Let's discuss A HARD DAY'S NIGHT (1964)! Rock on!

Who doesn't love the Beatles? In honor of the new Sam Mendes' films currently in production, and marking this month as the 62nd anniversary of the start of the "British Invasion," we will dive into their first film.

The Beatles not only were music innovators, they were gleeful participants in film boundary-pushing, as evidenced here, in what could be a first widespread "music video" or even mockumentary. Or as critic Andrew Sarris said "the Citizen Kane of jukebox musicals." If you haven't seen this film, you're in for a treat.

The "boys" play themselves (sort of) in an only slightly fictionalized (but to good effect) tale of a band dealing with crazed fans and adults who try to put some kind of order on anarchy. Directed by Richard Lester, the film features star English comedian Wilfrid Brambell, but the boys and their music, often deftly woven into the scenes, take center stage.

Check this site to see where the film can be streamed: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/a-hard-days-night. The Criterion Collection has put the film out on DVD, so check your local library for the disc. Then join us on the 27th to discuss! The Zoom link to join will be available once you RSVP.