Mystery of the Missing Beatle

Newspaper article from 1968.  Did we ever learn where John was that night???  Seems odd for him not to be there.   Maybe he avoided it because he didn't want to answer questions about Yoko. 

Mystery of the Missing Beatle
United Press

Ringo flicked cigarette ashes onto a tabletop and ruminated about life.  George discussed vegetables and meditation.  Paul mused about history's ways with fame.  John wasn't there.

Three of the four Beatles turned up Monday to chat with newsmen and photographers following a private screening of the latest Beatles' movie "Yellow Submarine." 

John Lennon was officially "out of town."  "I don't know where John is," said Ringo Starr.  Neither did Paul McCartney or George Harrison.   John was the Beatle most everyone hoped to see.

Lawyers for Lennon and his wife are conferring about their marriage breakup.  Lennon last week proclaimed he was in love with Yoko Ono, a Japanese sculptor, and said his six-year marriage of Cynthia Lennon was "over but not legally."

Miss Ono, married to American film director Anthony Cox, is noted for her avant-garde movie of 365 naked human posteriors.

The Beatles had little to do with "Yellow Submarine" aside from contributing their recording of the 12 songs it features.

Voices not their own are used in the spoken portions of the 85 minute animated film in which The Beatles, through their music, save a country called Pepperland from the scourge of music-hating "Blue Meanies."  the move premiers in London this week.

"We didn't make it," said Paul with a grin.  "You can't blame us if it flops -- which it won't."

Ringo, wearing a black Edwardian coat over a red and white polka dot shirt with frilly front, talked with a cigarette in one hand and a glass of bitter lemon with ice in the other.  His upper lip bore the beginning of a new mustache.

"If you treat everyone as if you're going to die in an hour, you're all right,"  Ringo told a captivated young woman reporter asking him about his attitude toward life.

"Maharishi Mahesh Yogi is a nice fellow but we don't go out with him any more,"  quipped Paul in explaining the Beatles were keen on transcendental meditation but not with their former guru.

Stella and the Meanie

The born leeverpuller

A few meanies outside of the theater

What a job!   "We need to dress up and stand on stilts and be an Apple Bonker....."    Would I do it...sure if I could stand on stilts!

Yellow Submarine Contest winner!

Thank you to everyone that entered  The Summer 2018 Yellow Submarine contest!   It was a record-breaker!   73 people entered the contest, which blows the 52 people record way out of the water.    I enjoyed seeing what songs from the movie everyone picked and here are the tallys.   Out of 73 votes:


Hey Bulldog:   30 Votes!

Hey Bulldog is my personal favorite, but for some reason, I thought not very many other people would agree.  Boy was I wrong! 

It's All Too Much:  9 votes
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds:  7 votes
Nowhere Man:  7 votes
All Together Now:  6 votes
When I'm 64:  6 votes
Eleanor Rigby:  3 votes
All you Need is Love:  3 votes
Only a Northern Song:  1 vote

There was one write-in vote for the instrumental song, Pepperland


Did you notice what song got zero votes?   The title song, Yellow Submarine!    I was shocked that NO ONE voted for Yellow Submarine! 

It was a fun survey and thanks again to everyone that entered.

I chose the two winners randomly and the winners are

#26:   Kathy Klimpel  (who voted for Hey Bulldog)
#37    Michael Byrne (who voted for It's All Too Much)

Congrats to Kathy and Michael!   Please email me your mailing addresses to Starshyne9@yahoo.com by Wednesday to receive your prize. 

Look for another contest on Meet the Beatles for Real around October.    Peace and Love and Beatles 4-ever!

Yellow Sub contest ends soon!

Just a friendly reminder that the Yellow Submarine contest I am holding ends this Sunday.   I have gotten a great response from so many of you.  It makes me sad that there will only be 2 winners. 


There is a certain song from YS that is winning the contest by a landslide.   What do you think it is? There is another song from the movie that hasn't gotten ANY votes, which shocks me.    Wait and find out the winners of the contest and the songs this Sunday night.


If you want to enter send your favorite song that is featured in the Yellow Submarine movie to meetthebeatlesforreal@gmail.com 

Paul leave for the premiere

One of the awesome visitors to MTBFR asked me if I had the fan photo of Paul leaving for the premiere of Yellow Submarine.   I wasn't familiar with the photo, so I did a little digging and discovered that I DID have it in the MTBFR files, but I just had it labeled as "1968 Paul outside Cavendish."     I somehow didn't connect that he was dressed for the premiere.     It is a great photo!

The Yellow Submarine sets sail

July 17, 1968 -  The Beatles all were on hand for the premiere of the Yellow Submarine.    This was the last time they were together for a film premiere.   George and Pattie came together, John and Yoko, Ringo and Maureen, Paul either came alone or with a mystery girl.    Also seen were Jenny Boyd, Mal Evans and his wife, Lil, members of the Rolling Stones -- who else?

NEW YELLOW SUBMARINE CONTEST 2018!

What better way to end Yellow Submarine week than with a contest to win Yellow Submarine themed goodies from Meet the Beatles.. For Real!

I have two prize packages to give away to two lucky readers.    Here's the prizes:

Prize Package A

• Ringo YS Hot Wheels car
• Paul YS Hot Wheels car
• Yellow Submarine Hot Wheels Car
• Legos set of the four Beatles
• A pin of the four Beatles YS style
• A pencil that says "all you need is love"
• A badge that says "We all live in a yellow submarine" from the Anthology

Prize Package B (similar but a little different)

• Ringo YS Hot Wheels car
• Paul YS  Hot Wheels car
• Yellow Submarine Hot Wheels Car
• 5 piece Beatles Yellow Submarine Christmas ornament set
• pin of the Sgt. Pepper's drum
• patch of the Sgt. Pepper's drum
• pencil that says "all you need is love"
• badge that says "We all live in a Yellow Submarine" from the Anthology

Here is how you enter this contest:

Send an email to meetthebeatlesforreal@gmail.com telling me what your favorite Beatles song that is featured in the film Yellow Submarine.   Your choices are:

Yellow Submarine

Eleanor Rigby

When I'm 64

It's All Too Much

Only a Northern Song

All Together Now

Hey Bulldog

All you need is Love

Nowhere Man

Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds

I will receive the email and write down your name with a number next to it.    On  July 22, I will use a random number generator and choose two numbers from the list.    I will announce the winner on this blog on July 22 by 8pm (central time).    The winners then have THREE days to email or message me their address.   If I do not receive the addresses by 8pm on July 25, I will choose a new winner.  

The contest is open to anyone that loves the Beatles Yellow Submarine on the planet earth.   Please, only one entry per household.   

Don't be a Blue Meanie -- enter the Yellow Submarine contest today!

P.S.  the email meetthebeatlesforreal@gmail.com is a READ ONLY email.   That means that I can receive emails to this account but I cannot send anything out.   It is perfect for contests, but I cannot respond from it.   

Yellow Submarine 50th Anniversary - A Review

On July 9, 2018, I had the opportunity to see the classic animated Beatles film, Yellow Submarine on the big screen for the first time.     As a Beatles fan, it is always fun to experience a Beatles' movie in a group setting.   It is nice to hear others laughing at the jokes and singing along to "All Together Now" at the end of the movie.


I saw the film at the Tivoli in St. Louis which I would guess seats about 300 moviegoers.   The room was almost filled.   I noticed a variety of ages from first-generation fans all the way down to small children.   Many of us were wearing Beatles or Yellow Submarine T-shirts.  The cutest thing I saw was a little boy holding a stuffed Yellow Submarine and Paul doll. 


The general plot of the Yellow Submarine is extremely basic and is just as relatable and relevant today as it was 50 years ago.   The Blue Meanies are doing whatever it takes to remove all of the music and love out of Pepperland and it is up to The Beatles to restore order to the land.     The Beatles are our heroes and we are thrilled that they are able to beat out the baddies with love and music.   

The animation is dated.   It looks very much like the late 1960's.    It is very colorful but the characters are flat.   Maybe I think this because I watch Pixar and Disney animated films that are popular today.  The animation actually reminds me of some of the stuff you'd see on Sesame Street in the 1970's.  However, even with the outdated style of animation, it still seems to work and parts (the sea of holes for example) almost appear 3D in this new release of the movie.

The most disappointing thing about the Yellow Submarine is that John, Paul, George, and Ringo did not record their own voices.     I do not like the voices used for the Fab 4, and I have a hard time distinguishing between the four, especially when they are not on the screen.     I have come to accept this over time, but I can't help but think just how much better this movie would have been if John, Paul, George, and Ringo had made the time in 1968 to provide their own voices.   Thankfully you do hear the REAL Beatles throughout the many great songs that are used in the film.    They sounded wonderful in the 50th-anniversary film and mixed along with the vibrant colors, the music sequences were outstanding and well worth the experience. 

The VERY best part is the last few seconds when you see the four real Beatles hamming it up.   I got a kick out of hearing John announce that "newer and bluer meanies are seen in the vicinity of this very theater...."  while I was actually sitting in a theater and not on my couch. 

I know the 50th-anniversary showing is still being released in more cities around the globe.  If you were on the fence about going, I do encourage you to go.     I haven't heard if a new Blu-Ray/DVD is going to be released, but it should be.   The 1999 version has been out of print of some time.   Right now the only new things available for the anniversary if a vinyl single.

Yellow Submarine movie poster selfie!  2018

I am going to see Yellow Submarine!

The Blue Meanies will never win

50 years ago today -- July 8, 1968 -- George and Ringo did a photo shoot with Blue Meanies.   It looks like Paul didn't pose with a Meanie, but did pose with cut-outs of the Yellow Submarine Beatles and some photos with his two bandmates.    Where was John?    Most likely somewhere with Yoko.


Happy Yellow Submarine Week Beatle fans!

Peek-a-boo with Paul

All together now

The Beatles meet the Beatles

One of my all time favorite Beatles photo shoots happened 50 years ago today -- the one where the Beatles are posing with their Yellow Submarine animated characters for the first time.   The photos look like the guys are having so much fun and goofing around.    It might have been one of the last times where you see the four of them being so silly and fun.   

First time

50 years ago today:   September 25, 1967 - The Beatles were in the studio recording "The Fool on the Hill."     This was the first time a photograph of John and Yoko ever was taken.   However---I think this is another first time on the same day.    I believe this is the first time animation for the Yellow Submarine was seen. 

The Yellow Submarine is now playing at the Fox

Remembering Al Brodax

Cartoon Beatles expert and one of the co-hosts of the "Fab 4 Free for All" podcast Mitch Axelrod has informed everyone that Al Brodax passed away on Thanksgiving day.

Al is an important figure within the Beatles story because if it wasn't for him, we would not have the Yellow Submarine as we know it.   There wouldn't be Yellow Submarine lunchboxes, Lego Sets, figurines, shower curtains, etc etc etc.


Al Brodax worked for King Features on such cartoons as Popeye, Casper and Krazy Kat.   He got an idea about doing a Beatles cartoon by chance after bumping into a guy that had drawn some Beatles cartoon sketches in his office building.    From there Al was able to get a hold of Brian Epstein and to make a very long story short, the Beatles cartoon was produced for ABC starting in 1965.   Many people (including the Beatles) hated the cartoon, but it was very cute and exposed a whole new group of people to the music of the Beatles.

The Beatles' cartoon was a hit and Brian Epstein had told Brodax that if the cartoon took off, he would consider him for a full length Beatles animated movie.    Brodax had an idea of love vs. bad film and wanted to call it "All you need is Love."    But Ringo came along and said that he thought "Yellow Submarine" was a  better choice because there was a lot of things you could put into a submarine.     And so Yellow Submarine it was and while the Beatles trotted off to India, Brodax and his team worked on the animated film full time.

Here at Meet the Beatles..for Real, I sent my condolences to Al Brodax's family and friends.   Al will always be remembered for what he did for the Beatles in animation.  

Paul talks to Al Brodax

Mystery of the Missing Beatle

Mystery of the Missing Beatle

I always thought this photo should have been used in the Anthology promotions in 1995-96

Ringo flicked cigarette ashes onto a table top and ruminated about life.

George discussed vegetables and meditation.

Paul mused about history's way with fame.

John wasn't there.

Three of the four Beatles turned up Monday to chat with newsmen and photographers following a private screening of the Beatles' movie "Yellow Submarine."

John Lennon was officially "out of town."

"I don't know where John is," said Ringo Starr.  Neither did Paul McCartney or George Harrison.

John was the Beatle most everyone hoped to see.

Lawyers for Lennon and his wife are conferring about their marriage breakup.   Lennon last week proclaimed he was in love with Yoko Ono, a Japanese sculptor, and said his six-year marriage of Cynthia Lennon was "over but not legally."

Miss Ono, married to American film director Anthony Cox, is noted for her avaunt-garde movie of 365 naked human posteriors.

The Beatles had little to do with "Yellow Submarine" aside from contributing their recordings of the 12 songs it features.

Voices not their own are used in the spoken portions of the 85 minute animated film in which the Beatles, through their music, save a country called Pepperland from the scourge of music-hating "Blue Meanies."  The movie premiers in London this week.

"We didn't make it" said Paul with a grin.  "You can't blame us if it flops -- which it won't."

Ringo, wearing a black Edwardian coat over a red and white polka dot shirt with frilly front, talked with a cigarette in one hand and glass of bitter lemon with ice in the other.  His upper lip bore the  beginnings of a new mustache.

"If you treat everyone as if you ;re going to die in a hour, you're all right," Ringo told a captivated young woman reporter asking him about his attitude toward life.

"Maharashi Mahesh Yogi is a nice fellow but we don't go out with him any more," quipped Paul in explaining the Beatles were still keen on transcendental meditation - but not with their former guru.

Beatles Yellow Submarine Lego set: A Review

I was fortunately to receive the Beatles Yellow Submarine Lego set over the past weekend and I am excited to tell you about it in tonight's review.  

Let me start off by telling you all that besides making something that I used to call "a house" out of Legos as a child, I really do not have any background in making things with Legos.   I have never owned a Lego set before and I really wasn't sure what I was in for.

John was there the whole time cheering me on!

As tempting as it was to just let the set mint in the box and never open it, I am glad that I decided to take the plunge.   First let me tell you about the box.   It is really nice.  It is sort of like a shoe box and it is very colorful with images of the Yellow Submarine.   Inside of the box has a little treat.  On one side is the cartoon yellow sub Beatles peering through portholes and on the other side is the same thing only with the Lego version of the Yellow Sub Beatles.

The whole Lego set is extremely well organized.   There are 5 separate baggies, each labeled with a number.   The booklet takes you step-by-step through each bag.   There aren't any words in the booklet, just pictures to show you exactly what to do.   I was surprised how easy it all was.

Here is a photo of the baggies before I jumped in and got started

It took me two evenings to put the entire thing together.   There were times where I got a little lost and had to backtrack and re-do a few steps, but over all it was a challenge, but not so challenging that I got frustrated and wanted to give up.   The most difficult section for me was the stand that the submarine sat on.  It is all white and I got confused.   I started to get frustrated with it and had to take a break and come back to it later and I was able to get it all correct.    I was really surprised as a Lego "newbie" how you would start to put something together and thing to yourself "what on earth is this?" and then suddenly it starts to look like something on the sub.

After bags 1 and 2 were done, it was starting to look like something--but I wasn't sure what!

When you read through the instruction booklet, you find out that the two main guys that worked on the project are mega Beatle fans.   And it became obvious because of the great detail that is in this set.  Inside of the submarine is a clock, and a calendar set to 1968, a steering wheel that moves and yes--even a button for Ringo to push (even though he was told not to).   It is pretty neat because you can take the top off the submarine and see the inside stuff and have your Beatle guys sit inside.   How much fun would this have been to play with when you were a kid?   I can just see a child acting out scenes from the movie.

The best part of the entire Beatles Yellow Submarine Lego set is by far the Beatles characters.   Lego really should sell these guys separately, because I am sure many fans would buy them who aren't interested in the entire Yellow Submarine.   Each of the Beatles is holding what he is holding at the end of the movie.

Also included is a figure of Jeremy--he holds a green apple.


I really love this set.  I know some fans are complaining because it is "another Yellow Submarine collectible" and they want more music.    I dont think we should be so picky.  I mean we got a new Beatles album and movie this year.    I think it is time to release this Lego set to get the next group of kids interested in the Beatles.   What a great way to get introduced to the band!   It is a fun Beatles item, which is something I dont' think we see very often.

If you would like to purchase the Beatles Yellow Submarine Lego set, or if you were planning on buying it online, could you do me a favor?   Could you order it through this blog?    You all know that I do not make any money off the blog, but I got this great opportunity through Lego and I thought I would give it a shot.   I was a little nervous, because what if I hated the set?  But luckily I honestly thought it was really cool.   Anyhow---a percentage of each set bought through this blog will go back to me.   I really would like to be able to use the money to pay for the fees that I pay out of my pocket to keep the blog running.   I really thought it was a win-win for everyone.     If you click on the link (just click on the photograph)  it will take you to the Lego website.  It is set for the UK, but you can change the location and it still works.    Let me know if you have any questions.   Thank you!