Only a Casual Acquaintance: 8 Great Beatles Costars
Beatles films are considered masterpieces among their fans, especially for their humor and, of course, the music that provided not just soundtracks for the films but also for the lives of millions in the ’60s. While we watch the films primarily for the Fab Four, numerous actors who appear in the films had lucrative careers outside of their work with the band. Many of the actors even appeared in the same films and often worked with A Hard Day’s Night and Help! director Richard Lester.
While you can easily conduct a search on IMDB to see their full filmographies, we’ve put together a guide featuring some of most prominent Beatles-movie costars so you can check out some of their other roles!
1) Wilfrid Brambell
In the Beatles movies: Paul’s conniving and manipulative grandfather, John, in A Hard Day’s Night
Most notable non-Beatles role: Brambell played the father, Albert Edward Ladysmith Steptoe in the BBC’s Steptoe & Son, which would later be remade in the United States as Sanford & Son
Selected filmography: The Small World of Sammy Lee (1963), Alice in Wonderland (1966), Holiday on the Buses (1973), The Adventures of Picasso (1979)
2) Eleanor Bron
In the Beatles movies: Clang’s not-so-loyal partner Ahme in Help!
Most notable non-Beatles role: Stanley Moon’s (Dudley Moore) love interest Margaret in the Faustian-comedy Bedazzled (1967)
Selected filmography: Alfie (1966), Women in Love (1969), The National Health (1973), A Little Princess (1995)
3) John Junkin
In the Beatles movies: Norm’s assistant Shake in A Hard Day’s Night
Most notable non-Beatles role: Junkin frequented television more than film and often worked with other comedy notables, particularly Marty Feldman in sketch-comedy the series Marty, and The Marty Feldman Comedy Machine
Selected filmography: Kaleidoscope (1967), Confessions of a Driving Instructor (1976), Wombling Free (1977), Chicago Joe and the Showgirl (1990)
4) Roy Kinnear
In the Beatles movies: Foot’s bumbling henchman Algernon in Help!
Most notable non-Beatles role: Who can forget Kinnear as the poor, suffering father of spoiled brat Veruca Salt in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)?
Selected filmography: The Informers (1963), How I Won the War (1967), Melody [a.k.a S.W.A.L.K.] (1971), The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes’ Smarter Brother (1975)
5) Leo McKern
In the Beatles movies: The villainous and vengeful Clang in Help!
Most notable non-Beatles role: English reformer Thomas Cromwell in A Man for All Seasons (1966)
Selected filmography: King & Country (1964), The Omen (1976), The Blue Lagoon (1980), Ladyhawke (1985)
6) Anna Quayle
In the Beatles movies: The mysterious Millie in A Hard Day’s Night, probably one of the most intriguing bit-parts in a film
Most notable non-Beatles role: The homicidal Baroness Bomburst in the musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)
Selected filmography: Drop Dead Darling (1966), Casino Royale (1967), Up the Chastity Belt (1971), Mistress Pamela (1974)
7) Norman Rossington
In the Beatles movies: The Beatles’ frustrated and impatient manager Norm in A Hard Day’s Night
Most notable non-Beatles role: Arthur Seaton’s (Albert Finney) best friend Bert in Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (1960)
Selected filmography: Carry on Sergeant (1958), The Running Jumping & Standing Still Film (1959), Double Trouble (1967), Two Gentlemen Sharing (1969)
8) Victor Spinetti
In the Beatles movies: The TV director in A Hard Day’s Night, Foot in Help!, and the Sergeant in Magical Mystery Tour
Most notable non-Beatles role: One of Bianca’s contending suitors Hortensio in Zeffirelli’s The Taming of the Shrew (1967)
Selected filmography: The Gentle Terror (1961), The Wild Affair (1963), The Little Prince (1974), The Krays (1990)
Who’s your favorite Beatles costar? Let us know in the comments!
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James Ryan