Magical Mystery Tour
Date: 1967
Director: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr
Production Company: Apple Corps, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
Stars: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr
Location(s): Cornwall, Devon, Kent, London, Surrey
Region(s): London M-N, South East M-Q, South West
Storyline:
The Beatles embark on a surreal mystery tour through the English countryside.
Additional Information:
Screen captures uploaded by Phil Wilkinson.
Dave Wilson has brought to our attention that on Plymouth seafront (called The Hoe), there is a board and placements set into the ground to mark where The Beatles were sat when a famous photo of them was taken during the filming back in 1967. The idea being that you can sit in the exact same positions and recreate the photo with friends etc. Quite a nice idea really. Dave’s photo’s of the spots can be viewed here.
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Can you help:
If you have any information regarding this production, the locations or, even better, some comparison shots please contact us. Images submitted must be in Landscape orientation, as would be seen on the cinema screen, not Portrait.
We are aware that there are films on the site that were added when the criteria for the inclusion of locations was very different from today and, as a result, there may be scenes missing from some productions. Please do not forward additional screen captures to us but bring the detail to our attention, for we do, and are, 're-addressing' these older entries as time allows.
- Capture 1
- 18 Oct 2022
One Sunday morning, Richard B. Starkey (Ringo Starr) and his Aunt Jessica (Jessie Robins) walk towards the main road to catch a tour bus. Gypsy Re Bethe advises that this is Theatre Street in London SW11.
Here's John Harwood's shot of the same street. (SJ)
- Capture 2
- 18 Oct 2022
The two of them argue as they climb the hill. Gypsy Re Bethe advises that this is Theatre Street off Lavender Hill in SW11 which is confirmed by Simon Blinkho who tells us that his Grandparents lived at the bottom of the hill and he had a schoolfriend who lived in the next street.
John H chose this doorway they are walking past. (SJ)
- Capture 3
- 'Now' required
Turning the corner, Richard and Aunt Jessie find the bus and the crew of the tour waiting. Lavender Hill, London SW11. The two have just walked out of 'the original' Acanthus Road. The area has been redeveloped and a road with the same name now exists further along Lavender Hill towards Clapham Junction.
- Capture 4
- 'Now' required
Courier Jimmy Johnson (Derek Royle) and Hostess Wendy Winters (Miranda Forbes) greet the late arrivals. Lavender Hill, London SW11.
- Capture 5
- 30 Mar 2026
Jolly Jimmy Johnson welcomes everyone onto the Magical Mystery Tour. Looking along St Leonards at the junction with Midway Road in Bodmin, Cornwall.
Mark Alford found a parked car preventing a clearer view of the street.
- Capture 6
- 25 Feb 2021
Richard and his Aunt continue to argue as the tour sets off. Bob Clark advises that this view is of Uxbridge Road in Hayes, Greater London, just across from the EMI site.
Antony Blair returned to the location but the bus had departed long ago.
- Capture 7
- 'Now' required
Passengers (Rayston Smith and Nat Jackley) enjoy the journey.
- Capture 8
- 'Now' required
'The Fool on the Hill' performed by Paul McCartney. On a hill near Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, France.
- Capture 9
- 'Now' required
The bus is driven around RAF West Malling Airfield, Kent. Bill Martin advises that the old airfield is now the King's Hill housing and industrial estate with only the Control Tower "cafe" remaining.
- Capture 10
- 'Now' required
A split screen shot of the concrete anti-blast screens at West Malling where The Beatles perform 'I Am The Walrus'. The wall also appears in 'All You Need Is Cash'.
- Capture 11
- 'Now' required
RAF West Malling Airfield near Maidstone, Kent.
- Capture 12
- 'Now' required
Children wave at the bus as it drives into the distance. Referring back to an earlier scene, Simon Blinkho adds that "The footage used in the ‘Flying‘ sequence was leftover shots from an RAF B-17 Flying Fortress plane that were filmed by Gilbert Taylor over Iceland and Greenland for ‘Dr. Strangelove’ and that Kubrick used more of this footage, similarly solarised, in '2001: A Space Odyssey'."
- Capture 13
- 07 Jun 2015
About to cross the Tamar Bridge over the River Tamar and the border between Devon and Cornwall.
Dave Wilson managed to capture the bridge but was not so lucky with the immediate foreground. (RL)
- Capture 14
- 07 Jun 2015
Looking over Hoe Park in Plymouth with Hoe Road to the left and Drake's Island top left. When Mark Alford visited the location he found an information board marking the spot where the Beatles sat on the grass to pose for the photographer while taking a break from filming.
A good elevation shot from Dave Wilson even without him enlisting the use of someones balcony. (RL)
- Capture 15
- 07 Jun 2015
Photo's are taken. Cliff Road, Plymouth with The Grand Hotel in the background.
Dave Wilson took an identical shot of the The Grand without being the centre of attraction himself. (RL)
- Capture 16
- 17 Jun 2015
Looks a bit like the seaside. The film had lost it's plot by now so no more narrative I'm afraid. Dave Wilson found the location called The Huer's Hut directly behind the Atlantic Hotel in Newquay. Robert Dew adds that The Beatles stayed in the hotel whilst filming took place.
Dave provides this shot showing that the background has changed somewhat. (RL)
- Capture 17
- 17 Jun 2015
A view through the bus window.
Dave Wilson is 99% sure that this is Tolcarne Beach, Newquay. So much building in the intervening years makes a similar shot very difficult or impossible but he sends this Google image suggesting that the extreme left of the building is that in the screen shot. Certainly looks like it to me Dave! (RL)
- Capture 18
- 17 Jun 2015
The passengers and locals assemble for a rather large group photo. The Atlantic Hotel, Dane Road, Newquay, Cornwall.
Dave Wilson found a rather changed hotel, externally anyway. (RL)