GOOD OLD DAYS:It’s the end of the line for waiting in line

Thirty years ago, in a movie theater 80 miles away, Ralph Perez was blown away when he saw the first installment of “Star Wars,” and entered into an intense competition with his first true girlfriend over who could see the film more times.

Hundreds of dollars and more than 100 screenings later, he knew he was a die-hard fan, and when “The Empire Strikes Back” came out three years later, he wanted to be first in line.

“I was among the first cutting-edge people that had to be in front of the theater before it opened, taking turns napping on torn-up cardboard boxes,” Perez said. “When the third one came out, me and my friends went the night before with sleeping bags and some food, only to find other guys had shown up with a tent.”

By the time “Episode I: The Phantom Menace” was released in 1999, all the big-screen theaters had disappeared from Perez’s hometown of San Diego, which meant he was off to Newport Beach to camp out in front of Edwards Big Newport.

That is where, in 2005, he met Newport Beach film producer Suzanne Kai, earning himself a central role in her 23-minute documentary “The Last Line,” which chronicled the final 10-day camp-out and had its world premiere as an official selection at this year’s Newport Beach Film Festival.

“When I discovered this was going to be the last film, I had to record the special moment both for American culture as well as film history,” said Kai, who experienced the first film as a young television reporter covering the 1977 opening in San Francisco.

“For me it was kind of the end of a tradition. I’m the kind of person that’s had Yoda as my screensaver for years.”

For Perez, it was the timing of the first film that makes “Star Wars” so great. As a recently licensed teenager getting his first taste of independence, he identified with Luke Skywalker.

“It was a neat time for me as a 16-year-old getting my freedom and the opportunity to head off and do some things on my own, and here comes this film about a young adult getting the chance to do the same thing,” he said.

With the most recent trilogy of films, Perez realized it was no longer about being the first in line, but more about the bond that is shared among the fans waiting together.

“When you go in the theater, the euphoria and excitement that connects that giant mob of people is just through the roof,” he said. “It’s sad knowing you’re not going to meet up with these cinematic friends you’ve made again.”

These were the sentiments Kai hoped to capture in her film, presenting a less “nerdy, stereotypical” image of “Star Wars” devotees.

“I wanted new generations to be able to experience the camaraderie and sense of community associated with the film,” she said.

“The Last Line” is set to screen in September at Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood as part of an international film festival.