British Pathe

Two versions exist on digibeta. This is version transferred after the neg was cleaned.

Mayfair, London.

M/S of two women sitting at dressing tables trying on hats at a milliner's shop. The milliner hands one of the women a hat to try on. Narrator is saying how men can never understand...

Two versions exist on digibeta. This is version transferred after the neg was cleaned.

Mayfair, London.

M/S of two women sitting at dressing tables trying on hats at a milliner's shop. The milliner hands one of the women a hat to try on. Narrator is saying how men can never understand what is going on in a woman's mind (true on the whole) but if facial expressions are anything to go on, a visit to this Mayfair salon may help the amateur psychologist.

Milliner (or shop assistant) selects a hat. One of the women tries it on - over the shoulder shot of the two women adjusting their hats and generally preening. Pathe has a secret camera behind a trick mirror apparently - to show us expressions of the girls as they try on hats. (I think it is more likely just a pink hazy mask used around the edge of the camera lens.) C/U of one of the woman - Susan Turner - pulling down the net trimming of her hat. She makes exaggerated poses - ecstatic, big smile, "I'm so gorgeous" etc.

The hats have been created by Denisa, Lady Newborough (who is the second of the models). We see the Lady Newborough posing in her eccentric hats. She is rather eccentric herself, playing up to the camera pulling all kinds of funny faces - entertaining. Over the shoulder shots of the two trying on various hats - very nice shots of them posing. Lots of great titfers.

Narrator observes how it is a woman's privilege to change her mind as the two try on lots and lots of hats. The Lady Newborough puts on a bizarre creation and gets a little cross when is told she has it on back to front. The veil of a hat makes her nose itch.

Note: according to paperwork the sales assistant is Sussanne (sic) Dechandier. This is a really fun story and would be good for illustrating the concept of the vanity of women. Cameraman's notes include the observation "the older woman tries hard to wear the hats but we see that they're really for the Modern Miss."