to carry an "R" rating. Novelization A novelization based on the film was written by Ben Bova and published in 1971. It follows the plot of the movie closely, with four notable additions: An additional character, Control, is the accountant-like ultimate administrator of the city. Several passages depict the events from his point of view. After having sex with LUH 3417, THX 1138 consults a psychologist and admits everything. This psychologist transfers the confession to Control, leading to the overriding mindlock and arrest in the factory. LUH 3417's trial and death are depicted first-hand from her point of view, and from that of Control. Instead of climbing outside to witness a sunset, THX 1138 climbs up and spends the night in the superstructure, and exits in the morning to find other humans living outside. Etymology and references The significance of the name THX 1138 has been the subject of much speculation. In an interview for the DVD compilation Reel Talent, which included Lucas's original 4EB short, Lucas stated that he chose the letters and numbers for their aesthetic qualities, especially their symmetry. According to the book Cinema by the Bay, published by LucasBooks, Lucas named the film after his telephone number while in college: 849-1138—the letters THX correspond to the numbers 8, 4, and 9 on the keypad. However, Walter Murch states in the DVD's audio commentary that he always believed Lucas intended THX to be "sex", LUH to be "love", and SEN to be "sin". John Lithgow, in "The Film School Generation" segment of the DVD series American Cinema, described the title THX 1138 as "reading like a license plate number." Numerous references to "1138" or "THX 1138" appear throughout the Star Wars films, as well as other films by George Lucas. For example, THX 138 is the license plate number of John Milner's hot rod in American Graffiti. Lucas also founded THX Ltd., developer of the "THX" audio/visual reproduction standards. See also List of American films of 1971 List of films featuring surveillance Calling All Girls (Queen song) Utopian and dystopian fiction Andor (TV series) References Further reading External links at lucasfilm.com at warnerbros.com Interview with Don Pedro Colley about his experiences working on THX 1138 at LucasFan.com White on White Village Voice review April 8, 1971 1970s science fiction films 1971 films 1970s dystopian films American science fiction action films American Zoetrope films Android (robot) films Cinema