Filming: Paperback Writer and Rain – 19 May 1966
Thursday 19 May 1966 | Film and video
Studio One, EMI Studios, Abbey Road, London
For the imminent release of the 'Paperback Writer'/'Rain' single, The Beatles were unwilling to appear on television for promotion. Instead, they took part in a two-day shoot which resulted in a total of seven promotional films for the two songs. This first day's filming took place in Abbey Road's Studio One; the following day they went on location at Chiswick House, London.
The Production Team
- Director: Michael Lindsay-Hogg
- Producer: Tony Bramwell
- Crew: InterTel (VTR Services)
- Format: Video tape (Studio One, 19 May) and film (Chiswick House, 20 May)
The Day's Schedule
At 10am a camera rehearsal took place. The first colour performance of 'Rain' was filmed, after which The Beatles watched a playback to see the results. From 1.10pm to 2pm they filmed a colour performance of 'Paperback Writer'.
Both colour clips were intended for the US market. They had their premiere on The Ed Sullivan Show on 5 June 1966, along with a greeting filmed by The Beatles on this day between 6.15pm and 6.30pm.
After lunch, The Beatles recorded black-and-white footage for UK viewers — two clips of 'Paperback Writer' and one of 'Rain' — between 3.30pm and 6.15pm.
Where the Films Were Broadcast
- Colour 'Rain' and 'Paperback Writer' — premiered on The Ed Sullivan Show, 5 June 1966 (USA)
- First black-and-white 'Paperback Writer' — debuted on Goodbye Lucky Stars, 25 June 1966 — the final edition of the long-running Thank Your Lucky Stars
- Second black-and-white 'Paperback Writer' and 'Rain' — first shown on Ready Steady Go!, 3 June 1966 — the first time the programme had broadcast footage not from its own studio
George Harrison on Inventing MTV
The idea was that we'd use them in America as well as the UK, because we thought, 'We can't go everywhere. We're stopping touring and we'll send these films out to promote the record.' It was too much trouble to go and fight our way through all the screaming hordes of people to mime the latest single on Ready, Steady, Go!. Also, in America, they never saw the footage anyway.
Once we actually went on an Ed Sullivan show with just a clip. I think Ed Sullivan came on and said, 'The Beatles were here, as you know, and they were wonderful boys, but they can't be here now so they've sent us this clip.' It was great, because really we conned the Sullivan show into promoting our new single by sending in the film clip. These days obviously everybody does that – it's part of the promotion for a single – so I suppose in a way we invented MTV.
— George Harrison, Anthology
Key Facts: 19 May 1966
- Location: Studio One, EMI Studios, Abbey Road, London
- Director: Michael Lindsay-Hogg
- Producer: Tony Bramwell
- Films made this day: 4 (2 colour, 2 black-and-white for 'Paperback Writer'; 1 colour, 1 black-and-white for 'Rain')
- Total films across both days: 7
- Day 2: 20 May 1966, Chiswick House, London (shot on film)
- Single release: 'Paperback Writer' / 'Rain' — 10 June 1966 (UK), 30 May 1966 (US)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did The Beatles film promotional clips for Paperback Writer and Rain?
The Beatles had decided to stop touring and were unwilling to appear on television to promote the single. The promotional films allowed them to reach audiences in the UK and USA without performing live on TV shows.
Who directed the Paperback Writer and Rain promo films?
Michael Lindsay-Hogg, who would go on to direct many more Beatles promotional films and later the Let It Be film (1970).
Where were the Paperback Writer and Rain promo films made?
The first day's filming (19 May 1966) took place at Studio One, EMI Studios, Abbey Road. The second day (20 May 1966) was shot on location at Chiswick House, London.
When did the Paperback Writer promo films first air on television?
The colour clip premiered on The Ed Sullivan Show on 5 June 1966. The black-and-white clips aired on Ready Steady Go! on 3 June 1966 and Goodbye Lucky Stars on 25 June 1966.
Did The Beatles invent the music video?
George Harrison claimed in Anthology that the promotional films for 'Paperback Writer' and 'Rain' were a forerunner of the modern music video — “so I suppose in a way we invented MTV.” The films are widely regarded as among the earliest examples of the promotional music video format.
→ 20 May 1966: Filming Paperback Writer and Rain at Chiswick House (Day 2)
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