(Richard Porter gives a detailed report on the Beatles '61 film recently discovered in England. Richard, great job... and thank you!)

An amazing film has been discovered of the Beatles playing a Valentine's Day dance at the Cassanova Club in Liverpool on 14th February 1961. It is the earliest known film of the Beatles and pre-dates the previously known earliest film (of the Fabs at the Cavern) by over 18 months. It even pre-dates Brian Epstein meeting the Beatles and shows them wearing their leather gear.

The film was shot by the current owner's father. It is now for sale and could fetch a price in excess of 100,000. The silent, colour film was shot in various clubs in Liverpool and shows people playing snooker and drinking - and enjoying the band!. The section showing the Beatles is about 30 seconds long. In the first section of the clip George is singing and the second shows Paul singing. Regrettably Pete Best is obscured by the others and can't be seen.

Although the current owner didn't know when the film was shot, it has been possible to date the film by focusing in on a Valentine's Day heart that appears fleetingly.

The dance took place at the Cassanova Club in Sampson and Barlow's New Ballroom, London Rd, Liverpool, opposite Liverpool Odeon cinema. The club was run by Sam Leach, one of Beatles' earliest supporters. The Beatles first played there on 11th February.

The gig was billed as "Valentine's Night Rock Ball" with tickets priced at 4/6d. The posters announced: '4 rompin', stompin' bands starring the originators of the 'Atom Beat' the sensational Beetles (sic); Rockin' the Sound Waves, The Cassanova Big Three, Rory Storm and the Hurricaines and introducing Mark Peters and the Cyclones. The Ball lasted from 7.30 to midnight. You will note that the Fabs' name was mis-spelled "Beetles". However on a copy of the poster that still exists Paul McCartney has changed the second 'E' to an 'A'.

The Beatles had recently returned from their first visit to Hamburg where they had been for many months. However George Harrison was sent home because at aged 17, he was too young to be in the Hamburg clubs. Soon afterwards, Pete and Paul were deported after allegedly setting fire to their dingy room at the back of a cinema that acted as their home in Hamburg. John therefore decided to return too, but Stu Sutcliffe remained in Hamburg to be with his fiancee, Astrid.

On their return from Hamburg, John, George, Paul and Pete didn't contact each other for several days and the future of the Beatles seemed in doubt. In fact, George didn't even know the others had returned. However they eventually got together again. The first gig they played in Liverpool on their return was at the Casbah Club in Hayman's Green, West Derby, in the basement of Pete Best's family home. The Beatles had been playing there for several years.

Ten days later, the Beatles played at the Litherland Town Hall. The gig had only been scheduled a few days before when their good friend, DJ Bob Wooler, managed to get them on the bill at the last moments. On the hastily changed posters the Beatles were billed as being 'Direct from Hamburg' When the Beatles launched in to their first song, "Long Tall Sally," the 1,500 strong crowd rushed forward transfixed - Beatlemania was beginning....

In the audience that night was Neil Aspinall, lodging at the Best family home at the time. Neil was spellbound along with the rest of the crowd. He later became the Beatles roadie, driving them around in a beat-up old van. However, for a while longer, the Beatles had to get to gigs by public transport.

As regular bass player, Stu Sutcliffe had stayed in Hamburg, Chas Newby, originally member of the Blackjacks, Pete Best's original group, played bass with them for a few gigs on their return, including the Litherland Town Hall. However Chas didn't want to join permanently as he went back to college to continue his education. Chas never intended joining on a permanent basis and in recent interviews says he has no regrets.

However, this meant the Beatles had to find yet another bass player and decided to fill the vacancy "in house" and be a four-piece band. George offered bass by John but turned it down. Therefore Paul decided to take it up. Paul originally played a Solid 7 bass with string "borrowed" from a piano at a club in Hamburg.

Just a few days before the gig at the Cassanova Club, on February 9th, 1961, they had played the lunchtime session at a dingy cellar club in Mathew Street called the Cavern Club. They would play there another 273 times in the next two and a half years.

In the historic film, the Beatles are wearing leather clothes which were inspired by Stu's fiancee Astrid and her friends. Brian Epstein wouldn't put them in suits for another year. One fascinating aspect of the film is that it shows Paul playing his famous Hofner violin bass. It was previously thought that Paul had bought his famous guitar on the second trip to Hamburg, but this didn't take place for some weeks.

The film is one of the most important finds ever concerning the Beatles. Enquiries about the film should be made to Alan Ould at Good Humour Records at PO Box 500a, Surbiton Surrey KT5 8ZL, England, or by ringing 0181 390 5033.

Send a comment to abbeyrd@best.com.