I Wanna Hold Your Hand

Spielberg-exec-produced debut for Zemeckis: the zany adventures of four teeny fans from New Jersey determined to crash the Ed Sullivan Show the night the Beatles appeared in 1964 (you never actually see the Fab Four, of course). A personal recollection of the more arcane details of Beatlemania is almost essential, plus familiarity with youth movies like American Graffiti and characters like The Fonz. The comedy is far too diverse, ranging from pastiche through farce (old elevator and corridor gags) to plain good humour. In the best scenes, Zemeckis suggests how the Beatles' blend of irreverence, romance and innocence encouraged a kind of youthful rebellion that was almost completely sanctioned. Loved the music.