Friday Night Movie: A Funny Shave (1905)
Another gem from early cinema, A Funny Shave is a delightful short film that brings early cinema’s playful experimentation to life. If you’re looking for proof that even something as mundane as facial hair and a mirror can become the star of a film, look no further.
The Plot
The title says it all: a man sits down at the sink to give himself a shave. As he lathers on the shaving cream he discovers first that the shaving cream tastes good, and then has continued issues with his reflection in the mirror.
Technical Brilliance
The key to the brilliance of the movie are the stop-cuts, when the actor keeps his position between cuts to allow additional effects to be presented. Early visual mastery is at work with the mirror, wherein only a face – and not the expected fact – are reflected back to the witless shaver. The visual effects are seamless, even by today’s standards, making it easy to forget you’re watching a film over a century old.
The short finds it’s humor in the fantastic and the completely unexpected, both of which were common themes in these early short films. Just as the poor protagonist, who simply wants to complete his shave, is prepared, another image appears in the mirror to distract him.
Also of interest to note is the breaking of the fourth wall; the shaver, throughout the short, turns and references the viewer directly through the camera.
Final Thoughts:
Whether you’re a fan of slapstick, early special effects, or just in need of a good laugh, this film is a must-watch. So, grab your popcorn, and let A Funny Shave whisk you away to a time when movie magic was handcrafted with ingenuity and heart.