hospital in stable condition," Los Angeles Police Department spokeswoman Officer Nuria Vanegas said.

"The incident was reported at 2:25 p.m., it was mechanical failure of plane, that's what caused the accident," Vanegas said.

Assistant Los Angeles Fire Chief Patrick Butler told reporters at the scene that the plane clipped a tree as it plunged down on the golf course.

Butler said the sole occupant of the plane was conscious and breathing following the accident and was initially tended to by bystanders before paramedics responded and transported him to a local hospital in "fair to moderate" condition.

Paramedics "initiated spinal immobilization, started an IV and began all the necessary medical protocols that we do," Butler said.

Representatives for Ford could not immediately be reached for comment.

The actor, best known as archaeological adventurer Indiana Jones in "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and as the space hero Hans Solo in the "Star Wars" series, is a longtime aviation enthusiast.

Carlos Lugo, 63, said he was playing golf at the Penmar Golf Course when he saw a plane that he believed had taken off from nearby Santa Monica Airport lose power and turn around in an apparent attempt to return to the runway.

"When he flew over us we knew it was too late to make it back to the airport," Lugo said.

The Ryan Aeronautical plane involved in the crash was built in 1942 and registered to the company MG Aviation Inc, according to FAA online records.

In 1999, Ford and a flight instructor went down in a helicopter crash north of Los Angeles, and the helicopter also was registered to MG Aviation, according to a Los Angeles Times report at the time.

Ford suffered a broken leg last year while filming on the set of Disney's "Star Wars: Episode VII" set in England, in which he is reprising his role as Han Solo. Production on the movie was halted for two weeks as he recovered.

The National Transportation Safety Board said in a tweet that it would investigate the accident.

(Reporting by Piya Sinha-Roy, Alex Dobuzinskis, Steve Gorman and Dan Whitcomb; Writing by Dan Whitcomb; Editing by Cynthia Johnston, Sandra Maler and Mohammad Zargham)

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