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This Week 409: Beatlemania (1963)
 

Synopsis

Warning: screenonline full synopses contain 'spoilers' which give away key plot points. Don't read on if you don't want to know the ending!

Ringo Starr and George Harrison are interviewed in the back of a car.

Ringo is asked what he thinks about the impact The Beatles has made, and he says it's beyond anything he could have imagined, and that he loves it. George says that it's impossible to meet his fans, as there are too many, but it's unfair to say that he's afraid of them, though he wouldn't like to guess what would happen if they got hold of him. But he's never been caught in a mob situation.

Asked about what it's like being invited to a Royal Command Performance, Ringo says he was a bit worried about the crowd not being teenagers. They spoke to the Queen Mother, and George says that she asked whether the audience had been better or worse than expected - much better, as it turned out. George talks about the police protection, which is organised in advanced to a detailed plan, using various methods to ensure they travel safely.

Asked whether they had the same hairstyles prior to The Beatles, Ringo says yes, though he had a beard beforehand. George explains that the Beatles haircut has been in existence for two and a half years, before they started making records.

When asked whether they have any sisters, George talks about his. She's 32 and lives in America. She's very keen on the band being a success over there, so they can visit. As for girlfriends, aside from John Lennon, they don't have anyone steady, as they're moving around all over the place.

Paul McCartney and John Lennon are then asked the many of the same questions.

Paul says that he was very honoured to be invited to a Royal Command Performance, and that the Queen Mother asked where they were playing the next day. Told Slough, she said that it was quite near where she lived (i.e. Windsor).

John says that crowd control is organised by the police, and Paul says that it's lovely that people like them. Although they don't meet their fans in public, they do through fan club get-togethers.

John says that he's had the same hairstyle off and on for five years, and the interview comes to an end.