Pop Gear (1965)

Pop Gear (1965) plunges the audience into the vibrant heart of the British Invasion of 1964, serving up a technicolor feast of pop-rock performances that were decades ahead of their time. This film is far from a conventional narrative; it's a collection of electrifying numbers, lip-synced with fervor by the most influential bands of the era, each adding a unique flavor to this audiovisual extravaganza. The film opens and closes with the incomparable Beatles, who captivate with their renditions of "She Loves You" and "Twist And Shout". The Animals, with their distinctive raw edge, deliver soul-stirring performances of "The House Of The Rising Sun" and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood". Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas charm with their performance of "Little Children", while The Rockin' Berries offer a stirring cover of The Tokens's "He's In Town". Adding to the eclectic mix, The Honeycombs, bolstered by the unique beat of their female drummer Honey Lantree, perform "Have I The Right" and "Eyes", and Herman's Hermits delight with their breakthrough hit, "I'm Into Something Good". Billie Davis and The Spencer Davis Group, featuring a young Steve Winwood, deliver back-to-back rocking performances with "What You Gonna Do" and "My Babe" respectively. The film also pays homage to "Adult Contemporary" with International pop sensation Matt Monro, who croons "Walk Away" and "For Mama". Much like its 1964 counterpart, The T.A.M.I. Show, Pop Gear punctuates its musical performances with vibrant dance segments, channeling the spirit of the era and adding an extra layer of dynamism to the spectacle. The film, originally titled "Go Go Mania" in the U.S, serves as a time capsule of a defining moment in music history, capturing the essence of the British Invasion with an intensity that continues to resonate.

Pop Gear is a music movie featuring Matt Monro and directed by Frederic Goode.

Pop Gear is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy.