Original vintage program from the world premiere of the Beatles’ second motion picture, Help!, at the London Pavilion, 20 pages, 8.5 x 11, July 29, 1965, signed in black ballpoint on the back cover by all four Beatles, each also inscribing to co-star Victor Spinetti: “To Victor, My life’s work. With all my sincerest devotion and that God rest you from John (Lennon) x,” adding a small sketch of a cross; “To Victor, Best wishes, Ringo Starr”; “Dear Victor, I like you, but you weren’t as good as Mal [Evans, the band’s longtime roadie and friend who made a brief appearance in the film], Paul (McCartney)”; and “Only for you Victor—it would have all been possible! George Harrison.” Spinetti (born 1933) became a vital part of the Beatlemania phenomenon and earned international recognition as he added to the insanity of three of the Beatles’ cult vehicles: A Hard Day’s Night, Help!, and Magical Mystery Tour. A little over two weeks after the Help! premiere, on August 15, the Fab Four kicked off their triumphant U.S. summer tour in New York City’s Shea Stadium, performing their biggest show yet for 55,500 screaming fans. The program, which includes photos from the film and cast and production biographies, can be displayed so that the signatures and pictorial cover may be seen together. Light creasing to both covers (slightly affecting a few letters of signatures and inscriptions, but not overall appearance), a touch of mild toning, and light handling wear, otherwise fine condition. Uncommon in any form, the Help! premiere program is of great scarcity in signed examples, notably enhanced in this case by a direct association with a cast member. The program we offer is, further, the only autographed item chosen by the Lennon estate to appear in the book Imagine: John Lennon, and is featured on page 76. COA Roger Epperson/REAL and R&R COA.
