The drawing power of the Force will be with them

What’s that old saying? It ain’t over until the fat Ewok sings? Well, that’s the motto Wednesday, at least, at the Los Angeles Convention Center, where more than 2,500 fans are expected for the first-ever American theatrical screening of all six “Star Wars” films in story order.

That means the event will start at 9 a.m. with “Episode I: The Phantom Menace” and, about 17 hours later, will wrap up with the teddy-bear luau at the end of “Episode VI: The Return of the Jedi.”

The organizers promise high-quality digital sound and image for the screening, and there’s good reason to believe them: The marathon is the preamble for the “official” 30th anniversary “Star Wars” convention, dubbed Celebration IV, a massive, George Lucas-approved convention that is bringing in fans from around the world.

“It’s quite simply the biggest and best ‘Star Wars’ event ever,” said Steve Sansweet, the head of fan relations for Lucasfilm.

For the public, the five-day convention begins Friday (Star Wars fan club members get in on Thursday for limited programming). The schedule includes: speeches or autograph sessions by many of the stars (Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Ray Park and Jake Lloyd among them); a vast dealers’ floor piled high with memorabilia and collectibles; costume events; arts and activities for kids (including Jedi training seminars); and some things that are just plain odd, like the “Stormtrooper Olympics” (where guys in the plastic white armor run obstacle courses) and a one-man show of all six movies by a Canadian actor named Charles Ross. (To find out more on the convention, see Calendar Weekend on Thursday.)

The movie marathon on Wednesday is free to anyone with a badge for Celebration IV. The problem is, if you don’t have a badge right now, the online sales have been discontinued and the on-site sale (which will be in the convention center’s South Hall lobby) doesn’t open until noon Wednesday. Sansweet said that anyone coming at that time should be able to get into the marathon while “Episode II: The Clone Wars” is underway.

One-day badges for Celebration IV are $45 for adults, $25 for kids ages 6 to 12, and free for youngsters under 6. Four-day badges are $125, $55 and, again, free for kids under 6.

Information: www.starwars.com, in the community section.

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-- Geoff Boucher