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Post by OldFred on Sept 5, 2013 20:23:43 GMT -5
'Good Ol' Freda', the wonderful documentary on the Beatles secretary Freda Kelly, had it's New York debut on Wednesday, September 4th, 2013 at the Museum of The Moving Image at the Kaufman Studios in Queens, NY. The film is absolutely delightful, chronicling the story of Liverpool teenager Freda Kelly who through a series of interesting events became the secretary to Brian Epstein and the Beatles as well as the president of the Beatles Liverpool Fan Club. The movie follows her from the Beatles early pre-fame years, to the height of Beatlemania, on to the sad years of their break-up. Through all this, Freda stayed a loyal and trusted member of the Beatles inner circle. And when all the madness finally ended, Freda went back to a normal life and has kept her involvement with the Beatles private and to herself. The really amazing part about her story is that despite it all, Freda stayed level-headed and normal, a miracle when you take into account the incredible ride she had. I attended the New York screening and was enchanted by the film. After the movie ended there was a Q&A set up with Freda Kelly and the film's director Ryan White. When Freda made her entrance the entire audience gave her a standing ovation and I shouted out 'Good Ol' Freda!' which got a laugh from Freda and the crowd. Freda and Ryan talked a little about the reasons the film was made and took questions from the audience. My question was if all the unused interview material was going be put together into a book in the future. Freda said right now they want to see how the film goes, and Ryan White said that the DVD release of the movie will have lots of bonus material including interviews that they couldn't fit into the finished film. Freda was very sweet and down to earth and appreciated the affection from the fans in attendance. Also at the screening was May Pang and Billy J. Kramer as well as Liberty DeVito from the Billy Joel band. Freda Kelly and director Ryan White at the Soho-Apple store 'Freda' event. Billy J. Kramer, May Pang and Liberty DeVito at New York debut of 'Good Ol' Freda'. With Billy J. Kramer With May Pang On Thursday September 5th, the Soho-Apple Store hosted an event for the 'Good Ol' Freda' movie, with a panel discussion with Freda Kelly and Ryan White hosted by Beatlefan writer Tom Frangione. The trailer and clips from the movie were shown and Freda and Ryan again took questions from the audience. I attended this event too and my question this time was when the Beatles organization became Apple if Freda had any encounters with Allen Klein. She answered that she was still working the fan club offices in Liverpool and had limited involvement with Klein, and with the Beatles break-up there was no longer any need for a group fan club, so she left the organization after folding the club and was glad that her dealings with Klein were kept to the absolute minimum. After the Q&A Freda met with the fans. She was just as sweet and lovable as she is in the film. She graciously signed my movie ticket for the film's New York debut and I told her I loved the part of the movie where she put John Lennon in his place. She winked and said "I did that to all of them!" Freda Kelly is a very lovely and warm person and it was delight and pleasure to meet her. The 'Freda' panel with Tom Frangione, Freda Kelly and Ryan White at the Soho-Apple Store Freda Kelly at the Soho-Apple Store 'Good Ol' Freda' will be available for rental on iTunes beginning on September 6th and the movie will be showing in theaters beginning September 13. The DVD with the bonus features will be available around December. I highly recommend this movie, it's one of the best Beatles films you're ever going to see and you'll meet one of the sweetest ladies in your life with the most incredible story ever! All together now: Good Ol' Freda!!! With Freda Kelly
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Post by debjorgo on Sept 5, 2013 20:51:12 GMT -5
Wow. I'm impressed Oldfred. I guess the most with the May Pang snap. Did you sing her a verse or two of Country Dreamer?
"I'd like to walk in a field with you, take my hat and my boots off too. I'd like to lie in a field with you. Would you like to do it too, May?"
I love the teaser freeze for the video, the last photo session. This is my living room poster, 26" X 68" or so (too long to measure without help). I was going to retire it the last time I moved. You know. Go a little classier. I even considered cutting it down into smaller portrait pictures. I got talked into keeping it.
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Post by OldFred on Sept 5, 2013 20:52:50 GMT -5
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Post by debjorgo on Sept 5, 2013 21:10:04 GMT -5
Wow. I'm impressed Oldfred. I guess the most with the May Pang snap. I don't know though, May was just John. Billy J. Kramer is pretty entrenched in the Beatles mythology. Ol' Freda, I hadn't heard of until all the talk of this movie. But she knew all the Beatles through the whole Beatle period. It might be her for the win.
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Post by Steve Marinucci on Sept 5, 2013 23:02:39 GMT -5
Met Freda in SF. She is definitely one very special person, as is the film. I can't say enough how much I loved it. Well, yeah, I can: I saw it on a Friday in SF and my wife and I went the following Sunday in nearby Berkeley so I could see it again and she could see it. We couldn't stop talking about it on the way home.
So GO SEE IT!
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Post by John S. Damm on Sept 6, 2013 10:54:43 GMT -5
LOL, we could call this Thread Good OldFred In New York! I would like to see that film. I'd like more dirt though: if she sells out and tells her story, she might as well tell it all!
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Post by OldFred on Sept 6, 2013 13:11:39 GMT -5
Well Johnny and everyone else, the movie can be viewed right now on iTunes, Amazon and other online movie outlets. So, if you have an iTunes or Amazon account you can rent the movie to view on your computer, iPhone, iPad or smartphone. It's a wonderful film and I can say with certainty that satisfaction is guaranteed. And as Steve and I can attest from meeting her, Freda is a genuine person and is as delightful in person as she appears in the film. She's honest,straight forward and very humble. She also took no nonsense from anyone, including from the Beatles, and that's one of the qualities that made them love and respect her. One of my favorite stories in the film is how she put John Lennon in his place. I told Freda that it was one of my favorite parts in the movie and she winked at me and said, "I did that to all of them!" Her complete loyalty to them is one of the reasons Apple gave director Ryan White their full cooperation. They knew that Freda wouldn't betray their trust like people like Peter Brown did. The respect they have for her is heartfelt, and the surprise at the end of the movie, (which Steve and I won't give away ) reinforces that respect. The fact that she never cashed in from her association with them is one of the qualities that endears her. So, if you have an iTunes account, and it's available on Amazon and other online outlets too, rent the movie tonight and enjoy a lovely evening with Good Ol' Freda.
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Post by Steve Marinucci on Sept 6, 2013 15:55:09 GMT -5
Well Johnny and everyone else, the movie can be viewed right now on iTunes, Amazon and other online movie outlets. So, if you have an iTunes or Amazon account you can rent the movie to view on your computer, iPhone, iPad or smartphone. It's a wonderful film and I can say with certainty that satisfaction is guaranteed. And as Steve and I can attest from meeting her, Freda is a genuine person and is as delightful in person as she appears in the film. She's honest,straight forward and very humble. She also took no nonsense from anyone, including from the Beatles, and that's one of the qualities that made them love and respect her. One of my favorite stories in the film is how she put John Lennon in his place. I told Freda that it was one of my favorite parts in the movie and she winked at me and said, "I did that to all of them!" Her complete loyalty to them is one of the reasons Apple gave director Ryan White their full cooperation. They knew that Freda wouldn't betray their trust like people like Peter Brown did. The respect they have for her is heartfelt, and the surprise at the end of the movie, (which Steve and I won't give away ) reinforces that respect. The fact that she never cashed in from her association with them is one of the qualities that endears her. So, if you have an iTunes account, and it's available on Amazon and other online outlets too, rent the movie tonight and enjoy a lovely evening with Good Ol' Freda. fyi, I didn't find it on Netflix, but yeah, it's on Amazon and iTunes.
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Post by John S. Damm on Sept 6, 2013 22:00:48 GMT -5
Oh I see. To ensure a whitewash, Apple let her put some songs in the film.
Bah humbug. All I want is the truth, just give me some truth.
Fred you make her sound like the fifth Beatle but I don't blame you, we all drink the kool aid. Freda ain't a George Martin, hell she ain't even a Pete Shotton.
I like feel good stories too but all I want is the truth, just give me some truth!
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Post by OldFred on Sept 7, 2013 6:01:09 GMT -5
Johnny, all you're going to get from Freda is the TRUTH. During the height of Beatlemania and when their fan club was at its busiest, Freda WAS the go between with the fans to the Beatles. If you have any originals or reprints of The Beatles Monthly, check the fan club page. Whose name do you see? That's right, Freda Kelly. In those heady days if you wrote directly to the Liverpool Beatles Fan Club and requested autographs from the Lads, Freda would make sure that your request was granted. And like I said, she's a no nonsense lady. If she could put John Lennon in his place, just one disapproving look from Freda and you'd wither away on the vine like a dried up raisin, Dear Johnny. Freda Kelly wasn't the 5th Beatle or the 2,080th Beatle. But, I'd say that she's closest to being the only genuine Female Beatle. Before casting any more stones, Johnny, Listen To This Review: www.filmschoolrejects.com/reviews/sxsw-2013-review-good-ol-freda.php
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Post by John S. Damm on Sept 7, 2013 13:37:43 GMT -5
"Behind A Great Band, There Was a Great Woman."
That is a pretty bold statement and appears on that cover to the film. Look, I am sure the Beatles appreciated a good and dedicated employee with them from the early days. I am not sure why she is telling her story now other than for $$$$ but I admit her story would be interesting if it isn't a whitewash.
The bottom line is, she worked for the Beatles, she was a paid employee on autograph requests and their fan club. That was important early on but didn't mean jack by 1964 and thereafter. The Beatles by 1964 were too big to worry about that stuff.
Her claims of putting John in his place and keeping quiet his affairs is more John bashing, that John was a jerk. Maybe John was human like us all and would realize he was rude and apologze to Freda as a normal person does. That doesn't mean she put him in his place.
Why doesn't she tell about all the paternity suits against Paul Brian had to supress, one way or another? Didn't Freda talk about that? Everything I've read says that Paul is a million times more difficult to work for than John because Paul is a sneaky backstabbing egomaniac second to none.
I am sure Freda is a nice woman, was a loyal and competent employee but hell yes I have problems with this, "Behind the Beatles was the great Freda Kelly!"
Remember Fred, John warned about all the sycophants from Liverpool who kept their claws in the Beatles.
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Post by OldFred on Sept 7, 2013 14:25:31 GMT -5
Johnny, just see the movie and shut up! P.S.: I love you. (Really I do)
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Post by John S. Damm on Sept 7, 2013 14:59:47 GMT -5
Well you have a funny way of saying it by telling me to shut up! If it is easy to get I will watch it.
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Post by OldFred on Sept 7, 2013 15:07:26 GMT -5
Well you have a funny way of saying it by telling me to shut up! If it is easy to get I will watch it. Johnny My Friend, I'll take back everything I really think about you! (Hmm, don't know if that came out the way I intended.) :/
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Post by mikev on Sept 7, 2013 15:36:46 GMT -5
Well you have a funny way of saying it by telling me to shut up! If it is easy to get I will watch it. Johnny My Friend, I'll take back everything I really think about you! (Hmm, don't know if that came out the way I intended.) :/ Hey Fred, did you get to meet my friend Bob Becker? He was one of the executive producers. If I knew he was coming I would have tried to go.
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Post by Joe Karlosi on Sept 7, 2013 16:35:02 GMT -5
I'm interested in seeing this, especially because it's so difficult these days to come up with a "new angle" to explore about when it gets down to more specials or documentaries on The Beatles. Just going by the posts I'm reading here, I do hope Freda's importance doesn't become way overblown. I don't have anything to go on yet except what I've read here -- she seems like a good person ... and after all, she's waited a good many years to make this big a deal out of her association with The Fabs, so it isn't like she just jumped right in to make a bundle in the past decades.
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Post by OldFred on Sept 7, 2013 16:38:09 GMT -5
Not sure Mike, I think he was at both events. I did get to talk to director Ryan White and told him how much I loved the film and he said the DVD release will definitely include a lot of bonus material and extras exclusive to the DVD.
And to answer both Joe and Johnny's questions, Freda in the movie explains up front why she decided to tell her story now, and it reinforces her honorability.
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Post by Steve Marinucci on Sept 7, 2013 16:51:41 GMT -5
I have a whole list of online outlets it's available on for rental. They include Amazon Prime, DirectTV, Dish Network and many cable outlets (Comcast is one),
It will be out on DVD December 3.
And our latest "Things We Said Today" airing at midnight tonight and also tomorrow on Fab4Radio.com has Freda Kelly and one of the producers, Kathy McCabe, as guests. We did this interview yesterday and rushed it out. It'll be online on the podcast site (http://beatlesexaminer.podbean.com) Sunday night about 9 p.m. ET.
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Post by OldFred on Sept 10, 2013 19:30:45 GMT -5
The 'Good Ol' Freda' meet the filmmaker podcast is now available for free on iTunes. I attended this panel and asked Freda my Allen Klein question. I was sitting next to Al Sussman of Beatlefan magazine and the Fab 4 Free 4 All podcast who asked Freda about the Beatle Monthly fan club letters. Here's the link for the 'Freda' panel podcasts: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/freda-kelly-ryan-white-meet/id703202539?mt=2And the Fab 4 Free 4 All interview Freda! www.fab4free4all.com/
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Post by OldFred on Sept 13, 2013 6:11:41 GMT -5
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Post by sayne on Oct 16, 2016 10:22:36 GMT -5
I just saw the movie on Netflix. It's a charming movie about a down-to-earth woman. It's often difficult to remember that amongst very very well-known people are "normal" individuals. Like the wait staff in the White House or Buckingham Palace, these centered people help the famous stay grounded. With all the takers and fakers that always want something or always want to tear down, it's important to have regular people to protect you, but to also take you down a peg or two when you start to believe the hype.
Freda knew her place and knew what she valued. In the movie, you get just enough to know what she meant to the Lads, but she does not tell you what you do NOT need to know. All the dirt that one wants to hear is really none of our business. I guess if I knew a friend was shagging the neighbor, it really wouldn't be anything I would need to tell people about, let alone the whole neighborhood or, in the Beatles' case, the world. She saw them as people, not as objects. That's how she sees her relationship with them. They were not stars that happen to be her friend. They were friends who happened to become stars. There is a big difference between the two in how one thinks of or treats the celebrity. If you meet someone once they are famous, you will always (even in some small corner of your brain), see them as famous. But, if you've known someone pre-fame, they will always just be your pal, and you'll try not to do anything to sully that. That's where she's coming from.
There are enough stories out there to sate the inquiring minds. This movie is about her, anyways. I liked that the movie was "legit" enough to be able to use the actual Beatles recordings.
Freda kinda looked like the drummer in The Honeycombs:
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