Philly-born director of Beatles flicks, Superman donates his archives to the British Film Institute

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Philly-born director of Beatles flicks, Superman donates his archives to the British Film Institute

POSTED: Monday, August 23, 2010, 7:20 PM

Filed Under: Movies | Music

One of Philly's finest ex-pats, director Richard Lester, has decided to donate his archives to the British Film Institute. The BBC reports that Lester chose the BFI because of their long-standing relationship. While born in Philadelphia, Lester is best known for directing the Beatles in Help! and A Hard Day's Night. His association with the Fab Four led him identification with the burgeoning youth scene in '60s London and made him the perfect choice to take on swinging '60s sex romp The Knack ... and How to Get It, which won the Palm d'Or at Cannes. Petulia, my personal fave of from the Lester canon, was also scheduled to compete at Cannes in 1968 but the fest was canceled. Lester also took over the Superman films, after original director Richard Donner was fired from the sequel. He retired after directing 1989's The Return of the Musketeers, only emerging behind the camera to reunite with Paul McCartney for the 1993 concert film Get Back. Lester's archives include draft scripts of his Beatles films and correspondence with various celebs, including Raquel Welch and Audrey Hepburn. REVIEW >> CONCERT REVIEW: Paul McCartney @ Wells Fargo Center, 8/14

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