Movie Night: A Hard Day's Night.

Review #541: A Hard Day's Night.

Cast
The Beatles [John Lennon • Paul McCartney • George Harrison • Ringo Starr], with Wilfrid Brambell (Grandfather), Norman Rossington (Norm), John Junkin (Shake), Victor Spinetti (T.V. Director), and Anna Quayle (Millie) Directed by Richard Lester.

Review (since modified - editorial, 2023)
This was the third feature effort from Richard Lester, who had been born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and had studied and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Clinical Psychology. He got involved in the television industry in 1950 and later moved to England in the decade. One of the main attractions of Lester for the Beatles was his work on a short film called The Running Jumping & Standing Still Film (1959). He directed his first feature film with the musical act film in It's Trad, Dad! (1962). The movie was a hit before it even came out (owing to pre-sales), but there was always a plan to do more than one Beatles film. He would follow up this Beatles film with Help! (1965). 

Ah yes, the Beatles. Fifty years ago on this day, The Beatles made their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, and in honor of that, I'm reviewing this film. I don't know exactly what I expected from a film like this, but I was nevertheless surprised at the result. This is a strange, but clever movie that is extremely entertaining to watch and to listen to. The Beatles themselves are entertaining as entertainers but also as people, and the screenplay seems really natural, really in touch with the film's tone. The music is good, it flows well, and it adds a depth of style to the movie without just seeming like one of those 1950s rock music of acts and little else. The supporting cast is entertaining (especially Brambell), and the comedy is pretty nice, fun to watch all the antics in the film. Lester does a good job directing and the movie has a good pace along with a good heart. This is truly a classic and fun for anyone wanting more of the Beatles, or just for a good ol' musical with a great deal of fun.

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.