The Dull Razor
R: George Albert Smith. K: George Albert Smith. D: Tom Green. P: George Albert Smith Films. UK 1900

“A Man embarking on his morning shave finds his razor is blunt, giving rise to some splendid facial contortions in this early ‘facial’. Comedian Tom Green, who worked with Brighton-based filmmaker GA Smith on many of his early films, has a face tailor-made for this kind of gurning performance. ‘Facials’ were the first to exploit the pleasures and comic potential of the close-up. Smith and Green re-made this one and no wonder – you can clearly see Smith turning the crank of the camera in the mirror.”
BFI Player

Mary Jane’s Mishap
R: George Albert Smith. D: Laura Bayley. P: George Albert Smith Films. UK 1903
Print: BFI

“Mary Jane’s Mishap; or, Don’t Fool with the Paraffin, a ‘trick’ film directed by the ‘Brighton School’ pioneer G.A. Smith and released in 1903, is an example of Smith’s interest in cinematic effects – including, here, the use of superimposition to suggest ghosts.
The film stars Smith’s wife, Laura Bayley, the star of many of his films and the most prolific British actress of the time. The film is notable for its then sophisticated mix of wide establishing shots and medium close-ups, which serve to pull the spectator into the action. It also contains two ‘wipes’ to denote a change of scene.”
Mark Duguid
Screen online

>>> As Seen Through the Telescope, Grandma’s Reading Glass, The Kiss in the Tunnel and The Miller and the Sweep on this site: European Cinematography 1895 – 1905

About George Albert Smith:
Screen online

TRAUM UND EXZESS, p. 139 passim