British Pathe

Soho, London.

M/S of a young model and an older woman in the showroom or storeroom of a jewellery shop. The woman hands the model some earrings and she puts them on. The narrator recounts the history of the earring in Roman times. M/S and C/U of the woman trying on a pair of crazy dangling...

Soho, London.

M/S of a young model and an older woman in the showroom or storeroom of a jewellery shop. The woman hands the model some earrings and she puts them on. The narrator recounts the history of the earring in Roman times. M/S and C/U of the woman trying on a pair of crazy dangling bauble earrings in front of a mirror. There is a "fashion invasion from Italy" and the saleswoman points out various Italian styles to the model. M/S of the display case - great plastic stands in bright colours display the collection.

The model takes out the pom-pom earrings and tries another style - the saleswoman approves. This tiny Soho boutique specialises in jewellery from Mediterranean countries. The accent today is on "gaiety and colour". The model wears a pair of large blue plastic earrings. C/U to show detail. She pulls them off (clip-ons). The narrator informs us that the model is Carol Archer. She is exercising the woman's prerogative of "taking her time" - there must be something she likes quips the narrator. Various shots of her modelling sparkly numbers.

High angle shot of a piece of purple fabric upon which various earrings are placed. Carol daintily picks one up. It is a miniature Swiss clock. Another takes the form of a basket of flowers. C/Us of these in Carol's ears. The narrator compares a rather large earring featuring the figure of a skier to African beauty aids like those of the Masai who wear stone plugs which weigh as much as 3 lbs. The model turns her head to show an earring in the shape of a hand - this might have been inspired by a native custom of wearing teeth as earrings suggests the narrator. The model places her hand over her ear, hiding the earring.
M/S of the model as she takes away her hand to reveal a different earring. C/U to reveal that it is a miniature champagne bucket complete with a bottle of bubbly - "just right for the girl with an effervescent personality." She turns her head to show a traffic light earring "but she knows when to stop" jokes the narrator. L/S of a display of earrings. Carol models some amazing earrings which have diamante flowers which follow the curve of the whole ear lobe. C/U of the earring. Super glamorous.

M/S of Carol looking into a mirror trying on even more earrings. Narrator ends by saying: "we leave Carol to make up her own mind amid the bewildering baubles."

Note: the shop featured in this story was located at 57 Old Compton Street and was called (rather aptly) "Going Gay" which was owned by Mr Gay. The woman seen with Carol is probably Hazel Gay - wife or sister of Mr Gay presumably.