February 9, 1964. Pandemonium erupts in New York City when the Beatles show up in town to perform live on "The Ed Sullivan Show." Six teenagers from New Jersey all find themselves caught up in the ensuing frenzy as they all try to get in to the studio to see the Fab Four.
Director/co-writer Robert Zemeckis and co-writer Bob Gale capture with tremendously winning wit and verve the infectious joy and excitement of Beatlemania in the mid-1960's: Zemeckis and Gale recreate the 60's period setting with great affection, the zippy pace rarely flags for a minute, the tone remains breezy and lighthearted throughout, and the humor for the most part is quite sharp and on target, with only the last third succumbing to some rather overdone slapstick. Moreover, it's acted with considerable zest by an enthusiastic cast: Karen Allen as the smitten Pam Mitchell, Bobby Di Cicco as surly greaser Tony Swerko, Marc McClure as the bumbling Larry Dubois, Theresa Saldana as the perky Grace Corrigan, Susan Kendall Newman as uptight buzz crusher Janis Goldman, Wendie Jo Sperber as the raucous Rosie Petrofsky, and the gloriously geeky Eddie Deezen as hardcore Beatles fanatic Richard "Ringo" Klaus. Will Jordan provides a spot-on uncanny impersonation of Ed Sullivan while Dick Miller has a nice sizeable role as the gruff Sgt. Bressner. Donald M. Morgan's vibrant cinematography gives this picture a pleasing bright look. Terrific soundtrack of choice Beatles songs, too. A total hoot.
Director/co-writer Robert Zemeckis and co-writer Bob Gale capture with tremendously winning wit and verve the infectious joy and excitement of Beatlemania in the mid-1960's: Zemeckis and Gale recreate the 60's period setting with great affection, the zippy pace rarely flags for a minute, the tone remains breezy and lighthearted throughout, and the humor for the most part is quite sharp and on target, with only the last third succumbing to some rather overdone slapstick. Moreover, it's acted with considerable zest by an enthusiastic cast: Karen Allen as the smitten Pam Mitchell, Bobby Di Cicco as surly greaser Tony Swerko, Marc McClure as the bumbling Larry Dubois, Theresa Saldana as the perky Grace Corrigan, Susan Kendall Newman as uptight buzz crusher Janis Goldman, Wendie Jo Sperber as the raucous Rosie Petrofsky, and the gloriously geeky Eddie Deezen as hardcore Beatles fanatic Richard "Ringo" Klaus. Will Jordan provides a spot-on uncanny impersonation of Ed Sullivan while Dick Miller has a nice sizeable role as the gruff Sgt. Bressner. Donald M. Morgan's vibrant cinematography gives this picture a pleasing bright look. Terrific soundtrack of choice Beatles songs, too. A total hoot.