Bangla Desh Film Premiere in NYC
By Marcy Reichback
Mrs. Lennon’s Apple Farm newsletter
April 1972
Well, tonight was the first showing of Bangla Desh. My friends and I decided to go (of
course). I got out of work at 5:30, there were 2 shows,
6:30 and 8:30. We were hanging out by
the front of the theater. People were in
line, everyone had tickets (invite only).
We thought we were never going to get in. It’s now 6:00, Phil Spector arrives, so that’s
a start, then at 6:15 Allen Klein comes.
I said to my friends, “I’m going to talk to Klein.” They looked at me like I’m crazy. “You don’t just talk to Klein.” Well, I got my nerve up, walked over, and
said, “Excuse me, Mr. Klein, I have 2 tickets for the show, but I have an extra
friend.” He stopped me and said to the
doorman, “let them in.” I didn’t have
the 2 tickets, I just thought I’d try it.
Well, it worked. They didn’t ask
for the tickets which was lucky. We got
in after Ravi finished. Just in time for
George. The movie was great, the
close-ups were too much. The sound is
great. The audience in the movie was in
four speakers in the back and the music and talking up front. TOO MUCH!
The movie was fabulous.
Getting back to us, after the movie we went upstairs to look
around. We hid in the bathroom. Meanwhile downstairs they were letting the
people in for the 8:30 show. So, we took
a chance and went into the lobby and my friends were looking a different way when I saw a whole lot of flashes going off.
I said, “Someone is coming.” It
was John and Yoko. We got some really
great shots. He was wearing a hat
sideways, long army coat, his cowboy boots, and jeans. Yoko was wearing a black short fur jacket and
jeans, her hair tied back. We followed
them upstairs to the first balcony. We
sat (again) one row behind them.
I got really upset at these young girls (about 13 or 14
years old) who asked him if they can shake his hand, and they really took
advantage of his good mood. Yoko looked
like she was in a bad mood. Phil Spector
started to push them (the girls) away after a while. I don’t blame him.
The movie took a while to begin. John yelled out “Let’s see the movie!” 10 seconds later the movie started. Oh, before that happened some really stupid
girls asked him to say “hello.” He said
“hello.” Then they asked him to say
“George.” He said “George.” I really felt bad for him. I know how The Beatles felt when all those
cripples used to touch them. He looked
and sounded like a trained puppy. It was
really bad. When the movie started, Yoko
and him asked Jerry Rubin to buy some popcorn and candy, and soda for them. So, he disappeared for a while. John smiled when Rich did “It Don’t Come
Easy” and when George sang “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” He was toe-tapping and bopping his head when
Leon Russell did his songs. John also
pointed out Klaus for Yoko. Why – I
don’t know. She knows him. They smoked
ciggies like they were going out of style.
Then Jerry Rubin came back and gave something to John. I couldn’t see what it was, but my friend
turned to me and said really seriously, “Jerry just passed John and
joint.” I was so upset. Plus why smoking pot in the movie? It stunk the whole place up. They looked so stupid and everyone knew
exactly what they were doing. They
(John, Yoko, etc) thought they were being really cool about it, but they really
weren’t. After Dylan finished his songs
(before George did Something and Bangladesh), John, Yoko and Jerry left. Oh, Phil Ochs was with them also. We beat them downstairs to their car, took
some more pix, and went out to eat.
Note from Mar (editor of the newsletter): Thanks for this, Marcy. I know a lot of people have a lot of ideas
about pot, but John doesn’t have to smoke it to be cool. I for one don’t’ go into that thing, but I
don’t’ condemn anyone who wants to do it.
People here always smoke it in the theaters. As a matter of fact, the guy in front of us
at the showing of Bangladesh was smoking it.
The girl next to him asked if he would put it out because if he was
caught it would ruin it for the rest of us.
He was nice enough to do so. The
only real beef I have about it in the theater is it (the smell) gives me a big
headache. So, let’s not condemn, but
accept.
I agree with Mar(editor) LOL..... Great write up about the moment but she was a little harsh on John regarding pot seeing as she had snuck into not 1 but 2 screenings free!
ReplyDeleteI thought the same thing!
DeleteJ&Y told Jerry Rubin to be a gofer and fetch them stuff at the concession stand?! Priceless !!!
ReplyDeleteI know! I love the stories like these because they have fun little nuggets like this that you don't' read anywhere else.
Deletereally enjoyed this story
ReplyDelete