Paul, George and Ringo attend a press screening of “Yellow Submarine”

On this day, The Beatles, with the exception of John Lennon, attended a press preview for their upcoming animated film, “Yellow Submarine“. The event, which included a film screening and press reception, was held at the 102-seat Bowater House Cinema in Knightsbridge, London.

This was the first time The Beatles viewed the finished movie. Following the screening, they participated in interviews and photo sessions, posing with a cardboard cutout of John Lennon’s animated character, and alongside a life-sized Blue Meanie.

Nine days later, the world premiere of “Yellow Submarine” took place at the London Pavilion in Piccadilly Circus, London.

How much do we see you in Yellow Submarine?

Paul: We’re just in it as drawings, and it’s like us animated going through it, you know.

Did Mystery Tour put you off making a film completely yourselves?

George: Yeah, we’re only ever going to be cartoons forever now, ‘cos that really put us off, those no damn good critics.

The cartoon, I believe, makes a bit of fun of the Maharishi. Does this mean that you have finished with him now?

Paul: It’s not finished with him, but we’re over the phase, it was a bit of a phase, but he’s still a nice fellow and everything’s fine. But, we don’t go out with him any more. […]

Tell us about The Beatles’ new album

Paul: I am pleased with its progress. We get new ideas every day, but I hope it will be made quicker than the Pepper album. We want it out before the Yellow Submarine LP comes out. We are family grocers. You want yoghurt; we will give it to you. You want cornflakes, we have that too. Mums and dads can’t take some of our album stuff, so we make it simple for them on our singles. […]

Paul, tell me about Mary Hopkin, the singer from Wales you’ve just signed to Apple.

Paul: She sings too much like Joan Baez, but we’ll alter that, and get some good songs for her. No, I won’t write them. There are already some really good ones. Yes, she will be big. We’ve got to be positive about that […]

Paul: Dylan’s lyrics have infinitely more worthwhile poetry about them than the nauseating words of songs that Sinatra sings. I used to think that they were great, but now, they are so much [French swear word].

From “The Beatles: Off the Record” by Keith Badman, 2008

Hooter to hooter, Ringo and the dreaded Blue Meanie

THEY came face to face yesterday, the Goodie and the Baddie. Eyeball to eyeball. Hooter to hooter.
The one on the left is a Blue Meanie — a Baddie. The one on the right is called Ringo Starr and he’s a Beatle and a Goodie.

Actually, all was peaceful when they met in Knightsbridge, London. Their previous meeting was a bit different, though. A whole crowd of Blue Meanies attacked Ringo and his pals and they all had to escape in a yellow submarine. It all happens in a movie, of course. Called “The Yellow Submarine.”

And it was at the cartoon film’s preview that Ringo bumped into this mock-up of one of its villains. Well, it couldn’t have been a real meanie of a Blue Meanie. Not with that smile.

From The Daily Mirror – July 9, 1968

Going further

• https://www.nemsworld.com/beatles/ys/ys.htm

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