McCartney's Broad Street at 40 | Were The Critics Right?

[@HartponderJr]

I was a staff photographer who got a credential to see Paul and Linda in Los Angeles for the movie. I shouted out when they walked in “you two look great” and they did… Paul pointed to me and said “That’s my favorite photographer!” Got some really great photos (film of course).

[@whispjohn]

Henry Diltz tells a good story about Paul and Linda as he was friends with Linda through photography. The first thing he asked Henry when he turned up was if he had anything to "smoke" which Henry did. I cooked Paul a pizza, he was using 10cc's Strawberry Studios next to the pizza place I worked in and the studio caretaker asked for half a dozen pizzas to go. One was for Sir Paul. I cooked Pizzas for many rock stars of the day.

[@vinceinhouston4338]

He always seems to be a cool and generous person. I've got a large signed photo of Muhammad Ali standing over the Beatles lying in the ring praying. When I moved to the UK, my mom who, worked for the company that Ali was signing sports paraphernalia for, told me that maybe I could get it signed if I ever ran into him. Like I would be walking down the street with a big framed thing under my arm wherever I went - just in case.

[@Mo-MuttMusic]

Great story! What brand of camera did you use? Shawn R., Mo-Mutt Music/Sacred & Secular

[@anniedarkhorse6791]

Congrats. You kissed his backside.

[@KenLieck]

@@vinceinhouston4338 I knew a girl here in Austin who had previously met Paul through her being a friend of Linda's mum. Apparently they all had tea together on numerous occasions, just being normal friendly people like you do.

[@mrleetheteacher]

I was a teenager at the time and my father took me to the movie theater to see it. The film was horrible, but I cherish the memory of my father doing this for me.

[@RAFchurchlawford4469]

What did you think of the movie, son? Err... well... umm... Did you like the Rupert film? Wow, that was brilliant, dad. Really good. Thanks for taking me. Anytime, son. Anytime.

[@vinceinhouston4338]

When I was but a lad, there were 3 things that he would stop and watch if I had the TV on for. Johnny Weissmuller as Tarzan, Speed Racer or Star Trek. Each of those things are special to me because it would give him a few minutes of enjoyment. I know later as a teen, he took me to David Lee Roth's Eat 'Em and Smile concert in Houston when the kid I was supposed to go with bailed last minute. I remember two girls running around with Eat Me and Smile t-shirts on, thinking, my dad is never going to let me go to another concert after this. Afterwards, I asked him what he thought. He said it was like being behind a jet taking off. (It set a record for being the biggest, loudest and touring the longest at the time) To this day, because of Dave's ability to put on a show, the talent of Vai, Sheehan and Bissonett and my dad being there, it was the most enjoyable concert I've ever been to.

[@scott2894]

My friend and I took a bus downtown the Saturday after it opened to see it. We were both 13 and were just happy to see our hero up on the big screen singing and playing guitar. The story was irrelevant to us. We treated it more like an extended music video, not Casablanca, and in doing that we enjoyed it just fine. The following Monday I got my dad to drive me to a local shop to pick up the album on cassette, which of course included extra songs and longer versions than the LP. It was my most-played tape for months to come. By the way, I live in Canada, and I can confirm that Rupert did indeed play before the film here and I still have the newspaper clipping of the ad for the movie to prove it. Broad Street still gives me fond memories of a simpler time which I cherish. I never gave a damn what the critics and naysayers had to say about it... and I still don't! And it IS an anniversary we are celebrating, by the way. We will be watching the film next weekend, 40 years to the day I first saw it.

[@gailg2327]

Thank you!

[@busterlove412]

@@scott2894 Did you see it at The Uptown in Toronto? That's where my sister and I did. I have the dvd now. I know it's not great, but it's Paul. ❤️

[@scott2894]

@@busterlove412 No, I'm in Winnipeg. We saw it at the Towne 8 Cinema.

[@4AdamKane1]

I love the LP and the movie!

[@josephblue4135]

I was 30 when this film was released and I never saw it. I'm now seeing it for the first time at the age of 70 and I'm glad I did. Thank you Andrew for the link.

[@Parlogram]

You're welcome!

[@Vince_Tasciotti]

It's not the absolute worst film I've seen. It's more like a collection of music videos edited together with scenes of dialogue and convincing sets. You put the record on for the music. And put the movie on for a background distraction.

[@andynator501]

I find this to be exactly true and the same for all the Beatles films as well. Cheers

[@daytripper9222]

@@andynator501 A hard Day's night and Help! We're great.

[@GoobyShears]

@@andynator501 woah, the beatles movies were great. i watch it for the movie, not for the music/music videos.

[@vinceinhouston4338]

It all comes down to your expectations. Gone With the Wind it is not, but better and more cohesive than Magical Mystery Tour, it is. Without Magical Mystery Tour, we wouldn't have a video for I Am the Walrus, Blue Jay Way or Fool on the Hill. Perhaps it's all about managing your expectations.

[@bullseyecanada]

I went to see the movie with the knowledge that McCartney wasn't an actor. I recognized, immediately that what was presented on the screen was a long-form video ALBUM of the songs featured on vinyl, cassette, and CD - using a thin thread of "plot" to string them together. These were tailor made for MTV. The fact that the segments weren't marketed and promoted individually as such after the failure in theatres was very short-sighted. It would take KZbin 30 years later to make that a reality.

[@Uetti]

Let's say 25 years later or lesser. I used to watch clips from the movie over here around 2006

[@Author1959]

I was happy to see it. My hero on the screen. I was 12 at the time and had no care for how bad the plot was. It was Paul and the music. What more can you ask for? For me, it was magical to see Paul play the music and sing the songs.

[@richardchubb8504]

The album is awesome.

[@fbt25]

I first watched it as kid on TV and my first reaction was, "Hey, it's Paul on the movie!". After that I didn't care if it'd going to be good or bad, it was all about Paul being on the movie and that's what mattered to draw my attention.

[@elvispresleycollectorsgroup]

Great video making and enjoyable review Andrew. If anything it was great to see Paul and Ringo together again at the time and remember enjoying this soundtrack at the time!

[@alexeivas1979]

For me Give My Regards to Broad Street is the one of the best Paul's albums. Always loved how it sounds. Versions of Long and winding road and Silly Love Songs are gorgeous. Also love the film. It has lots of rainy London atmosphere, studio recordings, mystical scenes. It gives me cozy feeling and never feels boring.

[@mbvideoselection]

Got it in one! 💯%

[@Graphicxtras1]

I agree, really good film - one that clearly at the time got bad reviews but was pretty decent.

[@theadventuresofhollythecat6524]

Discovered the Beatles in 82 with the re-release of love me do. I was 10. Pipes of peace was the first McCartney album I owned which I loved. Then with my pocket money brought the single of No more lonely nights and so on. Must be one of the few that actually enjoyed the film. Thanks for the insight….just checked my childhood copy and have the mis-spelt version. Wasn’t aware of that mistake until your video. Thanks Andrew. Really enjoy your channel

[@vinceinhouston4338]

My favorite Paul record came out right before that. Tug of War (produced by George Martin) had two duets with Stevie Wonder. What's That You're Doing was amazing and I played the hell out of that record. It had Here Today, a song to John which was special because of that loss. Get It with Carl Perkins is so fun, as is Ballroom Dancing. Be What you see is just a link, but could have been made as a whole song with the mood it sets. Then there is Take It Away which has that atmospheric sound that you can feel during the 'Lonely driver, empresario...' part followed by those horns that are reminiscent of music in a time gone by. There's just not a bad song on the record.

[@robertsauvage9745]

I was lucky to win tickets from Club Sandwich to see the Premier at the Odeon in Liverpool and we got our tickets autographed by. Mike McCartney. Early in 2000 I fixed Mike's Tv.

[@garylynch9206]

Needs remembering that Paul had been extremely unavailable for years. To such a degree that an interview with him was a hit album. To hear him sing those Beatles songs in 84 was unreal.

[@blurredlenzpictures3251]

I was born in 84 and No More Lonely Nights is the first song I remember hearing and still love it to this day. When my parents divorced I was 4 yrs old and I played this Album/cassette and VHS all the time.

[@MrKaywyn]

I'm so glad that you're reviewing this film, since, it's been a great favourite of mine for many years.

[@CosasdeOswaldo]

Thank you so much for making a video about this movie!!

[@Parlogram]

My pleasure!

[@SimonJohnNoble]

Another excellent video Andrew. I think your assessment is fair, honest and accurate. It interesting how similar this is to Magical Mystery Tour in terms of thin plot, some bad acting, poor screenplay but the musical sequences are the best bits.

[@barrymonaghan6593]

I saw it in Vancouver when it came out. There was me, a guy, and his two daughters in the entire cinema.

[@JIMFROMANDROS]

Great video again with something that happened in our life 40 years ago. I never saw the film but the soundtrack was more than satisfactory. Good songs well played and a scent of Beatle era on the air

[@markhayes6211]

I was 14 in 1984 and my friend won 2 tickets from The Echo to go see the Premier of Broad Street in Liverpool, there was also Premier showing in London. It was a great night as Paul and Linda were there and I also remember Rupert and The Frog Song being shown before Broad street, Good memories.

[@buddyneher9359]

"The Anniversary No One is Celebrating" 😀 Ouch! (Rutles reference)

[@kgammill]

That “chat show” clip was Paul being interviewed by Bobbie Wygant on the local NBC affiliate in Ft. Worth, Texas. She just passed away earlier this year at age 97. Cool to see her in the video.

[@goriotv2023]

It's about time! You are the second content creator to vlog about Give My Regards to Broad Street.

[@MrJameswingham]

I took myself to see this at the Odeon, Marble Arch, the day after it premiered there. I don't know about lonely nights but it was a pretty lonely afternoon. I was joined in the auditorium by a family of 4, who left directly after the Rupert short, leaving me to watch the movie in a now empty cinema. It's actually a fond memory and I do have a soft spot for the film. If only Handmade Films had produced this, using decent scriptwriters. I always imagined George behind the bar of the Old Justice, in a little cameo part, listening to Ravi Shankar while he cleaned the beer taps and emptied the ashtrays.....

[@andresf1984]

Great video! As a diehard Beatles fan, it amazes me how you keep finding gems like these every weekend

[@andrewholliday251]

Wait until he starts working through Ringo's catalogue....('Old Wave' anyone?)

[@Parlogram]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@daranmurphy]

Hi Andrew. Interesting take on the movie. I actually own this on a 40 year old Laserdisc which is still playable today.

[@DrVonChilla]

I was 20 years old when Broad Street landed. I've always enjoyed the album and the film. 😃

[@turbomario]

I had no idea people disliked Broad Street before watching this. It’s one of the two McCartney LPs my Mum owns, along with Pipes of Peace - so i like them both in a sentimental way. Didn’t even know it was a film as well until i did some research lol

[@Mrvictorfernandes]

Even though "Broadstreet" is a cringy slog, I still love mimicking Bryan Brown's delivery of this line from the film: "Gentlemen! I'm sure you'd like to be the first to know... We got the tapes!"

[@simonhodgetts6530]

Lol! Me too!

[@Uetti]

It's also in the album, right before the Playout Version of Give My Regards To Broad Street kicks in

[@andrewholliday251]

I heard an interview with Bryan Brown on radio recently looking back at his career. His only comment related to this was on the benefits of fame where he said, '...and I've met Paul McCartney.'

[@swanandbottlers]

I always love your videos. As someone who works full time for a KZbin channel, I know how much work it takes to put out a decent video. I appreciate the dedication you put into it. Fantastic quality and so informative even to this Beatles scholar of 44 years, I learn so much everytime I watch one of your videos (I think we're around the same age). Keep them coming!

[@Parlogram]

Thank you. I appreciate that!

[@joshsmusiclibrary]

Loved loved loved the album! When I first got into McCartney's solo work, it was a great stepping stone and some of remakes are really really beautiful. It was my favourite version of Long and Winding Road for a WHILE! And No More Lonely Nights - what a song!!

[@Zholobov1]

100% agreed

[@danielkokal8819]

Spector destroyed Winding Road with orchestration... without Paul's blessing. he should have been charged with a crime. its one of the most beautiful piano ballads ever written. and Spector shit all over it.

[@Zholobov1]

@@danielkokal8819 no, he didn't. The Beatles should have recorded that song properly with overdubs (live bass didn’t work anyway) and then add some strings. The lead vocal should have been recorded as an overdub too. That’s not kind of song to be recorded roughly as it was. And when you add an orchestra and choir to a rough performance, the result sounds clumsy at best. Which we've got with that Beatles version.

[@danielkokal8819]

@@Zholobov1 the story I got from multiple sources is that Paul found out about the heavy handed orchestration after the fact and was livid about it. But I agree about the overdubs. a smooth recording of the basic instruments with light strings added would have been better, but not the Cecil B. DeMille bullshit Spector put in.

[@Zholobov1]

@@danielkokal8819 but what's interesting when you watch Peter Jackson's "The Beatles Get Back" documentary - right after the band recorded some first complete runthroughs of the song (26 Jan 1969) I think George Harrison suggests it would be good with an orchestra overdub. So that could be possible for Paul to think about such an opportunity in the future. And yes, I agree with you, Spector just overdid himself in that task. The orchestra arragement was fine, but not the choir obviously. And Paul didn’t like the harp either 😊.

[@NLKINK]

The Dutch have a saying: Schoenmaker hou je bij je leest, literally meaning shoemaker keep making shoes. It more or less means keep doing what you know the best. Know your limitations. I actually saw the movie on Dutch television several years ago and remember that it a struggle to keep interested in the story. It was good though to see Dave Edmunds in action. At the time his career was at a relative low ebb so it was nice to see him in McCartney's band😊

[@Uetti]

I live in Milan, and in the Milan dialect they have a similar saying: "Ofelé, fa el to' mesté" that translates "Pastry chef, do your own job", stick to your main skill/work

[@aureliande2659]

And the German version, not astonishingly, is the same as the Dutch: Schuster, bleib bei deinen Leisten! -- At the time back then I thought, I would have guessed that Magical Mystery Tour taught him a lesson, but alas!

[@ajpp9]

Another great detailed vid! Man, you have to have a strong inner confidence to be a creative genius! And while I think Paul bit off a little more than he could chew, I still found I enjoyed parts of it and seeing Paul and Ringo performing were worth the price of admission! Thank you!

[@andynator501]

I saw this film when it was released in the US and still remember the advert for the cinema in my local newspaper - it was "Do You Wanna See Something Funny?" with cutouts of Paul and Ringo in the ad. I still have the LP that I bought at the time, the VHS copy I bought when it was released, and the CD I bought on Amazon 20 years later. The LP was the first record I played on my new hi-fi system when I began getting back into music in 2022. I treat this film the same as all of The Beatles films - it's best to view it as a series of performances and MTV-style videos, rather than a complete film. And the "Eleanor's Dream" sequence will always be a masterpiece to me.

[@machiel5888]

A Hard Day's Night is a great film

[@OuterGalaxyLounge]

This came out not too long after Paul Simon's vanity project, One Trick Pony, which, in retrospect from a recent viewing, was not half-bad as a film and has a fine soundtrack. Oddly, that film also has the idea of someone (in this case, Simon himself) stealing his master tape. Wonder if Paul saw that and based his film around that idea? Like you with Broadstreet, a lot of what I liked in the Simon film were the periodisms, the earthy look of early '80s films, the documentary value of seeing lost urban spaces and a world that no longer exists, and so on. NIce overview, Andrew.

[@HeebyJeebly]

@@OuterGalaxyLounge From what I understand, some Wings tapes were actually stolen from him before that and it was based off his own real experience loosely.

[@mgconlan]

@@HeebyJeebly True. It was during the recording of "Band on the Run" in Nigeria. Local thieves stole the tapes and Paul had to pay a ransom to get them back.

[@davidsmith62]

Paul was very committed to the full multimedia experience with this project. Let’s not forget the computer game. I had a copy for the Commodore 64. I can’t remember if i completed it.

[@sw2442]

I was supposed to see Broadstreet at one of my local theaters here in the San Gabriel Valley (L.A./Southern California,) soon after it opened. It was gonna be me, my Dad, and I think my sister. We set a day, but the movie left theaters quickly of course...and we never saw it. I did receive the cassette version of the soundtrack as a Christmas gift later that year...still have it. I finally saw the movie on cable a year later. It has enjoyable parts, but it's also drags in spots. I bought the film on DVD when it was reissued.

[@j.r.shartzer]

I'm excited to see you follow-up this video. In my childhood memories, Off the Ground and his work with Elvis Costello made some waves, but it wasn't really until Flaming Pie that it felt like "Paul is back!"

[@matthewfarmer2520]

I was 8 in 1984 when broad street came out in theaters. No more lonely nights was good. Thanks for sharing this.

[@Parlogram]

Thanks for watching!

[@Neal_Schier]

Thank you for the reviews Andrew. You are definately one of the "good guys" and among the best of the content creators out there. We greatly appreciate these videos!

[@Parlogram]

Thanks Neal. I appreciate that!

[@MarcoAntonioMallagoliRevolutio]

I saw it in the Cinemas at the time, and bought the LP, CD and k7 tape at thr time, and I Love it. It was one of his best work. This was part of my life, as every Beatles record.

[@skee19]

I have to say that I have always loved this movie and soundtrack, it has several fine moments. I saw this movie on an October weekend that i came home from college. It was a nice memory of a long ago time. I have gone back a few times on both vhs/dvd . I had the cassette tape and wore it out !

[@AshCutlermusic]

Thank you for making this video Andrew! Broad Street, Rupert and the Frog Song and McCartney II were my intros to McCartney/The Beatles when I was between the ages of 2 and 5, back in the mid - late 80s. I saw the video for Broad Street at my local video shop and begged my mum to rent it out. I watched it so much she ended up buying it from them and giving it to me for my birthday. I love this film, mostly because it ignited my passion for McCartney, The Beatles and music in general. I've spent my adult life working in the music industry and this film is right at the start of my journey. Andrew, I've mentioned it on your Rupert video, but thank you again for taking the time to make a video on the McCartney period I have the softest spot for. ❤ I'm just gutted we will never see an anniversary release for this as I'll probably be the only one who buys it. 😂

[@karmicselling4252]

Worth the price of admission just to see Steve Lukather actually using his very short lived Lukather signature series Ibanez RS101SL guitar on "Silly Love Songs". One of the very rare times we see him "performing" with it.

[@gxios]

I watched it twice when it was released on video tape, but have never wanted to see it again. My reaction was similar to yours- wooden acting, first draft scripting, nice camera work. I liked the Eric Stewart collaboration era songs, so it was good to see them together. I bought the cd for all the extra music, but I must admit I haven't played it since the 1980's.

[@ericlapp72]

I turned 12 years old right around the film being released. I went to see it twice despite a really bad snowstorm and absolutely loved it. I also saw it for sale on VHS for a very large sum of money. I tried to watch it around 35 years later but couldn't make it all the way through. I was also somewhat disappointed with the album which I purchased both on vinyl and cassette as there weren't enough "new" songs to keep my interest. Now I'm quite content to just watch the "No More Lonely Nights (Ballad)" promo video as it really has all of the highlights in it. I also still have a VHS tape of the MTV premier of the video. Thanks for your ongoing videos. I've been a subscribe for some time now and always love your content.

[@Parlogram]

Glad you enjoy the videos!

[@deementia6796]

I think the best thing that the movie did in the US was that it gave Tracey Ullman a bit of a push. From what I've read, she agreed to be in the movie if Paul would be part of a music video for her song, "They Don't Know About Us" which broke her on MTV, and gave her a Top 10 hit here in America. My mom ended up buying Tracey Ullman's album, while totally ignoring Macca's soundtrack LOL Of course, Tracey ended up with a variety show here on Fox TV in the USA, which led to a huge run to a cultural phenomenon of The Simpsons.

[@davidjordan2336]

I thought The Tracey Ullman Show was one of the best TV shows ever, and it's too bad that it's now remembered only as where The Simpsons (in a much more dysfunctional form) got their start.

[@DLEVANS65]

When this movie came out in 1984 I had just graduated from high school , I went to see this movie I thought it was a great movie! As a Beatles fan I thought Paul did a great job with it!

[@paulyoung9279]

George Harrison popped up on Radio 1 to have his say. With his experience as a founder of Hand-Made Films, his opinion was one to be heard. He blasted it as an extended ego trip and, rather more gently, appealed to his old friend to come back to Earth. It was interesting and touching that Harrison seemed to feel a fellow Beatle had gone astray, even by 1984! Thanks for another fascinating programme :)

[@prettyshinyspaghetti8332]

That's interesting because a few years later, he said that he enjoyed the film, but added that Paul should not have taken on so many roles all by himself.

[@gkmacca1]

Good old George. He, of course, never put a foot wrong. Did Paul ever mention George's tour of the US?

[@rainblaze.]

Have to remember George was never Paul's biggest fan . He arguably had a more turbulent relationship with paul than even lennon had. But that doesn't mean his opinion was not valid though. The movie stunk and was indeed indicative of a milti-millionare with an equaly bloated ego and too many friends in high places to eager to indulge him IMO

[@niallchurch2679]

Don't forget,paul asked george to bankroll the film!

[@paulyoung9279]

@@niallchurch2679 I didn't know that!

[@KilianMcCartney]

I've always loved that '80s sound of Broad Street. I even rented out a theatre to watch the movie for my 18th birthday with a couple of music friends. It's not a good movie by any stretch of the imagination, but it's just fun to see that it actually made it onto the big screen.

[@WordslingingStephen]

I find "Broad Street" to be one of my guilty pleasures-- I enjoy it, but I don't watch it that often. Ringo's line still cracks me up: "Can we get some heat in here or are we practicing to be Canadian?"

[@TheAmazingManneyEsq-k2r]

That line was scripted, for it was far beyond the capabilities of Ringo’s wit or intelligence.

[@johnp515]

⁠​⁠@@TheAmazingManneyEsq-k2r No offence but to think that that silly, mildly amusing line written by Paul McCartney is a quip requiring an intelligent mind to write shows maybe you should reassess your own intelligence unless your comment was merely meant to express derision towards Ringo Starr which in that case I would say that your quips very much need work,

[@TheAmazingManneyEsq-k2r]

@@johnp515 Thank you for your thoughtful and witty reply. I can tell you are full of .... intelligence down there. My comment was about Ringo, not Paul. That requires a separate chapter for which I will set up a paid subscription model. $50 (US) per month to read my thoughts online about Ringo Starr and how Pete Best was a superior drummer. Want more? Subscribe!

[@multitrackers3770]

@@TheAmazingManneyEsq-k2r Hi Pete.

[@bopmathews]

I prefer the following lines - Paul: "Shall we try not such a bad boy"... Ringo "Do we ave to?"

[@FlaminpieSpain]

I was at the Liverpool premier and had a great time!

[@GeoffreyGentryMusic]

Nice video, Andrew! Fellow car guy here; I also appreciate seeing that Rover P4, the Daimler limo, and the Citroën, all cars that you would never see here in the States unless you go to a car museum or something. You have good taste in cars as well as music!

[@Extreme_Rice]

There’s an episode of Columbo where Patrick McGoohan drives an SM, though of course it is a US-spec one.

[@GeoffreyGentryMusic]

@@Extreme_Rice I've never seen Columbo. Sounds interesting, tho.

[@markearnestfromreno613]

Yep, it’s definitely a 2/5 film. A handful of great musical scenes surrounded by many overblown or dull ones. The wrong kind of variety. In a year where the flawed but way more exciting musical film Purple Rain was released, it’s easy to see why this was a slog in comparison. Great overview of the carnage, Andrew.

[@superancientmariner1394]

Well, for a man who's career came to an end with this film, he has done pretty well since then.

[@freewayflyer1000]

Thank you, Andrew, for providing this essential public service: watching this film so I don't have to!

[@tooleyoclock]

First time!!! And you call yourself a Beatle fan! I was able to catch this gem of a film on VH1 in the US back in the mid 90s when I was about 13. I remember getting a kick out of the campy music sequences. The Revolver tunes with Ringo was a treat too. The real highlight, for me, though was hearing the lovely song Wanderlust from the Tug of War album-which I promptly picked up on vinyl.

[@cradio52]

I’ve never seen this film, but as a Beatles fan, of course I’d always heard of its infamy. This “deep dive”/nuanced exploration of the film and all the hubbub surrounding it was fascinating, and extremely well done as always. 👏🪲 Can’t wait to hear more about “Press to Play”!

[@TheAmazingManneyEsq-k2r]

Just like “Magical Mystery Tour”, the movie was awful but the soundtrack was pretty good. In both, Paul was the director or the directing force, and wallet. Many recording artists feel the temptation of making the jump to the silver screen but in 95% of the cases, it is not advisable or it is not successful. In Paul’s experience and track record: it is definitely not advisable. Leave the movies and television to George and Ringo. At least they can follow directions and not give them (wrongly).

[@Bella-nt7ec]

The “Magical Mystery Tour” is my favourite of all Beatle films. The Hard day's night being the least interesting

[@sharonraizor2839]

At a time when celebrities weren't interviewed to death on 25 tv shows a day, it was cool to go to the theater and see Paul in action!

[@johndavis3921]

When I heard about the film, I was living in Atlanta, GA. A major city has a lot of movie houses, but the research I had to do to find a cinema that actually booked the film near my home was a challenge. When I found a theater, it was quite a distance to drive. The theater was not even 10% full. The film was pulled after 1 week.

[@neilafacci5833]

The thing about the album was at the time of the release there weren’t any Beatles music available on cd . So with the release we had a few Beatles tunes to listen to even though Paul was covering himself on those songs and Ringo refused to play on those Beatles covers . So it helped fill a void .

[@josetunez9584]

I was 13 years old when i saw this film a couple of years ago, I don't know, it kinda grew into me, it had something you know, the music mostly, kinda funny, it was maybe in 2011 when I saw it and i heard the soundtrack, brings me good memories, thanks for the review, Andrew!

[@nolarobert]

I remember going to see this movie at the Belle Promenade Mall theater in Marrero (West Bank of New Orleans) with my good Beatles fan friend, April. We were disappointed by the trite story but it was still fun to see Paul (and Ringo) on the big screen. It is hard to believe this was 40 years ago when I was a senior in high school. I may have to find this on DVD and rewatch it for nostalgia.

[@welshaccenttutorials3104]

Saw it in the cinema when it came out. Thought it was a snooze but we got to see The Frog Chorus which was a delightful surprise and I remember we all went crazy for it

[@ellieeliandelliot7439]

I was 7 years old when I heard MCartney's No more lonely nights which became my 1st favorite song. 5 years after I saw a music video of the Beatles. I saw that one of the members looked like Paul McCartney, only to find out that it is the same person.

[@VirreFriberg]

As a person who's somewhat of a train enthusiast, this movie has always held a soft spot for me. The title is sort of Paul's homage to one of London's great lost railways stations, the Broad Street Termini. It closed in 1986 (a shell of its former self) and as early as the 1990s there were absolutely no remenants of the station left.

[@graemewilson7975]

Great late John hurt was in the video as well

[@brilton1]

I was living in London in 1984 and happened to be in Leicester Square on the night of the premiere, and I got to see Paul and Linda arrive, as well as a plethora of their celebrity friends. Some days later I scored a couple of freebie tickets via a radio station competition so I took a friend along to see it. The bemused look he gave me when the lights came on at the end, well, I wonder if those celebrity pals of Paul’s had a similar reaction

[@billr9125]

I saw this in the theater in the US when it came out - hard to believe 40 years ago. Musicians you didn't mention: Steve Lukather and Jeff Porcaro from TOTO fame are in makeup and playing with Paul on Silly Love Songs.

[@mmsiphonevinyls1027]

Yeah i read an interview once where Luke joked that noone gave them any crap for the movie being bad, as noone knew it was them 😂

[@Mariazellerbahn]

Up there with Ram / BOTR / V&M. I love it.

[@sonoftherabbitpeople4737]

"Drags like a wounded snail". LOL. I will remember and use that phrase from now on!

[@rseanez1]

I picked up a cassette version while overseas in the U.S. Navy and liked it. I find the film whimsical and have it on DVD.

[@paulwheatley141]

This album remains my absolute favorite McCartney album, and I loved the film as a young fan, I was 14 when it came out. My uncle bought me the soundtrack when it was released. My interest remains strong in this project, I love the feel of this film and I adore Eleanor Rigby and the dream sequence. I also love the Dickensian scenes and links to modern day as he drives around London. I even bought the Commodore 64 game of the film and enjoy playing it to this day. I understand the criticisms but they don't deter my enthusiasm for this film and soundtrack. It was great to see Paul sing these songs, and to me it was always more of a feature length music video than an outright film. Thanks for the great video review. The press are idiots.

[@BassicVIC]

I really don’t understand why it was so harshly criticised back in the day. I only see jealousy and resentment from such criticisms. I’m 51, my dad taped Give My Regards To Broadstreet off the telly back in 1985 on our Sony Betamax. I was absolutely captivated by it. I watched it hundreds of times. I know it’s not a great movie but it wasn’t meant to be, and yes, it smacks of Paul’s vanity throughout the film, but hey! It’s a pleasure seeing him play, and those versions of his Beatles songs are super good. The photography is amazing, the costumes in Eleanor’s Dream (which is my favourite part of the film) are splendid. All that Victoriana fantasy is just lovely to me. Eleanor’s Dream as a piece of music is also so very under appreciated. Seeing George Martin little interactions with Paul in the studio give us a glimpse of how it could have been them together back in the Beatles era …. In general o find it entertaining… yes, the plot is very silly but hey, again, it’s all about seeing Paul working his magic with music. I never knew it was so badly reviewed then but I don’t care. The film and music are very close to my heart. Greetings from Mexico. 🇲🇽

[@shlomopolonsky]

"Help" as the movie isn't less stupid - but we still love the Beatles)))

[@bh9225]

Each time I watch it, I like it more and more. Great little film.

[@ianhill3446]

Hi Paul 😉

[@shadshowadradna]

Leslie Sarony, the writer of Jolity Farm and several other 1930s hit songs, also had a small part in the movie (and died shortly afterwards).

[@trublu71]

I have to admit this is one of the things in the Paul McCartney universe that I struggled with for many years. Now, four decades! Many songs, I always loved from the album and soundtrack. These days I look at the movie through a different lens. I would’ve done things differently with the script and the plot. But these days I can enjoy with a more open mind. Thanks, Andrew for another great video! Cheers!

[@Parlogram]

Cheers! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@TigerRogers0660]

Andrew, i watched the film when it first came out - and to be honest, i remember nothing about it. I did buy the album (on cassette), which as you mentioned, wasn't edited down like the LP. I really enjoyed the songs "Not Such A Bad Boy" & "No Values".

[@MrBlumeenie]

I remember, at the time, Paul saying in one interview, that he and Linda were concerned that there wasn't enough family oriented content on the big screen and so he wrote his screenplay with kids in mind and the songs for the adults to enjoy. Make of that what you will.....

[@johnp515]

The fact is, whatever the concept, the execution was always going to be bad because Paul is a very substandard actor and a terrible, worse than amateur screenwriter.

[@mbvideoselection]

Well I was a teenager at the time but with a newly born baby brother and it worked for me.

[@RonaldBrown59]

I haven't seen this film since the mid-80s, and I don't remember much about it, mostly that it wasn't very interesting. I did love the No More Lonely Nights song and MTV video. And I can't remember if I have it on LP. I might check it out again on KZbin. Another great video, thanks for sharing.

[@asonofmre2]

That was one of two vinyl records I asked mum to play the other was a Motown compilation. Dave Gilmour’s solo on the opening track is brilliant

[@mtabernac]

I can never forget a phrase I read in a review of this back in 1984 (can't remember which newspaper it was, though). The reviewer described Paul as having his mouth "permanently fixed in an oval of mild surprise" throughout the entire film. 😀

[@goriotv2023]

I remember that review. Hahahahaha! His facial expression was like in the MCCARTNEY II album.

[@tonearmgray9537]

Another excellent video, Andrew. My wife has always been a huge Paul Simon fan but a standing joke between us has been the, er, questionable quality of Paul Simon's own movie vanity project, One Trick Pony. As a huge Macca/Beatles fan, I saw Broad Street years ago when it was on TV (I taped it but haven't watched it since) and your video has just brought it back to mind. As I remarked to my wife last night, Broad Street makes One Trick Pony look like Citizen Kane!

[@Parlogram]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@billslocum9819]

The film has some moments for fans but is dreadful overall. The scarring effect it had on Paul's 80s career was largely because it gave critics (especially British ones) a chance to get on Paul for not being the Beatle who got murdered four years before. Their gloating derision was way in excess of what it deserved, and Paul did his part by moving the credits for the Beatles numbers from "Lennon - McCartney" to "McCartney - Lennon," which was the wrong time for that stunt.

[@andrewholliday251]

MMT was essentially a Macca film as well. With a similar critical reaction (although time has, almost unbelievably, been kinder). I suspect Macca's assessment of MMT's failings was that it wasn't him, it was the amateurish way it was made....so all he needed to do was surround himself with seasoned professionals (in all departments) who knew what they were doing and everything would be fine. As he sadly discovered upon release, the problems weren't centred on the company he was keeping....

[@robgronotte1]

The credits had already been reversed a decade earlier on the Wings Over America live album.

[@carlosshishido880]

nunca dejas de sorprenderme andrew....esta reseña casi me saca lagrimas pues fue la ultima pelicula que vi como escolar....y aun cuando no es una buena pelicula las canciones y los recuerdos si los son ....saludos desde PERU

[@jennythescouser]

I thought the film was OK. By no means good but watchable. You've got to also remember that as the 'new generation' had moved into the music press and film press, it was open season on on the likes of Paul McCartney, Led Zeppelin and even Pink Floyd. These guys were called rock 'n roll dinosaurs at the time and were often showered by negative reviews bordering on hatred

[@docsavage8640]

It wouldn't matter what they released. The critics had predetermined it was automatically bad.

[@GaryTwitchett]

"Goodnight Princess " is one of my favourite McCartney songs. It has a Beautiful 30's/40's style melody and arrangement, of which Paul is so good at.

[@Anandgyan]

It was nice to get a couple of glances at Ringo and Barbara without the usual John & Yoko. I liked the cars too! Thanks Andrew.

[@Emmachantiri]

I've always had a fondness for it, it very much has Lynchian vibes mixed with mid 80s cheese and a decent helping of charm (and Paul driving in cars alot). Its very chill and reserved but I like that its just gradual and lets you live in its world. Don't really understand why the backlash is so intense, there's alot of beautiful scenes and set pieces in it, its funny, its sincere. For me its always been such an inviting humbling experience that doesn't try to act above you or reward you for being superior to it. Pauls performance is like your woozy uncle who is sweet and has a heart of gold! Honestly people hating it says more about them!

[@markjamesmeli2520]

I only remember liking the single and watching the interview with friends on Johnny Carson's THE TONIGHT SHOW live, the night it aired. One, fellow Beatle fan said directly afterwords; "It's either going to be a big hit, or a big flop." Well, I'd never call it a flop, but being a fan of Paul's for at least 12 years at this point - nothing really made me WANT to see it, even though Tracey Ullman was in it (I was a big fan of hers too). So, I didn't see "Regards." I saw bits of it on cable around 1986 or 1987, but that's about all. By 1990 or so, I purchased the album on CD. And that was that.

[@senorbb2150]

Watching this I noticed Tracey and Paul sitting together in the front seat of a car- just like they would be in her music video "They Don't Know"!!

[@TheStephenMozier]

I saw the film when it came out, just myself and a couple near the front in an otherwise empty theater. The plot was indeed quite thin, but the music was most enjoyable. I bought the cassette tape just to hear it again and again.

[@theneonchimpchannel9095]

He didn't completely stop trying to make films. In the 90s, he did a lot of work on a film called "Tropic Island Hum" which I don't think was ever given a major release. He seemed to be very excited about it in the "In The World Tonight" documentary. Apparently, a short version has since been released on DVD which runs for about 13 minutes, but I was under the impression that it was intended to be a feature film, maybe I just misunderstood. I just remember seeing the clips in the documentary and thinking that it looked like a fun movie and kept waiting to hear more about it...but no news ever came and I only just found out that it was included on a DVD when I googled it just now.

[@michaellauri]

This is the first time I have been watching a commercial that was soon being interrupted by yet another commercial (only to be directed back into the make-it-sound-like-the-video-itself-commercial). How crazy can it get? Give my regards to Commerce-Street!

[@mbvideoselection]

I've always loved the Broad Street album as it was only the second McCartney tape that was bought for me as a 10 year old child, Pipes of Peace being the first a few months before. It was also the first cassette i played not on my little carryaround mono portable, but on my Dad's brand new Pioneer stack system. It was also the first time I'd heard the Beatles era songs in anything other than very worn scratchy mono. That and the wonderful opening track and the lavish production, was ethereal for me and i didn't get to see the film for another 3 years after that. When I did see it, and i had somehow heard that it had had a bad reputation, i actually enjoyed it as a fun little romp and collection of musical pieces. Being 14 years old i didn't really watch films of any kind to assess their "dramatic depth".

[@guitar.forbeginners.withdave]

I enjoy this. I usualy watch it every christmas. I got the album from my parents for christmas back when it came out. Brings back good memories. I also managed to record an interview he did with Roger Scott to promote the film. It's a good interview. Great video, thanks.

[@Parlogram]

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@davidgangemi3314]

Yeah it was basically much ado about nothing. After Pauls attempt to write and produce a film in 1967 with Magical Mystery tour,youd think he would have learned something. He only brought 3 new songs(which were actually very good) to the project and tried to build a storyline around a weak premise. If he had simply made a short film containing his new material with a bit of a plot and aired it on MTV,he would have fared somewhat better.

[@jonathanmurphy3141]

I have the same DVD. I hope this gets a remaster and box. Back in "the day" I missed seeing this in the cinema. Months later, I had my wisdom teeth removed, age 17. I watched this movie, at home, recovering on our couch, drugged on Vallium and such, -so, my opinion may have been colluded, then. Years later, I got the DVD, in my early 30's, and it was rather fun. Paul was reinterpreting songs, getting friends, some famous actors, showing off London. So, bring on the remaster box, with a blu' of the film, I'd buy!!

[@AlbertonBeastmaster]

My brother introduced my to The Beatles and Paul McCartney, so I grew up with the solo albums in the 80's. I enjoyed Give my Regards to Broad Street. It was Paul having fun - and also arguably the best version of Yesterday. There's something about Macca singing it in his 40's that seems to resonate more. It was popular to slag him off in the 80's, he was the media's punching bag right up until Flaming Pie and the Beatles Anthology in the 90's.