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Beatles news briefs 1/11/09: Actor from three Beatle movies charms NYC audiences with solo show

January 11, 6:39 PM

Beatles Examiner

Steve Marinucci

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Victor Spinetti Saturday in New York City (Photo by
Lisa Murray the K.) At bottom, John Lennon and
and Spinetti. (Photo courtesy New York Public
Library.)

Advertising flyer from ticket to show
on eBay

Victor Spinetti, who had roles in three Beatle movies -- "A Hard Day's Night," "Help!" and "Magical Mystery Tour" -- delighted audiences in New York City with his one-man shows there last week. Fred Velez attended two of them and posted a long review on our website's message board.

Here's part of it: "Spinetti’s Beatles’ stories are wonderful and you can hear the affection he has for each member of the group in his voice," Velez said.

"His priceless observation of the personality of each Beatle when they visited him in the hospital is classic. His association with the band helped to open up many acting doors for him, and his appreciation is heartfelt. The story of the origin of the Victor Spinetti Fan Club is hysterical and it’s formation was impressive enough for each Beatle and Brian Epstein to become card carrying members of it."

Velez also mentions this funny John Lennon anecdote. "Another fun story involves Victor hanging out with John Lennon, who was feeling chilly and asked Vic if he would like to go someplace warmer. Thinking they were going to go to another room, Spinetti said yes, and Lennon arranged on a whim a quick trip to Africa, with a surprising and funny encounter with the Rolling Stones thrown in."

Velez concludes by saying, "Overall the show is a wonderful and magical evening with a very witty and lovely human being, sharing stories about his fascinating and amusing life. The show proves that there’s more to Victor Spinetti’s life than just the Beatles. And, what a wonderful life it is!"

Tom Frangione attended Saturday's show. He commented, "Wasn't gonna let a few inches of snow keep me from going to Victor Spinetti's one man show in NYC. It was a delightful afternoon, and I was able to meet him backstage afterward, where he was gracious enough to sign autographs and take pictures."

For anyone who may not recognize the name, he was the nervous TV director in "A Hard Day's Night" ("Well, that's it, two minutes to the final run-through... they're bound to miss it..."), Prof. Foot in "Help!" and the gibberish talking Army sergeant in "Magical Mystery Tour." His list of acting credits on IMDB.com is incredibly long. His non-Beatle work includes "The Little Prince," "Under the Cherry Moon," "Return of the Pink Panther" and "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe."
So where was George? Frangione tells us that after seeing Spinetti's show, he went over to Carnegie Hall for 1964: The Tribute's annual show there. In the audience was comedian Jerry Seinfeld. He also saw Ron Schaumburg, author of "Growing Up With The Beatles: An Illustrated Tribute."
Yoko Ono's latest blog is to establish a Cabinet post for a Department of Peace. As she explains it, "This is not an attempt to circumvent or replace the Department of Defense nor to co-opt the Department of State. This is a new entity, in the President's Cabinet, a Department dedicated to training peace-keepers, educating our children, and suggesting non-violent alternatives to hostility, and war."
The 1962 Little Richard/Beatles concert ticket that we wrote about yesterday sold for $500. The same seller is now offering a ticket from the show pictured on the flyer with Chris Montez, Tommy Roe and a group named the Beatles at the bottom of the flyer. (See picture.)
Spencer Leigh has written "Everyday: Getting Closer to Buddy Holly," a new biography that includes how Holly influenced the Beatles' music and success. The Liverpool Daily Post goes into some details from the book.
What happens in Vegas ...: Norm Clarke of the Las Vegas Review Journal reports that Cheap Trick are ready to close a deal to headline a new show at the Las Vegas Hilton that will give visitors to Las Vegas something else Beatle to see besides "Love." He says the show will have the group performing "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" with a full orchestra. Rick Nielsen performing "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds"? Sounds like a good idea to me.
Some Beatle fans are asking XM Satellite Radio to start an all-Beatles channel by emailing them. You can do this at http://www.xmradio.com/help/emailus.xmc.
There's also a petition to make Jan. 14 International Beatle Freaks Day.
Another show for thenewno2 with Dhani Harrison: 9:15 p.m. Feb. 15 at Union Hall in Brooklyn, N.Y. (Thanks, Peggy.)

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Beatles news briefs 1/11/09: Actor from three Beatle movies charms NYC audiences with solo show

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