Sunday, May 2, 1965
“Help!” premiere and new Beatles Christmas Show announced
Last updated on July 25, 2026
Sunday, May 2, 1965
Last updated on July 25, 2026
Interview May 01, 1965 • Walter Shenson interview for Disc And Music Echo
Article May 02, 1965 • The Beatles travel to Amesbury, Wiltshire
Article May 02, 1965 • "Help!" premiere and new Beatles Christmas Show announced
Article May 3-5, 1965 • Filming "Help!" on Salisbury Plain • Days 1 to 3
Article May 07, 1965 • Filming “Help!” at Twickenham • Day 25
1965 • For The Beatles • Directed by Richard Lester
On this day, NEMS announced that the world premiere of The Beatles’ new film “Help!” would take place on July 29, 1965, at the London Pavilion in Piccadilly Circus — the same venue that had hosted the premiere of “A Hard Day’s Night” the previous year.
The announcement also revealed plans for a 1965 Beatles Christmas Show. Unlike the group’s 1963 and 1964 Christmas stage residencies, the new production was intended to be transmitted live to cinemas throughout Britain via closed-circuit television.
The idea, however, was short-lived. Having grown weary of the annual Christmas shows, The Beatles quickly distanced themselves from the project. John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison publicly denied that they would be taking part. Lennon quipped: “That just leaves Ringo. Perhaps he and Brian Epstein could do a Christmas show together.” The proposed 1965 Christmas Show was subsequently abandoned.
I asked them if they would be appearing in their usual Christmas show.
“Not me,” said Paul. “I’m not doing a long-run Christmas show. Do you know we’ve worked every Christmas for about five or six years. We spent a few in Hamburg, living a bit rough. D’you remember that article you wrote in the NME once about us having fish for Christmas dinner?”
John and George both said: “We’re not doing a Christmas show, either.”
And then everyone looked at the silent Ringo.
“That just leaves him. P’raps Ringo and Eppy could do a Christmas show together.”
From interview for New Musical Express, May 21, 1965
TV RELAY PLAN FOR BEATLES XMAS SHOW
A SENSATIONAL plan to present the Beatles’ next Christmas show in several British cinemas AT THE SAME TIME has been put to Brian Epstein by impresario Joe Collins who has promoted the group’s last two Yuletide stage shows. They would appear in one theatre — probably in London — and the show would be relayed to others by closed-circuit television.
The plan would permit Beatles fans in the provinces to see John, George, Paul and Ringo in the stage show which has become an annual event in the group’s itinerary.
At the same time, it would free the Beatles from a long run in one place. Depending on the number of cinemas relayed to, their TV-stage show could be seen by more people in one night than an ordinary presentation in three weeks.
Joe Collins has presented with Brian Epstein the two previous Beatles Christmas Shows—at Finsbury Park last year, and Hammersmith this year.
July 29 — Help!
POLICE leave in Central London is likely to be cancelled on Thursday, July 29 — the premiere date for “Help!”, the Beatles second film. Again the opening is likely to be a royal one. It will be at the London Pavilion at Piccadilly Circus — where “A Hard Day’s Night” was premiered on July 6 last year.
The film begins general release at seaside resorts on August 1.
“Help!” was first revealed as the film’s new title in NME three weeks ago.
From New Musical Express – May 7, 1965
HELP! Beatles choose new film title
“HELP!” is the final, official title of the Beatles’ new film, which will be given its Premiere at the London Pavilion on July 29.
Filmed in Eastmancolour at locations from the Bahamas to Austria, it co-stars Leo McKern who plays “Clang” leader of a fanatical Eastern sect; Eleanor Bron as “Ahmey”, high priestess; Victor Spinetti as “Foot” a power-drunk scientist, Roy Kinnear as his assistant “Algeron”; and John Bluthal as “Bhuta” right hand man to Clang. A new addition to the cast is Frankie Howerd as an eccentric drama coach.
There are seven new Lennon and McCartney songs written specially for the film, including the title song, “Help!”
The title was chosen when the Beatles were filming a scene with a live tiger at Twickenham. When it appeared the boys simultaneously shouted “Help!” Director Richard Lester said: “You’ve got it, that’s the title!”
From Melody Maker – May 8, 1965
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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