It actually didn't take much convincing, since the "they" in that equation was the great Paul McCartney himself. "Give My Regards to Broad Street" (1984) was the ex-Beatle's idea from start to finish.
"I've been trying to make a movie for a while," McCartney told The Oklahoman newspaper at the time of the film's release. "Just 'cause I like the sort of ambiance of movies, the idea of being in them. A lot of people wanna be in movies, you know, and I'm no different."
That explains how the film got made in the first place, since, as you say, it seems pretty unlikely otherwise.
It starred McCartney as himself, forced to go on a hunt around London for the lost master tapes of a new album. Story-wise, that's about it.
"'Give My Regards to Broad Street' is about as close as you can get to a non-movie, and the parts that do try something are the worst," legendary film critic Roger Ebert wrote at the time.
Of course, The Beatles were pioneers in making nonsensical movies that showcased killer soundtracks, so maybe that's how this one should be viewed. The "Give My Regards to Broad Street" album featured some McCartney and Beatles classics, as well as a few new McCartney originals.
While the film flopped at the box office, its soundtrack topped the U.K. album charts, reaching platinum-level sales in the U.K. and gold in the U.S. and Canada.
Have a question? Email us at questions@tvtabloid.com. Please include your name and town. Personal replies will not be provided.