New Wings Over America (2013 Remaster)

2002-Mar-03: The Hobbit Was Almost Paul

In his forthcoming memoirs, At the Apple's Core, Denis O'Dell reveals that more that 30 years ago, the Beatles considered making a film of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.  Mr. O'Dell, who would have been the film's producer, would have cast John Lennon the wizard Gandalf and Sir Paul as the hobbit Frodo Baggins. Ringo Starr and George Harrison would also have had roles in the film. Mr. O'Dell recalls, "We were all very keen on the Lord of the Rings project. I gave them the books and it was a serious idea.  John even thought there could have been an album of music based around the film."  Directors David Lean and Stanley Kubrick discussed making the film with the lads, however, according to Mr. O'Dell, "The deal was never concluded as there were problems with the directors and the Beatles themselves lost interest."

Denis O'Dell's worked on the films A Hard Day's Night and Magical Mystery Tour.  He later became a director of Apple.  He even accompanied the Beatles on their trip to India where he reveals that Ringo had a miserable time:  "He couldn't stand the food. He had his own baked beans."   Mr. O'Dell worked with the Beatles for six years during the 1960s and still remains friends with Sir Paul to this day.  He was immortalised in the song You Know My
Name (Look Up the Number) with the line sung by John Lennon: "Let's hear it for Denis O'Dell."

(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)

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