Re: What's in your Beatles video library?

[dan...@realtime.net]

On Wednesday, May 22, 2013 5:05:53 PM UTC-5, super70s wrote:
> Back in 2009 I came across an unopened Beatles Anthology 8-tape VHS set
> for about $17 so I said what the hell -- I'll just buy all my Beatles
> video on VHS and I won't have to invest a small fortune.

One thing I'd suggest is the interview collection from renowned public domain rummager Goodtimes Video. I forget the title but copies are plentiful in thrift stores and it's worth the price just for the Fabs' rendition of Shakespeare's "Pyramus & Thisby" play-within-a-play. (Another company has issued a colorized version of that scene, and it's probably cheap as well...)

As far as (non-bootleg) solo Beatle VHS stuff, the ones come immediately to mind are:

1) The 1972 Lennon/Ono "Imagine"* video album (excellent),
2) McCartney's 1984 "Broad Street"** (horrible, but w/Linda & Barbara Bach),
3) Assorted items from George Harrison's Handmade Films catalog including the 1985 feature film "Water"*** which is rather dull but includes a live mini-concert by "The Singing Rebels" including Harrison, R. Starr & E. Clapton.
4)Many of the numerous whimsical flix Ringo took part in came out on VHS. Among these notorious oddities are: 1968's Candy, 1969's The Magic Christian, 1971's 200 Motels, The Point & Blindman, 1973's That'll Be the Day, 1974's Son of Dracula, 1975's Lisztomania, 1978's Sextette & his 1981 paleo-opus Caveman****.

The bad news: The coolest thing ever issued for home viewing is ONLY available via the DVD of Yellow Submarine, and that's the option of watching the movie without the dialogue -- meaning you can trip out to the fantastic animation, George Martin's impeccable score, and of course the Beatles' wonderful songs, all without any plot or fake voices to shake you out of your own personal Pepperland!

- dr s

*[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0172586/board/thread/31129405]
**[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087337/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1]
*** [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090297/?ref_=fn_al_tt_3]
****[Look 'em up yourself, bozo!]

[Bernie Woodham]

On May 22, 6:05 pm, super70s <super...@super70s.invalid> wrote:
> Back in 2009 I came across an unopened Beatles Anthology 8-tape VHS set
> for about $17 so I said what the hell -- I'll just buy all my Beatles

> video on VHS and I won't have to invest a small fortune. I'd be
> interested in knowing what Beatles and Beatles-related videos everyone
> else has, either on VHS or DVD/Blu-ray, so I can maybe pick up something
> else I need to have (if it was ever out on VHS to begin with).
>
> Anthology (Apple, 1996)
> The Compleat Beatles (MGM/UA, 1982)
> The Beatles - First U.S. Visit (Apple/MPI Home Video, 1990)
> The Making of 'A Hard Day's Night' (MPI Home Video, 1994)
> A Hard Day's Night - Special Edition (Apple/MPI Home Video, 1964/1995)
> Help! - Special Edition (Apple/MPI Home Video, 1965/1995)
> Magical Mystery Tour (Apple/MPI Home Video, 1967/1988)
> Yellow Submarine (Digitally Restored, MGM/UA, 1968/1999)
> The Rutles - All You Need Is Cash (Rhino Home Video, 1978/1995)
> I Wanna Hold Your Hand (Warner Home Video, 1978/1989)
> BackBeat (Polygram Video, 1993)
> Ready Steady Go! - The Beatles Live Special Edition (Capitol Video, 1985)
>
> I realize I'm sorely lacking Let It Be, but I'm hoping when/if it's ever
> officially released on DVD/Blu-ray I can pick up a VHS on Amazon or eBay
> for under $10 (right now a LIB VHS is going for $100 or thereabouts
> which is ridiculous IMO).

Shea Stadium

[hislop]

This is without checking the titles.
One (DVD) with the guy who was some kind of driver for them, a tour of
Liverpool or somewhere. Title checked: 'Alf Bicknell's Beatles Diary'

Another one is a Scottish documentary about the US album, Meet The
Beatles. (it is in NTSC for some reason) title:
'rock Milestones The Beatles "Meet The Beatles"'

I saw LIB on DVD a couple of years ago, obviously a bootleg, but fairly
well presented on the DVD packaging. I didn't buy it.

I have a TV recording on DVD of The Beatles Biggest Secrets documentary,
minus the first few minutes.

I have a bootleg looking DVD of a lot of their filmclips, 'The Beatles
Chonology 1962-1970' it must be.

The DVDs of the Anthology have extra material if I'm not mistaken.

A recommendation, which I don't have, would be the telemovie made before
1980 about The Beatles.

From a list of cheapies I have:
The Beatles Story - The Lifetime Biography
The Beatles Yesterday (1987)
The Beatles 'On The Road' Downunder (not sure it lives up to the title)

[hislop]

From Amazon uk:
Alf Bicknell was The Beatles' driver and road manager during their
touring between 1964 and 1966. Here he reminisces about life on the road
with the Fab Four, using archive footage to illustrate his points. He
spills the beans in a candid and frank film that also includes songs
from the band and all the behind-the-scenes goings on.

Not that revealing really.

[Bernie Woodham]

On May 23, 11:28 am, hislop <takecarebew...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> The DVDs of the Anthology have extra material if I'm not mistaken.
>
>

I've been tempted a couple of times to buy the DVDs. Glad I never
did, they'll probably reissue on blu-ray down the road.

But, I have the Anthology on laserdisc. And I'll never regret having
it because the the covers are album size and all six fit together to
make a sizable mural.

[hislop]

On 23/05/2013 8:05 AM, super70s wrote:
> Back in 2009 I came across an unopened Beatles Anthology 8-tape VHS set
> for about $17 so I said what the hell -- I'll just buy all my Beatles
> video on VHS and I won't have to invest a small fortune. I'd be
> interested in knowing what Beatles and Beatles-related videos everyone
> else has, either on VHS or DVD/Blu-ray, so I can maybe pick up something
> else I need to have (if it was ever out on VHS to begin with).
>
> Anthology (Apple, 1996)
> The Compleat Beatles (MGM/UA, 1982)
> The Beatles - First U.S. Visit (Apple/MPI Home Video, 1990)
> The Making of 'A Hard Day's Night' (MPI Home Video, 1994)
> A Hard Day's Night - Special Edition (Apple/MPI Home Video, 1964/1995)
> Help! - Special Edition (Apple/MPI Home Video, 1965/1995)
> Magical Mystery Tour (Apple/MPI Home Video, 1967/1988)
> Yellow Submarine (Digitally Restored, MGM/UA, 1968/1999)
> The Rutles - All You Need Is Cash (Rhino Home Video, 1978/1995)
> I Wanna Hold Your Hand (Warner Home Video, 1978/1989)
> BackBeat (Polygram Video, 1993)
> Ready Steady Go! - The Beatles Live Special Edition (Capitol Video, 1985)
>
> I realize I'm sorely lacking Let It Be, but I'm hoping when/if it's ever
> officially released on DVD/Blu-ray I can pick up a VHS on Amazon or eBay
> for under $10 (right now a LIB VHS is going for $100 or thereabouts
> which is ridiculous IMO).

Another one is Nowhere Boy from a few years ago. About John Lennon's
young life and includes the meeting with Paul at the church fete.
Yoko liked it.
There was a TV movie called In His Life - The John Lennon Story which
didn't make a great impression.