Movieum of London Beatles on Film Exhibition

Getty Images Showcase Legendary 'Fab Four' at Movie History Museum

Mar 16, 2009

The new Getty Images Gallery, at Movieum of London, is showing an exhibition of rare and unseen images of the Beatles by famous photographers, including Robert Whitaker.

The Movieum of London, located on London's South Bank, is the capital's interactive museum devoted entirely to British movie history. Visitors can see film scripts, photographs, costumes, props and models, listen to sound tracks, or see replica film sets. The Movieum is also a centre for the study of film skills including the creation of cartoons, set building, make-up, costume and prop design.

The museum has now partnered with Getty Images Gallery, the foremost creator, and distributor, of photographs and multi-media products. Getty mounts a variety of exhibitions at numerous venues, including their newest permanent photographic display space, located at the Movieum of London.

The first Getty Images Gallery exhibition to be held at the Movieum is entitled The Beatles on Film. The show is dedicated to the 'Fab Four' to mark the 40th anniversary since their last live show on the rooftop of the Apple Building in the heart of London.

The exhibition features rare and unseen candid images from the period 1963 to 1970. The strangest, funniest and most serious moments were captured at the height of The Beatles' fame, by well-known photographers such as Robert Whitacker, David Fedfern, Terry O'Neill, and many others. The exhibition also features a replica drum kit played by Ringo Starr, one of John Lennon's guitars, and a mock-up of a 1960s lounge complete with a television playing the film A Hard Day's Night.

Included in the exhibition is a Rickenbacker guitar played by John Lennon and donated to the Movieum by Pete Waterman. Guitar cases, signed by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, and a selection of Epiphone signature models, as used by the Beatles during the 1960s, are also on view.

1966 Far Eastern Tour

The exhibition also features shots taken during the Beatles 1966 Far Eastern Tour. The group were accompanied by, close friend and photographer, Robert Whitaker, who captured performances as well as intimate moments behind the scenes. Whitaker, and other photographers of 1960's cultural icons, will feature in an exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery entitled Beatles to Bowie – the 60s Exposed. (15th October 2009-24th January 2010.)

Beatlemania

The Beatles phenomenon was such that, by the mid-60s, any public appearances attracted huge crowds. On 16th October 1965, when John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison went to Buckingham Palace for their MBE presentation, massive crowds had to be held back by the police. This photograph recalls the hysteria of the moment.

Beatles fans will be thrilled by The Beatles on Film which runs until 30th June 2009. Full details can be obtained from the Movieum of London.

The copyright of the article Movieum of London Beatles on Film Exhibition in Special Art Gallery Exhibits is owned by Frances Spiegel. Permission to republish Movieum of London Beatles on Film Exhibition in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Mar 17, 2009 9:45 AM

Guest :

That cannot be any of John Lennon's four Rickenbacker guitars. Two of them, serial numbers V81 and DB122 (the one the guitar in this photo resembles) are at the John Lennon Museum in Saitama, Japan. The third is a 12-string version of the model 325, and is in Yoko's possession. The fourth is a model 1996 (the export model designation of the 325, in Rickenbacker's Fireglo finish) in Ringo's possession. The CEO of Rickenbacker, Mr. John Hall, will gladly elaborate.

Mar 17, 2009 10:05 AM

Frances Spiegel :

Thank you for your interest in this article. The information regarding the Rickenbacker guitar was given to the author by the public relations department at the Movieum of London. The author has assumed that it is correct. If you have further information I'd be pleased to hear about it.

Frances Spiegel

Mar 17, 2009 11:05 AM

Guest :

How much further information do you need? It is a fake.

John F. Crowley
Fab Guitars of the Beatles

http://www.thecanteen.com/fabguitars.html

Mar 17, 2009 11:46 AM

Guest :

Frances - the Accent vibrato on this guitar implies that this is John Lennon's second Rickenbacker, serial number DB122. Please reference the book "Beatles Gear" by Andy Babiuk. DB122 is in the John Lennon Museum in Saitama, Japan, and a current (although poor) photograph of it in its glass case can be found at http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/attractions/facilities/img/museums/John-L ennon-Museum1.jpg. The distinguishing features of DB122 are a poorly repaired crack at the back of the neck-headstock joint, a different bend in the Accent vibrato arm, and a set list from a Beatles concert in Lennon's handwriting is scotch-taped to the upper cutaway.

Mar 17, 2009 11:51 AM

Guest :

John Hall of Rickenbacker elaborates about DB122 at https://www.rickenbacker.com/forum_view_thread.asp?thread_id=2318&forum =General_Forum&thread_name=Mr.%20Hall%20DB122%20Question...

Quote:
This instrument has never been back to the factory. Furthermore, several years ago we offered to have our experts examine the instrument at it's current home in Japan in order to advise the proper conservation of it, especially to determine if the crack was going to worsen. Unfortunately, we were curtly told our assistance wasn't necesssary and subsequently it turns out there may be reasons why close, professional inspection of this guitar was not wanted.