This film is part of Free
Out for Value
Join the ladies who lunch for a spot of 1930s-style retail therapy at Aberdeen's premier department store.
Overview
Join Mrs Mackenzie, "a worthy citizen of Aberdeen", for a spot of 1930s retail therapy at Isaac Benzies department store - not visibly suffering in the depression era. With the kiddies left to their own devices at the Toy Fair, the ladies enjoy a coffee before going in search of fancy goods and finery. Mrs Grant has her hair marcel-waved at the in-store salon and even takes a bath! Hubby shows up in time to take tea and pick up the tab.
This neat fiction was commissioned by Isaac Benzies to show off the store's superior range of goods and services: garage parking, amusements for the children, fine restaurant (complete with white linen tablecloths and resident jazz band), modern hair salon and private bathing facilities. It's a fascinating insight into middle-class lifestyle aspirations, and contains some intriguing details - an utterly terrifying-looking hairstyling aid and a wonderful pneumatic-tube cash system. Isaac Benzies was a family firm and hosiery specialist based in Aberdeen's George Street. The store was later taken over by House of Fraser Ltd, trading under its own name until 1972, when it was renamed Arnotts. It finally closed in 1986.
Related
Aberdeen University Quarter Centenary Celebrations Aberdeen University Quarter Centenary Celebrations
Non-Fiction 1906 32 mins Silent Location: Aberdeen
Edward VII and Queen Alexandra open new buildings at Marischal College, Aberdeen
Gordon Highlanders Leaving for the Boer War Gordon Highlanders Leaving for the Boer War
1899 1 mins Silent Location: Aberdeen
A rambunctious crowd greets the Highlanders in Aberdeen, some more interested in the camera than the soldiers.
Tank Bank's Tour through Scotland Tank Bank's Tour through Scotland
Non-Fiction 1918 15 mins Silent Location: Glasgow
The 'Tank Bank' tours through Scotland, selling War Bonds, raising money for the war effort and boosting morale
Fair Rent Fair Rent
Documentary 1947 11 mins Location: Aberdeen
Power cuts, housing shortages and exorbitant rents – Aberdeen man Norrie Williamson goes head to head with his greedy landlady
Aberdeen Oil Boom Aberdeen Oil Boom
Government sponsored film 1972 5 mins Location: Aberdeen
Aberdeen's local fishermen turn into wildcatting oilmen in a lively report from the early days of the North Sea oil boom.
Aberdeen Newsreel No. 2 Aberdeen Newsreel No. 2
Non-Fiction 1940 8 mins Silent Location: Aberdeen
Aberdonians prove their grit in a moving amateur newsfilm of war-ravaged buildings and family fun in Hazlehead Park.
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.