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The Ed Sullivan Show

Meet The Beatles

  • Episode aired Feb 9, 1964
  • 1h
IMDb RATING
9.0/10
61
YOUR RATING
S17.E19
  • S17
  • E19
All episodes
All
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
  • Music
  • Talk-Show
The first appearance of the Beatles on American television.The first appearance of the Beatles on American television.The first appearance of the Beatles on American television.
IMDb RATING
9.0/10
61
YOUR RATING
  • Directors
    • Tim Kiley
    • John Moffitt
  • Stars
    • Ed Sullivan
    • The Beatles
    • Georgia Brown
Top credits
  • Directors
    • Tim Kiley
    • John Moffitt
  • Stars
    • Ed Sullivan
    • The Beatles
    • Georgia Brown
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 1User review
    • 1Critic review
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos7

    Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Ed Sullivan, and The Beatles in Toast of the Town (1948)
    Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Ed Sullivan, and The Beatles in Toast of the Town (1948)
    Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, and The Beatles in Toast of the Town (1948)
    Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, and The Beatles in Toast of the Town (1948)
    Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Ed Sullivan, and The Beatles in Toast of the Town (1948)
    Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Ed Sullivan, and The Beatles in Toast of the Town (1948)
    Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Brian Epstein, Ringo Starr, Ed Sullivan, and The Beatles in Toast of the Town (1948)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Ed Sullivan
    Ed Sullivan
    • Self - Hostas Self - Host
    The Beatles
    The Beatles
    • Themselves - Rock Groupas Themselves - Rock Group
    Georgia Brown
    Georgia Brown
    • Nancy (scene from 'Oliver')as Nancy (scene from 'Oliver')
    Fred Kaps
    • Self - Magicianas Self - Magician
    • (archive footage)
    Cast of Oliver
    • Themselves - Singersas Themselves - Singers
    Frank Gorshin
    Frank Gorshin
    • Self - Impressionistas Self - Impressionist
    Tessie O'Shea
    • Self - Singeras Self - Singer
    Charlie Brill
    Charlie Brill
    • Self - Comedianas Self - Comedian
    • (as McCall and Brill)
    Mitzi McCall
    Mitzi McCall
    • Self - Comedianas Self - Comedian
    • (as McCall and Brill)
    Wells and the Four Fays
    • Themselves - Comedic Acrobatsas Themselves - Comedic Acrobats
    George Harrison
    George Harrison
    • Selfas Self
    • (as The Beatles)
    Ronnie Kroll
    • Oliver Twist (scene from 'Oliver!')as Oliver Twist (scene from 'Oliver!')
    John Lennon
    John Lennon
    • Selfas Self
    • (as The Beatles)
    Joan Lombardo
    • Bet (scene from 'Oliver!')as Bet (scene from 'Oliver!')
    Paul McCartney
    Paul McCartney
    • Selfas Self
    • (as The Beatles)
    Terry McDermott
    • Self - Olympic Speed Skateras Self - Olympic Speed Skater
    Ringo Starr
    Ringo Starr
    • Selfas Self
    • (as The Beatles)
    Davy Jones
    Davy Jones
    • Artful Dodger (scene from 'Oliver')as Artful Dodger (scene from 'Oliver')
    • (uncredited)
    • Directors
      • Tim Kiley
      • John Moffitt
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      When the Beatles appeared on CBS on February 9, 1964, this episode became most watched episode or event of all time until it was surpassed by the finale of The Fugitive (1963), The Judgment: Part II (1967), on August 29, 1967. The episode was watched by 23.24 million households or 45.3% with a Nielsen share of 60%.
    • Quotes

      [introducing the Beatles - 9 February 1964]

      Ed: Yesterday and today, our theatre's been jammed with newspapermen and hundreds of photographers from all over the nation. And these veterans agree with me that the city never has witnessed the excitement stirred by these youngsters from Liverpool who call themselves 'The Beatles.' Now tonight you're going to be twice entertained by them. Right now, and again in the second half of our show. Ladies and gentlemen, The Beatles.

    • Connections
      Edited into The Beatles: I Want to Hold Your Hand - The Ed Sullivan Show (1964)
    • Soundtracks
      All My Loving
      (uncredited)

      Written by Paul McCartney and John Lennon

      Performed by The Beatles

    User reviews1

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    The Beatles' first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" is still fascinating to watch, 50 years later
    Since yesterday was the 50th anniversary of The Beatles' historic U.S. TV debut on "The Ed Sullivan Show", I thought I'd mark the occasion by rewatching it that day. Ed begins by mentioning the telegram from Elvis Presley and his manager, Col. Tom Parker, wishing The Fab Four well. With that, Paul, George, John, and Ringo perform "All My Loving", "Till There Was You"-during which their names appear under their faces with John's also saying "Sorry, girls, he's married", and "She Loves You". Next, a pre-recorded bit by magician Frad Kaps of card tricks and salt shaker which I found lame since he presumably was underehearsed. After that, the cast of "Oliver!" performs "I'll Do Anything" of which one of its members was Davy Jones as The Artful Dodger. If that name sounds familiar to you, then, yes, it's the same one who would eventually join a TV-created, Beatles-inspired music group called The Monkees. Other cast member Georgia Brown would then solo on "As Long as He Needs Me". Frank Gorshin-a couple of years before his fame as The Riddler in the "Batman" TV show-next does his impressions of various movie stars in congress which I found hilarious. Entertainer Tessie O'Shea then does a medley of show tunes. After that, McCall & Brill perform a Hollywood audition which was underwhelming to me. The Fab Four then return with "I Saw Her Standing There" and "I Want to Hold Your Hand". Finally, Wells & The Four Fays perform some amusing acrobatic physical comedy. Except for the ones I noted weren't good, I mostly enjoyed the acts with the highlight of course being The Beatles with their hit songs they performed. And hearing those screaming teen girls with the camera shots on them was fascinating to watch. Good thing they didn't seem as loud as I remembered thinking they were since I last watched this. So this turned out to be the most watched broadcast of this time-approximately 73 million-because of the pandemonium of this group from Liverpool, England, causing a British Invasion here in America just a few months after the tragedy of the Kennedy assassination. They were a breath of fresh air in comparison to other, more traditional kinds of music at the time that was popular. So on that note, this historical broadcast is highly recommended. P.S. The commercials of that time are included as part of the program.
    helpful•3
    1
    • tavm
    • Feb 10, 2014

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 9, 1964 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • CBS Studio 50, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production company
      • CBS Television Network
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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