It’s impossible to deny the cultural legacy of The Beatles across media – beyond just their impact on music and songwriting, they were also present in popular films and on television. But beyond such live-action television appearances, such as the legendary Ed Sullivan Show performances, they also had an animated presence. The Beatles, an animated television series produced by King Features Syndicate for ABC, celebrates its 55th anniversary this year, having debuted in 1965 in the throes of Beatlemania.
The Saturday morning cartoon show ran for three seasons, with a total of 39 episodes. Each episode carried the name of a Beatles tune, and generally served as a visual representation of the lyrics of the song. The shows also featured deliberate singalong sequences with more simple imagery. The songs used were taken from the albums through Revolver, with some non-album singles featured as well. The overall look of the Fab Four themselves was taken from their early “moptop and suit” days, and this stayed consistent throughout the show even as the band itself moved beyond that look.
Beyond their songs being used, the band members themselves weren’t involved with the production of the cartoon. The voices were provided by Paul Frees, who voiced John and George, and Lance Percival, who voiced Paul and Ringo.
The Beatles was an instant success for ABC, earning ratings that were then unheard of for the time slot. The show was syndicated worldwide, and would later be rerun in the ‘80s on MTV and on The Disney Channel. The cartoon’s designs of the band have been a popular go-to for merchandise, and it maintains a cult following even today.
Fans of the Fab Four currently have an opportunity to get their hands on some Beatles collectibles through Hake’s Auctions. Among these are a 1963 full band-signed album page, featuring an inscription of “love from The Beatles” from Paul. Signature seekers can also pick up a single-sided postcard from Parlophone Records with an image of the band from 1962, signed by all four members in blue ink. Signed first issue Parlophone cards are not only rare, but are also generally signed on the back, making this a particularly striking example. This postcard also stands out as Starr had just joined the band months before this was signed. Hake’s also has a pair of Ringo Starr’s personally used Gretsch drumsticks, complete with a letter from Publicity Manager Brian Sommerville; they feature typical wear and tear from use and are unique artifacts from the British Invasion era.
These lots, part of Hake’s Auction #229, will close on Wednesday and Thursday, March 11-12, 2020, so collectors should get their bids in soon.