ABC Theatre, Blackpool

Sept 2015 - Auction Info

August 1963 8mm film footage of The Beatles, never before broadcast in its entirety, and possibly the earliest color footage of the iconic group, with transfer of copyright. On 25 August 1963, The Beatles performed at the ABC Theatre in Blackpool, England, shortly before Beatlemania hit the world. At this concert, fellow musician Chas McDevitt shot footage of them performing and also backstage, lasting approximately 3 1/2 minutes. Shooting from the side curtain, McDevitt captures The Beatles performing on stage with John Lennon doing his ''spastic'' routine, though most of the film is of the Fab Four playfully mucking about backstage. The film is soundless, but the viewer sees them reading fan letters, with John Lennon in particular being very animated, playing with musician Hank Marvin's glasses, and combing and styling his hair in a comical manner. George Harrison is shown playing his guitar and all four are seen talking to various people backstage. The playful essence of early Beatles is on full display. In addition to the film spool itself, lot includes two letters: one from Sotheby's, referencing the auction where this film originally sold (lot 399 in their Rock & Film Memorabilia sale on 15 September 1999), and referencing an enclosed letter where Chas McDevitt relinquishes copyright to the film. This letter is also included, where McDevitt indeed releases copyright to the new owner, who is the consignor of this lot and will transfer ownership to the winning bidder. Lot also includes original concert program with date of ''Sunday, August 25th'', corresponding to the year of 1963, listing both The Beatles and Chas McDevitt as performers. Kodak film cartridge has handwritten labels that read, ''Beatles Blackpool 1964 [sic]'', ''Beatles / on stage 4 in room'', ''Blackpool'' and ''Indoor Film / ASA.40''. All items in very good condition, with film spool in particular intact and well preserved.

To be sold with copyright

Sept 2015 - Auction Info

August 1963 8mm film footage of The Beatles, never before broadcast in its entirety, and possibly the earliest color footage of the iconic group, with transfer of copyright. On 25 August 1963, The Beatles performed at the ABC Theatre in Blackpool, England, shortly before Beatlemania hit the world. At this concert, fellow musician Chas McDevitt shot footage of them performing and also backstage, lasting approximately 3 1/2 minutes. Shooting from the side curtain, McDevitt captures The Beatles performing on stage with John Lennon doing his ''spastic'' routine, though most of the film is of the Fab Four playfully mucking about backstage. The film is soundless, but the viewer sees them reading fan letters, with John Lennon in particular being very animated, playing with musician Hank Marvin's glasses, and combing and styling his hair in a comical manner. George Harrison is shown playing his guitar and all four are seen talking to various people backstage. The playful essence of early Beatles is on full display. In addition to the film spool itself, lot includes two letters: one from Sotheby's, referencing the auction where this film originally sold (lot 399 in their Rock & Film Memorabilia sale on 15 September 1999), and referencing an enclosed letter where Chas McDevitt relinquishes copyright to the film. This letter is also included, where McDevitt indeed releases copyright to the new owner, who is the consignor of this lot and will transfer ownership to the winning bidder. Lot also includes original concert program with date of ''Sunday, August 25th'', corresponding to the year of 1963, listing both The Beatles and Chas McDevitt as performers. Kodak film cartridge has handwritten labels that read, ''Beatles Blackpool 1964 [sic]'', ''Beatles / on stage 4 in room'', ''Blackpool'' and ''Indoor Film / ASA.40''. All items in very good condition, with film spool in particular intact and well preserved.

To be sold with copyright

Feb 2015 - Auction Info

The Beatles, Approx 3 1/2 minutes of backstage film footage of The Beatles Show at the ABC Blackpool in 1963, this is the earliest known colour footage of the Beatles, filmed by Chas McDevitt who appeared on stage with the Beatles that evening, the silent footage shows The Beatles backstage, chatting & laughing, provided with the lot is a DVD copy, letter from Chas McDevitt & copyright letter from the current owner
Estimate £ 7,000-9,000

Dec 2014 - Auction Info

A previously unpublished 8mm amateur colour film of The Beatles at the ABC, Blackpool, shot by fellow performer Chas McDevitt on 25th August, 1963, the silent footage approximately 4½ minutes long, contents include: The Beatles performing on stage filmed by McDevitt from the theatre wings, with close-ups of Ringo playing and singing [probably Boys]; John, Paul and George playing and singing including close-ups of John smiling at the cameraman and performing an impromptu solo shoe-shuffle dance; The Beatles backstage in a dressing room with Hank Marvin, Bruce Welch, Shirley Douglas and Chas McDevitt; John and George reading letters out to each other, talking and gesticulating to the cameraman; good close-ups of a bespectacled Lennon smiling into the camera, dancing around and messing up his hair; John and Hank Marvin trying on each other's glasses and chatting with Bruce Welch and others; accompanied by the corresponding programme Your Sunday Entertainment at the ABC Blackpool; a copy of the film on VHS and DVD; and documents concerning the copyright

Estimate £8-12,000
To be sold with copyright.

September 2004 - Auction Info

A previously unpublished 8mm amateur colour film of The Beatles at the ABC, Blackpool, shot by fellow performer Chas McDevitt on 25th August, 1963, the silent footage approximately 4 1/2 minutes long, contents include:
-- The Beatles performing on stage filmed by McDevitt from the theatre wings, with close-ups of Ringo playing and singing [probably Boys]; -- John, Paul and George playing and singing including close-ups of John smiling at the cameraman and performing an impromptu solo shoe-shuffle dance;
-- The Beatles backstage in a dressing room with Hank Marvin, Bruce Welch, Shirley Douglas and Chas McDevitt;
-- John and George reading letters out to each other, talking and gesticulating to the cameraman;
-- good close-ups of a be-spectacled Lennon smiling into the camera, dancing around and messing up his hair;
-- John and Hank Marvin trying on each other's glasses and chatting with Bruce Welch and others;

To be sold with copyright

November 2001 - Auction Info

Fleetwood Own description wanted.

Sept 1999 - Auction Info

Sotheby's description wanted.