The John Lennon & Yoko Ono Film That You Didn’t Know Is Coming To Theaters
UNITED STATES - SEPTEMBER 24: THE DICK CAVETT SHOW - 9/24/71, John Lennon and Yoko Ono chatted with host Dick Cavett., (Photo by Ann Limongello/ABC via Getty Images)
In 1972, the daytime talk show The Mike Douglas Show welcomed an iconic duo as guest hosts for an entire week: John Lennon and Yoko Ono. This unforgettable moment in television history is now being revisited in a new documentary titled Daytime Revolution. Directed by Erik Nelson, the film is set to premiere in over 50 theaters across the U.S. on October 9, which would have been Lennon’s 84th birthday.
Daytime Revolution offers a fascinating glimpse into that week as John and Yoko engaged with a captivated studio audience during revealing Q&A sessions. According to a press release, “John Lennon was astonishingly candid about his life after the Beatles.” The documentary also highlights how the couple chose the show’s guests, including controversial figures of the time like anti-war activist Jerry Rubin and Black Panther Bobby Seale. Ralph Nader and comedian George Carlin also made appearances, adding to the diverse and bold lineup.
The film doesn’t just focus on the discussions but also showcases the musical performances that took place during that week. One standout moment was an epic duet between John Lennon and Chuck Berry. The documentary also features a touching rendition of Lennon’s now-classic song “Imagine,” adding a musical depth to the film that fans will appreciate.
Nelson shared that the documentary was originally planned for a 2022 release but was postponed until the fall of 2024. He explained:
“We made a conscious decision to hold back release until the election fall of 2024, as we felt very strongly that the film’s optimistic and idealistic message would be a far more welcome ‘letter from home’ the closer we got to what promised to be an apocalyptic and tension-filled Nov. 5. We were clearly right in that assumption!”
The film will first be showcased at the Hamptons International Film Festival before its nationwide theatrical release. More details on theater locations and ticketing will be announced soon, offering fans a chance to relive a pivotal moment in pop culture history.
