The Beatles in North America: Books and Movies for the Anniversary

Fifty years ago today, on February 9, 1964, The Beatles appeared on the Ed Sullivan show. It is estimated that 34 per cent of the American population tuned in to watch. It was the largest television audience recorded for an American program up to that time. If you weren't among the more than 73 million viewers who tuned in that night, you can borrow this DVD:

The 4 Complete Ed Sullivan Shows Starring The Beatles and Other Artists, Including the Original Commercials and More
This DVD contains not only the February 9, 1964 Beatles appearance but also February 16 and 23 1964 as well as September 12, 1965.

Albert and David Maysles captured the excitement of the group's visit with this documentary:

The Beatles: the First US Visit

Other DVDs featuring The Beatles:

A Hard Day's Night
The mock documentary has inspired countless other movies. It's also a lot of fun with great music.

Help!
The Beatles second feature film is a comedy adventure involving a cult trying to get a ring that is stuck on Ringo Starr's finger.

Yellow Submarine
This animated film, based on The Beatles' music, was released in 1968.

Books

The Beatles are Here! 50 Years after the Band arrived in America, Writers and Other Fans Remember by Penelope Rowlands
• eBook
Musicians, writers and fans report their personal experiences of the band's arrival in North America.

The Beatles: the BBC Archives: 1962-1970 by Kevin Howlett
Howlett scoured the BBC archives to locate transcripts of The Beatles' appearances on BBC radio and television.

Can't Buy Me Love: The Beatles, Britain and America by Jonathan Gould
• eBook
Explores the impact of the Beatles on the social and political scene in the UK and America.

Tune In: The Beatles: All These Years by Mark Lewisohn
• eAudiobook
• eBook
The first in a planned trilogy, this volume traces the history of the group from the members' childhoods to 1962.

When They were Boys: the True Story of the Beatles Rise to the Top by Larry Kane
• eBook
This book promises the inside scoop on the creation of the group.

Are you looking for CDs by The Beatles? The library has the original recordings also with some unique reinterpretations: