British Pathe

NOTE - there is a longer version of this excellent story on tape PM2849 - image quality is much better.

M/Ss of a man carrying a trombone case, walking up some steps and going into the Royal Albert Hall in Kensington, London. C/U of a poster advertising a concert performance of Handel's Messiah...

NOTE - there is a longer version of this excellent story on tape PM2849 - image quality is much better.

M/Ss of a man carrying a trombone case, walking up some steps and going into the Royal Albert Hall in Kensington, London. C/U of a poster advertising a concert performance of Handel's Messiah by The Royal Choral Society, but commentator says "we haven't come for a concert". M/S as the man arrives at a display of nylon fabrics at the Nylon Fair (held annually at the Albert Hall); the material is draped over various brass instruments and he adds the trombone to the display.

Another display is a tableau of period costume by lace manufacturers; modern perspex abstract mannequins with amazing nylon feathers and spiked perspex snowflakes for heads are dressed in costumes that show off the latest colours and designs of lace and revolve on turntables. Two (live) models in evening gowns look at the display (high hair and spidery eyelashes a-go-go). Perspex display dummies for 'Madame Pompadour' (with a candelabra head) and 'Romeo and Juliet' are seen. C/U of one of the live models turning to her friend to mouth "Fantastic!".

Two other glamorous models in evening dresses are seen looking at a display of brilliant brightly coloured nylon dresses, hats and gloves on foil-covered dummies; outfits were designed by students at the Royal College of Art. M/S of some LPs on a coffee table; tilt up to show a 'live-action' display; a spaced-out groovy chick and rather wet looking bloke sway to the music as a foxy blonde joins them; they are wearing "the newest styles of glamorous casual wear". Another blonde bounces gently to the music and clutches an LP cover to her chest.

Various shots of an 'Arabian Nights' scene shows the latest nylon rug designs - mmm, nice! A dusky maiden in a scanty costume feeds fruit to a 'Persian' man; a pipe-tooting girl hands a leopard-skin rug to the man to stroke, while another girl with a fan mouths "Lovely!".

Note: print used for telecine transfer is quite badly scratched; mute neg is incomplete. Cuts exist - see separate record.