By Rusty Pipes

The new and improved Yellow Sub was launched early in September. Even after 30 years or so the old girl is sailing along just fine. The major addition was the Hey Bulldog sequence that never made it into the original release. It fit right in and at only a couple minutes, I wondered what made them cut it the first time. I knew other things were added to the movie too, so I kept trying to identify new little extras as I watched. I saw more than a couple but I wasn't absolutely certain about some of them. It's been a long time and when I saw it before I was a little...um, altered, if you know what I mean.

But no chemical alteration is required; the cartoon's vivid Peter Max inspired drawing is nothing short of beautiful. It was made even more so by a stunning six channel digital upgrade to the soundtrack which showed off the music like never before. The psychedelic climax to the tune of It's All Too Much still amazes and transports. On the Sergeant Pepper Theme I heard the electric lead guitar on it's own channel and really heard it for the first time-a fine example of late 60's fuzz from George, who deserves more recognition for the seminal rock licks he put into all the Beatles work.

Another standout was the orchestral pieces that George Martin contributed. Light, airy and romantic, I'd forgotten how good they sounded. This brings to mind a note I should make about the new YS soundtrack release. Although all the movie's Beatle tunes that were omitted from the original album are found on the new CD-most notably Eleanor Rigby and Nowhere Man, which had full-animated treatments-Martin's score is missing! It's puzzling why they didn't include it. Several years ago, a CD that duplicated the original vinyl was available; it's the only place I know of to find it. Oh well, just one more thing for the completists to search for.

Although the film is thoroughly a product of the Psychedelic Sixties, it spoke to my Pokemon Generation kids and they loved it as much as I did. Indeed non-violence and Love winning over all is at the core of this movie and it's a lesson any age can take to heart. Comically they thought that All Together Now was a Muppets song. Now they know better.

Maybe Yellow Sub's appeal proves the Liverpool Lads will continue to speak to each new generation as well as they did to mine. I'd forgotten how much the movie uses their sly humor as they casually drop puns in every scene. The short clip of the un-animated Beatles at the end of the movie was especially poignant, mostly for seeing John again, but there they were, all four, THE BEATLES, in their prime. The group that shook cultures all over the world and changed them forever. I found myself getting choked up.

It was great to see Yellow Submarine again in a clean 35mm print after way too many years. It will tour the art houses only a short while so see it while you can. If you miss it in the theater, definitely check it out on DVD so you can get the new six channel sound too.


(C) 1999 Rusty Pipes