"Derek Taylor was planted over here as a scout for The Beatles, to see what was going on on the West Coast, which had co-opted New York City as the place of power..."
- Van Dyke Parks quote from the book, Smile: The Story of Brian Wilson's Lost Masterpiece

Above: Rare movie poster for SMiLEFINGER

Although the storyline for the unreleased 1968 film SMiLEFINGER is totally fictional, over the years it has become an urban legend in the annals of rock 'n roll, to be repeated as “fact” by revisionalist rock 'n roll historians.

Produced for the ill-fated Apple Film's branch of the Beatles Apple Records, SMiLEFINGER was the attempt to bring the hugely popular James Bond 007 spy movies to the hip crowd - kind of a combination of GOLDFINGER and Peter Fonda's THE TRIP. The storyline follows secret agent 008 (Derek Taylor) into the world of rock 'n roll espionage, as he tries to steal a copy of the yet-unreleased Beach Boys SMiLE album and deliver it to the Beatles in England. Following their grueling 1966 world tour, The Beatles were at a loss for inspiration for their upcoming album. Having heard rumors of the fabulous, groundbreaking sounds that Brian Wilson was creating for SMiLE, The Beatles dispatched secret agent 008 to LA to obtain secret copies for their use. George Martin appears as "Q", who dispenses all the ultra-cool gadgets necessary and expected for a movie of the spy genre. With the advanced tapes of SMiLE safely in their hands, The Beatles went on to create their psychedelic masterpiece, SGT. PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND.

There was also to be a soundtrack to the film, but it never got beyond the preliminary cover-slick stages. However, the covers that were produced show that the soundtrack was to consist of SGT. PEPPER songs, along with a few SMiLE songs and other rock songs of 1966.

SMiLEFINGER was slated for a December 1968 debut, but internal squabbles at The Beatles Apple empire prevented the films ultimate release. As the division of Apple Film's folded, the completed film was forgotten about and for years the only appearance of this rare movie was among the collector's circuit.

DISCLAIMER: Yes, this is yet another PARODY!