In the Barber Shop

Plot

In this early comedy short, a chaotic scene unfolds in a bustling barbershop where the incompetent staff struggle to handle an increasingly difficult clientele. The film showcases a series of comedic mishaps as the barber attempts to cut customers' hair, with each attempt resulting in disastrous and hilarious consequences. Customers grow increasingly impatient and rude as the barber's incompetence becomes more apparent, leading to physical comedy and visual gags characteristic of Méliès' style. The situation escalates until the entire shop descends into pandemonium, with customers and staff engaging in slapstick antics that culminate in a chaotic finale typical of early cinema comedies.

Historical Background

In 1908, the film industry was undergoing significant transformation. While Georges Méliès had been a pioneering force in cinema since the mid-1890s, by 1908 his influence was waning as new filmmakers and companies emerged with different approaches to cinema. The year saw the rise of more realistic storytelling techniques, particularly from French companies like Pathé and Gaumont, which were beginning to dominate the market. Méliès's theatrical, magical style was increasingly seen as old-fashioned compared to the more naturalistic films being produced. This period also saw the formation of the Motion Picture Patents Company in America, which would soon affect international film distribution. In France, cinema was transitioning from novelty attraction to established art form, with longer films and more sophisticated narratives becoming the norm. Méliès's Star Film Company was facing financial difficulties, and films like 'In the Barber Shop' represent his efforts to adapt to changing audience preferences while maintaining his distinctive style.

Making Of

Georges Méliès filmed 'In the Barber Shop' in his glass-walled studio in Montreuil-sous-Bois, which he had built in 1897 specifically for film production. The set was constructed to resemble a typical Parisian barbershop of the era, complete with period-appropriate barber chairs, mirrors, and equipment. Méliès, who began his career as a stage magician, brought his theatrical sensibilities to this comedy, directing his actors to perform in an exaggerated style that would be clearly visible to early cinema audiences. The film was shot using a hand-cranked camera, with Méliès personally operating much of the equipment. As with his other films, Méliès likely supervised the editing process himself, creating the final cut by physically splicing together strips of celluloid. The production would have been completed in just a few days, reflecting the rapid pace of early film manufacturing.

Visual Style

The cinematography in 'In the Barber Shop' follows Méliès's characteristic style of the period, featuring a single, static camera position that captures the entire set in one wide shot. This approach reflects Méliès's theatrical background and the influence of stage proscenium framing on early cinema. The lighting would have been natural sunlight coming through the glass walls of Méliès's studio, creating bright, even illumination across the set. The film was shot on 35mm film using a hand-cranked camera, with the frame rate likely around 16 frames per second, standard for the era. The composition carefully arranges actors within the barbershop set to ensure all actions remain visible to the camera. Méliès's experience with visual effects is evident in the film's occasional use of jump cuts and substitution splices to create comedic effects, though these are more restrained than in his fantasy films.

Innovations

While 'In the Barber Shop' does not showcase the elaborate special effects that made Méliès famous, it demonstrates several technical achievements typical of his filmmaking approach. The film uses substitution splices and jump cuts to create comedic effects, showing Méliès's continued innovation with editing techniques. The set design and construction represent Méliès's commitment to creating detailed, believable environments for his films, even in simple comedies. The film demonstrates effective use of the single-camera setup to capture complex action within a confined space, requiring careful choreography and timing from the actors. Méliès's experience with theatrical production is evident in the efficient use of the limited space and the clear visual storytelling that requires no intertitles. The film also likely employed some of Méliès's patented mechanical devices for creating special effects, even if used more subtly here than in his fantasy works.

Music

As a silent film from 1908, 'In the Barber Shop' originally had no synchronized soundtrack. During its initial theatrical run, the film would have been accompanied by live music, typically a pianist or small ensemble in the theater who would improvise or play appropriate popular tunes of the era. The music would have been synchronized to the on-screen action, with lively, upbeat melodies during the comedic moments and more frantic music during the chaotic scenes. Some theaters might have used sound effects created by live performers, such as bells or whistles, to enhance the comedy. Modern screenings and releases of the film typically feature newly composed piano or organ scores that attempt to recreate the musical style of the early 1900s, using period-appropriate melodies and rhythms to complement the visual action.

Memorable Scenes

• The escalating chaos as the incompetent barber attempts to serve increasingly frustrated customers, culminating in a comedic free-for-all that showcases Méliès's mastery of physical comedy and timing.

What Critics Said

Contemporary critical reception for 'In the Barber Shop' is difficult to trace, as film criticism was still in its infancy in 1908 and few detailed reviews of short comedies survive. The film was likely received as an amusing but routine comedy, typical of the genre pieces that filled cinema programs of the era. Modern film historians and Méliès scholars generally view the film as a competent but minor work in Méliès's filmography, representing his later period when his creative innovation had diminished. The film is appreciated today primarily for its historical value as an example of early comedy filmmaking and as part of Méliès's complete body of work. Some critics note that while the film lacks the imaginative spectacle of Méliès's more famous works, it demonstrates his continued skill at creating effective visual gags and comedic situations within the constraints of early cinema technology.

What Audiences Thought

Audience reception in 1908 would have been based on the film's ability to entertain during cinema programs that typically featured multiple short films. The barbershop setting and slapstick comedy would have been immediately accessible to contemporary viewers, who would have recognized the humor in the exaggerated incompetence of the barber and the frustration of the customers. The film likely generated laughter and amusement in the fairground theaters and music halls where Méliès's films were typically shown. Modern audiences viewing the film in retrospectives or on streaming platforms tend to appreciate it primarily for its historical value, though the physical comedy remains effective even over a century later. The film serves as an entertaining glimpse into early 20th-century urban life and the evolution of cinematic comedy.

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