The video chain will also feature store events in top markets, where both store employees and customers will be encouraged to appear in their favorite Star Wars character costume.

``We're celebrating the release of 1999's biggest film,'' says Curt Andrews, senior vice president of product merchandising and promotions for Blockbuster, ``and we decided to add some fun by offering the Yoda contest to our customers.''

The Yoda figures are lifesize, 36 inches in height, valued at over $600 and on display in all participating Blockbuster stores. Customers can enter for a chance to win one of the Yoda figures April 4-9, and winners' names will be drawn on April 10.

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace is guaranteed to be available for rent at participating Blockbuster stores, and those customers who would like the film to be part of their permanent video collection can purchase it in standard VHS format or a special collector's edition VHS letterbox format cassette, which contains behind-the-scenes documentary footage, a 35mm film strip from an original theatrical print and an exclusive 48-page collector's book. Both versions of the video have been digitally mastered for superior sound quality.

Through 1999, Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace had grossed more than $430 million in the U.S and Canada, and another $492 million worldwide, for a total of $922 million in box office receipts.

Store events in Blockbuster's top markets offer photo opportunities. Highlights include:

Kansas City - The Kansas City flagship store staff has constructed replicas of Star Wars movie sets, including the Theed Palace and a life-sized pod racer. Employees will be in costumes representing Queen Amidala, Anakin Skywalker, Shmi, Naboo security guards, Nute Gunray, Rune Haako, Darth Maul and Obi Wan Kenobi. Store event is on April 3 from 5:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. (costumed customers will be in line to get their copy of the video at midnight); the store staff will also be in costume on April 4; flagship store is located at 8700 W. 95th St. in Overland Park, KS.

Marlton, NJ - This Blockbuster store will host a trivia contest, costume contest, and pizza party to help Star Wars faithful pass the time during the night of April 3, until the stroke of midnight when they'll be able to rent or buy the Star Wars movie; the store is located in Marlton at 363 Route 70 East (in Kohl's Shopping Center).

Milwaukee - At the Milwaukee flagship store location, the first 100 people in costume will receive a free light saber; customers can pose for photos with Yoda for a $2 donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation; stunt artists will perform a light saber duel at 9 p.m.; store event is on April 3 from 9 p.m. to 1a.m. in the Blockbuster store at 4595 S. 27th St. (at Layton Ave.) in Greenfield.

Atlanta - Store event at 7 a.m. on April 4 will feature prizes for the first 25 people who come in costume; store is located at 1544 Piedmont Road in Atlanta.

Blockbuster Inc. is a publicly traded subsidiary of Viacom Inc. and is the world's leading renter of videos, DVDs and video games with approximately 7,100 stores in the United States, its territories and 26 other countries. The company may be accessed internationally at blockbuster.com. Viacom Inc. is one of the world's largest entertainment companies and a leading force in nearly every segment of the international media marketplace.

[Updated 3/30/2000]