The Beatles attend a press screening of Yellow Submarine

Nine days prior to its world première, three of The Beatles attended a press screening of Yellow Submarine at the 102-seat Bowater House Cinema in Knightsbridge, London.

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Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr all attended the screening. John Lennon’s absence was compensated for by a cardboard version of his cartoon incarnation, which the rest of the group posed alongside for photographers.

It was the first time any of the group had seen the finished film. Afterwards they gave interviews and were photographed, with footage being broadcast by BBC and ITV news.

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Harrison told reporters that, following the critical drubbing that Magical Mystery Tour received, they would henceforth only appear in animations. He also dodged a question about Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, but McCartney stepped in, calling the episode “a phase,” and saying “we don’t go out with him anymore”.

Bowater House was demolished in 2006, and the site was redeveloped with four new blocks of luxury flats named One Hyde Park.

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