Paul McCartney meets American scriptwriter Francie Schwartz

Francie Schwartz, an American scriptwriter born in 1944, moved to London in 1968 where she was employed by Apple Corps. She subsequently entered a romantic relationship with Paul McCartney, leading to the end of his four-year engagement with Jane Asher. In August 1968, she severed her connections with Paul and Apple and returned to the US.

In an article published by Rolling Stone in November 1969, she recounted meeting Paul McCartney for the first time on May 10, 1968, just one day before he and John Lennon traveled to New York for Apple’s promotion. However, this is at odd with a recollection in her book “Body Count“ published in 1972.

In the book, she explained that she arrived in London on April 3, 1968, and entered the Apple Corps office at 95 Wigmore Street shortly thereafter, where she had this first encounter with Paul. 

In April, 1968, the Apple offices were on Wigmore Street in a gray six-or-seven story building. There was a reception room strangely similar to the intake room at Bellevue Mental Hospital, but with nicer carpeting. There was a skinny English receptionist who politely juggled the many freaks, writers, authors, musicians, and con-men who walked in hoping to take something out.

Just my luck: Paul McCartney, M.B.E. was standing there talking to four business-suited VIP’s when I walked in. He was also in the mood to be interrupted by a strange lady with a film property.

I’d never seen him in person before. The impact was surprising. Diffused. Magical. Yes, he’s very pretty. Yes, he’s very charming. But who the hell is he? We talked small talk in that room, and I went away without script, totally Beatlized. […]

Paul McCartney asked me what I wanted to do.

“Be free. Make it better.” I said. He nodded thoughtfully.

The next day, he and John flew to New York, appeared on the Johnny Carson show, stated their intentions for Apple: To receive and develop the work of unrecognized writers and artists, and help “The Little Man.” […]

Francie Schwartz – From Rolling Stone, November 15, 1969

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