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February 5, 1969
An online Beatles fan club for and about Beatle fans
Showing posts with label film. Show all posts
Showing posts with label film. Show all posts
Monday, February 5, 2024
Sunday, June 11, 2023
Wednesday, June 15, 2022
Monday, September 7, 2020
Meet The Beatles For Real presents Meeting the Beatles in India film event!
I sent many of you an email about purchasing tickets to see the NEW documentary called "Meeting The Beatles in India." For those of you that I do not have your email address, here is the information. I hope that all of you can join me in not only renting the film but for the Zoom discussion on Friday night.
Hello, Beatle fans and viewers of Meet The Beatles... For Real,I first want to thank you for visiting Meet The Beatles...For Real blog. I have been running the site for 11 years now and it is still a lot of fun. I hope the photos and stories that I have shared have brightened your day a little bit, especially over the past few months.I have gotten a wonderful opportunity to host the documentary film called "Meeting The Beatles in India." It is about Paul Saltzman, who in 1968 was a Beatles fan living in Canada. Paul decided to learn mediation in India and found himself there at the exact time as the Beatles! The film is his story about hanging out with John, Paul, George, and Ringo. There will be interviews with Pattie Boyd, Jennie Boyd, Mark Lewisohn, and many others. The film is even narrated by Morgan Freeman! It is just an hour-long, but there is a Q&A session afterward.Tickets cost $12 each. You rent the film to watch online from September 11 until January 2021. You do not have to watch it on September 11, but if you'd like to watch it on that date at 6 pm (Central Time), I am going to host a Zoom session at 8 pm (again Central) to talk about the film. This has nothing at all to do with the ticket or the rental. Anyone is welcome to join the Zoom.If you buy your tickets before September 11, you will be entered into a raffle to win the deluxe copy of the book "The Beatles in India." This book usually costs $325!From the start of Meet The Beatles...For Real, I have decided that I was always going to be open and honest with my viewers. So I will let you know a small percentage of each ticket sold will go back to me. It isn't enough to make me quit my teaching job, but it will be enough to keep the site running through the rest of 2020 and most of 2021. Blogger is a free site, but I pay to keep it free from ads and to get other features that make things run better. I am using this film opportunity as a fundraiser for MTBFR. It is a film about someone that met the Beatles, so it goes really well with the theme of the site, don't you think? I know that other big groups have been given the same offer and that most Beatles fans will buy their tickets through those the larger organizations. I am asking you, as a friend of MTBFR that if you plan on renting "Meeting the Beatles in India" to purchase your tickets through my link to help support the site. As I am sure most of you know, I run it 100% by myself and I don't make money from the site.To purchase your ticket to rent "Meet the Beatles in India" please click the link below. If anyone has any questions or needs technical help in purchasing their ticket through this site, please do not hesitate to email me back. Starshyne9@yahoo.com
I want to encourage all of you not to skip this event because you aren't familiar with the technology. I am more than happy to walk you through the purchasing and watching process. Just drop me an email. I could even call you and walk you through it.
Have a great week everyone!
Peace & Love,
Sara S.
Wednesday, February 5, 2020
July August 1969 (London Esher Liverpool) - A DVD Review
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| Photo by Pat Mancuso (notice the little camera on the ground?) |
If you have been a reader of this site for any amount of time, then no doubt the name Pat Simmons should be familiar to you. I would guess that Pat is most known for being the co-editor of the "With A Little Help From My Friends" fanzine in the 1970s. It along with "The Write Thing" was the best Beatles fan newsletters at the time and they are the model that I used in making this site.
Prior to the fanzine, Pat was the Area Secretary for the Official Beatle Fan Club as well as a member of the George Harrison Fan Club with Pat Kinzer as president. Both Pats traveled to London during the summer of 1968 and 1969 and met George himself. That story has been told her many times over the past 11 years.
Today I am reviewing a DVD that recently was published by APCOR of the time Pat went to England in the summer of 1969. Pat rented a super 8 camera and filmed much of her experience in London, Esher, and Liverpool. Parts of her film made it into the bootleg circuit on a dark and grainy VHS in the 1980s. APCOR outdid themselves and present everything Pat shot in cleaned up color. You can actually SEE what is on the screen. Sound has also been added, which only enhances the footage.
Much of what you see is London in the summer of 1969. Carnaby Street, Hyde Park, Picadilly Circus, etc are all featured. If you have been to London - it is interesting to see how things looked at those locations in the groovy summer of 1969 compared to today. It is your basic home movie and at times Pat moves the camera around a little too fast and you say to yourself, "Oh Pat -- slow down!"
What doesn't make this a regular home movie is the cameos by the Beatles. The Fabs were at EMI making Abbey Road at the time and Pat was able to capture moments where you can see them (except for Paul) leaving their cars and heading up the stairs at EMI. In a blink and you'll miss it moment, you even can spot Lizzie Bravo on the steps! Besides the Beatles cameos, you also spot George Martin, Mal Evans, Kevin Harrington, and Terry Doran in the footage. Pat also recorded 3 Savile Row and Paul's house on Cavendish Avenue.
She took the camera up to Liverpool and one the ferry across the Mersey and Lime Street Station. She visited with the Harrison's and you can't help but love seeing Mrs. Louise Harrison blowing bubbles.
The highlight of the film is when George Harrison comes to the door of Kinfauns and you watch has Pat Kinzer hands George item after item which he graciously signs.
The package for this DVD is amazing. There is a little booklet where Pat S. tells her entire story of being in the UK in the summer of 1969. The photos and memorabilia printed in the booklet are awesome.
This DVD might not be for everyone. It is a great visual of what it was like in England in the summer of 1969 and many Beatle fans will find great interest in it. Others might think there's too little Beatle content and too much of Pat and her friends acting silly or footage of the park. It depends on what type of Beatle fan you are I suppose.
Pat is a personal friend of mine and I want to commend her on sharing her footage with the world. It is important to so many of us to see and I hope it encourages any other fans out there to also release the video footage they might have tucked away. Thank you Pat!
If you want to order your own copy of the DVD, you can get it as part of a bundle with the "A is or Apple volume 3" book or it can be purchased on its own.
Go to http://www.apcor.net/news/ and check it out.
Note: It supposed to work on any DVD player around the world. However -- here in the United States both myself and Pat Simmons could not get the DVD to play on our DVD or Bluray players. We were able to watch it on desktop computers without any issues. Something to keep in mind.
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
Above Us Only Sky -- a movie review
This past weekend in the UK, a new documentary was shown on television called "John and Yoko: Above Us Only Sky." Once all of my Facebook friends saw the documentary, they jumped online and couldn't stop raving about it. Luckily, the film has been "leaked" online to those of us outside of the U.K. and so tonight I sat down and watched it.
Above us Only Sky goes right along with the Imagine box set that was released earlier this year. It shows the making of the entire Imagine album. A lot of the footage is obviously taken from the film that John and Yoko were making called Imagine. We have seen a lot of this footage before. The 1988 Imagine documentary, numerous videos Yoko made for John's songs over the years, Gimme some Truth, etc. However, countless hours of footage was recorded during that time in 1971, and we haven't seen it all. Many of the things shown in this documentary are NEW to Lennon fans around the world! It all starts with John teaching George the song "How." John sitting at the piano and sharing with George this new song will make you smile.
Most of this footage was shot in and on the grounds of Tittenhurst Park. I enjoyed the footage of young Julian playing in the pool and in the gardens, mixed with him telling his memories of his time there. However, Julian says something towards the end of the film that is just heartbreaking.
All of the footage from the recording sessions are great. Klaus Voorman gives his memories, and so does Alan White, Jim Keltner, and others that were there. The footage of Jealous Guy was my favorite.
I am sure all of you will enjoy learning more about Claudio, who is famous for being the hippie guy who meets John outside his house and then gets invited in for breakfast. There is extended footage of that and a little background of who the young man is and why he was there.
The strangest part is when they show footage of John and Yoko doing this photo shoot:
There is some film of them in New York in 1971, including shots of the infamous "clock" at the St. Regis Hotel. I have the bootleg audio of "Clock" and always believed that none of the footage of it survived. But there it was in this documentary!
Fair warning to those who love John Lennon -- this is an emotional film, and they don't even go into John's death. I am not a huge Yoko fan, but I do appreciate the love John had for her, and it is shown in this documentary. Yoko gives the reason why she believes she met John, and it is pretty amazing.
Look out for this film because it is one of the best John documentaries pertaining to his solo years I have seen since the NYC one from several years ago.
The link below is the affiliate link to Amazon where you can purchase/rent this film. I get a small percentage of anything purchased through this link. Money made from the Amazon Afflication is used to pay the annual fee to keep this site online. Thank you for your support. Sara
Tuesday, November 7, 2017
FLY
Here is an strange way to meet a Beatle for Real -- volunteer to lie naked on a table while John and his wife film flies crawling all over your body....
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
Free Falling
I stumbled upon an interesting documentary (if you can call it that since it is only 3 1/2 minutes long). You can see it for yourself here.
https://theaudienceawards.com/films/free-fall-with-john-and-yoko51496
The story is that on October 14, 1971, John and Yoko were on a television show called "Freetime" This was on Channel 13 in New York, which was a public access program that focused on artists. John and Yoko performed many of the pieces that they have performed during that time. The one where a hammer is nailed, the one where they answer everything in question form and the one where people jump off of a ladder. It was really avante guard stuff and I am not sure if anyone really understood it or if they just acted like they did. The show starts with John being "born" out of a black bag and then he puts a kotex napkin (the kind with a belt) around his head (as if he had a toothache) while Yoko puts one over her eyes and she sticks another one in the host's mouth.
The focus of this little film is a man named Joe Badlotto, who was one of the participants in the ladder piece (called Flying). The show's audience was by invite only, but Joe worked for a TV station at the time, so he could get in. Joe was never a John Lennon or Beatles fan, but his girlfriend, Fran, was and she begged him to take her. Being the good boyfriend that he was, the couple along with a few friends that he sneaked in, all went to the taping. Before the show, the friends waiting for John and Yoko to arrive and they took some pictures.
So the show goes along and John talks about the "Flying Machine" piece. This is where a person climbs a white ladder and jumps off (to be caught by John! Swoon!). John demonstrates how to "fly."
Then people from the audience begin to line up to climb the ladder and jump off. So there they go---climbing, jumping into the arms of John and John saying something along the lines of "nice flight." It was all pretty light stuff and even a little funny. And who wouldn't want to jump and have John Lennon help them? Yes please.
So Joe goes up and he climbs the ladder and then everything goes terribly wrong. The ladder falls out from under him and he hits the floor below. Watching the video makes you cringe. John goes over to him and asks if he is alright. Joe says no. Then John helps him up and guides him off the stage saying, "take this guy to the hospital."
This show was a live television broadcast, so everyone watching saw Joe fall live on television, but as they say "the show must go on," and so the ladder was set back up again and John told everyone to be careful and the jumping went on for a little bit longer.
Meanwhile, Joe went to the hospital and his arm was badly broken. He was in the hospital for several weeks. He was told that he wouldn't have much use of his arm. He was going through intensive physical therapy to get movement in his arm again. During this time, Joe's girlfriend, Fran was trying to get a hold of John and Yoko to let them know what had happened. Eventually a letter came addressed to Fran stating that when people are around John they get so excited, and jump around that injuries can happen. Joe ended up suing John Lennon, Channel 13 and the owner of the building for medical expenses, but they had much better lawyers.
In the end, Joe lost 15% function in his arm and cannot straighten it out all of the way.
Should John Lennon or the TV station had been held responsible for the medical expenses due to the accident? Or should Joe have known that when you go jumping off a ladder you could get hurt? I am not sure, but I thought it was a very interesting little story.
https://theaudienceawards.com/films/free-fall-with-john-and-yoko51496
The story is that on October 14, 1971, John and Yoko were on a television show called "Freetime" This was on Channel 13 in New York, which was a public access program that focused on artists. John and Yoko performed many of the pieces that they have performed during that time. The one where a hammer is nailed, the one where they answer everything in question form and the one where people jump off of a ladder. It was really avante guard stuff and I am not sure if anyone really understood it or if they just acted like they did. The show starts with John being "born" out of a black bag and then he puts a kotex napkin (the kind with a belt) around his head (as if he had a toothache) while Yoko puts one over her eyes and she sticks another one in the host's mouth.
 |
| Proof that John was wearing Kotex well before the Lost Weekend |
The focus of this little film is a man named Joe Badlotto, who was one of the participants in the ladder piece (called Flying). The show's audience was by invite only, but Joe worked for a TV station at the time, so he could get in. Joe was never a John Lennon or Beatles fan, but his girlfriend, Fran, was and she begged him to take her. Being the good boyfriend that he was, the couple along with a few friends that he sneaked in, all went to the taping. Before the show, the friends waiting for John and Yoko to arrive and they took some pictures.
 |
| Yoko and John taken by Joe Badlotto |
So the show goes along and John talks about the "Flying Machine" piece. This is where a person climbs a white ladder and jumps off (to be caught by John! Swoon!). John demonstrates how to "fly."
Then people from the audience begin to line up to climb the ladder and jump off. So there they go---climbing, jumping into the arms of John and John saying something along the lines of "nice flight." It was all pretty light stuff and even a little funny. And who wouldn't want to jump and have John Lennon help them? Yes please.
So Joe goes up and he climbs the ladder and then everything goes terribly wrong. The ladder falls out from under him and he hits the floor below. Watching the video makes you cringe. John goes over to him and asks if he is alright. Joe says no. Then John helps him up and guides him off the stage saying, "take this guy to the hospital."
 |
| John leads Joe off the stage after his fall. |
This show was a live television broadcast, so everyone watching saw Joe fall live on television, but as they say "the show must go on," and so the ladder was set back up again and John told everyone to be careful and the jumping went on for a little bit longer.
Meanwhile, Joe went to the hospital and his arm was badly broken. He was in the hospital for several weeks. He was told that he wouldn't have much use of his arm. He was going through intensive physical therapy to get movement in his arm again. During this time, Joe's girlfriend, Fran was trying to get a hold of John and Yoko to let them know what had happened. Eventually a letter came addressed to Fran stating that when people are around John they get so excited, and jump around that injuries can happen. Joe ended up suing John Lennon, Channel 13 and the owner of the building for medical expenses, but they had much better lawyers.
In the end, Joe lost 15% function in his arm and cannot straighten it out all of the way.
Should John Lennon or the TV station had been held responsible for the medical expenses due to the accident? Or should Joe have known that when you go jumping off a ladder you could get hurt? I am not sure, but I thought it was a very interesting little story.
Thursday, June 2, 2016
Beatles meet and greet film
Up for auction right now is a 16mm color home movie of the Beatles during the meet and greet Garden Party in Hollywood during the 1964 tour. It comes with full copyright and would be a treat to see. I was hoping that new Ron Howard documentary would have little gems such as this in it.
If you want to place your bid
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Good Ol Freda -- How to get involved
As you all know, I have been a supporter of the film, "Good Ol Freda," the documentary about the Beatles Fan Club Secretary, Freda Kelly, since they first announced that they wanted to make such a film.
I was fortunately enough last weekend to get to see the finished product at the Fest for Beatle Fans. It was such an amazing documentary. Those of you who have not seen it yet, are really in for a treat. Freda gives some tidbits of information that will be new to all of you, but she still keeps secret the things that she does not feel are anyone's business.
But Freda was there for all of the Beatles story. She was one of the few insiders and one of the few who knew details that no one else knew. Freda went out of her way with the fan club to make sure that the fans from around the world were informed about the Beatles. If she sent you a autograph, it was the real thing. If she send you a piece of a Beatles shirt or their hair, you can guarantee that it was the real deal. Her integrity and her devotion to the Fab 4 is pretty amazing.
Be warned that you will need to bring tissues with you, because it is very emotional towards the end. And do NOT leave during the final credits because one of the Beatles has a special message.
After the showing of the film, I was so moved by the documentary. I felt like here at "Meet the Beatles for Real " we are carrying on what Freda Kelly started in 1962. I wanted to help get the word out about this great film.
So I talked to the people that are working on the film and asked "what can I do?" And here is what they said to pass along to all of you about how to help get involved in promoting "Good Ol Freda."
Good Ol Freda is made by Magnolia Pictures and has four songs recorded by the Beatles on the soundtrack. The film itself is 86 minutes long, but 50 hours of footage was recorded! In September 2013, the film will be in New York and Los Angeles theaters. Then one September 6, 2013, it will be available on video on demand and on itunes.
If you want to see Good Ol Freda in your local theater, you need to call/email the theater in your area that plays indie films. When you contact them, make sure you ask them to Bring "Good Ol Freda" on Magnolia Pictures to their theater.
The DVD will be released on December 3, 2013 and there will be a lot of extras on the DVD. I know one thing will be Freda talking about Mal Evans.
Keep checking www.goodolfreda.com and their facebook page for up to date information on film releases and film festivals.
This is a movie that was mad for Beatle fans! And that is us! So we need to let everyone else know about this film.
I was fortunately enough last weekend to get to see the finished product at the Fest for Beatle Fans. It was such an amazing documentary. Those of you who have not seen it yet, are really in for a treat. Freda gives some tidbits of information that will be new to all of you, but she still keeps secret the things that she does not feel are anyone's business.
But Freda was there for all of the Beatles story. She was one of the few insiders and one of the few who knew details that no one else knew. Freda went out of her way with the fan club to make sure that the fans from around the world were informed about the Beatles. If she sent you a autograph, it was the real thing. If she send you a piece of a Beatles shirt or their hair, you can guarantee that it was the real deal. Her integrity and her devotion to the Fab 4 is pretty amazing.
Be warned that you will need to bring tissues with you, because it is very emotional towards the end. And do NOT leave during the final credits because one of the Beatles has a special message.
 |
| Sara with Freda Kelly |
After the showing of the film, I was so moved by the documentary. I felt like here at "Meet the Beatles for Real " we are carrying on what Freda Kelly started in 1962. I wanted to help get the word out about this great film.
So I talked to the people that are working on the film and asked "what can I do?" And here is what they said to pass along to all of you about how to help get involved in promoting "Good Ol Freda."
Good Ol Freda is made by Magnolia Pictures and has four songs recorded by the Beatles on the soundtrack. The film itself is 86 minutes long, but 50 hours of footage was recorded! In September 2013, the film will be in New York and Los Angeles theaters. Then one September 6, 2013, it will be available on video on demand and on itunes.
If you want to see Good Ol Freda in your local theater, you need to call/email the theater in your area that plays indie films. When you contact them, make sure you ask them to Bring "Good Ol Freda" on Magnolia Pictures to their theater.
The DVD will be released on December 3, 2013 and there will be a lot of extras on the DVD. I know one thing will be Freda talking about Mal Evans.
Keep checking www.goodolfreda.com and their facebook page for up to date information on film releases and film festivals.
This is a movie that was mad for Beatle fans! And that is us! So we need to let everyone else know about this film.
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