Hollywood double salutes "A Hard Day's Night"


(9/9/02) A Hard Day's WRITE!!!
Breaking News About The DVD

Bulletin #3 - Sept 7, 2002

HOLLYWOOD DOUBLE-SALUTES "A HARD DAY'S NIGHT"

The DVD release of the Beatles' first film "A Hard Day's Night" will be marked with two major celebrations in Hollywood - attended by two of the film's leading stars. A prestige screening of the film at the American Cinematheque's Egyptian Theatre - and a live music extravaganza at the House Of Blues.

The first event is a special American Cinematheque screening of a brand-new restored 35mm print which will be shown at Grauman's Egyptian Theatre on Sunday September 29th at 5.00pm. The screening will be preceded by the World Premiere of "Things They Said Today..." - a new half-hour special about the history of the film produced by Beatles historian and producer of the DVD - Martin Lewis. Special guests at the event will be Victor Spinetti (who portrayed the neurotic TV director) and John Junkin (who played "Shake" the taller of the two road managers.) Following the screening there will be a Q&A with Spinetti, Junkin and Lewis.

The lobby of the Egyptian Theatre will be filled with rare marketing memorabilia from the film including vintage posters and lobby cards - courtesy of Christopher Chatman of Beyond Records."

John Lennon's concert jacket from the film will also be on display - courtesy of Gordon Millings of Dougie Millings & Son - tailor to the Beatles.

The second of the two celebrations is an official DVD release party open to the public at L.A.'s House of Blues on Tuesday October 1st. Titled "A Hard DVD's Night!" - the festivities will include a live performance of all 12 songs from the "A Hard Day's Night" soundtrack by respected local Beatles tribute band The Fab Four - The Ultimate Tribute. And appearances by Spinetti and Junkin.

[Ticket information will be posted here as soon as it is available] Special musical guests are expected - including the British session guitarist who played lead on Sir George Martin's Oscar-nominated instrumental version of Lennon-McCartney's "This Boy" - which Sir George re-titled "Ringo's Theme."

The guitarist - Vic Flick - is a legend among fellow guitarists such as Eric Clapton for creating the distinctive guitar sound of the "James Bond Theme" and playing on a slew of 60's British Invasion hits.) Flick will re-create his "This Boy" performance for the first time ever on stage - and indeed his first performance of the tune in the nearly 40 years since he recorded it.

Both Spinetti and Junkin developed friendships and further professional relationships with the Beatles. Spinetti appeared by their request in their two other feature films ("Help!" and "Magical Mystery Tour") - and adapted and directed Lennon's two books of poetry and prose into "In His Own Write" - an acclaimed revue presented in 1968 by Laurence Olivier at Britain's National Theatre. Junkin appeared in John Lennon's solo feature film acting debut "How I Won The War" and co-starred in the cult 60's British TV series "Thingumybob" which boasted an ultra-rare instrumental theme tune specially written and produced by Paul McCartney.


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