On this day in 1964, the film “A Hard Day’s Night” starring Ringo Starr, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, and John Lennon of The Beatles premiered at The Pavilion Theatre in London. The film was produced and released during the height of “Beatlemania” and was made in the style of a “mockumentary,” which followed the band as they headed to London from their hometown of Liverpool to play a show, dodging screaming hordes of fans along the way. The film was nominated for two Academy Awards – one for Best Screenplay and one for Best Score (Adaptation) – and earned an estimated $11 million worldwide. “A Hard Day’s Night” is cited as one of the most influential musical films of all time, serving as inspiration for the American television program “The Monkees.” It also catapulted the popularity of British spy-comedies of the late 1960’s, and is often viewed as a precursor to the modern music video.

On this day in 1964, The Beatles made their live American TV debut on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” Beatlemania had already hit the United States, and 73 million people tuned in to watch the band perform five songs live, including “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” According to eyewitness reports, the screaming from younger members of the audience was so loud, that no one in the studio, not even the Beatles, could hear the music being played.

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