The Barber Shop

ONCE IN A LIFETIME, there is a short period of the most unusual, nearly unbelievable events occur. Call it coincidence or a Gift from God; but whatever there is no denying that something very extraordinary has happened. Such was the case at MACK SENNETT STUDIOS in 1932-33; when the four great W.C. Fields sound shorts were made.

TO THE DELIGHT of the Depression Era Moviegoers, the Sennett Fun Factiry had filmed and released what was destined to be a blueprint for what would be the W.C. Fields character and storyline for the rest of his career. Be it at the Movies or on Radio, whatever the character's name was, it was Fields.

OF THOSE PREVIOUSLY mentioned little masterpieces, our subject today, THE BARBER SHOP (Sennett/Paramount, 1933) was the last to reach the movie houses. Prior to this, we had been treated with THE DENTIST (19332), THE FATAL GLASS OF BEER (1933) and THE PHARMASIST ('33).

THESE FOUR SOUND Shorts combined out-produced many a feature length comedy, by far. That they would make an excellent presentation at a revival movie house goes without saying. A number of years ago, we were privileged in attending such a showing. It was a the Wilmette Theatre in suburban Chicago, that a marathon of 'Old Time Comedy Movies' was the playbill for the night. One segment played these four and the old laugh meter was nearly worn out.

AS FOR TODAY'S reviewed subject, THE BARBER SHOP, we can only say that it is that great W.C. Fields show; but with a little variation. He is once again a crusty, grumpy and largely misunderstood father. But this time he seems to have just a little more sympathetic treat from family; particularly from his one son, Ronald (Harry Watson). The son shares an affinity with his Pop for humorous riddles and recites many to please "the Old Man" at the supper table.

AS IS THE case with all of the 3 other Sennett two reelers, Mr. Fields insured his characterization by being the writer of the original stories. (This is clearly evident with the Barber's name, Corneilus O'Hare.) Sennett veteran Gag Man and Director, Arthur Ripley, directed and , many of the old Keystone players are seen in supporting roles.

W.C. plays the title role of the Barber. He gets to flirt with the manicurist in his shop all day, and go upstairs to his unadoring wife at night. His shaving technique is truly frightening, and his steamroom is truly amazing. He even manages to babysit for a neighbor and to capture a criminal in his shop, through no fault of his own, during his very full day. And you haven't lived till you've heard Fields play the bass fiddle!

Fields is good as usual in this film; it's not as hilarious as others of his but is fairly even.

The Barbershop was the fourth and last Mack Sennett short subject that W.C. Fields did for Paramount. In this last one and in The Pharmacist he honed his henpecked character to perfection.

As you gather by the title Fields is a barber and he lives above the shop with his wife Elsie Cavanna and son Harry Watson who is busy annoying dad with a lot of stupid riddles. It may have been in this film and in The Pharmacist that Fields developed his well known appetite for children. Remember he said he liked them if they were properly cooked.

His moment of sunshine every day is shapely manicurist Dagmar Oakland who brightens his working day. But Fields is so under the thumb of his wife he dare not make a move. Still he can and does dream.

My favorite gag is the very obese gentleman who went into the steam room Fields installed and came out like a third world starvation victim. If losing weight were only that simple.

I do also like that two bull fiddles mate and have a nice litter of violins as a result. That's another great sight gag.

In the end Fields does not get credit for an albeit accidental act of heroism. But it's all in a day for Fields whose characters just can't catch a break ever.

With the great W.C. Fields in fine form, and a setup that provides him with a lot of good material, "The Barber Shop" is a very enjoyable short comedy. It is filled with the kinds of details and subtle gags that make Fields's comedies worth watching attentively.

"The Barber Shop" closely resembles the Fields feature "The Pharmacist", with very similar settings and stories. Both are very good, and in both of them Elise Cavanna is funny as the domineering wife of Fields's character. Both have some gags that are deliberately absurd, and others that are less obvious. Both feature amusing exchanges between Fields and numerous customers.

When Fields was at his best, he could really get across the wackiness of so much of what happens in daily life, and that's one of the things that works quite well here.

Personally, I like Fields' features much more than the few short films he made. The Bank Dick, You Can't Cheat an Honest Man, You're Telling Me, The Old-Fashioned Way, It's a Gift, Never Give a Sucker an Even Break, and The Man on the Flying Trapeze are some of the funniest films you're ever likely to see. But most of his shorts are somewhat lame. My favorite is The Golf Specialist, which is nothing more - nor should it be - than Fields' infamous vaudeville routine. The Dentist is famous for its sexual innuendo of the woman wrapping her legs around Fields while he pulls a tooth, but it's not very funny after that. The Barber Shop is the second funniest of these shorts. Fields is very funny in it, and so are the supporting cast members. Here Fields is in henpecked husband mode, taking it from his evil vegetarian wife. His little son likes to tell him the lamest riddles in history. The slight plot is a prelude to The Bank Dick, with a criminal on the run and Fields bragging that he'd throttle him good if he got a hold of him. A lot of good jokes here. See it on the Criterion disc of his short films. 8/10.