Beatles Documentaries | Page 3 | Fab Forum | The Beatles Bible

^^ Just got back home from my volunteering shift at Cinefamily, as I decided to stay to help out with the next film to build up my hours, which earns me a monthly member pass. It’s great deal!

I’m very happy I finagled my way in, not only to see and hear Maysles in person, but apparently what we saw was the director’s cut of the documentary. I couldn’t tell you offhand what was different/extra – I’ll watch whatever’s on YouTube when I get a chance and report back. One thing I loved about the documentary was the focus on the people around them like Murray the K – how they would comport themselves to seem cooler in their presence.

Albert Maysles did a Q&A after the film (instagram pic here). He talked about how he and his brother had never heard of The Beatles until 2 hours before they were to film their arrival and about their decision to film a family watching Ed Sullivan since they couldn’t get past the unions. He later got to know John a bit because he lived in the Dakota, but during filming, he felt closest to Paul. He said Brian was exactly the way he was portrayed: “what you see is what you get.” And he’s never seen A Hard Day’s Night , but someone asked him if Richard Lester’s ever acknowledged the debt he owes to the Maysles film, and he said that Lester has probably been asked and probably does. And he talked about how he and his brother divided the duties – his brother was responsible for sound, supervising the editing and producing the film, and he was the director.

I didn’t speak to him at the reception afterward, partly because I was volunteering and partly because I never know what to say in those scenarios. But it was a very good night.

parlance

I just watched the First US Visit documentary.  I don’t know why I hadn’t gotten around to this yet.  I would say it’s essential viewing.  There is quite a bit of footage of the band being silly and some of it is really funny.  When they were really “together” and not distant or fighting they were very humorous people.

I was sort of struck by how unhip some of the girls seemed.  The screaming fans were kind of nerdy and annoying with their chanting.  And then it was interesting how you could tell the band were often just having a laugh at everyone else’s expense, but they could totally get away with it.

I had also forgotten what it was like before cell phones or call waiting when you had to keep the line free if you were waiting for a call.

I’m going to have to watch this one again.

That documentary was an inspiration for A Hard Day’s Night . I wonder if the original documentary can be found?

Expert Textpert said

Annadog40 said
That documentary was an inspiration for A Hard Day’s Night . I wonder if the original documentary can be found?

Are you asking if you can find The First US Visit Documentary?  You can find it on amazon.

Nope I am talking about the original What’s Happening! The Beatles In The U.S.A

Bongo said
I have a feeling it is the same Docu, just a different title. I could be wrong!!!!

The First US Visit is a remaster of What’s Happening! The Beatles In The U.S.A which takes out some stuff