There isn’t much of a plot to Pop Gear. It’s a concert movie, with each act introduced by the mod British DJ, Jimmy Saville. The film came out in 1964, at the height of the first British pop invasion.  Sandwiched between taped concert excerpts of The Beatles, a wide variety of music groups wander around standard '60s variety show stages and belt out their tunes.

Some of them you’ve heard of like Hermann’s Hermits and The Animals. (I’ll never tire of Eric Burdon's soulful rendition of "House of the Rising Sun." ) Others you’ll recognize the songs but don’t have clue who sang them, until now. In particular, The Honeycombs, Sounds Incorporated and The Rocking Berries. While others are a complete enigma. (I guess they never made it over the pond.)

Admittedly, most of these groups were one hit wonders - but their songs are so hideously infectious, that you’ll have them stuck in your head for eons. In particular the Honeycombs bouncy ditty "Have I the Right". (At least it bumped that *$%# "Lois Lane Blues" song from Gone in 60 Seconds out of rotation in my cerebral random play jukebox. The ORIGINAL Gone in 60 you heathens!)

The music is all about having fun. Some songs and groups are better than others, while some will have you scratching your head at their inclusion (I.E. Matt Munro.)

The thing I enjoyed most about Pop Gear was, that during the performances, you couldn’t help but notice the "Omigod we’re in a movie" looks exchanged by band members. There was a lot of love there, man. You dig? (I dig.)

I'm ashamed to admit, though, that the first time through, I laughed at this display of happiness. (Some of these guys were just a little too giddy.) I began to wonder about what they we’re doing now, and what they looked like, 40 years later, and snickered. Then I slowly realized that no matter what they look like now, they partook in a #1 record and appeared in a motion picture. Then I thought, "What have you done?" (That’s right. Now shut up and enjoy the music.)

Beatles elitist might not enjoy this film. I have no patience for you people. There is substance beyond John, Paul, George and Ringo. (Just ask Pete Best.) I think the film could have survived without the Beatles bookends and they almost seemed tacked on to cash in on Beatlemania, which is disappointing. These acts can stand on their own.

In fact, if you took Gordon’s hair and glasses (from the duo of Peter and Gordon), and combined them with Peter Noonan’s teeth (from Herman’s Hermits), and put them on the bass player’s body from The Honeycombs, you’ll have the spitting image of the International Man Mystery.