With everyone in full-blown "Star Wars" hype-mode leading into the seventh installment of the, now Disney-owned, franchise, my sister recalls the time Yakima theaters decided not to show "Return of the Jedi" on its first run because 20th Century Fox raised the rates of movies. Were you there?

When the "Return of the Jedi" film was released, I was 6 years old. I do remember seeing it in theaters, but also remember already knowing who a few of the new characters in the film were so it had to have been out for a while already.

As my sister recalls:

20 Century took advantage of the hype, to raise their rates to theaters and since the Mercy family owned all Yakima theaters the Mercy family boycotted Return until it was 2nd run.

This minor setback didn't stop people from watching it, though. My sister and her friends all piled into a car and drove to Wenatchee, where they were showing the film opening weekend.

It must not have taken long for the second run because I saw it in theaters with my brothers not too long after it was released nationwide.

I have to applaud the Mercy's for standing their ground. How dare 20th Century Fox hold out for more money! What a sleazy thing for a movie company to do. Now, if it was announced early on that all movie rates would go up that would be one thing, but it was only this movie and only at the time of its release. I have a feeling that if 20th Century Fox held out for more money on this film, they'd still buy it. It's guaranteed money and will, no doubt, break box office records.

More From 107.3 KFFM