The hero's character is measured by the size of his beard in this Essanay comedy. Tired of his hirsute appearance, the protagonist emerges from the barber shop with a clean and unadorned chin. Alas, no one recognizes the poor fellow without his beard. Denied access to his own bank account, the hairless hero is forced to rely upon the "generosity" of a stock swindler. Fortunately, the clean-shaven man's wife alerts a detective, who corrals the crook before any real damage can be done. A Close Shave was amusing enough, but hardly a bastion of originality.

~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide