The Great American Mug

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

A look at the typical barbershop today and in the bygone days.A look at the typical barbershop today and in the bygone days.A look at the typical barbershop today and in the bygone days.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.3/10

113

YOUR RATING

6User reviews

See production info at IMDbPro

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Top cast13

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John Nesbitt

Narrator
(voice)

Harry Barris

Tipster in Barber Chair
(uncredited)

Frank Darien

Old Time Barber
(uncredited)

Lester Dorr

Pete Ramson
(uncredited)

Mitchell Lewis

Tobacco Chewer
(uncredited)

Eric Mayne

Banker
(uncredited)

Pat McKee

Barbershop Customer
(uncredited)

Howard M. Mitchell

Laughing Man
(uncredited)

Robert Emmett O'Connor

Laughing Man
(uncredited)

William 'Bill' Phillips

Old Time Dude Storyteller
(uncredited)

Walter Soderling

Barber
(uncredited)

Arthur Space

Contemporary Barber at Middle Chair
(uncredited)

Leo White

Rival Barber
(uncredited)

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
The cuspidor (or spittoon) in the barbershop is stated as being made by Adams & Westlake. Founded in Chicago in 1857, the company made all sorts of railroad apparatus, most notably lanterns and all sorts of brass works, including cuspidors and even beds. As of 2024 the company is still in business in Elkhart, Indiana, having moved there in 1927.

Connections
Features Main Street on the March! (1941)

Soundtracks
When You and I Were Young, Maggie
(uncredited)
Music by J.A. Butterfield
Performed by the studio orchestra

Great American Mug, The (1945)

*** (out of 4)

Another nice entry in John Nesbitt's Passing Parade series from MGM. This time out we get to take a look inside a barber shop from 1945 and hear the various discussions one might have. Then we go back several generations to see how a barber shop was ran in older times. This is a pretty interesting little short because it contains that great, nostalgic feel that the best episodes were always able to make but it also has some rather nice antiques to look at. We get to see various brands of older cigarettes and cigars that were sold in barber shops back in the day and getting to see these were very entertaining and you could say a nice way to preserve some history. We also got to see various styles men would wear their beards and the ways you would put certain perfumes on your head to make your hair grow. Nesbitt's nice narration helps build that nostalgic feel making this another must see.