Filming 'London Town' and 'With A Little Luck' – Wings at Twickenham Film Studios, 21 March 1978
Tuesday 21 March 1978 | Film and Video, Paul McCartney, Wings
On 21 March 1978, Wings continued filming promotional videos for 'London Town' and 'With A Little Luck' at Twickenham Film Studios in London.
The shoot formed the second day of filming, having begun on 20 March 1978, and was directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg, who had previously worked extensively with The Beatles, including directing parts of the Let It Be film.
Filming at Twickenham Studios
The choice of Twickenham Film Studios carried historical significance, as it was the same location where The Beatles had filmed portions of Let It Be in January 1969.
By 1978, promotional films had become an essential tool for artists to promote singles and albums internationally, particularly for television broadcasts.
The 'London Town' Promotional Film
The video for 'London Town' was designed with a stylised and semi-theatrical concept. A purpose-built street set was constructed inside the studio, allowing the band to create a controlled, cinematic environment.
In the film, Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney and Denny Laine are seen walking through the artificial street while extras pass by, reinforcing the song's reflective urban atmosphere.
For the performance sequences:
- Paul McCartney played an Epiphone Casino guitar
- Denny Laine performed on a National steel guitar
The video embraced a slightly surreal approach, deliberately revealing elements of the studio set and blending staged performance with everyday imagery.
Victor Spinetti's Appearance
The film also featured actor Victor Spinetti, a familiar figure to Beatles fans due to his appearances in several of the band's films.
Spinetti portrayed an out-of-work actor within the video's narrative, adding a layer of character-driven storytelling to the production.
Director Michael Lindsay-Hogg later noted that much of Spinetti's performance was improvised, contributing to the natural and lightly humorous tone of the film.
Wings and Visual Promotion
By the late 1970s, Wings were fully embracing the use of promotional films as part of their release strategy. These videos allowed the band to reach international audiences without the need for constant television appearances.
'London Town' was being considered as a potential single at the time, making the creation of a high-quality promotional clip a key part of its marketing.
Location
St Margarets
Twickenham
London
England
The studio where Wings filmed promotional videos for 'London Town' and 'With A Little Luck' on 21 March 1978.
FAQs
Where was the 'London Town' video filmed?
The promotional video was filmed at Twickenham Film Studios in London on 20–21 March 1978.
Who directed the video?
The video was directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg, who had previously worked with The Beatles.
Who appears in the video?
In addition to Wings members, the video features actor Victor Spinetti.
More Events on 21 March in Beatles History
- The Beatles First Evening Show at the Cavern Club – 21 March 1961
- The Beatles Live at the Cavern Club (Lunchtime Show) – 21 March 1962
- The Beatles Record BBC Radio Show 'On The Scene' – 21 March 1963
- The Beatles Live at ABC Cinema, Croydon – 21 March 1963
- The Beatles Record 'Getting Better' and 'Lovely Rita' – Abbey Road, 21 March 1967
- Recording 'Seaside Woman' by Suzy And The Red Stripes – 21 March 1972
- Wings Mix 'You Gave Me The Answer' – 21 March 1975
- Wings Live at Falkoner Theatre, Copenhagen – 21 March 1976
- Wings Record 'London Town' at Abbey Road Studios – 21 March 1977
- The Beatles Record 'Now And Then' (Anthology Sessions) – 21 March 1995
- Ringo Starr Live at Harrah's Lake Tahoe – 21 March 1999
- Ringo Starr Live at Harrah's Resort Southern California – 21 March 2019
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