A bed of nails that was used in The Beatles 1965 film 'Help!'. The bed was used by actor Dani Almond who played an Indian fakir in the film, this was also Dani’s everyday job. The nail bed consists of 29 rows of 15 nails. There are 3 nails missing. Comes with a modern colour laser copy of a scene from the film featuring the bed of nails.

The bed of nails measures 76cm x 44cm x 10cm (30 inches x 17.25 inches x 4 inches). The condition is very good.

Provenance: the bed of nails comes with a letter from Dani’s son, Errol, that reads as follows:

‘My father, Dani Almond, born in India in 1930 and came to England in 1956. He was employed by British Rail. However, he had a parallel career as a fakir and stunt man. He began appearing at various functions and concerts around Britain but what propelled him to fame was an appearance on the TV programme ‘How’. He was employed at Twickenham Film Studios and as a result he obtained a part in The Beatles film ‘Help’ as an Indian fakir. His primary role in the film was to authenticate the ring that Ringo was wearing. Dani can famously be seen in ‘Help’ standing on his head and then laying on a bed of nails.

During the scene in which my father appeared, he can be seen with his own personal nail bed. This was a nail bed which he used for his role in the film. It is illustrated below.’

In ‘Help!’ Dani is pictured lying on two nail beds. The nail bed underneath his lower body, identified by a small section of wood missing from the edge, is the one which is now being offered for sale here. This was Dani’s personal nail bed and was the one which he brought over to England from India and used throughout his career. It comes in its original covering which was used by Dani to transport the nail bed to the events and engagements for which he was booked. Dani’s son Errol confirmed that an Indian fakir only ever uses one nail bed. It seems then that the other nail bed used in ‘Help!’ may have been a prop provided by the film studio.