Birth of the Beatles (1979)

John Altman: George Harrison

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Quotes 

• Paul McCartney : Hey, when you're rich and famous, what are you gonna be?

  George Harrison : A millionaire.

  Paul McCartney : And do what?

  George Harrison : Buy a bus for me dad! He's putting his foot down. Wants me working.

  John Lennon : Don't be thick! People die here... never knowing if they've ever lived. Well, you won't find me working 9 to 5.

• Brian Epstein : This may come as a surprise. It surprises even me, but I'd like to be your manager. I'm organized, very methodical, but I'm also human. No doubt I'll make mistakes, but you're an incredible group. I'm sure I can help you. What you need is an English record contract. Through my contacts, that could be arranged. What are you earning now?

  Pete Best : Seventy-five pounds a week.

  George Harrison : Each.

  Brian Epstein : No, no, you're making fifteen pounds a night, if and when you play. But I can do better. Naturally, I'd only take commissions on my bookings, which would be twenty-five percent per gross.

  Paul McCartney : Why not twenty?

  Brian Epstein : Well, I assume there'll be considerable costs before I see any profit. But I understand you don't have photographs. Well, besides publicity, there's...

  Pete Best : We need a van.

  Brian Epstein : That's four or five hundred pounds. And there'll be changes. Not in your music. In the sense of... professionalism to get you on the radio, the telly. Well, if this is all agreeable... we'll have contracts properly drawn.

  John Lennon : We're not too crazy about changes. What kind do you have in mind?

  Brian Epstein : Your appearance needs work.

  John Lennon : You'll be wanting us to dress like you?

  Brian Epstein : There'll just be some tidying up here and there, smoothing out the rough edges.

  John Lennon : Well, I'm ashamed about rough edges, Mr. Epstein.

  Brian Epstein : I'm not saying you should be ashamed. These changes are not to remake you, just to bring out what I see as your potential.

  Paul McCartney : And just what experience exactly do you have in this line? I mean, how many groups are you directing at the moment?

  Brian Epstein : None.

  Paul McCartney : None?

  John Lennon : So we'll be your guinea pigs? A new toy to play with and then toss away when you're tired of us?

  Brian Epstein : That's not the way I work. Look, you need me. You'll be going nowhere now. Non-conformity is fine, but unless you adapt, you'll never get anywhere.

  John Lennon : But we don't want to go anywhere. It's only people like you who have to go somewhere. We're happy, go-lucky, shiftless working-class lads. That's why we play the Negro music without a care in the world. Tell me, do you have a car?

  Brian Epstein : Yes.

  John Lennon : What kind?

  Brian Epstein : A Ford... Zodiac.

  John Lennon : Well now, in that case... you need our help. I'll sign with you, Eppie, 'cause I think we can help you.

• Brian Epstein : Boys, George Martin, producer.

  George Martin : Afternoon. Now, if there's anything you don't like, just let me know.

  George Harrison : Well, for a start, I don't like your tie.

  George Martin : Pity. I just bought it yesterday. Well, we'll do two singles; to start with, "Love Me Do", and for the follow-up, you can try "How Do You Do It?".

  John Lennon : Sorry Sir, from now on we only do our own material.

  George Martin : Which one are you?

  John Lennon : Private John Lennon, Sir.

  George Martin : Well Lennon, are you trying to teach me my business?

  John Lennon : No sir, I'm trying to teach you our business.

  Brian Epstein : John, this song could be a Number-One hit.

  Paul McCartney : You've just signed a new group, Eppie, called 'Gerry and the Pacemakers'. Why don't you give it to them, I'm sure they could do the hit.

  George Martin : Well Lennon, what would you do for the follow-up?

  John Lennon : I worked up something as simple as possible. It's called "Please Please Me".

  George Martin : And you reckon that'll be Number-One?

  John Lennon : It's strictly for the Hit Parade. Everything we do is going to be Number-One.

  George Martin : Well then, let's get to work, so not to deprive the world of those incredible sounds for one moment longer.

  John Lennon : That's just what I was saying, sir. A chip?

  George Martin : Uh, no, not for me, thank you.

  Paul McCartney : Well if he doesn't want it, I'll have it.

  John Lennon : It's the one with the grease on it.

• Paul McCartney : Y'know, I've been thinking.

  George Harrison : Well, there you go! I bet you didn't know he could think, did you John?

  John Lennon : No.

  George Harrison : What about, then?

  Paul McCartney : About uh... changes.

  John Lennon : Like what, Paul?

  Paul McCartney : Like, maybe a change in leadership.

  John Lennon : And are you nominating yourself?

  Paul McCartney : You see, I reckon the fella who writes most of the songs should be the one who says what's what and when.

  John Lennon : I reckon you should get stuffed.

  Paul McCartney : Thank you.

  John Lennon : Or maybe we should put into the vote, don't you agree George?

• John Lennon : Where are we going, fellas?

  Paul McCartney , George Harrison , Stu Sutcliffe : To the top!

  John Lennon : What top?

  John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison , Stu Sutcliffe : To the Very Top!