Broadway Barber

Mr. Kay gave haircuts in his old-fashioned barber shop on Manhattan's Upper West Side for over fifty years. Watching Mr. Kay work is like stepping back in time. I directed this "day in the life" documentary short back in 1994 while in film school at NYU. Hope you like it!

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• documentary
• short
• film
• hair
• haircut
• barber
• broadway
• new
• york
• city
• shave
• barbershop
• nyc
• mr
• kay
• dimitriou

[rrmorton]

Yeah, he kept it covered at night due to vandalism. Actually, he rarely uncovered it on a normal working day when he was in his later years. As you can tell, it wasn't that easy for him. But he was happy to do it for the camera when we asked.

The store is now called Bob's Frame Shop. You can see the same tin ceiling but otherwise the shop is unrecognizable. But the falafel stand next door to the shop has a picture on the wall showing Mr. Kay holding a baby and smiling for the camera.

[rrmorton]

Sadly, no. Mr. Kay retired soon after I made this film and then he died in 1999.

[comateensnyc]

OMG, I cannot believe this film exists. What a beautiful beautiful thing.

Mr Kay was my barber for well over 20 years. Being back again in his little shop on 103rd & Broadway....it's like a miracle.

Mr Kay was like a 1940s cartoon of a barber, with his ripply slicked back hair and pencil line moustache. And he used to snip with the scissors with his pinky stuck up in the air. Just like a cartoon.

Thank you so much for posting this magical film, and God bless Mr Kay.

[jeffreymzzz]

I am so happy to find this little film.

I went to Mr. Kay once a week for 25 years.

And we waved to each other as I passed his shop everyday.

I was superstitious enough to never pass his shop without waving.

Mr.Kay was a kind and wonderful person.

He knew people and could read them.

He also possessed real wisdom.

He started working as a barber at the age of 14 (in Egypt I think) He came to work every day except Sunday. He NEVER missed a day in 47 years.

He also gave the BEST shave in NYC.

[h2yth2yt]

Oh my golly gosh this is my great uncle kay, i would so love a copy to give to his daughter my aunt. it would be a joy to her. as it has been to me. THANK YOU

[BenBenToo]

Can I just say how much I LOVED THIS?!!! Anyone who has gone to an old time barber with any frequency knows the pace, the sounds, the ambiance of these shops. What equipment did you use for the sound? It sounded amazingly crisp and clear (at least to my untrained ears.) thanks for posting this.

[TonyCliftan]

Wonderful film!

[tornmask]

an "EXCELLENT" bio film of a very humble & well known Barber Mr. Kay, in a Historic Classy Barber Shop in the Heart of New York City where it all began!..EXCEPTIONAL work! "rrmorton" =o]

[Snauzer67]

See how he warms up and moistioning the skin with a hot towel. The new ones dont do that where I live.

[024bryan]

WOW ! ! !

[htmldeity]

Man, thank you for this vid...I am going to sleep well tonight with this in mind.

[rickbar123]

time does stand still

[pitboss102]

great vid. awsome job.