Filming: Paperback Writer and Rain at Chiswick House – 20 May 1966
Friday 20 May 1966 | Film and video
Chiswick House, London, England
Following the previous day's shoot inside EMI Studios, The Beatles went on location at Chiswick House in London to film promotional clips for their forthcoming single 'Paperback Writer'/'Rain'. These two days of filming — 19 and 20 May 1966 — produced some of the most iconic moving images of The Beatles, and are widely regarded as among the earliest examples of what would become the modern music video.
Michael Lindsay-Hogg
The director was Michael Lindsay-Hogg, working with a crew supplied by InterTel (VTR Services). Lindsay-Hogg was 25 years old at the time and had been directing pop clips for the BBC's Ready Steady Go! since 1964. He had already worked with The Rolling Stones and The Who, and would go on to direct many more Beatles films — including the promotional clips for 'Hey Jude' (1968) and 'Revolution' (1968), and ultimately the Let It Be documentary (1970). He later directed the 2023 documentary Now and Then.
Unlike the previous day's shoot at EMI Studios, which was captured on video tape, the Chiswick House footage was shot on 35mm colour film — giving it a richer, more cinematic quality that has helped it endure.
The Location
Chiswick House is a Palladian villa built in the 1720s by Richard Boyle, 3rd Earl of Burlington, set in landscaped gardens in the London Borough of Hounslow. It is now managed by English Heritage and is a Grade I listed building. The gardens — designed by William Kent — include a cedar of Lebanon, a conservatory, a cascade, and a series of classical statues, all of which feature in the Beatles footage.
For the clip for 'Rain', The Beatles were filmed outside the gates and around a cedar tree, with the group performing while children played among the branches. For 'Paperback Writer' the group were filmed inside the conservatory, and miming to the song in the statue garden. Some of the conservatory footage was also used in the 'Rain' clip, and extra shots of The Beatles walking in the grounds were later edited into both films.
The Single
'Paperback Writer' was released on 10 June 1966 in the UK and reached number one. It was The Beatles' eleventh UK number one single. The B-side, 'Rain', is notable for being one of the first pop recordings to feature a backwards vocal — Lennon accidentally played a tape of his guide vocal in reverse and liked the effect, which was then incorporated into the final mix. Both songs were recorded at Abbey Road in April 1966, during the Revolver sessions.
First Broadcast
The colour clips were first shown in black-and-white on BBC 1's Top Of The Pops. 'Paperback Writer' had its first screening on 2 June 1966, while 'Rain' had its début on the show on 9 June. The use of pre-filmed promotional clips in place of live studio appearances was still relatively unusual in 1966 — The Beatles had largely stopped touring and were increasingly reluctant to make television appearances in person, making these films a practical as well as creative solution.
In the Evening
In the evening John and Cynthia Lennon attended a party in London with Mick Jagger and Chrissie Shrimpton. Shrimpton — the younger sister of model Jean Shrimpton — had been Jagger's girlfriend since 1963; they would separate later in 1966.
Key Facts: 20 May 1966
- Location: Chiswick House, London Borough of Hounslow
- Director: Michael Lindsay-Hogg
- Crew: InterTel (VTR Services)
- Format: 35mm colour film (previous day's shoot was video tape)
- Rain clip: Outside the gates and around a cedar tree
- Paperback Writer clip: Conservatory and statue garden
- Single release: 10 June 1966 (UK); reached number one
- First broadcast of Paperback Writer: BBC Top Of The Pops, 2 June 1966
- First broadcast of Rain: BBC Top Of The Pops, 9 June 1966
- Evening: John and Cynthia Lennon at a party with Mick Jagger and Chrissie Shrimpton
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was the Paperback Writer promotional film shot?
The outdoor location footage was shot at Chiswick House in west London on 20 May 1966. The previous day's footage was shot inside EMI Studios. Both sessions were directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg.
Who directed the Paperback Writer and Rain promotional films?
Michael Lindsay-Hogg, who was 25 at the time and had been directing pop clips for Ready Steady Go! since 1964. He went on to direct the 'Hey Jude' and 'Revolution' clips, the Let It Be documentary (1970), and the Now and Then documentary (2023).
When were the Paperback Writer and Rain clips first shown on TV?
'Paperback Writer' was first shown on BBC Top Of The Pops on 2 June 1966; 'Rain' followed on 9 June 1966. Both were broadcast in black-and-white despite being filmed in colour.
What is notable about Rain as a recording?
'Rain' is one of the first pop recordings to feature a backwards vocal. John Lennon accidentally played a tape of his guide vocal in reverse and liked the effect, which was incorporated into the final mix. Both 'Paperback Writer' and 'Rain' were recorded at Abbey Road in April 1966 during the Revolver sessions.
What is Chiswick House?
A Palladian villa built in the 1720s by Richard Boyle, 3rd Earl of Burlington, set in landscaped gardens in west London. Now managed by English Heritage and Grade I listed. The gardens — designed by William Kent — include a cedar of Lebanon, a conservatory, and classical statues, all of which feature in the Beatles footage.
→ 19 May 1966: Filming Paperback Writer and Rain at EMI Studios (Day 1)
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