Good Ol' Freda

WARNING: This review is hidden because it reveals the content of the film.
Click here to show this review. In 1961, no one knew why Brian Epstein chose the unprepossessing 17-year old Freda Kelley to manage the Beatles fan club and magazine, but she soon proved resourceful, efficient, hardworking and most of all loyal and discreet. She was with them until the end, when in 1972 the final edition of the magazine was published. Kelley laboured tirelessly to reply to the thousands of fan letters that were received weekly after the Beatles became famous world-wide. She was aided by a small staff and some volunteers whom she pressed into service when they came around to visit. Most requests were for the usual glossy 8x10 signed photos. Some requests were weird: a lock of Paul's hair, pieces of clothing, a request from a local asking the Beatles to attend her party. And then there was the girl who sent a pillow for Ringo to sleep on and of course, requested its return. When asked about her favorite Beatle she simply said that it varied from day-to-day. She is coy about any possible romantic involvement(s) with any of the band members. She neither denies or confesses and leaves it at that. She could be a millionaire, but she did not sell any of her many boxes of memorabilia; she chose to give it all away after the Beatles disbanded. She is now a working mother and grandmother and it was after the birth of her grandchild that she decided to appear on this film-not for profit-but to provide a permanent record for her offspring. Kelley has resisted all requests/pressure/cajolling to produce a tell-all book and it is likely that some of her "juicier" stories will remain as secrets which she will take with her to the grave. Loyalty, indeed! This film is for most baby-boomers and all lovers of the Fab Four and their now timeless music.