The Beatles Story Museum, located at Liverpool’s historic Royal Albert Dock, is set to mark the 60th anniversary of “A Hard Day’s Night” with an extraordinary special exhibition. This celebration combines four iconic Liverpool Beatles attractions: The Beatles Story, Cavern City Tours (owners of The Cavern Club), Hard Days Night Hotel, and Strawberry Field.
“A Hard Day’s Night,” the 1964 musical comedy film featuring The Beatles, encapsulates the band’s whirlwind lifestyle amidst the crescendo of Beatlemania. Released in the UK on July 10, 1964, the film was accompanied by an album of the same name, The Beatles’ first album consisting entirely of original material.
Liverpool has a special connection to the film, hosting its Northern premiere at the Odeon Cinema just four days after the London debut. Fast forward 60 years to July 10, 2024, and The Beatles Story Museum will unveil the “60 Years of A Hard Day’s Night” exhibition to the press and VIPs, with the public opening on July 11, 2024.
Immersive Experience and Rare Memorabilia
Thanks to the generous support of collectors Bruce and Martha Karsh, the exhibit draws inspiration from Mark Lewisohn’s book The Beatles: A Hard Day’s Night: A Private Archive, based on the Karshs’ extensive collection. Visitors can step into recreations of iconic scenes from the movie, such as the platform at Marylebone Station, and experience the film’s essence through these detailed sets.
Among the notable exhibits is a rare copy of the “A Hard Day’s Night” album signed by all four Beatles, along with original movie posters, lobby cards, and cinema tickets from 1964. Fans will also appreciate the painstakingly recreated silver-grey suits worn by the Fab Four in the film’s final scenes. These were crafted by tailor Gordon Millings, using original patterns and fabric from the same Savile Row supplier as in 1964.
Reflecting on this project, Gordon Millings said, “Reviving the silver-grey suits from ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ has allowed me to honour my father’s legacy and the lasting influence of The Beatles. Using my father’s original patterns and fabric from the same Savile Row supplier and 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 cannot wait for fans to see them.”
Charity Screening at The Odeon Cinema
The celebration extends beyond the museum with a special charity screening of “A Hard Day’s Night” at the Odeon Cinema in Liverpool One on July 10, 2024. This one-night-only event will include refreshments, and all proceeds will support the Strawberry Field charity, which aids young people with learning difficulties and barriers to employment.
Mary Chadwick, General Manager of The Beatles Story, expressed her excitement: “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. It’s a privilege to support the Strawberry Field charity through our one-night-only charity screening at The Odeon Cinema, and we hope this event will make a real difference.”
Major Kathy Versfeld, Mission Director at Strawberry Field, added, “For Strawberry Field to be chosen as the charity for the special anniversary screening of A Hard Day’s Night is an honor. We are very grateful for this support which will help fund the incredible work that we do through our Steps at Strawberry Field programs to support young people with learning difficulties and barriers to employment into paid work, and will help us continue to provide a place of sanctuary for visitors to Strawberry Field.”
How to Participate
The “60 Years of A Hard Day’s Night” exhibition opens to the public on July 11, 2024, and is included in the standard Beatles Story ticket purchased online at The Beatles Story. Tickets for the charity screening of “A Hard Day’s Night” at the Odeon Cinema can be purchased for £20, with all proceeds benefiting Strawberry Field.
This significant event is a collaboration between The Beatles Story, Cavern City Tours, Hard Days Night Hotel, and Strawberry Field, ensuring a memorable celebration of one of the most iconic films in music history.
Written by: Octavia Koo
