The day after Christmas, 1967. The Beatles’ first film directed by themselves (rather than Richard Lester, who helmed Help! and Hard Day’s Night) premieres on the BBC, titled Magical Mystery Tour. These aren’t the same mop-topped boys, and the film’s psychedelic sensibilities reveal as much to the people of England. There’s outrage from the older generation, and there’s confusion from all – except maybe those who are experimenting with drugs.
The Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour film has served a specific role in both the band’s history and pop culture overall. Yet compared to the band’s more “produced” films (the ones including an actual script and plotline), it’s greatly overlooked, due in part by the fact that it was never broadcast in the U.S. Now the film has been gorgeously restored in color (it originally aired in black and white) and the audio remastered by George Martin’s son, Giles, released on DVD/Blu-Ray and massive box set earlier this month. Screenings of the newMagical Mystery Tour have been taking place at a handful of theaters across the country, and last night, New York was treated to an extra special screening at the Paley Center for the Media. Following the film was a panel discussion, which included Elvis Costello, Steven Van Zandt, screenwriter/director Tony Gilroy (of Bourne Identity fame), Apple Film’s Jonathan Clyde (who oversaw the restoration), and MTV’s Bill Flanagan as moderator.
Each panelist brought a distinct point of view to the subject of the film’s legacy. Costello was the Beatles scholar, as well as one of the few in the room who’d seen its original 1967 broadcast. Gilroy was a bit of a fanboy, noting that the Beatles are synonymous with his proverbial “happy place.” Van Zandt was, at times, the quiet appreciator, and at other times, the dose of “real talk” regarding the film’s non-plot. And Clyde was the man with the behind-the-scenes scoop.
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That Hippie Penny Lane
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