L/S of young boy running into shot and grabbing a checking in card. He clocks in to work and nods to a man at a desk. He is Denis Stacey - a page boy at the Savoy Hotel. Various shots of Denis and other page boys putting on their uniforms, combing their hair and generally getting ready for inspection.
L/S of young boy running into shot and grabbing a checking in card. He clocks in to work and nods to a man at a desk. He is Denis Stacey - a page boy at the Savoy Hotel. Various shots of Denis and other page boys putting on their uniforms, combing their hair and generally getting ready for inspection.
M/S of a row of page boys being inspected for neatness. Mr Smuts inspects the boys' hands to make sure they are spotless. He then hands out white gloves. C/U of Denis putting on his gloves. The boys wait for orders and is given something to deliver to the hotel's famous dance band leader Carroll Gibbons who is sitting in an armchair. His next job is to deliver a book to one of the rooms. He has a little peek at the book on the way.
Denis is sent to the hotel flower shop to collect an orchid. The florist places the orchid on a tray which the page boy delivers. When Denis is sent outside to collect something for a resident he wears a smart cape. Various shots of Denis leaving the Savoy and walking into a shop. Denis is seen running after American actress Claire Luce - he hands her something and she smiles and gives him a tip.
The last job of the day is helping his mother with the washing up. Denis seems pretty young - probably 12 or 13 - child labour! He takes off his shoes, puts on some slippers then sits with his feet up reading a comic. His mum brings him a glass of milk. I think he deserves it!
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