Tom's Life Bits

DVD is time capsule for fans of the Beatles

Published: Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 1:00 a.m.

A new DVD about the Beatles' initial appearances on “The Ed Sullivan Show” is like cracking open a time capsule. Almost as interesting as the band making its musical introduction to America in 1964 is the context in which it is placed. The DVD presents the programs exactly as they appeared that night – complete with hapless magicians or comedians, commercials that would shame “Mad Men” and illustrations of how the pace of television has changed.

The first night, Feb. 9, 1964, is a landmark in television. An estimated 73 million Americans tuned in, the largest ever for a TV show at the time, or three times the number of people who watched the latest “American Idol” finale, according to the Nielsen Co.

Film clips of the Beatles on Sullivan have been available, but never the whole event until the recent release of “The 4 Complete Ed Sullivan Shows Starring the Beatles.” SOFA Entertainment.

Sullivan, the competitive old newspaper columnist, clearly knew the high stakes involved that night and gave the Beatles two showcases on the first show. While the Beatles' appearance stands in memory like a thunderclap, their power seemed muted the first time they hit the stage. Their first two songs, “All My Loving” and “ 'Til There Was You,” were both Paul McCartney showcases; the band didn't really hit its stride until the powerful “She Loves You.” Even then, the cameras seemed to shortchange John Lennon in favor of McCartney.

The DVD also contains Sullivan shows from Feb. 23, 1964, and Sept. 12, 1965, when the Beatles also performed. Twenty songs in all are performed, including three versions of “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” The DVD also has a short interview Sullivan did with the Beatles in London in May 1964 that hasn't been seen since the day it aired.

–David Bauder, Associated Press