Morning Wash (c.1900)

An old joke but a merry one.

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).