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.
On Falling - Exclusive Q&A On Falling - Exclusive Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
Writer-director Laura Carreira talks to Nia Childs about her debut feature, On Falling.
Layla - Exclusive Q&A Layla - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 27 mins
Writer, director and performer Amrou Al-Kadhi talks to Rico Johnson-Sinclair about their debut feature.
All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 28 mins
Payal Kapadia discusses her Cannes prize-winning and Bafta-nominated drama with Ashanti Omkar.
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
Documentary 2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of childrenβs palliative care.