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  Miramax Films Paul McCartney appears startled in a scene from "A Hard Day's Night," which is being re-released by Miramax 35 years after its initial run.

By Brent Hopkins

Daily Bruin Senior Staff

Thirty-five years after the fact, the Beatles still look like the world’s most cuddly band. At least they sure do to the mobs of voracious girls who follow them everywhere in “A Hard Day’s Night.”

Three-and-a-half decades after it first hit the silver screen, the Fab Four’s debut film hasn’t lost a thing. You’d think that the mobs of screaming fans would seem strange and dated today, but they are a timeless phenomenon.

Knowing that John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, pictured on their way to the top, would bitterly flame out a scant six years later, makes watching the film strangely bittersweet. Though it’s sad to know that the fresh, innocent boys shown here won’t last forever, it’s nice to have that slice of young purity.

In 1964, the quartet was still finding its place in the world. Already a commercial success in both Britain and in the United States, the members of the group still made up a bubblegum boy band, borrowing heavily from American rock ’n’ roll styles.

  "A Hard Day's Night" was the Beatles' first feature film. From left, George Harrison, John Lennon, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney starred in the 1964 movie. With Ringo being the oldest at 24, they were still fresh-faced youngsters, designed to look cute and pleasant in their matching suits. Though they’d already garnered a fair amount of commercial success, manager Brian Epstein decided that the best way to further the band’s influence was via movies, which could bring the boys to the world without the rigors of touring.

Little did he know how successful he’d be.

As “A Hard Day’s Night” opens, propelled by the energetic title track, the foursome enters, dashing away from a pack of screaming fans. This is pretty much how the rest of the movie continues. Just like the omnipresent fast-paced music, they’re always in a hurry.

Whether it’s running to catch a train, rushing to get through an interview, escaping the pressures of being out in public or even sitting around playing cards, the Beatles seem to do everything at lightning speed. It’s no wonder they’d give up touring a few years later.

Though done with a light-hearted twist, “A Hard Day’s Night” captures the rigors of rock stardom well. With such an intensely public life, it’s easy to see why they’re always trying to get out of the public eye.

The cute little boy image is hyped to a maximum, showing the foursome as essentially rambunctious youngsters, only looking for some innocent amusement. Though they’re not above looking at a pretty girl now and then, the main source of entertainment is just childlike fun.

After ducking out on their controlling managers, they frolic in a field, shoving each other around and dancing to the sound of their own music. Though their appetite for drug use later became legendary, here, their strongest vice is Coca-Cola. Even their lustful side is toned down, with the majority of the ribald remarks coming from Paul’s imaginary grandfather, played with drooling zest by Wilfrid Brambell.

Seen through modern eyes, the movie can seem a little odd. Now that the name “The Beatles” has become a cultural institution, known more for its psychedelic connotations than its wide-eyed youth, it’s hard to watch the merrymaking without laughing. If audiences can set aside their contemporary perceptions, however, the movie is still extremely enjoyable.

So while it may be a little chilling today to see someone point at John and say “I’ll murder you,” when he gets out of line, it’s important to remember the 1964 mind-set. Back then, there was no “Sgt. Pepper,” not too many drugs, no Yoko Ono and no talk of breaking up.

“A Hard Day’s Night” may be a little silly in some respects. Then again, this was before the band got “bigger than Jesus,” in John’s words. Even now, it’s refreshing to see the four lads from Liverpool in all their young glory.

FILM: “A Hard Day’s Night” opens Friday at the Nuart Theatre at 11272 Santa Monica Boulevard. Call (310) 478-6379 for showtimes and ticket information.

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