Research Sources for project

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Posted by
Eweil
(1/25/06 8:49 pm)

Just wondering whether Vivek has consulted Al Brodax, producer of the Beatles Cartoon Series and later, Yellow Submarine. Brodax also has a recent memoir about the making of the latter in which he discusses his dealings with Epstein and his associates. Best of luck with the project! -Eric

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Posted by
vivektiwary
(2/3/06 10:34 am)

Hey, Eric-- I've not consulted Al Brodax. The Beatles' Cartoon Series does play a small role in the film-- but it's such a small and simple element that I didn't feel I needed deeper insight from Broadax at this stage. Good idea, though!

Vivek J. Tiwary
screenwriter/producer

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Posted by
chrisbourgeois
(2/5/06 2:46 am)

List of good Brian books and related:

Brian Books:
A Cellarful of Noise
In My Life: The Brian Epstein Story
The Man Who Made the Beatles : An Intimate Biography of Brian Epstein (Ray Coleman)


The Beatles (Hunter Davies)
The Complete Beatles Chronicle
The Beatles Anthology
The Love You Make (2002 revised version) (Peter Brown)
John (Cynthia Lennon)
John Lennon: In My Life (Pete Shotten)
Yesterday: The Beatles Remembered (Alistair Taylor)
As Time Goes By: Living in the Sixties (Derek Taylor)
Many Years From Now (Barry Miles - Book about Paul)
Hamburg - The Cradle of British Rock (Alan Clayson) (intresting read)
The Beatles : From Cavern To Star-Club - The Illustrated Chronicle, Discography & Price Guide 1957 - 1962 (Hans Olof Gottfridsson)
Mrs. Best and the Casbah Coffee Club: Birthplace of the Beatles (Roag Best)

[christine~]

;D I am thoroughly in agreement with your first 3 book recommendations:

A Cellarful of Noise
...(The most recent Rhino Rediscovery edition, because the commentary by both Martin Lewis and afterword by Derek Taylor are indispensable and fill out the story)

In My Life: The Brian Epstein Story
...(by the late, lamented Debbie Geller)

and
The Man Who Made the Beatles : An Intimate Biography of Brian Epstein
...(by Ray Coleman, who is so fascinating himself that he deserves his own bio written)

That being said, although I enjoyed Yesterday-The Beatles Remembered for its gimmicky approach, I must say the superior Alistair Taylor book is definitely With The Beatles (an update of the previously-published A Secret History).

Let us not forget Tony Bramwell's Magical Mystery Tours-My Life With The Beatles, which includes a lot of sweeet Eppy content.
(Please don't confuse Tony Bramwell with the tabloidy Tony Barrow, their former press officer)

I must take issue, however, with your choice of Peter Brown's The Love You Make.

Unfortunately, Brown's collaboration with the sensationalist Steven Gaines has produced a very entertaining piece of work. A reader has trouble reminding oneself that much of his scandalous Brian material is innuendo and guesswork (and sour grapes, IMO) on Brown's part ~ and he writes it all as if gospel truth.

My main barometer for judging any Peter Brown output is the fact that precious few of the Beatles camp will cooperate with him anymore, or even give him the time of day since that book came out. When Brown was undertaking book promotional appearances at Beatlefest, Mark Lapidos was informed of Brown's treachery; i.e., that confidential info was extracted from the Beatles under false pretenses. Mark let Brown know that his services at Beatlefest was no longer required!

Indeed, Alistair and a few other people have stated that the shameful insinuations in The Love You Make caused Queenie Epstein a nervous breakdown that necessitated a hospital stay. It's the book that provided Albert Goldman a launching pad for his disgusting smear campaign, The Lives of John Lennon ~ from which Bob Spitz unfortunately culled much of the material for his well-known book of errors The Beatles:The Biography.

Okay, I'll stop ~ people usually regret getting me started on Peter Brown! Sorry!