The Beatles Cartoon Series: Introduction

In 1965, there was a TV cartoon series featuring The Beatles. Every one of the 18-minute cartoons had a title that was also the name of a Beatles’ song. The song then pops up at some point during the TV show. Furthermore, each show revolved around the lyrics to the song.

In Detail

• Title: The Beatles
• Release Dates: 25th September 1965 to 21st October 1967
• Genre: Comedy, cartoon series, children’s, rock music
• Creators: Al Brodax, Sylban Buck
• Writers: Dennis Marks, Jack Mendelsohn, Heywood Kling, Bruce Howard
• Voices: Paul Frees (John Lennon, George Harrison and George Martin), Lance Percival (Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr), Julie Bennett, Carol Corbett
• Theme Music Composer: The Beatles
• Opening Theme: Can’t Buy me Love (season 1, full program), Help! (season 2, full program), And Your Bird Can Sing (season 3, full program)
• Ending Theme: ‘The Beatles End Theme’ (1964)
• Composers: The Beatles (songs)
• Country of Origin: United States, United Kingdom, Australia
• Language: English
• Number of Seasons: 3
• Number of Episodes: 39
• Running Time: 18 min (each)

The Beatles Cartoon Series: Background

Although the making of The Beatles Cartoon Series was between September 25, 1965, and October 21, 1967, the cartoon characters of the Fab Four never changed from their trademark “mop-top” image from the “A Hard Day’s Night” era.

Of course, as we know, The Beatles were masters of evolution. In other words, their image constantly changed as time moved on. Therefore, what The Beatles Cartoon Series gives us is a snapshot of the mop-tops from 1963/4 period. It becomes a little strange to see The Beatles as mop-tops while songs from 1967 play. For example, as in season three, ‘Penny Lane.”

Characters

Of course, with The Beatles Cartoon Series being animated, certain exaggerated characteristics were necessary. For example, John Lennon, the leader of the gang, has small eyes and a large chin. Because he was the leader, he was pretty bossy and slightly aggressive with it.

On the other hand, Paul McCartney is a smart and stylish cool dude with a neat mop-top. George Harrison comes across as someone who slouches both while sitting and walking. Ringo Starr gains sympathy for his overgrown mop-top, rather large nose, and goofiness.

The show would not be complete without their humour, so there is plenty of that. However, we rarely see The Beatles’ manager, Brian Epstein.

The Beatles Cartoon Series: Episode Information Sheet: Free Download

Finally, The Beatles Fan Club has prepared a pdf document that lists all the episodes. Furthermore, they give a little description of the individual TV shows. There are 6 pages of information, which is too much to list here, but you can flick through the PDF file.

Moreover, you can even download it free of charge to do with it as you please. If you have any problems viewing or downloading the document, get in touch and we will email it to you.