A Hard Day's Night (1964)

The film chronicles in a mock documentary-style The Beatles arriving at a theatre, rehearsing, and finally performing in a television special. Owen spent several days with the group, who told him their lives were like "a room and a car and a room and a car and a room and car". He realised by 1964 The Beatles were prisoners of their own fame, and their schedule of performances and studio work by that time was extremely punishing, and wrote it into the script. As such the film is one of the best depictions of Beatlemania. Hilarity ensues in various places, The Beatles comment cheekily on their own fame: for instance, at one point a fan takes John Lennon for John Lennon; he demurs, saying his face isn't quite right. The fan eventually agrees.

Trivia: The constant mention of Paul's grandfather being "very clean" are references to actor Wilfrid Brambell playing a rag and bone man in "Steptoe and Son" (1962), featuring the catch-phrase, "You dirty old man." "Steptoe and Son" (1962) was remade in the USA as "Sanford and Son" (1972). Ringo Starr is invited to "Le Cercle" gambling club, the same club where James Bond makes his first appearance in Dr. No (1962). Once "A Hard Day's Night" was confirmed as the movie's title, John Lennon (with help from Paul McCartney) composed the song that same night, playing it the next morning to producer Walter Shenson in their dressing room.

I don't know, I was kind of disappointed in this movie. I really like the Spice Girls' Spice World (1997) a whole lot better. That sound you just heard was Anonymous Ken keeling over with a heart attack. (I'm kidding, Ken, it's okay, just breath slowly). Now seriously, this is a very good light hearted movie. The Beatles are often imitated, but never equaled. This movie is just jam packed full with hilarious one liners. Thanks for letting me borrow the DVD, Ken (Breath, Ken, it's okay)