freda kelly was just a shy teenager from liverpool who left school at 16 to make her way in the world. in this documentary, freda tells her story for the first time after 50 years, for very personal reasons all her own. it is the story of a young girl, who, through fate and circumstance, found herself working for a local band, the beatles, hoping to make it big. while none of them had any concept of how far they would go, it was her undying loyalty and dedication that kept her in their inner circle, a rare thing among the many who came and went from their universe.
at only 16, she became their devoted personal secretary and fan club president, and she understood the young girls’ frenzy them as they grew in fame, as she was herself just a young girl, as well as a fan. she was fiercely protective of each of them and never was swayed by the fame and fortune that came along. Freda saw it all, and became a sister and friend to them, and a daughter to their families.
she witnessed their evolution to international fame and watched history unfold before her eyes, taking it all in with amazement and pride.
it was her dream job, and she was there at the beginning, and there at the end. and as was said, ‘they were together for 10 years, and she worked for them for 11 years.’ the archival footage in this film is amazing, and if you are a fan of the beatles, music history, or just of the pure and sweet side of human nature, you will fall in love with freda and with this movie.
freda today, as she tells her story, with a few tears and a lot of laughter.
You learn from a conglomeration of the incredible past –
whatever experience gotten in any way whatsoever.
Bob Dylan
—-
image credits: magnolia pictures, the guardian.com,dailymail.co.uk,scope features,sxsw film festival
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I didn't have my glasses on.... 
What a delightful story and I am sure Freda experienced moments that many of us would be jealous of. Thanks Beth, very sweet and loved the quote. x
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happy you liked it jen, and the amazing thing is she just took it all in stride and realized how lucky she was to be living what she was living. thanks )
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that I did – yes how amazing it would have been :-)
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so true, and what an understatement. she is still very shy and humble about it all –
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bless her cotton socks – I’d be shouting from roof tops
oops didn’t mean that to rhyme lol
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i know, a poet cannot help herself )
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Wow, that’s amazing! :-)
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it really is an amazing story, lydia )
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way kewl post :)
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thanks, quark )
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I can’t wait to hear her story. I am sure the ride was amazing.
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i think you would love it mark )
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Sounds so interesting.
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it really is, har. and she is so humble throughout and continues to be –
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Sounds great! I love stories like this. I will have to look for it. Thanks
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i hope you do get the chance to see it then, sandra. i think you would really enjoy it ) beth
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Really interesting, thank you Beth, MM 🍀
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it is indeed, mm )
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As George Harrison said “the Beatles saved the world from boredom”, and isn’t that the truth? This sounds like a really nice read.
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so true, and it’s a film so it brings it all to life –
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I’d never heard of her before. Interesting.
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yes, and that is what makes it such a special story, she stayed under the radar for the most part.
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This was so interesting! Thank you for sharing. It makes you think about all the people involved in one’s success ;-)
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yes, it does. there is always much more to a success story than meets the eye –
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As a guy who was around when the Beatles music took over the World, I find this a great story!
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it really is fascinating, i had no idea, and i loved seeing all of the old stuff. thanks for reading and following, i look forward to reading more from you too ) beth
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I’m a ginormous Beatles fan, so I’m definitely going to be checking this one out! Thanks Beth!!
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you’re going to love it, smb! and wish you were in freda’s place then –
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I can’t wait to see it. Just the picture of her smiling makes me want to see it.
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yes, she is such an honest and humble person, who enjoyed every minute and never capitalized on it.
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Will just have to check that out. Thanks for sharing ;-)
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i hope you do, mocha )
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I will. I will.
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wow, that would be interesting to watch.
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it really was, joan )
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It’s on my list. Thank you for the insightful review, Beth. Good, old Freda got to see more than the flies on the wall, it appears. Perfect timing with this 50-years-after-Ed phenomena still hanging about.
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when i saw this, i thought it would be right up your alley too, mark. let me know what you think of it after you see it –
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Did you NetFlix it, Beth?
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no, i got it from my local library, the source of 99% of my movies –
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Good collection, Beth, at your disposal.
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i know, i feel so lucky to just be able to walk downtown to get amazing movies for free. i am constantly telling them that the person who orders their movies is amazing. i love happening upon them, especially the unexpected surprises like this, as you know by now )
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Fascinating.
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it is such a cool story and amazing she pretty much left it untold until now.
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Yes, that sounds both interesting and really amazing that it isn’t already told.
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it is, she is one of the only ones in the inner circle who never capitalized on it –
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Definitely a must-see.
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Great story!
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it is )
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Interesting!
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)
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It’s like finding a Renoir in an attic sale, this. The greatest thing about this uncovered gem is that there are probably loads of stories she could tell – but never will.
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that is exactly right, eli! and you are so right about the stories, it’s obvious, when listening to her interviews for the film, there is a lot she will never tell, she is fiercely protective of them, and her memories. she never sold out for the money.
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i love that.
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:)
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saw her interviewed on TV, fun gal :)
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she really is. she just has that approach to life. )
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I loved this movie review and how you were able to use the photos to help tell Freda’s story. What a lucky, lucky woman! I would have loved to live her life! Amazing post, Beth! Smiles, robin
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thanks robin, and i know, how amazingly cool would that have been?!
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Very cool. I had not heard about this person before.
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it is a cool story and i admire her for never selling out and keeping her good spirit about the whole experience.
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How interesting…I will have to check that out…I’m sure she has fabulous stories!
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oh, they are amazing. and she is just so sweet about it all )
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Excellent review
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thanks so much, michael.
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That sounds like an interesting read :)
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i do think most anyone would find it an interesting story, even if not a beatles fan, melanie )
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Thanks! I would never have known about this book without you!
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oh, movie elyse ) i think you’ll enjoy it just the same )
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Even better! My book list is longer than my blog reading list!
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hahahaha – perfect )
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I’m always surprised by the things we don’t know. Thanks for sharing.
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me too, and you are very welcome –
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