To elaborate on kapowaz comment: Star Wars was directly inspired by an earlier era of space opera. Most likely, so was this ad in Vogue.

Even the idea of starting at "Episode 4" makes Star Wars feel like one of the older serials -- they were presented as shorts, split into multiple episodes.

Another similar homage that went way over my head as a kid is Indiana Jones. The whole concept is a deliberate remix of adventure serials of the 30s and 40s.