(28) Canada – Wow!! Marilyn (hardback edition) suddenly raced back to the #1 position in the “Most Wanted in Monroe, Marilyn” section on Amazon Canada.
- Another very busy day on the Beatles documentary. While Keith continued with the research, director, Alan G. began the task of putting the whole thing together, over at the (world famous, highly renowned) Ealing Film Studios, in Ealing. (Archive research / licensing / negotiating work on the new film continued for Mr. Badman for the remainder of the month.)
(27) USA/ World – A big thank you to “Kady” for giving Marilyn a big five-star rating on the renowned Goodreads website.
(25) Leafy Berkshire - Phew another day of Beatles archive work. Hot moments today included the arrival, from Screen Visuals, of the 1967 Pepper-era image which will adorn the front cover of the DVD / Blu-rays and appear in advance promotional material for the documentary.
- Keith also (rather excitedly) received today a short sample of a totally unseen / un-broadcasted Beach Boys documentary from March 1970. “And incredibly wonderful it was too,” he screamed after viewing it. The 16mm colour clip was then sent onto the group themselves by way of the band’s official archivist, Alan. “All go here!”
(23/24) Leafy Berkshire – Another mad/ busy day of archive research and form filling on the new Beatles movie.
- Following a lengthy discussion with producer, Simon Lupton, the working day concluded on a rather exciting bit of news regarding the film/ TV dramatization of Keith’s Marilyn book.
(22) – Leafy Berkshire – An archive licensing progress report chat with Chris B at ITN Source, followed by another buy day of negotiating fees and Rights (with three different companies) for the use of a certain image to be used for promotional purposes and on the cover of the DVD / Blu-ray release of the Beatles documentary. Other pieces of extensive archive research on the show also took place today.
(21) - Thanks to Robert E. Goldon for his splendid four-star review of Marilyn (hardback edition) on Amazon.com. “An interesting work on Monroe,” he typed, “with much new information for this reader.”
(16/17/18) Leafy Berkshire – Further extensive archive (film / video / stills) research on the new Beatles movie. The WeTransfer website certainly did overtime during these three days.
(15) North West London – 4pm slot. More interviewing for the documentary took place when Keith travelled again to the London home of Hunter Davies, The Beatles’ only official biographer. A most splendid 3-hour session was had by all. “Thank you, Hunter, a delight as always.”
(14) The Scotch of St. James, London – More Beatles-related interviews were filmed in London for the new movie. Among the luminaries present this day, at this most famous, legendary 60s venue, was noted Beatles author, Philip Norman, and two men famously close to the band in their 60s hey-day, Bill Harry and Tony Bramwell.
Keith took great interest when the latter pointed out to him where pop legends such as The Beatles, The Stones and The Animals etc. used to sit when they visited the club. Another high spot for him came when Tony identified the stage (just inches off the floor) where (in September 1966) Jimi Hendrix (I kid you not) gave his very first British performance. “Phew! Unbelievable!” Interviews (and incredible stories) over, Bramwell and Badman shared a lengthy walk back to Paddington Station.
(7) UK – Many thanks to “S. Williamson” for his five-star review of Marilyn (paperback version) on Amazon.co.uk. The review was succinct, “Brill,” he said simply. “Thanks, kind sir.”
(6 – 9) Liverpool, England – Production on the new Beatles movie documentary finally got underway when three of the team on the project, Alan G., Robin and Keith travelled up to Liverpool. With First Class tickets in hand, the fab trio boarded a train at London Euston this morning en route to Beatle-Land. Once there, they all checked-in to their respective rooms at the (most luxurious) Hard Days Night Hotel. Keith (once more) found himself in a “Paul McCartney” themed room. Three nights were booked, one of which was spent watching through-the-night live coverage of the American Presidential Election.
Filming in Liverpool went as follows: On the 7th, exterior / location shots were taken at Mathew Street, Penny Lane, St. Peter’s Church, Admiral Grove, Menlove Avenue, Strawberry Field, Forthlin Road, the Ya Cracke pub in Rice Street and (at 5pm precisely) The Beatles Story on the Albert Dock. Interviews with Billy Kinsley & Tony Crane (of The Merseybeats), Debbie & Nigel Greenberg (Cavern club regulars in the 60s), and Freda Kelly (original Beatles Fan Club secretary) all took place on the 8th, the latter being in the “John Lennon Imagine Suite” at the Hard Days Night Hotel.
A piece with original Beatle, Pete Best, set to take place on the morning of November 9, failed to materialise due to unforeseen circumstances. (It was swiftly rearranged for two weeks later.) In-between times, Keith paid a visit to (the wonderful, charming and delightful) Anne-Marie who was hard at work in The Beatles Shop on Mathew Street. (A selfie was even taken of the event.) The Beatles’ doc filming team all headed back to London on the 9th, Alan, Robin and Keith once more in First Class, the others in cars.
(1-4) Leafy Berkshire - With shooting set to begin in just five days time, Keith continued his pre-production archive research work on the new Beatles film documentary.
