Magnolia Pictures Acquires Rights to Beatles Doc GOOD OL' FREDA

The Wagner/Cuban Company's Magnolia Pictures announced today that they've acquired North American rights to GOOD OL' FREDA, a crowd-pleasing documentary about Freda Kelly, The Beatles' lifelong secretary. Directed by Ryan White (Pelada), and produced by Kathy McCabe, White and Jessica Lawson, the doc had its US premiere at the SXSW Film Festival last month.

Freda Kelly was just a shy Liverpudlian teenager when she was asked to work for a local band hoping to make it big. As The Beatles' devoted secretary and friend, Freda was there with unfaltering loyalty and dedication as history unfolded, witnessing the evolution - advances and setbacks, breakthroughs and challenges - of the greatest band in history. In GOOD OL' FREDA, she tells her story for The First Time in 50 years. One of few films with the support of the living Beatles and featuring original Beatles music, the film offers an insider perspective on the beloved band that changed the music industry.

Magnolia will release the film theatrically later this year.

"Freda Kelly is a truly remarkable woman, and GOOD OL' FREDA is a treasure trove and delight for fans of The Beatles, from casual to die-hard," said Magnolia President Eamonn Bowles. "Ryan White has done us all a great service in telling her story."

"The dignity and devotion with which Freda has lived her life inspired me to make this film," said director Ryan White. "I am so thrilled to partner with Magnolia and the amazing team there; they are the perfect company to get Freda's long untold story out to audiences on a wider scale."

The deal was negotiated by Magnolia's SVP of Acquisitions Dori Begley with Josh Braun of Submarine on behalf of the filmmakers.