A look at the typical barbershop today and in the bygone days.A look at the typical barbershop today and in the bygone days.A look at the typical barbershop today and in the bygone days.
Photos
John Nesbitt
- Narrator
- (voice)
Harry Barris
- Tipster in Barber Chair
- (uncredited)
Frank Darien
- Old Time Barber
- (uncredited)
Lester Dorr
- Pete Ramson
- (uncredited)
Mitchell Lewis
- Tobacco Chewer
- (uncredited)
Eric Mayne
- Banker
- (uncredited)
Pat McKee
- Barbershop Customer
- (uncredited)
Howard M. Mitchell
- Laughing Man
- (uncredited)
Robert Emmett O'Connor
- Laughing Man
- (uncredited)
William 'Bill' Phillips
- Old Time Dude Storyteller
- (uncredited)
Walter Soderling
- Barber
- (uncredited)
Arthur Space
- Contemporary Barber at Middle Chair
- (uncredited)
Leo White
- Rival Barber
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe cuspidor (or spittoon) in the barbershop is stated as being made by Adams & Westlake. Founded in Chicago in 1857, the company made all sorts of railroad apparatus, most notably lanterns and all sorts of brass works, including cuspidors and even beds. As of 2024 the company is still in business in Elkhart, Indiana, having moved there in 1927.
- ConnectionsFeatures Main Street on the March! (1941)
- SoundtracksWhen You and I Were Young, Maggie
(uncredited)
Music by J.A. Butterfield
Performed by the studio orchestra
Featured review
All it needed was Sweet Adeline
The Great American Mug was one of John Nesbett's Passing Parade Shorts for
MGM and it celebrates a great American Institution, the barbershop. This was
made in 1945 and this film takes us back to the pre-World War I gaslight days of
Patrons came in to these tonsorial palaces, had their own individual shaving mug,
could get a bath also. In the days when people chewed tobacco, cuspidors were
a necessary item. Beards and handlebar mustaches were treated with care and
groomed to perfection. And in the days before radio, let alone television and
all that has come after, you could get some compatible voices together for a
singing quartet. All this short subject missed was a version of Sweet Adeline..
By 1945 some of these things were of the past, but if Nesbett were around to do it today, the changes now are astonishing. For myself, a hair stylist I do not need not with my thin thatch. And some barbers you have to make appointments with. No lounging around swapping jokes and gossip.
This was part of the good old days that was really good.
By 1945 some of these things were of the past, but if Nesbett were around to do it today, the changes now are astonishing. For myself, a hair stylist I do not need not with my thin thatch. And some barbers you have to make appointments with. No lounging around swapping jokes and gossip.
This was part of the good old days that was really good.
helpful•10
- bkoganbing
- Apr 7, 2018
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Passing Parade No. 53: The Great American Mug
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime10 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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