Liverpool Small Cinema will host a 24-hour screening of Groundhog Day, which the cinema says would be ideal for a charity challenge.

The marathon showing of the 1993 classic film will run on the official date of Groundhog Day, 2 February, from 6am to 6am the next day with features to replicate the movie.

The late Harold Ramis-directed film follows Pittsburgh TV weatherman Phil Conners, labelled a ‘Prima-Donna’ by his cameraman Larry, who gets caught in a time loop when covering the American tradition of Groundhog Day – Punxsutawney Phil predicts when winter will end.

Forced to repeat the day over and over again until protagonist Conners, played brilliantly by Bill Murray, changes his ways, there’s a limitless amount of laughs.

Liverpool Small Cinema programmer, Sam Meech, says: “It’s a completely daft idea, but it somehow transforms a cinema screening into a heroic test of endurance for the audience.

“I was inspired by the double and triple bills at the Prince Charles and Cube cinemas, and this is simply the logical extension of that idea.

“It’s a unique opportunity for film lovers to be part of something extraordinary, and become legends in the process. Even if people just want to come along to for a double bill, or a single screening, seeing it actually on Groundhog Day is a perfect way to experience the film.”

“I love that as a cinema we are able to do this, and I’m grateful to the distributor and the volunteers for getting behind it.”

Small Cinema has said it will support and follow anyone who watches the full endurance screening of 12 films – the ‘whole hog’ ticket – as a charity challenge.

To add to the occasion, cinema-goers will hear Sonny and Cher on repeat, replicating the song playing on the radio every time Conners wakes up on 2 February.

Sam adds: “We’re also going to be having Sonny and Cher on loop in the cinema, and regular weather reports from the room to update the wider world on how our audience are holding up. Oh, and if anyone has a Groundhog, give me a shout.”

Best Groundhog Day quotes

Phil Conners: Too early for flapjacks?

Phil Conners: I’m a god, I’m not the God. I don’t think

Phil Conners: This is pitiful – 1,000 people freezing their butts off to worship a rat

Larry: Did he actually refer to himself as “the talent”?

Ned Ryerson: Phil! Hey, Phil! Phil Connors! Phil Connors: Ned?! [punches Ned in face]

Larry: Prima-donnas

Phil Conners: [Driving at a train on the tracks] I’m betting he’s going to swerve first

Ned Ryerson: Bing! Ned…Ryerson!

Phil Conners: Ned, I would love to stay here and talk with you… but I’m not going to

Phil Conners: I was in the Virgin Islands once. I met a girl. We ate lobster and drank pina coladas. At sunset we made love like sea otters. That was a pretty good day. Why couldn’t I get that day over and over and over?

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