Hard Day’s Day for Beatles Tribute Band
Mockumentary Shot
In The Spirit and Style of 1964's "A Hard Day's Night."
Source: David K. Kessler
Published: Thursday, November 28, 2002
LOS ANGELES -- If you’ve ever wondered what a Beatles version of "Hava Nagila" would sound like, check out "A Hard Day's Day," a short film now showing at www.aHardDaysDay.com
The mockumentary depicts a day in the life of a Beatles tribute band, shot in the spirit and style of 1964's "A Hard Day's Night." In the nine-minute short, these Beatles look-a-likes flee their fans, lose their Ringo (who's Chinese), cavort with a gaggle of other celebrity impersonators (Marilyn Monroe, Cher, Ike and Tina Turner), and, finally, arrive at their gig -- a bar mitzvah. At least it wasn't a bris.
"A Hard Day's Day" marks the debut of writer and director David K. Kessler. A second-generation Beatles fan, Kessler conceived the idea for the film after seeing a flyer for a Beatles tribute band in New York. "I wondered if they kept up the accents offstage and lived together in one big house like in "Help!," he said.
After moving to Los Angeles, Kessler was wowed by the number of faux Beatles bands and their popularity. To play John Lennon, he landed Joe Stefanelli from L.A.-based tribute The MopTops. Stefanelli's uncanny resemblance to the late Beatle has even won over Lennon's first wife, Cynthia. "Where were you 30 years ago?" she quipped when they met. In addition to performing with the band, Stefanelli has played the role on TV and film, most notably "Forrest Gump."
Quinton Flynn portrays Paul McCartney. A voice-over actor and musician, Flynn previously played McCartney in the upcoming "My Dinner With Jimi." Keen on reprising the role of "the cute Beatle," Flynn went to great lengths to perfect it. "He lost weight, took left-handed bass lessons and had custom teeth made to make his smile more McCartney-like, all on his own dime," said Kessler. "I was afraid he’d move to Liverpool for a few months just to get the accent right."
Actor Evan McNamara plays George Harrison, and Ringo Starr is played by doppelganger Greg George, who's been portraying the Beatles' percussionist since 1984.
"A Hard Day's Day" premiered online September 28, to coincide with the DVD release of "A Hard Day's Night." Inspired by the Internet success of the "Star Wars" spoof "George Lucas in Love," Kessler is hoping to build a Web audience for "A Hard Day's Day."
"'Star Wars' has a huge following, but who doesn’t love the Beatles?" said Kessler.