The Passing Parade "one reel" ( about ten minutes) entries by John Nesbitt were often nostalgic in their nature, and this one is no exception. It talks about the traditional American barber shop. The short describes it as a place where men can bond over the races, sporting events, and off color traveling salesmen stories. It also talks about the different tonics and contraptions that the barbers used to grow hair back. They don't work - they never worked - but hope springs eternal.
Then Nesbitt goes back to the turn of the century to look at the barber shop when it first opened. His point is that although the hair styles have changed, that from the beginning it was a place where men could bond - a sanctuary from women. He does talk about unique customs of the early 20th century barber shops, such as each customer having their own mug stored in the shop, and all of the different and weirdly named cigarettes for sale there.
This short is interesting today because of the fact that barber shops are passe and largely have been replaced by styling salons for men. These places draw a more affluent clientele and offer such things as manicures and facials,. They have a sleek contemporary decor, and they are not conducive to "hanging out".
So this short that was ironically meant to show how nothing ever really changes in male bonding has become a curio and shows just how much things really have changed. As the middle class hollows out and the working class continues to become too poor for businesses to care about, there are fewer places for people to come together in an informal setting and form strong bonds in the community. An odd factoid? The African American barber shop continues to thrive.
Do watch this short if you get the chance, because it is sociologically fascinating.
