Catalina Island News

Catalina Island Museum to Screen Beatles Movie on London Premiere's 50th Anniversary

2014-04-22
Catalina Island Museum

As the entire world must know by now, 2014 will forever be known as marking the 50th anniversary of The Beatles' appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show and the band's introduction to America. 1964 was one of the most productive in the history of The Beatles, with the band releasing hit after hit and dominating the music charts. They made innumerable live appearances all over the world and, of course, released the movie and soundtrack entitled A Hard Day's Night.

Most critics came to the movie's premiere ready to toss it into the trash heap of nearly every other rock n'roll film. But critics came away mesmerized by a movie that provided a clever and highly sensitive character study of each the band's four distinctive personalities: John, Paul, George and Ringo. They found the movie  "joyous", "original", and "something special." American teenagers went bonkers, and "Beatlemania" hit full-steam.

The film is invariably cited as one of the ten best comedies of all time, and is a mainstay of all lists identifying the 100 best films ever made. The legendary critic Roger Ebert reviewed the film many years after its release, and wrote that it "has not aged and is not dated; it stands outside its time." Rare praise, indeed, but he went on to call the film "one of the great life-affirming landmarks of the movies."

At the time of the film's making, Pattie Boyd was a beautiful, aspiring model, trying to make her way in the world of London fashion. She thought very little about the assignment when her agent placed in her movie that was being made by a band that was just beginning to attain world-wide popularity. Her part was small - only one word - and her main job was to play one of several British schoolgirls, charmed by the antics of the loveable mop tops. But George Harrison took one look at the tall, lanky blond with the posh accent, and immediately asked her to marry him. She declined, of course. This was surely no more than a bit of fun. Besides, she had a boyfriend. "Well, if you won't marry me," Harrison responded, "will you have dinner with me tonight?" She declined, but several days later, after dispatching with the boyfriend, Pattie Boyd and George Harrison enjoyed dinner together. And, in January of 1966, they did indeed marry. From that moment onward, Pattie Boyd not only observed but participated in the life of the most celebrated band in the history of rock n'roll.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the London premiere of A Hard Day's Night, the Catalina Island Museum will have a screening of the film in the Avalon Casino Theater. Pattie Boyd has agreed to a live interview just after the film, in which she will discuss her memories of the Beatles, meeting her future husband on the set, and much, much more. Audience members will have the opportunity to ask Pattie Boyd questions during the interview.

Don't miss this rare opportunity to enjoy a rare screening of A Hard Day's Night and an interview with Pattie Boyd. The event will take place on Sunday, July 6 in Avalon’s Casino Theatre at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $8 for museum members and $10 for general admission. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased at the museum, by phone at 310-510-2414 or by visiting the A Hard Day’s Night event page at www.CatalinaMuseum.org.

The Catalina Island Museum is Avalon's sole institution devoted to art, culture and history. The museum, its digital theater and store are located on the ground floor of Avalon's historic Casino and are open 7 days a week, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information, the museum may be reached by phone at 310-510-2414 or at its website: CatalinaMuseum.org.