Thread: The Straight Razor in Film

Just watched Lawrence of Arabia. As he is crossing the dessert on his way to Accaba(?) he gets in a quick strop and shave. "That's a waste of water" says Omar Sharif's character...oh how wrong he was! Dying of thirst, or a nice straight shave? Lawrence was a man who knew his priorities!

Later in the film, as he is reporting back to headquarters he also mentions " I better have a shave.."

Caught an old Western last night "Ride Lonesome", starring Randolph Scott. Pernell Roberts has a straight shave using a bucket of water.

Good Western to boot!

i was watching an episode of seinfeld the other night and seen kramer was recieving a str8 shave at the barbershop

Actually looked up Billy Idol's Dancing With Myself and there is a guy on the couch in the video stropping a razor on linen.

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

Richard harris in Unforgiven

I just re-watched Unforgiven. I didn't notice English Bob (Richard Harris) shaving at all. However, Munny (Eastwood's character) did shave with a straight as he was getting ready to leave for the hit.

There are two scenes in The Private Life of Henry the 8th in which King Henry (Charles Laughton) is about to be shaved by his barber with a straight. This took place in the 1500's. I question the historical accuracy of the existence of a folding straight razor in the 16th century. I could be wrong but I believe they British royalty were removing facial hair with pumice back then. Can anyoe set me straight on this?

He walked by night. Roy holds the razor in his hand as he towels off.

Al raz.

If they haven't been brought up yet:
Scarface (the original movie from 1932) there is atleast a barbershop scene in the beginning.
Hornblower episodes 4 and 6 I think have straights in them..in episode 6 even a straight jacket

And of course the unforgettable opening scene in Un chien andalou (An andalusian Dog) with Salvador Dali from 1929.If you are sensitive don't watch.
YouTube - Un Chien Andalou