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Fragments from the haircut competition organised in conjunction with the Strand Theatre, Hamilton, to find “The Winning Cut”. Filming of the contestants took place in August 1926 and the first section of film showing ten competitors was screened at the Strand Theatre, from September 1, 1926.
Judging was by public vote. The competition continued for seven weeks with a series of heats and finals. No record has been found identifying the eventual winner, but as the leading candidate prior to the last three nights of voting was “No. 40” with 325 votes, 276 ahead of her nearest rival, it seems likely that she won first prize.
In this competition, the first prize was a costume or frock from House and Daking Ltd. to the value of 15 pounds. Regrettably, the surviving film shows only competitors who did not make it into the final round of competition.
(Intertitle) “In its screening there may be a few contestants who naturally appear unused to the camera. We New Zealanders are apt to be over critical. Let us judge fairly & give the palm of applause where it is due”.
References:
“Waikato Times”, 6.8.26, p.1; 27.8.26, p.6; 1.9.26, p.1; 19.10.26, p.1.
- Clive Sowry’s Report Dec 2007