Watch Good Ol' Freda

Good Ol' Freda is a 2013 documentary film that celebrates the life of Freda Kelly, the former secretary of the Beatles. The film is directed by Ryan White and features interviews with Kelly herself, as well as with Paul McCartney and John Lennon. The film takes a nostalgic look back at the Beatles' meteoric rise to fame and the impact they had on popular culture in the 1960s. But the focus is not on the Fab Four themselves, but rather on the unsung hero behind the scenes, Freda Kelly. Kelly began working for the Beatles' fan club when she was just a teenager, and was later hired as their secretary. She remained in that role throughout the band's entire career, from their early days in Liverpool to their final farewell concert in 1969.

The film opens with Kelly talking about her experience of being a Beatles fan before she started working for them. She describes how she would wait outside the Cavern Club, hoping to catch a glimpse of the band as they arrived for a gig. She reminiscences about how she met them for the first time and how they welcomed her into their circle. From there, the film tells the story of Kelly's time with the Beatles, using archival footage and photographs, as well as interviews with Kelly and others who knew her at the time.

One of the most interesting aspects of the film is the way it sheds light on the daily workings of the Beatles' organization. We see Kelly at work in the fan club office, answering letters from fans and arranging events like the annual convention. We learn about her close relationships with the band members and their families, and about how she would often take care of their personal affairs, like paying their bills or arranging for their laundry to be done. It's clear that Kelly was an essential member of the Beatles' inner circle, and a trusted confidant to all of them.

The film also explores some of the darker moments in Beatles history, like the death of manager Brian Epstein and the band's breakup in 1970. Kelly's recollections of these events are moving, and it's clear that she still feels a deep affection for the band and the people she worked with.

Throughout the film, there are clips of Kelly attending Beatles-related events in recent years, like the opening of the Beatles' museum in Liverpool or the premiere of a new Beatles film. These scenes serve to remind us that Kelly's connection to the Beatles is ongoing, and that her role in their history is still celebrated.

One of the highlights of the film is the interview with Paul McCartney, in which he talks about how important Kelly was to the Beatles' success. He describes her as "the queen of the Beatle people," and speaks fondly of her dedication and hard work. There's a heartfelt moment when Kelly watches this interview on camera and tears up, clearly moved by McCartney's words.

Overall, Good Ol' Freda is a touching tribute to a remarkable woman who played an important role in the history of popular music. Kelly's story is a reminder that there are often unsung heroes behind even the most famous and successful people, and that their contributions should be acknowledged and celebrated. The film is a must-see for Beatles fans, as well as anyone interested in the history of popular culture.

Good Ol' Freda is a 2013 music movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4 and a MetaScore of 60.