The Beatles (TV series)

Infobox Television
show_name =The Beatles


caption =A DVD cover of a collection of chapters of the TV series
aka =
genre =comedy, cartoon series
creator =Al Brodax, Sylban Buck
writer =
director =
creat_director =
developer =
presenter =
starring =
voices =John, George: Paul Frees
Paul, Ringo: Lance Percival
narrated =
theme_music_composer=
opentheme =
endtheme =
composer =The Beatles (songs)
country =USA
language =English
num_seasons =3
num_episodes =39
list_episodes =
executive_producer =Al Brodax, King Features
co_exec =
producer =
sup_producer =
asst_producer =
cons_producer =
co-producer =
editor =
story_editor =
location =
cinematography =
camera_setup =
runtime =30 min.
channel =ABC
picture_format =
audio_format =Monaural
first_run =
first_aired =25 September 1965
last_aired =21 October 1967
preceded_by =
followed_by =
related =
website =
prod_website =http://www.kingfeatures.com/
imdb_id =0058790
tv_com_id =3486

"The Beatles" was an American animated television series featuring the fanciful and musical misadventures of the extraordinarily popular British rock band of the same name. It ran from 1965 to 1967 on ABC in the USA (later transmissions were reruns). Each episode has a name of a Beatles song, so the story is based on its lyrics and it is also played at some time in the episode.

Production overview

The series consisted of short and "witty" animated stories that essentially were intended to set up the visual illustration of Beatles songs that are played in their entirety. In addition, there were sing along sequences with simpler imagery complementing the full lyrics of particular songs.

The series became notorious for its static depiction of the band in their early moptop and suit look as depicted in the live action film "A Hard Day's Night", even though the band moved beyond it during the series' run. There was also the occasional continuity mistake. The IMDB claims that in some scenes, the left-handed McCartney was depicted playing his bass guitar right-handed.

The Beatles had nothing to do with the series' production beyond the use of their music recordings. American actor Paul Frees did the voices of John and George while Lance Percival (of the "Carry On" series) did the more authentic sounding voices of Paul and Ringo. In fact, the band disdained the series (it is reported, however, that the band members enjoyed the cartoons in later years), which discouraged them from participating significantly in the later animated feature film, "Yellow Submarine". Only when the band saw and were impressed by the film's finished footage did they realize the film was a more ambitious creation. As a result, they agreed to appear in a short live action epilogue for it. In fact, "Yellow Submarine" producer Al Brodax and director George Dunning worked on the animated series as well. .

Initially the open credits theme was a guitar riff from "A Hard Day's Night" seguing into "Can't Buy Me Love", over a cartoon sequence of the lads running down a fire escape, echoing a scene in "A Hard Day's Night". The second season's opening theme was "Help!",while the third season's theme was "And Your Bird Can Sing", over a different cartoon sequence.

Most of the episodes of the series were produced by animation companies in London, with a handful of episodes made in Hollywood, with a crew supervised by veteran cartoon writer John W. Dunn.

List of episodes and sing-alongs

eason 1 (1965-3/1966)

"A Hard Day's Night/I Want To Hold Your Hand:"The Beatles are in Transylvania rehearsing in a haunted house with"monstrous" visitors; The Beatles went into a diving bell to hide fromtheir fans which drops them into the ocean with a lovesickoctopus."Sing Along:" Not A Second Time/Devil In Her Heart

"Do You Want To Know A Secret/If I Fell:"The Beatles went to Dublin, Ireland for the weekend where they'vemet a leprechaun named Willomena Morris; John is kidnappedby Dr. Dora Florahyde and Igore, both of whom want John's brainfor their monster."Sing Along:" A Hard Day's Night/I Want To Hold Your Hand

"Please Mr. Postman/Devil In Her Heart:"Ringo lost 15 rings he bought with all of the Beatles' spendings andthey're expecting a telegram from their manager Brian Epstein formore money; Ringo wanders into the woods in Transylvania wherehe meets a witch who wants Ringo for a husband. "Sing Along:" If I Fell/Do You Want To Know A Secret

"Not A Second Time/Slow Down:"The Beatles abandon the flight and landed in Africa while trying toget away from their fans. They later encounter a few crocodiles;The Beatles are on the way to the town Ringo Ravene (namedafter Ringo) until they encounter a donkey that smells gold named"Gold Nose"."Sing Along:" Baby's In Black/Misery

"Baby's In Black/Misery:"Paul gets kidnapped by Professor Psycho who wants Paul to marryhis creation Vampiress, half girl and half bat; The Beatles went to awax museum where they're being followed by a vampire."Sing Along:" I'll Get You/Chains

"You've Really Got A Hold On Me/Chains:"In Africa, Ringo ask a medicine maker named Jack to help fixthe Beatles' flat tire, then he turned a worm into a snake, and it lusts for Ringo; After getting knocked out, Ringo dreams about himas Captain Bligh from the movie "Mutiny On The Bounty"."Sing Along:" Slow Down/Honey Don't

"I'll Get You/Honey Don't:"The Beatles ran into Alan Watermain in Africa after escaping from their fans, and went out hunting for a lion; Ringo is mistaken as a bull rider, and the cowboys send him to ride on a toughest bullnamed Honey."Sing Along:" You've Really Got A Hold On Me/Anytime At All

"Anytime At All/Twist And Shout:"The Beatles imagine themselves as the three (plus one) musketeers while they are on a tour at a museum in France; TheBeatles went to an art show where a girl tries to be like otherartists. They inspire her with music."Sing Along:" I'll Be Back/Little Child

"Little Child/I'll Be Back:"A little girl Indian wants to prove that girls are as good at trappingas boys are by trapping the Beatles; The mayor of Texas gave Ringoa golden guitar as a gift. Later it got stolen by three men, and thefabs went on a hunt to get the guitar back."Sing Along:" Long Tall Sally/Twist And Shout

"Long Tall Sally/I'll Cry Instead:"The Beatles stays at a castle for the night during a fog. John andRingo tries on a couple of cursed armor suits and start to fighteach other; After signing too many autographs in Japan, George'shand got swollen and suffered "autographitis". His mates took himto a hand doctor, but they went to a karate class by mistake."Sing Along:" I'll Follow The Sun/When I Get Home

"I'll Follow The Sun/When I Get Home:"The Beatles car broke down and they are captured by a highwaymanwho happens to be a car repair man; The Beatles are exploring theNotre Dame in France where they later meet the hunchback of NotreDame: Quasimoto."Sing Along:" I'll Cry Instead/Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby

"Everybody's Trying To be My Baby/I Should Have Known Better:"The Beatles are spend the night at a temple in Japan during arainstorm. They are mistaken as Japanese ancestors of four girls;The Beatles are in Rome trying to find a theatre to rehearse. Theirlast choice is the Coliseum."Sing Along:" I'm A Loser/I Wanna Be Your Man

"I'm A Loser/I Wanna Be Your Man:"In Hollywood, Ringo gets hired as a stuntman and ends up in thehospital after getting pulverized in many scenes; In Rome, The Beatlesbought a statue of the Goddess of Musica which is actually stolen goldcoins being melted down and sculptured."Sing Along:" No Reply/I'm Happy Just To Dance With You

"Don't Bother Me/No Reply:"The Beatles are being followed by a couple of spies, all of whom areafter their songbook; In Japan, The Beatles are warned about a jewelthief named Anyface who comes in disguised as Paul, which causesdouble trouble."Sing Along:" It Won't Be Long/I Should Have Known Better

"I'm Happy Just To Dance With You/Mr. Moonlight:"The Beatles are in a Roman Street Festival where Paul wins a dancingbear named Bonnie; The Beatles meet Professor Ludwig Von Brilliantwho is on a mission to view an eclipse."Sing Along:" Don't Bother Me/Can't Buy Me Love

"Can't Buy Me Love/It Won't Be Long:"John is given a friendship ring from the tribe chief, which means he has to marry the chief's daughter; While picnicing in Japan, John went outfor a swim in a pond with the shrinking potion in it, and got shrunk. Theother Beatles think John is a doll and chases after him."Sing Along:" Anna/Mr. Moonlight

"Anna/I Don't Want To Spoil The Party:"In Japan, Paul got lured into a ghost ship called "Anna". The other Beatlesdashes off to the rescue before they might lose Paul for good; Paul, Georgeand Ringo sneaks away from John and went to Greenwich Village for somefun time rather than going to a museum."Sing Along:" Matchbox/Thank You Girl

"Matchbox/Thank You Girl:"John bought a trailer to stay in away from home rather than staying at ahotel so many times. They later encounter a group of natives all of whom are evacuating from a volcano; The Beatles sneaks away from their manager toget something to eat at a French bakery."Sing Along:" I Don't Want To Spoil The Party/Help!

"With Love From me To You/Boys:"In Hawaii, a surfer named Surf Wolf challenges George to a surfingduel; The Beatles participate in a Mr. Hollywood Contest in California."Sing Along:" Please Mr. Postman/I Saw Her Standing There

"Dizzy Miss Lizzy/I Saw Her Standing There:"John and Paul secretly signs George up to an ice boat race, and hepartners up with a girl named Lizzy; In Madrid, John and Paul went to arestaurant where John develops a hot foot with ashes in his boot. Rositafalls for John, and her boyfriend Jose challenges John to a duel."Sing Along:" Ticket To Ride/From Me To You

"What You're Doing/Money:"The Beatles are on a fishing trip, and Ringo runs into gypsies. One of themfalls for Ringo and wants to marry him. George comes in as woman claiming he's engaged toRingo to get him back; John puts Ringo in charge to keep their moneysafe in his jacket pocket. Later Ringo is being followed by a mysteryman who is after the money."Sing Along:" Dizzy Miss Lizzy/All My Loving

"Komm Gib Mir Deine Hand/She Loves You:"The Beatles' mission is to climb up a mountain with the dog Gunthar to putup their own flag on top; The Beatles are about to rescue a girl who theythink is held as a prisoner on a ship. As a result, her boyfriend comes toher defense...with knives."Sing Along:" Bad Boy/Tell Me Why

"Bad Boy/Tell Me Why:"A little boy named Hans plans to run away from home and be a Beatle.The fabs run after Hans to bring him back with their music; In Spain,Ringo is the jockey of a donkey that can run like a horse whenever shehears loud music."Sing Along:" Please Please Me/Hold Me Tight

"I Feel Fine/Hold Me Tight:"Paul thinks Hollywood's a phony. The actor Dick Dashing wants toprove Paul he is wrong by putting him in some different movie scenes;George and Ringo went to see the Statue Of Liberty until they've spotteda man with a package which they think is a bomb."Sing Along:" What You're Doing/There's A Place

"Please Please Me/There's A Place:"In Madrid, a bull named El Taco got knocked out, and the Beatles decideto help out with the bullfight: Ringo as the matador, and John and Paul asthe bull; John's sympathy helps an educated ape named Mr.Marvelous escape from the television studio, and went out to explorethe outside world."Sing Along:" Roll Over Beethoven/Rock And Roll Music

"Roll Over Beethoven/Rock And Roll Music:"The Beatles are on their way home after visiting New York City until Paulgot grabbed by an elephant named Beethoven; The Beatles are invitedto play at the Duke's Palace, but they're mistaken for a string quartet."Sing Along:" I Feel Fine/She Loves You

eason 2 (9-10/1966)

"Eight Days A Week/I'm Looking Through You:"A great movie lover named Lips Lovelace lost his ability to kiss. Pauldecides to take his place in the studio with a leading lady who fallsfor him; The Beatles are in Egypt. They are wandering around in thepyramid until Ringo encounters a ghost who wants a body, and hechooses Ringo's."Sing Along:" Run For Your Life/Girl

"Help!/We Can Work It Out:"Paul and Ringo went to a fashion show in Paris. Later the designs arestolen by Jaque Le Zipper. Paul chases Jaque to the Eiffel Tower, andhas trouble with heights; George becomes superstitious. The Beatlesencounter the Lucky Wizard who is really a crook trying to give thembad luck and rob their money."Sing Along:" The Night Before/Day Tripper

"I'm Down/Run For Your Life:"The Beatles are on a tour at a wine factory where Ringo accidentallyknocks down a vat of wine. If it doesn't get fixed in two hours, thefactory will go out of business; The Beatles are on a tour at thePalace of Versailles. Ringo gets knocked out by a statue, anddreams about the days of Marie Antoinette."Sing Along:" Eight Days A Week/Paperback Writer

"Drive My Car/Tell Me What You See:"The Beatles are helping a young man and his girlfriend get theirold jalopy running in a car race; The Beatles are visiting "the manof a thousand faces". They're fooling around with a makeupmachine, and changing into different characters. (Look for Jimmy Durante and Sweet Pea from "Popeye" in it)"Sing Along:" Yesterday/We Can Work It Out

"I Call Your Name/The Word:"Ringo is convinced to let go his pet frog Bartholomew in theswamp. Later a movie producer offers a filming deal to Ringoand the frog, and the fabs have dashed off to find Bartholomew; TheBeatles are being punished after gazing at the girls' unveiledfaces. The only way to get out of the situation is to say thepassword: love."Sing Along:" I Feel Fine/Wait

"All My Loving/Day Tripper:"The Beatles are in India where they are learning how to charman animal, and they're face to face with a tiger. They're usingmusic to tame it when it's about to claw John and Ringo; TheBeatles went on a trip out in space with a beautiful woman whois actually an alien taking them on a one-way trip from Earth."Sing Along:" I'm Looking Through You/Nowhere Man

"Nowhere Man/Paperback Writer:"The Beatles walk into a cave for some exploring which is a homeof a hermit who wants to be alone. He tries to get rid of them, butno luck; The Beatles are each writing a story of how they met. They each wrote a fictional story: Ringo as a theatre actor, Paul asa scientist, George as a secret agent, and John as a war pilot."Sing Along:" And I Love Her/Michelle

eason 3 (9-10/1967)

"Penny Lane/Strawberry Fields:"The Beatles are jealous of a detective named James Blonde whogets more attention from many women. The fabs are planning tostop some thieves from robbing Penny Lane so they can be heroes; TheBeatles are using music to add some color and happiness to thechildren at the orphanage."Sing Along:" Good Day Sunshine/Rain

"And Your Bird Can Sing/Got To Get You Into My Life:"The Beatles and a couple of hunters and out on a hunt for a rarebird called a green double-breasted tropical woosted that can singanything; The Beatles are in India, learning how to escape fromtheir bodies. It works, but the problem is that the souls' bodiesare moving by themselves, and they must get them before it'stoo late."Sing Along:" Penny Lane/Eleanor Rigby

"Good Day Sunshine/Ticket To Ride:"Ringo thinks he's a jinx. When the Beatles arrive at Carney Island,it starts to rain. Their music turns a rainy day into a sunny dayagain, and makes Ringo happy; The Beatles each have their ownhobby. Ringo's is catching birds: an English term for girls. Paulreleases the only one Ringo caught, and he runs after her."Sing Along:" Strawberry Fields Forever/And Your Bird Can Sing

"Taxman/Eleanor Rigby:"The Beatles get knocked out while carrying tons of money to bank,and dream about the days of Robin Hood; A bunch of kids claim thatan elderly lady named Eleanor Rigby is a witch, the fabs tell themthe true story about Eleanor as a song."Sing Along:" Got To Get You Into My Life/Here, There And Everywhere

"Tomorrow Never Knows/I've Just Seen A Face:"The Beatles fell into a well and end up in the inner world with lot offoreign natives. The chief wants the fabs to marry his daughters, andthey began to run away; Ringo lost his singing voice. For treatment,his three mates send Ringo to a haunted house to scare his voiceback."Sing Along:" She Said She Said/Long Tall Sally

"Wait/I'm Only Sleeping:"The Prince of Krapotkin's girlfriend's in grave danger. The Beatles arehelping him to save her from the Prime Minister who wants to marryher; John tells a story to a couple of children. Then he doses off anddreams about him helping King Arthur and Merlin slay the dragon. He and his mates play music to make the dragon go to sleep."Sing Along:" Penny Lane/Eleanor Rigby

External links

*imdb title|0058790|The Beatles
*http://www.toontracker.com/beatles/beatles.htm toontracker.com feature
*http://www.televisionheaven.co.uk/beatles.htm televisionheaven.co.uk feature
*http://www.geocities.com/garn13/beatles.html Garn's Guides