This is one of multiple cinema advertising slides made for the Sharon Beauty Salon.

This local Levin business appears to have a long history. There is a record of it existing as early as the 1940s, run by a Mrs. Weir. In 1981 the business was still there (but there is no record of who owned it by that stage).This cinema advertising slide would have been screened during intermission- but only for a few seconds to avoid the projector's heat cracking the glass! In the era before television, going to the cinema was a frequent past time and if you paid extra to be seated upstairs in the 'dress circle' you generally dressed in nice clothes. What better audience to advertise hair tinting and razor cutting! Imagine this ad stretching over a cinema screen- now that would be impact.... 

Complete with a trendy hairstyle, a bevy of admirers and some sophisticated, soothing colour tones this slide encouraged the fashion conscious to get a haircut at Cooper Salon. The poses of the admirers in the background mimic many LP album covers of the period. 

Like most slides from it's era it was hand coloured- getting high quality colour prints was difficult in 1960s New Zealand! The upper right corner is cracked, probably due to being left in the projector for too long. The carbon-arc machines of the time ran at around 6000 degrees Celsius so each slide was only shown for a few seconds before being removed. This meant that most cinema advertising slides had bold designs like this one. 

No other online records of this business have been found at the time of uploading. Due to the low cost of cinema slides and their targeted audience (a local business only advertised in their town's cinemas) many small firms used 'the flicks' to promote themselves. 

Penciled on back - Miss Julie Wilson employee of Gilroy Hairstylists winner of the intermediate day style under 4 years section of hairdressing competitions at Wanganui. Thurs. Aug. 7, 1969.

Stamped on back with black ink - Horowhenua Historical Society. Acc. No. 137 Date.

Miss Wilson, a winner in hairdressing competitions, 1969 1 B&W photo print

Miss Julie Wilson, employee of Gilroy Hairstylists, winner of the intermediate day style (under 4 years section) during hairdressing competitions at Whanganui.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Outstanding members from 1941 to 1976