The Beatles’ first feature film, A Hard Day’s Night, had its première at the London Pavilion on 6 July 1964.
The première was attended by The Beatles and their wives and girlfriends, and a host of important guests including Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon. Nearby Piccadilly Circus was closed to traffic as 12,000 fans jostled for a glimpse of the group.
I remember Piccadilly being completely filled. We thought we would just show up in our limo, but it couldn’t get through for all the people. It wasn’t frightening – we never seemed to get worried by crowds. It always appeared to be a friendly crowd; there never seemed to be a violent face.
It was a charity event held in support of the Variety Club Heart Fund and the Docklands Settlements, and the most expensive tickets cost 15 guineas (£15.75).
After the screening The Beatles, the royal party and other guests including The Rolling Stones enjoyed a champagne supper party at the Dorchester Hotel, after which some of them adjourned to the Ad Lib Club until the early hours of the morning.
Also on this day...
- 2019: Paul McCartney live: BC Place, Vancouver
- 2018: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Salle Des Etoiles, Monte Carlo
- 2012: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Fox Theatre, Atlanta
- 2011: Paul McCartney launches design competition for graphic designers and illustrators
- 2010: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: American Music Theatre, Lancaster
- 2010: Apple Records’ remastered back catalogue to be released
- 2008: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Wildhorse Saloon, Nashville
- 1992: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Empire Theatre, Liverpool
- 1990: Paul McCartney live: RFK Stadium, Washington, DC
- 1973: Wings live: Odeon, Birmingham
- 1966: The Beatles’ first trip to India
- 1963: The Beatles live: Memorial Hall, Northwich
- 1962: The Beatles live: Riverboat Shuffle, MV Royal Iris, River Mersey
- 1961: Mersey Beat launches
- 1957: John Lennon meets Paul McCartney
Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.
We were there by chance, we just got to London and we see some great girls running to Piccadilly Hey.. we followed them, without knowing we were becoming witness of history in the making.
Yes we were there.
The limo finally was able to get to the Pavillion cinema,the Beatles came off running inside the theater.Thousand of people cheered, screamings incredibly, sireens from umbulances banging the air picking up little girls fainting everywhere.
The Beatles have been the companions of our life.
Great,great memories.
(The movie was’nt too bad)
We were there from Brookville, Ohio visiting our mother’s family in the summer of ’64. Mom’s brother Lou asked us if we would like to see the Beatles. John and Kathy 15 and Elaine 17 stood on Piccadilly and a guy climbed up the lamp post and yelled ‘Here they come!’ BEATLE MANIA!! They each arrived in different cars. Four times the excitement. I bought some cool stuff from people selling on the street. Saw the movie later in the week. Loved it!! I still have the movie program I bought in the lobby. It was Mods and Rockers and the best summer ever.
hard days night is getting a cinema release in july as its 50th anniversary its also just been released on blue ray disc
The anniversary of their encounter in 1957.. coincidence?
I gather that The Beatles deliberately gatecrashed The Rolling Stones at the reception, as they hardly knew anyone at the reception or premiere, and wanted to have their friends there, and to socialise at the Ad Lib. I think it was Bill Wyman stated that in his 1990 autobiography.
I have a Hard Days Night original programme 6 July 1965 for sale.
It is in EXCELLENT condition and was owned by my father who recently passed away.
I have just seen your message.
Do you still have the brochure for sale? I am a fan, not a dealer.
Who currently owns the full rights to A Hard Day’s Night film? What is the reason that Apple Corps Ltd. has not yet officially released this iconic great movie? I have a 2-disc edition from 2003 by Miramax Film Corp., but I don’t know if it’s a legal version.
I have the table menu from the Dorchester – my Dad was the drummer in the band who played at the supper party. Wonderful piece of history.
Hello Melanie. That’s amazing, I’d love to see a picture of this if you’d be kind enough to send one through. I am the staff member that looks after the small archive here at The Dorchester. In return I’d be delighted to give you a tour of the hotel and share some of our history with you. Best regards, Chris