Rock ‘n’ Roll Trivia
The Beatles didn’t like their movie ‘Help!”
by John Robinson
Q: I bought The Beatles’ movie “Help!” DVD. I was hoping there would be some kind of interesting background trivia about the movie, but there really wasn’t much at all. Do you have any?
A: Amazingly, The Beatles didn’t care for the film, claiming they felt like extras in their own movie. But I do have some “Help!” tidbits: 1) The original title of the movie was “Eight Arms to Hold You.” In fact, the single version of “Ticket to Ride” says it’s taken from the film “Eight Arms to Hold You.” 2) Before shooting began, it was planned for The Beatles to make a Western movie set in Texas, with the four Beatles each trying to win the love of a cattle baron’s daughter. Publicity photos exist that show The Beatles riding horses wearing cowboy clothes. That film idea was eventually scrapped and filming of a new script — which became “Help!” — began. Some of the Western-flavored songs they composed for the Western can be found on the “Rubber Soul” album. 3) During production, Paul worked on a song idea he titled “Scrambled Eggs.” By the time the movie was completed, the new title was “Yesterday.” 4) The Beatles have admitted to smoking a lot of marijuana during the filming; supposedly that’s why they screw up many of their lines. Watch the scene in the palace; they said it was filmed after they’d all smoked. 5) The Hindu god Kali is the same god worshipped by cult members in the 1984 film “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.” 6) Director Richard Lester said the best actor of all four Beatles was George Harrison. 7) Paul McCartney claims he titled the song “Eleanor Rigby” after actress Eleanor Bron, who is one of the stars of the film. 8) If you look closely, you can spot the following in the movie: a) John Lennon takes a book off the bookshelf to read: It’s a copy of his own book, “A Spaniard in the Works.” b) As Paul plays the organ, in front of him are “Superman” comic books instead of sheet music. c) During the “Another Girl” song sequence, as Paul “plays” a girl like a bass guitar, his hand accidentally brushes against her bare skin. He mistakenly thinks he touched her breast and a look of “OOPS!” crosses his face! d) During a scene in a jeweler’s, watch George Harrison. He’s shoplifting jewels and putting them into his pockets.
Q: Did the band Bad Company have anything to do with the movie “Bad Company”? It seems they both debuted around the same time.
A: The film “Bad Company” was a 1972 movie starring Jeff Bridges, about two guys dodging the draft during the Civil War. Vocalist Paul Rodgers was a big fan of the film and, in 1974, decided to name his new British supergroup after it. The film also inspired the band’s first single and album title (both “Bad Company”). As for the members of the band Bad Company — Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke were previously with Free (whose big hit was “All Right Now” in 1970), guitarist Mick Ralphs was a former member of Mott The Hoople and bassist Boz Burrell came from King Crimson.
Q: Was the song “Harper Valley PTA” based on something that really happened?
A: “Harper Valley PTA” was a No. 1 crossover hit for Jeannie C. Riley in 1968. It sold more than 6 million copies and made her the first woman to top the American pop and country charts with the same song. It was written by country star Tom T. Hall, who said the storyline was based on a real woman he knew from his childhood in Carter City, Kentucky. As far as the title: There was an elementary school in Bellevue, Tennessee, called Harpeth Valley Elementary School. Hall liked how the name sounded and decided to write a song with a similar title so it wouldn’t bring any attention or notoriety to Harpeth. The song is about a junior high student who gets sent home with a note from the PTA, telling her single mother about her daughter’s so-called “scandalous” behavior. Mom then proceeds to go to the PTA and ream them a new one, telling the members they’re all hypocrites. That 1968 song became a 1978 movie and a TV series in 1981 starring Barbara Eden as Stella Johnson. During rock’s first 25 years, it had the biggest one-week jump in the history of Billboard magazine’s Hot 100: It went from No. 81 to No. 7. There was a parody of “Harper Valley PTA” titled “Harper Valley PTA (Later That Same Day)” released in 1968 by Sheb Wooley.
Q: I recently saw a video I had taped a while back on PBS and had never watched. It was of Roy Oberson from 1988. I recognized Bruce Springsteen in the band. The announcer mentioned the other “stars” were enjoying themselves but never mentioned who they all were. I may have missed part of it in the taping. Who else was in that band?
A: Roy “Oberson”? Never heard him called that before! The show you’re referring to is “Roy Orbison and Friends: A Black and White Night,” a TV special from 1988. Orbison’s guests included Jackson Browne, T-Bone Burnett, Elvis Costello, k.d. lang, Bonnie Raitt, J.D. Souther, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits, Jennifer Warnes, James Burton and others.
Q: Whatever happened to Jim Stafford?
A: Born in 1944 in Eloise, Florida, Stafford’s big hits came in the ’70s: “Swamp Witch,” “Spiders and Snakes” and “Wildwood Weed” being the most popular. After the hits dried up, Stafford hosted his own summer TV variety show in 1975, was married briefly in the late ’70s to singer Bobbie (“Ode To Billie Joe”) Gentry and co-hosted the early 1980’s ABC-TV show “Those Amazing Animals” with Priscilla Presley and Burgess Meredith. He currently does his shtick in Branson, Missouri, performing at The Jim Stafford Theater. Lobo, who had hits with “Me and You and a Dog Named Boo,” “I’d Love You to Want Me” and many others, produced most of Jim Stafford’s ’70s hits.
John Robinson grew up in Stockbridge and graduated from Stockbridge High School in 1969.
He’s been an author, TV host, columnist, actor, producer, emcee and radio broadcaster. Robinson’s favorite music of all time includes surf, psychedelia, garage bands, Motown and just plain ol’ good-time rock ‘n’ roll. To read more rock ‘n’ roll trivia, “Paranormal Michigan” stories, and lots more, check out Robinson’s books on his author page at facebook.com/johnrobinsonauthor.
