Beatles Story celebrates A Hard Day's Night at 60
The Beatles Story is staging a special new exhibition to mark the 60th anniversary of A Hard Day’s Night.
The Fab Four’s first film hit cinema screens in July 1964 with the soundtrack album released on July 10 – the same day a Northern premiere was held at the Odeon in London Road with the Beatles in attendance.
They also famously took to the Town Hall balcony with tens of thousands of fans thronging Castle Street to catch a glimpse of the band.
The Beatles Story’s 60 Years of A Hard Day’s Night exhibition has been inspired by Mark Lewisohn’s book The Beatles A Hard Days Night: A Private Archive which was based on the extensive archive of collectors Bruce and Martha Karsh, and has been made possible by the support of the couple.
Visitors can see original memorabilia from 1964, including a very rare copy of the A Hard Day’s Night album signed on the front by all four Beatles, as well as original movie posters, lobby cards and cinema tickets.
They will also step on to set and become immersed in recreations of key scenes from the film, with a platform at Marylebone Station recreated at the Royal Albert Dock attraction.
Above: A ticket for the Northern Premiere of A Hard Day's Night at the Odeon in London Road. Top: A cinema poster for the Beatles' debut film.
And the venue has also worked with tailor Gordon Millings to recreate the silver-grey suits worn by the Fab Four in the final scenes of the film, using the original patterns drawn in 1964.
The original suits were created as part of a collection of around 30 outfits for the movie by Millings and his father Dougie. Dougie Millings was known as “the Beatles’ tailor” and was also responsible for the famous collarless jackets they wore at the start of their careers.
The Beatles Story’s general manager Mary Chadwick says: "Sixty years on, A Hard Day's Night still captures that special Beatles magic and the wild excitement of the Beatlemania era.
“We're really excited to unveil this special exhibition, where fans can relive the film's essence and see original memorabilia and meticulously recreated costumes first-hand.”
Gordon Millings adds: “Reviving the silver-grey suits has allowed me to honour my father's legacy and the lasting influence of The Beatles.
“By using my father’s original patterns and fabric from the same Savile Row supplier, as well as the original techniques used by my father and I in 1964, we've recreated the suits with great attention to detail. This collection of suits is a bridge between past and present, and I can’t wait for fans to see them.”
Meanwhile there will also be a special one-night-only charity screening of the film at the Odeon at Liverpool ONE on July 10, organised in collaboration with Cavern City Tours, the Hard Day’s Night Hotel and Strawberry Field, with proceeds supporting the south Liverpool Salvation Army venue which supports young people with learning disabilities. Tickets, including refreshments, are £20 available HERE.
60 Years of A Hard Day’s Night is at the Beatles Story from July 11 and is included in the general entry price.