Thread: Movies and reality

I was watching an old movie last night, I think it was called Gunfight at the OK corral with Kirk Douglas and Henry Fonda. Kirk Douglas was shaving with a straight razor and man you have got to be kidding. He swiped that razor over his face so fast it was like superman. That thing must have been as dull on the edge as it was on the spine. He shaved his entire face and neck in about 30 seconds. Even my wife was laughing. She has seen me shave, and she said, "YIKES would you look at that" ! It was funny. She acutally cringed. We had it on DVR and played it back three times.

Yeah, they do get it a bit wrong sometimes.

Theres a scene in Sweeney Todd where Depp is stropping a razor and he does it with the spine raised and the edge leading. The only thing you'll get that way is a dull razor and a handful of shredded leather..!

There is a thread on straight razor scenes in movies as well. Heres a link:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/gener...azor-film.html

Its an interesting read!

Originally Posted by mackie

Gunfight at the OK corral with Kirk Douglas and Henry Fonda.

The gunfight was probably even less realistic than the shave. Virtually all films require the suspension of belief to some degree. Nothing much in film bears close scrutiny, whether it be car chases, fights or even the sex scenes.

The one that's always annoyed me is the scene in The Untouchables where Al Capone is getting a shave and he flinches and puts his hand to his cheek, he is bleeding and he seems to blame the barber. Him flinching was what caused the cut, not the barber.

In most movies they have enough items to worry about getting right to be concerned with proper shaving considering how few have ever used a straight. So who would know except us?

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

In most movies they have enough items to worry about getting right to be concerned with proper shaving considering how few have ever used a straight. So who would know except us?

With the number of pistol users in the US though, they movie makers still screw up with pistols. In one shot the shooter has fired off a few rounds and the slide is locked back, then in the next shot the slide is forward and they have a new clip, when it is obvious they had no time to reload in between.

And then there's sword fights - often more concerned with making noise and waving steel around than in killing the opponent.

But yes - although they can be annoying, sometimes you have to treat a movie for what it is - a form of entertainment, a bit of fun.

It is a nice bonus when they do get it "right"!

All the best,
Michael.

In one of the Star Trek films, Dianna shaves Riker in the bathtub. Her handling of the straight was very poorly done, but I don't think he cared.

Originally Posted by Hydaral

With the number of pistol users in the US though, they movie makers still screw up with pistols. In one shot the shooter has fired off a few rounds and the slide is locked back, then in the next shot the slide is forward and they have a new clip, when it is obvious they had no time to reload in between.

You made a point though, even users who are familiar with something can make a simple mistake! If it's not a revolver you can almost guarantee it's a magazine, not a clip. Oh! I just remembered, I love how most TV guns have something like 16 rounds! But as was already stated, suspension of belief is required to some degree.

I think might pre-shave and then re-lather, then do a 30second shave in front of my wife. I bet I can finish before she can dial 9-1-1, to warn them of my impending trauma.

Originally Posted by Spect

If it's not a revolver you can almost guarantee it's a magazine, not a clip.

I think that one can pretty much go either way, I have heard both POV. Personally, I use magazine to describe a store (as in a room or building) of explosives/ammunition and clip to describe the ammunition receptacle in a firearm.