Had a decent walk this morning with Mrs Combo and dog. At the top is the standard view from the local village, suitably snowy this time. The pointy mountain in the distance is on the French border (which is about 100 miles away) and is called Mon Viso. The locals are convinced that this mountain is the model on which the Paramount logo is based but I think that is bollocks. Perhaps Squire Ashley might like to advise.
This extremely dull shot shows the frontage of the shop in another nearby village, open from 10.30am - 12.00 every day. The reflection in the window shows (on the right) the owner, Signora Alma, who refused to be photographed as she wasn't wearing her serving apron and (on the left) Mrs Combo. The dog was off after a cat. As you can see, it would be quite easy to miss it as there is nothing to advise one that it is actually a shop. We don't go there of course because quite frankly it's just ridiculous; no loyalty card scheme and they don't stock Marmite.
8 comments:
Don't be rediculous - it's obviously a shop, albeit one selling plastic buckets and curtain track. This street litter aproach to advertising has always been the right of ironmongers and wet fish shops, but i think ought to be encouraged elswhere, say lingerie stores, gun shops and the like. No more ugly signage.
The Paramount logo is based on Slawston Hill in Leicestershire. What I find really eerie about the 'shop' pic is that the reflection in the window looks like a Simon Palmer painting (see page 156-7 in More from Unmitigated England). And Mrs.Combo looks fit even in silhouette, presuming she's the one on the left.
Do they stock Threadgold's Thoroughgrip Garterettes? They are core product in a successful Rural Retailing Superstore - in fact, I sense that the owner might be wearing them. On another note, I'm sure what Lord Ashley says about Slawston Hill is correct: couldn't see the Paramount logo being based upon a pair of bollocks.
Talking about odd products, one of the stars in my pile of Christmas presents was an empty (thankfully)1950's jockstrap box. It was given to me by one of my neighbours who said she'd been looking for a good home for it for ages. Don't know what she means, I'm sure. Typically for this era, there is no mention of the product, but on the back it says 'Wise Men buy Two!'. If there's a surge of interest I'll put it on my blog.
Consider it surged!!
The Earl of Slawston, Lord Ashley of England, is mis-informed as to the origin of the Paramount logo. It is neither an Alp, nor Slawston Hill. As only the slightest research will reveal, it is in fact based on an early cave painting discovered in Ab Kettleby at the turn of the century. Enthralled, as they were, by mountains and lakes, early Leicestershire man daubed burnt sticks on bare walls to create images of the things they revered. Clearly, they loved going to the pictures, so drew the Paramount Logo, years before it was trademarked. This is a circular argument. I may have missed the exit.
PS Great to see Mrs Combo looking so well, even reflected.
Furthermore, in Liverpool, it is illegal for a woman to be topless in public unless she works as a clerk in a tropical-fish store (source: The Observer Book of the Body 2008)
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