Alternate versions of promos made by the Beatles over the years provide the basis for much of the + portion of this collection. The reason that there were sometimes two or three different films or videos for individual songs was due to the fact that each competing broadcasting outlet wanted to feel as if it had an exclusive clip. This was especially true in the UK. Manager Brian Epstein catered to the demands of the powers that be and made sure that multiple versions were produced, some featuring only subtle differences and others using a completely different setup. We start off this part, however, with a clip from a show that helped to inspire much of what would soon follow.
Day Tripper - In the midst of the month-long sessions for the album Rubber Soul, the Beatles devoted two days to working on a television special for Granada TV entitled The Music of Lennon and McCartney. Most of the songs were performed by an array of international stars (including Liverpool's Cilla Black, pictured above), with scripted intros by John and Paul. The Beatles appeared only to mime to both sides of their upcoming single. For this number, a group of go go dancers in sunglasses run past the boys as they pretend to play the song under the scaffolding on the set. Ringo stops drumming for a moment at the end of the second rave up before realizing his mistake and resuming. Otherwise, it is a rather straightforward performance. (The real gem of this program, by the way, is not a song. Rather, it is Peter Sellers delivering the lyrics to A Hard Day's Night in the style of Laurence Olivier as Richard III. Yes, you read that right. Google it for a genuine treat.)
Day Tripper - The ten videos recorded at Twickenham Film Studios only a few weeks later were clearly influenced by the aforementioned television special. This alternate version was shot on a set of flats depicting an airplane, which John and Paul stand behind, and a railroad car "carrying" George and Ringo. The boys all wear the Nehru jackets mostly associated with their famous Shea Stadium concert. Ringo alternates between shaking a tambourine and using a pair of drumsticks on the set - until he gets bored, that is. He then produces a handsaw and proceeds to cut away at the set as an amused George looks on.
We Can Work It Out - The group also wears the Nehru jackets for this alternate video, shot on the same basic set as the earlier version I covered in part two. Some additional set pieces with old photographs on them are added for a different look. Once again, John goofs around to get a laugh out of Paul as he mimes singing, and John's harmonium playing gets even more outlandish.
Paperback Writer - This alternate video was shot specifically for the Ed Sullivan Show. The boys hold colored gels over their faces (a black and white photo of them in roughly the same positions appears on the back of the LP Revolver) before Ringo sends greetings to Ed in a typically nonsensical introduction, claiming that they are too busy to come to New York due to all of the "cooking and cleaning." Director Michael Linsey-Hogg shoots the number from a high angle, showing the bandmembers all seated as they mime to the song in the large Studio One at Abbey Road. You can see chairs behind them set up for an orchestra session. Also visible is Paul's front tooth which he chipped in an accident a few days earlier.
Rain - This color film shot by Lindsey-Hogg for the B-side of the single begins with Ringo walking in an archway that has a sign reading "way out" at Chiswick House. The others have their guitars in several shots on the beautiful green grounds, some kids playing in the huge tree behind them. At other times, they all stroll through the ornate greenhouse on the premises. Very MTV.
Rain - The alternate video, shot in black and white on the same day as the one for Paperback Writer, has the guitarists standing this time, shot from a low angle in Studio One. It is pretty straightforward, though there is an amusing moment when John attempts to mouth the backwards lines from the end of the song.
