Tag: Yellow Submarine

The Beatles personal involvement in Yellow Submarine was somewhat minimal. They did not even do their own voices in the animated feature until a cameo appearance at the end of the film. However, John Lennon did express frustration because he felt that some of the ideas that the Beatles had suggested for the film which were actually being used in the feature, were not being given the official acknowledgment that he felt was deserved.

As time passed and the Beatles fully came to the realization that this was becoming quite the unique groundbreaking and trailblazing animated film, they made a cameo appearance at the end of the feature! The film has received tremendous accolades over the years.

Years later Robert Zemeckis planned to do a darker version computer generated remake of the film but the project was abandoned when his studio closed shop:

Here is the story:

The Cursed History of The Beatles and Robert Zemeckis’ CGI ‘Yellow Submarine’ Movie (collider.com)

Possibly the most important contributor to the film “Yellow Submarine”, was Heinz Edelmann, whose character design set the tone for this marvelous fantasy feature. Below is a rare signature as Heinz rarely signed Yellow Submarine related items.

Heinz Edelmann was a Czechoslovakian/German illustrator and designer who passed away in 2009.

The voice of Paul:

Geoffrey William Hughes who passed away in 2012 was an English actor.

The voice of Fred: Lance Percival

John Lancelot Blades Percival who died in 2015, known as Lance Percival, was an English actor, comedian and singer.

The voices of Jeremy Hilary Boob, Lord Mayor, and Max: Dick Emery

Richard Gilbert Emery who passed away in 1983 was an English comedian and comic actor.

The voice of John: John Clive

John Clive who passed away in 2012, was an English actor and author.

Al Brodax

Instrumental in the creation of the Beatles Cartoon series, Al Brodax was also heavily involved in the creation of the film. Here is one of his signatures that I have:

Albert Philip Brodax who passed away in 2016, was an American film and television producer who in Beatles circles will always be remembered for his production of the Beatles cartoons and the highly successful Beatles animated film entitled “Yellow Submarine.”

Erich Wolf Segal who passed away in 2010 was an American author, screenwriter, and educator.

Erich Segal, a Yale University English professor and author who wrote the screenplay for the hit movie “Love Story”, was also involved as being one of the writers for the Yellow Submarine feature film. HIs involvement in the film according to several YS books was very stressful, but you will need to read the Bob Hieronimus “Yellow Submarine” books to find out why. This is one of Erich’s signatures in my collection:

While Mr. Segal was at Yale, the Yale Literary Magazine in their March 1968 issue did a feature cover story about the Beatles animated film. I acquired a copy of this magazine a few years ago and it can be very expensive to acquire now!

Considered the first Beatles failure, though in recent years there has been a reevaluation of the merits of the film.

Magical Mystery Tour

Nat Jackley as “The Rubber Man”:

Nat Jackley born as Nathaniel Tristram Jackley Hirsch passed away in 1988 was an English comic actor who starred in variety, film and pantomime from the 1920s to the mid-1980s.

Nat Jackley again:

Ivor Cutler: As well as being a comedic actor, Ivor was also a musician

Ivor Cutler born as Isadore Cutler, who passed away in 2006, was a Scottish poet, singer, musician, songwriter, artist and would also be considered a humorist.

The signature of Ivor Cutler:

Little Nicola –

Nikki Hale, courteously and kindly sent me these two signed photos. These two photos are respectfully dedicated to the memory of Nikki’s mom, Pamela Hale who passed away a few years ago.

Little Nicola Hale was only five years old when the magical Mystery Tour was filmed.

Vivian Stanshall, a member of the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band:

Vivian Stanshall born as Victor Anthony Stanshall, passed away in 1995. He was an English singer-songwriter, musician, author, and poet. He is best known for his work with the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band. 

Derek Royle as Jolly Jimmy:

Derek Stanley Royle who passed away in 1990 was a British actor.

Spencer Davis,

from the Spencer Davis group was on the Magical Mystery Tour:

Spencer Davis born as Spencer David Nelson Davies, who passed away in 2020, was a Welsh musician. He founded the Spencer Davis Group which had several hits.

Victor Spinetti had the best dialog in MMT! LOL….

Victor’s biographical information appears on several other posts on this blog.

Neil Innes

The late great Neil Innes signed this Rutles promo. He was also in MMT as a member of the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band.

Neil James Innes who passed away in 2019 was an English writer, comedian and musician. The songwriter in the Rutles, member of the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band and a contributor to the Monty Python shenanigans!

What are your thoughts on Yellow Submarine and mAgical Mystery Tour? Did The Beatles deserve the criticism they got? Let me know in the comments.

BUZZ

Jeremy Hillary Boob’s Quote From “Yellow Submarine”:

Ad hoc, ad loc, and quid pro quo! So little time! So much to know!

If someone were to ask me, what are the ultimate sources for information about the making of the Beatles animated classic, “Yellow Submarine,” then these two books certainly fit that bill.

The first volume was created literally by the author undertaking three decades of intensive research about the Yellow Submarine story. Interviewing virtually all of the main contributors to making the classic film. The Yellow Submarine books are not merely history books as Dr. Bob offers many significant theories as to the significance of the Yellow Submarine in Beatles mythology.

I have no doubts that these two volumes will provide a massive amount of new information to you concerning this beautiful and wondrous tale. An analogy of the film can be drawn with the discussion of many of our perceptions of the Fifties decade as compared with the Sixties. Many see the Fifties as the black-and-white decade-“this is what is right and this is what is wrong” as being clearly defined by the social mores and structures in place.

The decade was certainly not perceived as being shaped in a significant variety of opinions and splashed in vibrant color. However, the Sixties were quite different as the decade seemed to come alive as the explosion of the population’s viewpoints as to how to see and understand things were now being viewed in a variety of perspectives.

Accepted roles of various groups of people were changing as well as generational roles were evolving significantly during this time frame, thus the description of the black and white vs. color analogy. Technological growth was also playing a role as even the monumental importance of TV viewing itself in industrialized countries was shifting rapidly from black and white to color sets. So many fascinating cultural statements are presented in this fantasy, some more obvious than others.

Here are the author’s description of the 2nd volume of the book:

Print run limited to 900 copies in Paperback, each autographed by the authors.

More insider stories on how favorite scenes were made, symbolic interpretations, the Swinging 60’s.

368 pages, 203 illustrations.

16 new artists share their stories of working on the film.

On-set hijinks, technical wizardry, how favorite scenes were made.

Why the Yellow Submarine makes us feel so GOOD, interpretation of symbolism and the subconscious.

The special hardcover edition of the 2nd volume of the  Bob Hieronimus and Laura E. Cortner book. Only 100 signed and numbered copies were issued, and I am the very fortunate owner of copy #100 of this special limited edition.

For further information about these wonderful books, you can contact the authors at this site:

Vol. 1: Inside The Yellow Submarine: The Making of The Beatles’ Animated Classic – (yellowsubmarinebook.com)

Volume 2 link

It’s All in the Mind: Inside The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine, vol.2 Collector’s Edition Hardback – (yellowsubmarinebook.com)

Would like to end this post with a question. Are you all happy that the proposed re-make of Yellow Submarine proposed by noted director Robert Zemeckis was permanently shelved or would you have liked to have seen the studio give it an attempt? The consensus of opinion I have seen thus far for that proposition is to leave things as they are!!!

Let me know in the comments.

Buzz

ONCE UPON A TIME OR MAYBE TWICE….

Bill Morrison created a fantastic graphic novel in honor of the Yellow Submarine’s 50th Anniversary in 2018. Titan Comics produced this wonderful box set to go along with Bill’s great graphic novel. Found the set on eBay and purchased it for my collection and at a greatly reduced price from the original, which made me very happy. Here are a few photos from the eBay purchase!

Buzz