Adam writes… Welcome to The London Music Tours Film Festival. In this series, I’ll recommend a music movie for your viewing pleasure. In the post I’ll add a location map, a soundtrack/soundtrack highlights playlist and (where possible) any bits of trivia that might enhance your viewing pleasure.
These posts were curated in conjunction with members of The Monday Night Music History Club who recommended some of their favourite music films.
The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash
Director: Eric Idle & Gary Weis
Year: 1978
Starring: Eric Idle, Neil Innes, Gwen Taylor. Cameos from George Harrison, Paul Simon, Mick Jagger, Gilda Radner, Bill Murray and John Belushi.
Awards: The soundtrack album was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Comedy Album of the Year category.
The Rutles: All You Need is Cash is a Beatles parody that somehow manages to be affectionate and razor sharp at the same time. It stars Monty Python’s Eric Idle as Dirk McQuigley (Paul) and Neil Innis (of the Bonzo Dog Do Dah Band) plays Ron Nasty (John).
I have seen it far too many times.
If you know The Beatles story well then there’s a gag-a-minute. But even if you you only have a passing knowledge of the history of the Fabs, there’s still a lot of silliness to enjoy. Particularly if you enjoy the wordy absurdism of Eric Idle’s comedy. Look out for my favourite walk-on character is Idle’s Stanley Krammerman III Jr. the Professor of Advanced Narcotics at the University of Do As You Please Southern California.
But the standout performance for me is Gwen Taylor in multiple rules including the Yoko Ono character (which Yoko is said to have found hilarious) and as the mother of Rutles Manager Leggy Mountbatten. Taylor is a comic tour-de-force surrounded by a very starry cast.
Paul Simon and Mick Jagger make cameo appearances as themselves. Simon is supremely earnest, dissecting The Rutles musical and cultural impact. And Jagger is gloriously arch, particularly with his line where he describes Dirk McQuigley as an “old slag” who would sell a song to anyone.
The Beatles’ View
But what did The Beatles themselves make of the film? According to Idle, George Harrison was very supportive and encouraging – to the extent that he’s actually in the movie. Paul McCartney disapproved at first, but relented when he learned that Idle grew up near Liverpool; his wife Linda always loved it. Ringo Starr liked the happier scenes, but felt the scenes that mimicked sadder times hit too close.
John Lennon and Yoko Ono adored it and refused to return the videotape and soundtrack they were given for approval. Lennon also told Neil Innes that the track Get Up and Go was too similar to Get Back, and to be careful not to be sued by ATV Music, owners of the Beatles catalogue’s copyright at the time. The song was consequently omitted from the 1978 vinyl LP soundtrack.
Trailer
All You Need Is Cash was made for TV, so there is no theatrical trailer. But here’s a scene that might give you a flavour of the piece with Neil Inness and Gwen Taylor…
Soundtrack
Neil Innes’s tunes are incredibly faithful to the Beatles style. Is it heresy to say that I think I actually prefer The Rutles’ Get Up And Go to The Beatles’ Get Back?
Trivia
One of The Rutles appeared in an actual Beatles film. Neil Innes is in Magical Mystery Tour as a member of The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band.
Ricky Fataar, who plays lead guitarist Stig O’Hara was once the drummer for The Beach Boys.
On Location: Rutles HQ
The location of The Rutles’ last ever gig, a parody of The Beatles Savile Row rooftop performance, was shot in soho at the corner of Dean Street and Bourchier Street.
London Music Tours
First time visitor to this site? Hello! My name’s Adam and I am an award-winning, qualified tour guide. I specialise in music-themed guided tours here in London. I’ve been a tour guide for 20+ years and I offer a regular schedule of walking tours throughout the year. For the full, up-to-date calendar click HERE.
Private tours are always available, too. Use the form at the bottom of this post to get in touch to book a private tour.
I’m qualified as a Westminster Guide (with distinction), a former visiting lecturer in tour guiding at the University of Westminster and an ex-national newspaper arts journalist . In my spare time I play guitar and sing and buy too many records. Drop me a line anytime using the form below.
To join one of my non-music-themed walking tours, visit the London Walks website HERE.
