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The Beatles: You Can’t Do That! The Making of ’A Hard Day’s Night ’1996 Phil Collins host a film! Thirty years after A Hard Day’s Night, its producer, director, writer and others describe its making. United Artists Records came to Walter Shenson, asking him to produce a movie so UA could issue a soundtrack album. Shenson signed Lester to direct, and they got the Beatles to agree to star. Shenson sent Owen to Dublin to spend time with the Fab Four; from this came a script built around their being prisoners of their own success. Phil Collins, himself an extra on A Hard Day’s Night, hosts this examination of a seminal film: what was ad-libbed, why was it a hit, what was its influence on other movies, and how did it define the way the public viewed each Beatle for years to come? Writer: David Leaf Stars: Phil Collins Self - Host Micky Dolenz Micky Dolenz Self Roger Ebert Roger Ebert Self - Film Critic Michael Friend Self Debbie Gendler Self - New Jersey Fan Club President Julie Harris Julie Harris Self - Wardrobe Designer Richard Lester Richard Lester Self - Director Roger McGuinn Roger McGuinn Self - Founding Member of The Byrds Peter Noone Peter Noone Self - Lead Singer of Herman’s Hermits Alun Owen Self - Screenwriter Norman Rossington Norman Rossington Self - Cast Member Victor Spinetti Victor Spinetti Self - Cast Member Walter Shenson Self - Producer George Harrison George Harrison Self(voice) Paul McCartney Paul McCartney Self(voice) Wilfrid Brambell Wilfrid Brambell Self(archive footage)(uncredited) The Byrds The Byrds Themselves(archive footage)(uncredited) Gene Clark Self(archive footage)(uncredited) Trivia: Roger Ebert and Paul McCartney were both born on June 18, 1942. Quotes Richard Lester: MTV gave me a very nice diploma at one time, or something on vellum, saying that I was the putative father of MTV. But I’ve insisted on a blood test. Crazy credits When the “Special Thanks“ credit comes up, under those words it says in parentheses “In Order of Shoe Size“ but it really is in alphabetical order by their last names. Connections Featured in Hollywood Rocks the Movies: The Early Years (1955-1970) (2000) Soundtracks A Hard Day’s Night (1964) (uncredited) Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney Performed by The Beatles User reviews FEATURED REVIEW Insightful Documentary Astonishingly, it’s been 41 years since “A Hard Day’s Night“ first appeared in theaters. The film itself is still fresh, funny, and delightful. This documentary reunites many of the people originally involved in the film’s production, including director Richard Lester, producer Walter Shenson, writer Alun Owen, and many of the cast members. The film does stoop to the obvious on occasion, but the interviews and reminiscences are enjoyable for anyone who remembers 1964 and Beatlemania. The best moments belong to Shenson, who describes the title tune’s genesis in great detail, and Lester, who recalls working with the Beatles during the film’s production. Lots of candid film taken while shooting is also enjoyable for fans of the Fab Four. My only complaint is the obvious padding of the film by the inclusion of extraneous interviews (why on earth is Mickey Dolenz in this film?). Still a great way to stroll down memory lane to 1964 again.
