This film is part of Free
Morning Wash (c.1900)
An old joke but a merry one.
Overview
This joke was probably antique even in 1901, when this film is thought to have been made, but it is nicely executed. Two comedians are washing at basins. One covers himself in white soap lather, but slyly gives blacking to his fellow, who applies vigorously. These black/white juxtapositions were a favourite of strip cartoons and early films, as in the popular The Miller and the Sweep (1897).
Related
Arrest of Goudie (1901) Arrest of Goudie (1901)
Crime 1901 6 mins Silent Location: Berry St, Liverpool
Crimewatch Mitchell and Kenyon style, in the first ever film to recreate a true crime.
Black Diamonds - the Collier's Daily Life (1904) Black Diamonds - the Collier's Daily Life (1904)
Non-Fiction 1904 3 mins Silent
The only two surviving scenes from an amazing Edwardian film about the work of Britain's coalminers.
Snowballs (1901) Snowballs (1901)
Comedy 1901 2 mins Silent Location: Glasgow
Young scamps launch a snowball attack on a hapless bobby.
Lizars, Edinburgh Lizars, Edinburgh
Comedy 1904 2 mins Silent Location: Edinburgh
Mitchell and Kenyon capture comedian Tom E. Murray at Lizars Theatre in Edinburgh on 12 December 1904.
Mr Moon (1901) Mr Moon (1901)
Advert 1901 3 mins Silent
Rare production footage of an early 'trick' film with a famous music hall performer.
Sporting Colliers and the Bobby (c.1901) Sporting Colliers and the Bobby (c.1901)
Comedy 1901 2 mins Silent
A policeman breaks up a gambling den, but is caught pocketing the proceeds.
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archiveβs role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.