Let's not forget the 1966 and 1967 Xmas records, very Goonish, "You Know My Name (Look Up the Number), and the Immortal "Rutles", which would not have happened without the involvement of George Harrison. He supplied the work-in-progress Beatles Documentary to screenwriter and active participant Eric Idle—Dirk McQuickly and narrator for the mockumentary—and also had a very deadpan cameo in "All You Need is Cash" as a BBC-ish TV reporter, noting the collapse of "Rutlecorps". George also was on Idle's "Rutland Weekend", on board to sing "My Sweet Lord" but really wanting to be a pirate. Richard Lester said that, of the four, Harrison was the one with a true comic bent.
Oh my, All You Need Is Cash looms large in my family history, as it was broadcast on NBC only one night: the night of my grandfather’s 80th birthday. Guess who won out? It haunted me for years before actually was able to see — even rare on DVD.
I read somewhere that the Beatles were not involved in The Yellow Submarine animated film. Their voices were created by voice over actors. Can anyone verify this for me?
And the Fab Four (obviously) used their real voices. It's my understanding that the Beatles actually liked "Yellow Submarine", expecting something as egregious as the Saturday Moring cartoon show, seeing as the same producers were responsible for the series and film.
George Martin saw their comic potential and signed them to EMI largely because of it. One of them quipped in an interview many years later that “everyone from Liverpool is a comedian”.
Wow, never new that Jimmy! Have been reading deeply about The Beatles for years, but that's new for me. I know they got rejected by lots of labels. The moral of this story is that humour can be a Trojan Horse for your talent! Sending the best from a musician and Beatles lover in Berlin! Take care, Jim
Don't bother with HELP!, which is pretty corny and formulaic. The real show is HARD DAYS NIGHT, which plays more as an art film than a musical comedy. Plus it has all the songs that kicked their fame into high gear.
The US first turned its ears toward The Beatles with the release of I Want to Hold Your Hand in November of 1963. But does anyone remember From Me to You? It came out earlier, in the spring, and hardly anyone noticed. But all that summer my friends and I would crank it up in the car whenever it came on. A total ear worm.
I've always loved both A Hard Day's Night and Help!, although the first is the stronger of the two. I can't count the number of times I've watched Hard Days, and it holds up beautifully. The supporting cast is terrific throughout, especially the guy who plays Paul's grandfather. But, you're right, in the end it's the Beatles' natural comic ability that makes that film and the second one work. You probably know this, but what impressed them most about Martin is that he had a hand in producing the Goon Show LPs. I have two of them and I can't imagine Pyton without them.
What a wonderful and unexpected write-up. Thank you Ted. I've often thought the same, although not going as far as thinking they had missed a second career with it. Help! is my all time favourite film, has been since I first saw it as a kid in the 80s. I'm glad John came to really appreciate it in hindsight. For several years he dismissed it as rubbish. Cheers for this!
That was wonderful, as were those films, for all the reasons mentioned. THANKS!!! And a tip of the hat to fellow comical rock god Frank Zappa, who cast Ringo as himself in 200 MOTELS. (Not to mention doing a cameo in The Monkees one-off feature, HEAD. Which was also crazy as hell.)
Or any details about “Magical Mystery Tour”, which should only be remembered for inspiring the Rutles’ “Tragical History Tour”. I miss them all. (“It’s just a model!”)
Apparently. Dropping the moniker "Doo-Dah" happened with the issue of their second album "The Doughnut in Granny's Greenhouse". Around this time, "Apollo Vermouth" (Paul McCartney and Gus Dudgeon) produced the band's only hit; "I'm the Urban Spaceman".
The title of the email "The Beatles as Comedians" alone inspired a drinking game: How many times will Ted use the word, "Marx"? Down a shot for every reference, and you, too, will not be driving tonight. The scene in Hard Day's Night where John Lennon imagines himself a U-Boat captain, while in the bathtub, is permanently embedded in my brain.
Excellent today. I remember seeing How I Won the War in theater upon release; I was a fan of Richard Lester, and was intrigued to see what a short-haired Lennon would produce in neutral circs. He was silly, probably only ended up being included in the Final Cut to get ticket sales. Not an actor, more of a personality. Which kinda sorta worked I guess.
Well yes, I think that Hard Days Night worked because they were basically being themselves and the writing was very good and their performance was also good. So John probably was just OK at being an actor and did not want it to distract him from his very excellent day job!! I think Ringo at least more into acting, I think he actually married an actress.
That “day job” was so hectic for young lads. Just imagine being forced by their managers to hand answer all those letters from fans. How they had the strength to hold their instruments is a marvel.
Let's not forget the 1966 and 1967 Xmas records, very Goonish, "You Know My Name (Look Up the Number), and the Immortal "Rutles", which would not have happened without the involvement of George Harrison. He supplied the work-in-progress Beatles Documentary to screenwriter and active participant Eric Idle—Dirk McQuickly and narrator for the mockumentary—and also had a very deadpan cameo in "All You Need is Cash" as a BBC-ish TV reporter, noting the collapse of "Rutlecorps". George also was on Idle's "Rutland Weekend", on board to sing "My Sweet Lord" but really wanting to be a pirate. Richard Lester said that, of the four, Harrison was the one with a true comic bent.
Agree. I remember discovering The Rutles years after the initial release- right up there with Spinal Tap. Another re-watch.
Oh my, All You Need Is Cash looms large in my family history, as it was broadcast on NBC only one night: the night of my grandfather’s 80th birthday. Guess who won out? It haunted me for years before actually was able to see — even rare on DVD.
But easy to find on YouTube, fortunately.
https://youtu.be/sEwySvgfwLE?si=TnFYGT6oQy02iPJP
I read somewhere that the Beatles were not involved in The Yellow Submarine animated film. Their voices were created by voice over actors. Can anyone verify this for me?
There is one live action bit in the middle of the movie.
And the Fab Four (obviously) used their real voices. It's my understanding that the Beatles actually liked "Yellow Submarine", expecting something as egregious as the Saturday Moring cartoon show, seeing as the same producers were responsible for the series and film.
I certainly like it.
One minute is a very long time. Let me demonstrate.
1.. 2…3…
Yup, badly too.
George Martin saw their comic potential and signed them to EMI largely because of it. One of them quipped in an interview many years later that “everyone from Liverpool is a comedian”.
you had to be I guess! 😎
Wow, never new that Jimmy! Have been reading deeply about The Beatles for years, but that's new for me. I know they got rejected by lots of labels. The moral of this story is that humour can be a Trojan Horse for your talent! Sending the best from a musician and Beatles lover in Berlin! Take care, Jim
(if you're interested in a track!)
https://open.spotify.com/track/2GRWVczQFABExBdy9rlCSv
All the Beatles but especially John were massive Goon Show fans. The funny voices in songs like I am the Walrus are very Good Show.
“How do you find America?”
“Turn left at Greenland.”
Brilliant. Brilliant.
Totally agree. Sublime humour.
or just annex the freaking thing!😀
Don't bother with HELP!, which is pretty corny and formulaic. The real show is HARD DAYS NIGHT, which plays more as an art film than a musical comedy. Plus it has all the songs that kicked their fame into high gear.
The US first turned its ears toward The Beatles with the release of I Want to Hold Your Hand in November of 1963. But does anyone remember From Me to You? It came out earlier, in the spring, and hardly anyone noticed. But all that summer my friends and I would crank it up in the car whenever it came on. A total ear worm.
I've always loved both A Hard Day's Night and Help!, although the first is the stronger of the two. I can't count the number of times I've watched Hard Days, and it holds up beautifully. The supporting cast is terrific throughout, especially the guy who plays Paul's grandfather. But, you're right, in the end it's the Beatles' natural comic ability that makes that film and the second one work. You probably know this, but what impressed them most about Martin is that he had a hand in producing the Goon Show LPs. I have two of them and I can't imagine Pyton without them.
Then there were the madcap press conferences - so funny they ended up on vinyl recordings
"What do you call that hairstyle?" "Arthur".
Yep- the Beatles and Marxes would have gotten along well...
Came here to say this. My mother was not a Beatles fan, but she still talks about how funny they were at the press conferences. So cheeky!
It's easy to forget that beneath all the historic music, The Beatles were just four naturally witty lads from Liverpool.
Their legendary sense of humor and ability to goof off is what makes those stories so relatable and endearing—it fueled their charm!
Now I have to find these films streaming somewhere. It's been way too long since I last saw them.
Me, too. Post a link here when you find them, please. I'm a carer and have little time for extended searches.
Hello, I found "A Hard Day's Night" on multiple streaming services.
https://www.google.com/search?q=hard+days+night+streaming&rlz=1C1SQJL_enUS852US852&oq=hard&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqCAgAEEUYJxg7MggIABBFGCcYOzIGCAEQRRg5MgYIAhBFGEAyDwgDEAAYChiRAhiABBiKBTIGCAQQRRg9MgYIBRBFGEEyBggGEEUYPDIGCAcQRRhB0gEINDI2MWowajeoAgCwAgA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
I found "Help" only on Apple TV.
Thanks, Linda, you're a gem.
No, don’t stream. Buy the DVD, especially for extras.
What a wonderful and unexpected write-up. Thank you Ted. I've often thought the same, although not going as far as thinking they had missed a second career with it. Help! is my all time favourite film, has been since I first saw it as a kid in the 80s. I'm glad John came to really appreciate it in hindsight. For several years he dismissed it as rubbish. Cheers for this!
That was wonderful, as were those films, for all the reasons mentioned. THANKS!!! And a tip of the hat to fellow comical rock god Frank Zappa, who cast Ringo as himself in 200 MOTELS. (Not to mention doing a cameo in The Monkees one-off feature, HEAD. Which was also crazy as hell.)
I saw those 2 movies as soon as they came out and laughed so hard. Unfortunately, especially AHDN, the experience was marred by screaming girls. 🤷♂️
*Very* generous of you to avoid mention of Paul McCartney’s directorial and acting effort.
Or any details about “Magical Mystery Tour”, which should only be remembered for inspiring the Rutles’ “Tragical History Tour”. I miss them all. (“It’s just a model!”)
Well, it was the film debut of the Bonzo Dog Band, performing "Death Cab for Cutie", which became the name of a rock band.
True dat. Were they still the "Doo-Dah" band then?
Apparently. Dropping the moniker "Doo-Dah" happened with the issue of their second album "The Doughnut in Granny's Greenhouse". Around this time, "Apollo Vermouth" (Paul McCartney and Gus Dudgeon) produced the band's only hit; "I'm the Urban Spaceman".
The title of the email "The Beatles as Comedians" alone inspired a drinking game: How many times will Ted use the word, "Marx"? Down a shot for every reference, and you, too, will not be driving tonight. The scene in Hard Day's Night where John Lennon imagines himself a U-Boat captain, while in the bathtub, is permanently embedded in my brain.
That was a stroke of comic genius. Love it.
Excellent today. I remember seeing How I Won the War in theater upon release; I was a fan of Richard Lester, and was intrigued to see what a short-haired Lennon would produce in neutral circs. He was silly, probably only ended up being included in the Final Cut to get ticket sales. Not an actor, more of a personality. Which kinda sorta worked I guess.
Well yes, I think that Hard Days Night worked because they were basically being themselves and the writing was very good and their performance was also good. So John probably was just OK at being an actor and did not want it to distract him from his very excellent day job!! I think Ringo at least more into acting, I think he actually married an actress.
Yes he did Barbara Bach.
That “day job” was so hectic for young lads. Just imagine being forced by their managers to hand answer all those letters from fans. How they had the strength to hold their instruments is a marvel.
Indeed it is
One of my poems, “Silver, Savage, and Young,” references that stunning opening chord to A Hard Day’s Night.”
“Steal away from the furniture store
mid-afternoon, a beer at cold dark Newt's, hide
in the theater on Texas Street. One jangling,
tremulous, sustained chord starts a hundred
and eight frenzied minutes. The four of them
now movie stars, natural in celluloid.”