The recent Beatles documentary Eight Days a Week has put Dan Slevin in mind of another classic documentary about a less heralded Liverpool band.
All You Need Is Cash was released in 1978 and it shows the story of The Rutles.
A creation of Eric Idle from Monty Python and musician Neil Innes from the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, All You Need is Cash was a fine early example of the mockumentary genre.
“Without All You Need Is Cash there would be no Spinal Tap,” says Dan.
Innes turned out to be an absolute master at creating Beatles pastiche, so good that later in the 1980s the Beatles’ publishers (then owned by Michael Jackson) sued him.
At least two of the Fabs enjoyed the film – George made a cameo in the film playing a showbiz hack. John wouldn’t return his video copy lent to him by the film makers because he enjoyed it so much.
Paul was more frosty about the film, Dan says.
And there’s a NZ connection - in All You Need Is Cash, the Rutles’ manager Leggy Mountbatten is played by Kiwi actor Terence Bayler.
