In 1964, six teenagers from New Jersey run off to see The Beatles perform on The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) in the hope of meeting their idols. However, they don't have tickets. Along the way, ... Read allIn 1964, six teenagers from New Jersey run off to see The Beatles perform on The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) in the hope of meeting their idols. However, they don't have tickets. Along the way, they learn new things about friendship and growing up.In 1964, six teenagers from New Jersey run off to see The Beatles perform on The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) in the hope of meeting their idols. However, they don't have tickets. Along the way, they learn new things about friendship and growing up.
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Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaDirector Robert Zemeckis' feature debut, as well as his first of many collaborations with producer Steven Spielberg. Despite the film's relatively modest budget (approximately $2.8 million), Universal Studios were uneasy with Spielberg's choice in hiring the unproven director. To prevent Zemeckis from being fired, executive Ned Tanen made Spielberg agree that if Zemeckis was doing a markedly poor job, Spielberg would step in and direct the film himself. This way, Universal could hardly lose: they would either have given a new whiz-kid director his first chance, or they would have gained another Spielberg film to release.
- GoofsThe Höfner bass guitar used in the movie was a right handed version. Paul McCartney is left-handed.
- Quotes
Ed Sullivan: And so, I want you to be prepared for excessive screaming, hysteria, hyperventilation, fainting, fits, seizures, spasmodic convulsions, even attempted suicides. All perfectly normal. Merely means that these youngsters are enjoying themselves.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Some Jerk with a Camera: Back to the Future: The Ride - Part I (2015)
- SoundtracksI Want to Hold Your Hand
Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney
Performed by The Beatles
Courtesy of EMI Records Limited
I first saw this film on what used to be the old "Movie of the Week" program on ABC. I'd never heard of the film, but a Beatles' "revival" of sorts was sweeping the nation; courtesy the Stars on 45 remixes, that were being broadcast all over radio at the time. "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" was shown in that spirit.
Why this film failed at the box office I'll never understand. Even with a low marketing budget one would think that word of mouth would've helped boost this film's profits. Myself, I laughed when I saw the cleaned up version aired on television, circa 1979 or 1980. I caught sections of a rebroadcast some years later on another station, but had never managed to see it in its entirety again until now.
Now I own a copy on DVD, and laughed all over again at the adventures and misadventures of an eclectic group of young people trying to see the fab-four. The humor is witty, physical and intelligent, and the general overall feel of the film catches the period that was the early-mid 1960's when the Beatles shot to stardom, and then onto legendary icons. And the portrayal of the fans is spot on. Seeing the throngs of screaming teenage girls brings back memories.
Overall the film is very good, but again, as per my previous comments on other films, this film was made in a time when movies were made for everyone, and the audience was more adult not just in age but in attitude. This being so there're a couple of off color remarks made by the characters, but nothing with the fervor nor frequency of today's excessive use of same abusive language.
Do yourself a favor and help give this fantastic movie new life by renting or buying it. Relive the 1960's and Beatlemania! You won't regret it :-)
- Blueghost
- Oct 4, 2004
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Beatlemania
- Filming locations
- Biltmore Hotel - 506 S. Grand Avenue, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA(hotel alley and interiors)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $2,700,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $1,944,682
- Gross worldwide
- $1,944,682
- Runtime1 hour 44 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1