The Cashmere Story - Exhibition Version (1961)

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• published: 13 Apr 2014
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Various versions of this documentary were made. We currently hold three versions - see other records. "Pringle of Scotland" are not mentioned in this version - presumably is a more multi purpose film for the Scottish Cashmere Association. Some material shot in 1953 and some in 1961. Narrator recounts the "legend of Cashmere" over shots of mountainous landscapes. L/S of mules laden down with bundles of wool being led along a country road. M/S of the mules arriving in a village or town. M/S of a bundle of wool being transported by an Indian rope railway. L/S of Scottish landscape. Various scenic views. Narrator says of Scotland: "for nearly 200 years the knitting industry has led the world." L/S of a Pringle mill in Hawick. L/S of men at work in the wool mill. "Knitting machines" are seen in operation. Various shots of men at work and of the machinery used. Narrator states that the workers come from families who have worked in the industry for generations. "They have an inbred pride in their product which is peculiarly individual to them something which, like the fine cashmere thread - is dyed in the wool." C/Us of machine which is knitting the Cashmere. Various shots of sweaters being made (see records for "Long Version" for more details. Milling process is shown. Garments are stretched over wooden frames to dry. M/S of woman measuring, marking and cutting neck from a sweater then cutting it down the centre to make a cardigan. Linking machines are shown. Various shots of women at work making buttonholes. Varius shots of women checking the sweaters. Garments are pressed and piled up in the stockroom. L/S of a woman stepping out of a taxi on Victoria Embankment. She pays the driver. Continued. The woman - who wears a Cashmere suit - walks through an ornamental garden. She is not a young woman but still looks very stylish. She approaches a building then is shown inside by a doorman who salutes her. She is attending an event where the new season's designs will be presented by the Scottish Cashmere Association. Film ends here which is strange - would have expected film of the fashion show. Perhaps a reel is missing. Note: very bad colour fading on print - pink cast throughout. ALL OF THE ABOVE TO BE FOUND IN "LONG VERSION". Use long version if possible as colour fading badly on this print. 90,000 historic films, all SEARCHABLE on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/britishpathe Join us on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/britishpathe Tweet us @britishpathe FILM ID:1227.02