Triple Feature: Ultra-Rare Documentaries! WHAT’S HAPPENING! THE BEATLES IN THE USA, MIGHTY GOOD! THE BEATLES, “Things They Said Today: Reflections on A Hard Day's Night”, October 1, 2010

Triple Feature: Ultra-Rare Documentaries!
WHAT’S HAPPENING! THE BEATLES IN THE USA, 1964, Maysles Films, 81 min. The Maysles Brothers were commissioned by UK TV network to document The Beatles' first U.S. visit. After completing the 30-minute program, they fashioned the wealth of material they'd shot into a full-length feature - but their hoped-for theatrical release in 1964 was quashed because of contractual conflicts. The original full-length film - as shot, edited and directed in 1964 by the Maysles Brothers - has rarely been seen anywhere.

MIGHTY GOOD! THE BEATLES 1976, Isolde Films, 60 min. British enfant terrible Tony Palmer first befriended John Lennon in 1963. In 1968, Lennon instigated Palmer's film "All My Loving," which provocatively documented the massive cultural earthquake of late ‘60s music. Thrilled with that, Lennon suggested in 1972 that Palmer make a PBS "Civilization"-type series chronicling 20th century popular music. Palmer took up the challenge and both Lennon and McCartney assisted him in producing this first-ever overview documentary about The Beatles as one of the series' set-pieces.

“Things They Said Today: Reflections on A Hard Day's Night”, 2002, Shenson Films, 35 min. Dir. Martin Lewis. A penetrating documentary about the instigation, production and release of the Beatles' first movie. With rare scenes and exclusive interviews.