Filming “Help!” in the Bahamas • Day 3

The Beatles returned to Interfield Road on the third day of filming “Help!” in the Bahamas, continuing the outdoor cycling sequences begun the previous day along Interfield Road near Nassau International Airport. Filming also spread to two additional locations: John Lennon and Ringo Starr were filmed at the stadium of the Bahamas Softball Association, while Paul McCartney shot a solo scene at nearby lime quarry caves.

In the evening, The Beatles and the production team gathered to celebrate George Harrison’s 22nd birthday at the home of Dr. Walter Strach. Strach served as The Beatles’ financial adviser and had been instrumental in arranging the Bahamas leg of the shoot, having established a tax shelter on the island and proposed the location partly on those grounds.

The day-to-day filming activity in the Bahamas is drawn from “The Complete Beatles Chronicle” by Mark Lewisohn.

LAST Thursday we celebrated George’s 22nd birthday in sunny Nassau. It was a quiet affair at the home of Dr. Walter Strach, a great friend of George’s, with whom he recently spent a holiday on the island.

The doctor’s daughters were away in London — with all the suitable records. But we made do with the eleven titles the Beatles had recorded the previous week at EMI studios. Six of these will be used in the film and, what can I say… they’re easily hotter than the Bahama sunshine — and that’s very hot!

Incidentally, two of the titles are written by George Harrison, and will be published by Northern Songs, with whom he signed a three-year contract just before he left London. So George provided part of the music for his own birthday party, at which 50 members of the film unit enjoyed the tunes and the fabulous party fare provided by the generous doctor.

Brian Epstein – From New Musical Express – March 5, 1965

IT’S A BEATLE HAT-TRICK – George celebrates his birthday!

WHILE Britain shivered in the coldest snap of the year, The Beatles basked in the balmy breezes of the Bahamas — where it was warm enough for them to sport their gorgeous sun-hats and to take a dip in the luxurious pool of the Nassau Beach Hotel!

But on the occasion of this dip, those Beatles kept their clothes on, because they were shooting sequences for their film. A quick change into dry clothing, and the fab four were ready for another camera shot — this time on bicycles.

But there was another spot of fun — this time unscripted — when George Harrison celebrated his 22nd birthday last Thursday.

Nick Pikramenos, caterer for producer Walter Shenson’s film unit, baked a special cake for George and took the opportunity of feeding George a piece in person.

After 17 days in the Bahamas, The Beatles fly back to London, where they arrive at 7.5 a.m. next Thursday (March 11) in their special BOAC charter plane. JB 7817.

From Disc Weekly – March 6, 1965

Beatle Has Birthday

NASSAU, Bahamas. (P)—The Beatles capped a day of filming with a birthday party for one of the mop-topped foursome — George Harrison, who turned 22 Friday. The party was held for the British quartet at the home of Dr. W. T. Strach, the Beatles’ business manager in the Bahamas.

“George got several birthday cakes and ice cream topped off with champagne,” said Tony Howard, Beatles publicity manager.

The Beatles are here for the filming of a yet unnamed motion picture, their second. They shot several sequences, one with two bikini-clad girls posing as models for would-be artist Ringo.

From Fort Lauderdale News – February 27, 1965

Going further

The Beatles Diary Volume 1: The Beatles Years

With greatly expanded text, this is the most revealing and frank personal 30-year chronicle of the group ever written. Insider Barry Miles covers the Beatles story from childhood to the break-up of the group.

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