Help!

Beatles film peppered with special effects, songs and several bursts of riotous nonsense. The story revolves around a religious sect which attempts to recover a sacrificial ring from Ringo. Songs include Help, Ticket to Ride, Another Girl and You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away., The Beatles’ second film venture presents Ringo as the target of a mad scientist and Indian cultists. Foot: Victor Spinetti. Clang: Leo McKern. Ahme: Eleanor Bron. Superintendent: Patrick Cargill. Algernon: Roy Kinnear. Scant plot; zany gags. Songs include “I Need You,” “You’re Gonna Lose That Girl,” “Ticket to Ride” and the title tune. Locales: London, the Alps and the Bahamas. Directed by Richard Lester., In their second feature with director Richard Lester, who oversaw the massive hit A Hard Day’s Night, the Beatles again aim for a mix of goofy comedy and sterling pop music. There is slightly more of a plot this time, though it is a patently ridiculous one: a sacred ruby ring comes into Ringo’s possession, attracting the unwelcome attention of an exotic religious cult and forcing the boys to go on the run. This chase narrative is thankfully never taken too seriously, serving mainly as an excuse for colorful excursions to international locations from Europe to the Bahamas. The musical numbers include such classic tunes as “Ticket to Ride,” “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away,” and, of course, “Help!”.