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The Untamable Whiskers
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Wikipedia article
'The Untamable Whiskers' , also known as 'The King of the Mackerel Fishers' and 'Les Moustaches indomptables', is a 1904 French short silent film directed by Georges Mlis. The film is a showpiece for Mlis himself, drawing quickfire sketches of various characters and magically transforming into them.
Plot
of 'The Untamable Whiskers'
Georges Mlis, after greeting the audience, makes a rapid-fire chalkboard sketch of his head, but adding a long medieval wig. Striking a pose, a wig matching the drawing magically appears on his bald head. Next Mlis draws an elderly, heavily bearded man, and then a monocled gentleman with sideburns, magically transforming into each character. Writing "'comic excentric'" (a French phrase for an eccentric comedian) on the board, he next becomes a clown, then a whiskery naval type in a bicorne. Finally he transforms into the Devil and disappears into thin air.
Production
Unusually for Mlis's work, 'The Untamable Whiskers' is framed entirely in a medium shot. The film testifies to Mlis's skill at quick drawing; he had already put this skill to use in the 'A Lightning Sketch' series, now presumed lost. The film's special effects depend on substitution splices and dissolves as well as on Mlis's talents for drawing, makeup, and character acting.
Release
The film was released by Mlis's Star Film Company and is numbered 552553 in its catalogues. It was sold in the United States as 'The Untamable Whiskers' and in Britain as 'The King of the Mackerel Fishers', and is also known as 'Les Moustaches indomptables'. Film critic William B. Parrill, reviewing European silent films in the 2010s, considered the film to show Mlis "in fine form. His zest in his series of comic transformations is almost palpable."
References
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