Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I like the first Rutles LP, the second was garbage in my opinion. I think the second LP was to cash in when the Anthology came out.

It was also a way for Neil Innes to try to grab some attention for his "own" songs...some of the stuff on the second album had earlier been released on Innes solo albums.

If one is not at least sufficiently versed in Beatles history, I think it'd all go over one's head as it's pure parody. Not unlike if one dind't know about hard rock or metal, trying to find Spinal Tap funny. One wouldn't even know it's full of jokes. If one didn't know about Yoko being controversial, how could one find Nasty being married to a Nazi funny? But if one did know, how could one not find that hysterical? Or Brit pop stars being taxed in excess in the 60s (therefore Barry "spending a year in bed as a tax dodge.") The more one finds funny about the Rutles, the more one is rewarded for knowing one's Beatles history. English humor isn't for everyone. But Belushi's in it, too, being very Belushi and Allen Klein at the same time, while having laughs with Apple history. How one can't find that funny is beyond me.

Hi Glenn- I'm probably as well versed in Beatles history as anyone who visits this site-which is one reason i DO visit this site. In all honesty, i saw the Rutles movie about 3 years ago (for the second time since it came out)and still thought it was weak. Which is not to say I wish it wasn't done. Obviously I'm in the minority here. And i think anyone on the planet at the time knew Yoko was controversial!

Told you my opinion was not going to be popular!

Well, another thing about the Rutles that I remember being funny about it when it came out is it seemed very much based not only on Beatle history, but on a specific history (perhaps the first doc. ever on the band) that had in it, if it in fact was not produced by, David Frost. I remember seeing that doc. in the mid 70s, on TV, and then seeing the Rutles a few years later. The Rutles is very much based on that (though I'm not sure if David Frost opened in a scene in the street where he chases the camera crew.) Still, even though I've forgotten that early work, and there have been many Beatles docs in the years since, I laugh at the Rutles like I laught at old Monty Python shows. Also, as others have pointed out, the songs and playing are great parodies on their own, which when you think about it is no easy feat in itself.

Since Spinal Tap has been mentioned here, I'll add my two cents.
"There's a fine line between clever and stupid..." (Nigel Tufnel)
My vote is:
Rutles=Clever
I haven't seen, and was unaware of another Rutles film. But I can't believe it would be comparable to the first one. An idea like The Rutles is a one-shot deal, and a sequel to that masterpiece would be just... stupid.

It is. Unfortunately.

Which begs the question: The Fabs never reunited. Why did the Rutles?

I for one enjoyed 'Can't Buy Me Lunch'. It isn't as good as 'All You Need Is Cash', but it includes outtake footage and is worth seeing for a Rutle fan. I honestly like the second album better than the first. Neil Innes is a very talented songwriter and musician. If he chooses to release his songs as Rutles songs, that's fine by me. It's better than not getting to hear his music.

I quite agree with your sentiments Randy.

I was referring to the Rutles2(CBML) DVD, Archaeology is great.
I just think CBML could have been SO much better, perhaps a "Where are They Now" segment, and surely there was some footage from the Arch. studio sessions. Wishful thinking perhaps, but after all the build-up, the long wait for release after the film was finished, THE PETITION, don't forget the petition. Well it worked, didn't it?

Ronn, Brian and I watched the sequel without the sound when we were practicing the other night. There's a few subtle humorous things such as Catherine O Hara playing an Astrid-type character called Astro Glyde. I was chucking just reading some of the on screen titles. Ouch! was made by ****** Bros! Jimmy Fallon's bit was pretty lame.