The Public Ear (1964, March 18)
| During the filming of the movie 'A Hard Day's Night,' the Beatles recorded an interview for the BBC radio program 'The Public Ear.' The interview was recorded and conducted by none other than George Harrison. In the first segment he interviews Paul during an evening out, and in the second segment George interviews Ringo and John during a break on the movie set. Segement One: George: "Well, we just have been out for dinner at the Dorchester. And, Paul McCartney, would you like to say a few words to the listeners of Public Ear?" Paul: "Uhh, yes. What about them, George?" George: "How are you enjoying filming? This is your first film, isn't it, Paul?" Paul: (laughs) "Yes. The first film we ever made, and uhh, we're having a good time. We're not very good actors, but we're trying hard. That's the most important thing, really-- having a try, isn't it?" George: (mock seriousness) "Yes. I suppose it is, Paul. Well, are you having any trouble learning your lines, or anything like that?" Paul: "Well actually, George, I'm a bit lazy about that. I normally learn them about, uhh, ten minutes before we do the scene, actually. (jokingly) I feel it gives an air of impromptuity." George: "I see. How's the director of the film?" Paul: "Well, yes. Dick Lester's directing the film... uhh, what's yer name? George?" George: "George, yeah. BBC! I'm from the BBC, you see. Public Ear." Paul: "Anyway, his name is Dick Lester. He's a good fella. He's BALD, but don't hold that against him. He's one of the nicest fellas I've met, and he's a great director. I think he's gonna save the film in the cutting rooms. Great fella, he is." George: "What do you mean, 'He's gonna save it in the cutting rooms?' What exactly do you mean by that, Paul?" Paul: (laughs) "Well you see, George, umm... The acting may not be very good, but if he can cut it up, and slice it around, and slop bits in here and slop bits in there, he may make it into a good film, you see." George: "I see. Well thank you Paul. And, uhh, you'll receive your three-shilling fee at a later date." Paul: "Don't mention it, George. Thank you." Segment Two: George: "Well this week, we have a special person for you on our program-- None other than John Lennon of The Beatles. Well John, I believe you've written a bewk. And this bewk's called 'John Lennon In His Own Write,' folks. W-R-I-T-E, you see. It's a larf. It's a larf a minute with John Lennon. Some of you might find it a bit difficult to understand-- because you see, it's in a sort of funny lingo. Well, we get it, you see. It's full of larfs. I don't really know how you could describe it. But, it's sort of rubbish." John: (laughs) George: "Maybe that's one way. Well, sitting on my left I have another person of the Beatles called Ringo Starr. What, Ringo, do you think of this book by John Lennon?" Ringo: "Well, I think it's marvelous. I mean, I've never read anything like it." George: (jokingly) "You've never READ before, though, have you?" Ringo: "No. I can't read, you see. That's why I've never... I mean, the stories are so funny, I just... Ha-Ha!! I mean, the titles are so funny. 'Partly Dave' and what else have we got here? We got many a nice story. 'Sad Michael,' that's a sad story. 'The Famous Five through Woenow Abbey' that's a well-known place. 'Randolf's Party,' I mean, that's one not to be missed by anybody. We also have 'The Wrestling Dog.' Many little drawings which will make you laugh." George: (correcting) "Larf." Ringo: "George is trying to lose his accent, you see." George: "Well thank you, Ringo. So I'd just like to hand you over to John Lennon. And what are you gonna read for us?" John: "Well just so happens, George, I've got a copy of me book here, and it's... I'll read a poem what is called 'Alec Speaking.'" (reads)"He is putting it lithely when he says Quobble in the Grass Strab he down the soddieflays Amo amat amass Amonk, amink, a minibus Amarmylaidie Moon Amikky mendip multiplus Amighty midgey spoon And so I traddled onward Caring not a care Onward, Onward, Onward. (yells loudly) Onward my friends, and glory for the fifty-ninth!!" (laughter) John: "Actually, it's the thirty-ninth, but I goofed." George: "Well thank you, John, thank you. This is the last program, isn't it, Ringo?" Ringo: "Aww. They're awfully..." George: "'Cuz we like doing 'Public Ear.' We think it's a great program 'cuz when we're on tour, we listen to it. Don't we, Ringo?" Ringo: "Yeah, it's a fab show." Source: Audio copy of the interviews |