Inside Hollywood (1966)

 Inside Hollywood

By Sheilah Graham

The News

April 1, 1966

    "You're a bloody liar," said Beatle Paul McCartney. I looked around to see to whom he was being so rude, and I realized his fury was directed at me. "You said we were married," continued Paul. Girlfriend Jane Asher tossed her long, straight mane of red hair, and I couldn't tell whether she was agreeing or disagreeing. 

    "That was two years ago," I protested. "Then, when you told me you were not mature enough for marriage, I believed you."

     Lately, I've been printing that they are GOING to marry, and that this was based on what Miss Asher told me some months ago, that "We will marry eventually."

     So, with Paul getting his New London home all fixed up and everything, I assume that the nuptials must be near. But to judge by his behavior, this conversation took place in the street in Piccadilly, he is still obviously not mature enough for marriage. 

    Funny thing, their advisors thought that marriage would hurt the Beatles with their fans, but at the Alfie premiere, the three married Beatles, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, when they appeared in a Rolls Royce with their wives, received a much louder scream from the kids outside than when bachelor Paul arrived with Jane.

     It was Ringo's car, and he was pretty peeved when some strong-armed girls tore off the door trying to get at him.

     Having seen Miss Asher's performance in Alfie, I doubt whether she will have much of a future as an actress. She would be smart to marry Paul as soon as he matures.

     None of the women in Alfie could win a beauty contest. Jane is prettier in real life than on screen. Michael Caine gives an ingratiating performance as Alfie, the heel of all time. If he committed an error, it was trying to win sympathy for the nasty little jerk he plays. 

    Shelley Winters is also good in the picture, told me not long ago that actors are so insecure they cannot bear to be hated, and they try to make the worst character sympathetic. There are some very funny lines in Alfie, but the abortion scene is not only crude, but it is also sick-making. Tippi Hedron actually fainted in her seat at the premiere, she told me afterward. Another woman said she threw up. It will be interesting to see what the Legion of Decency has to say.

Apple at night

Alfie party

Getting a little bit tipsy

I think Paul has had too much of the bottle of champagne that is sitting in front of him during the after party that happened after he went with Jane Asher to the movie premiere of Alfie in 1966.   I don't know about you, but I would think that Paul would have been funny when he was a bit drunk.  

The fan named Alfie

I have posted this photo before along with the story of the fan from New York named Alfie, who gave George some champagne in the Trident studio garage. The story from Carol Bedford's book tells how beautiful Alfie was and how Carol felt jealous of the way she flirted with George. Well...I have always seen the champagne photo with Alfie cropped out. At last we can see what this beautiful girl looks like! Here she is!

Here's to you!

There is a story in Carol Bedford's book, Waiting for the Beatles that I believe go along with these photos of George. (thetop one does for sure!) In the book, Carol is basically complaining about an American fan named Alfie who is very thin and beautiful and is extremely obvious about her feelings for George. Carol, of course, does not like sharing George with an "outsider" and is angry about how Alfie shows her affection to George and how George reacts.

It was a cold winter night. George came out of Trident Studios and into the garage. He was wearing his black Mongolian fur coat. Alfie grabbed, physically. She had champagne and invited him to have a farewell drink with her. he agreed. After several quick drinks, George was pleasantly mellow. Aflie kissed him and had one of the girls take pictures to prove it! I was outraged at this exhibition and jealous that I had not thought of it myself. Everyone, including Lucy and Margo, had the pictures of Alfie and George. Alfie made sure they go copies of these photos, so everyone could see and know that she and George were "meant for each other."