alternatehistory.com

Historically the Beatles were signed to a 3 picture deal with the studio. While the first two films were released in quick succession in 1964 and 1965, the contract remained uncompleted until 1970. The Beatles were also obliged to distribute one additional record through United Artists Records. Completing the contract became an increasingly difficult prospect for the band as time went on.

However when the deal was originally negotiated-by most accounts UA expected the Beatles to be a short lived phenomenon.

The entire idea was to guarantee the distribution rights to an album while the band remained popular. As best I can tell the decision to sign the Beatles to three as opposed to one, two, or five, films was at least somewhat arbitrary.

What in the band's history changes without a legal requirement to make three films?

Would the Capitol Records schedule have to be altered? After all this may mean that "Help" would be a UA Records rather than a Capitol Records release in the United States.

I know that this opens up endless butterflies since there will not be as much time spent on discussing what the third film will be if there is no requirement to even make a third film.

In an immediate sense this means that The Beatles are never offered A Talent for Loving. Up Against It is not written. Not sure what that does for Walter Shenson, Joe Orton, or even Brian Epstein.

What would the Beatles career after 1965 look like if the band did not have outstanding obligations to United Artists after the release of Help?
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