British Pathe

At Lillywhites store in London we see a man flicking through a winter sports holiday brochure at an information desk. We see several shots of people doing pre-ski exercises in the store at Lillywhites Ski School; the walk about in special skis and do stretches. A woman called Muriel has ski boots fitted;...

At Lillywhites store in London we see a man flicking through a winter sports holiday brochure at an information desk. We see several shots of people doing pre-ski exercises in the store at Lillywhites Ski School; the walk about in special skis and do stretches. A woman called Muriel has ski boots fitted; people try on ski jackets; Muriel tries on a wild fox ski jacket. A girl called Penny has skis fitted to her ski boots.

Cut to M/S of Penny on the slopes in Czechoslovakia. Various shots on the slopes; people skiing; a cable car descending; people on the ski-lift and ski-tow. A small boy skis down part of a nursery slope and topples over. Two people come down a slope on ski bikes, looking rather unsteady; one falls over. Several shots of the snowy mountains and trees covered in snow. Numerous people ski down the slopes in fancy dress / mediaeval costume as part of a snow carnival; two clowns do some funny business.

Several shots of the bustling resort town of Spindleruv Mlijn; people mill about carrying skis; a snow plough clears a bridge; Muriel goes into a phone box that is partly buried in snow. Skiers from the carnival approach the town carrying flaming torches (although it isn't very dark). Inside a hotel a waitress serves drinks to people at tables; a couple clink glasses then kiss. Muriel sits on a shaggy bar stool and drinks brandy from a huge balloon glass. A Czechoslovakian man drinks a gallon of beer from an even bigger glass; Penny and Joanna (another girl from the Ski School) watch in amazement, applaud and drink brandy.

Various shots of a plane landing at Prague airport in a light flurry of snow; people run down the steps with their skis. M/S of a cable car opening as several travellers get out; a man puts their luggage on a waiting horse drawn sledge as they walk off into the dark across the snow. A bearded man with a guitar walks amongst the illuminated snow-laden trees; he walks into a hotel and joins a party where an English pop group (unidentified) are playing. People dance about wearing party hats; one man wears a false nose.
Note: both the negs and print have been transferred as mute neg is quite scratched mid roll. This record relates to the print which is in fairly good condition, but colour is slightly faded; snow a bit pink. Cuts exist - see separate record.