Trivia / A Close Shave

• Colbert Bump
  • While the short and character were already popular, it was Scary Spice wearing a Shaun backpack in public which sent the character's popularity skyrocketing.
  • As mentioned elsewhere, headlines about Nick Park accidentally leaving two props from the film in the back of a taxi in New York is what brought the duo to the attention of Americans.
• Creator Backlash: Nick Park has admitted that he wasn't happy with the way the short turned out, claiming that too many cut scenes depicting Wendoline's backstory dampened his ambitions for a Darker and Edgier short.
• Deleted Scene
  • Five minutes of animation, including an homage to Brief Encounter during Wallace and Wendolene's scenes in the wool shop, had to be cut for time.
  • A scene taking place at Ramsbottom Manor, which would feature several recognizable horror movie homages, as well as a reference to Bambi, and expanded more on Wendoline's backstory, was storyboarded but never animated, as it would have caused the film to run 12 minute too long over its allotted 30 minute run time.
• First Appearance: Of Shaun the Sheep, who would later go on to get his own TV show.
• The Merch: It was this short that really chained off the series' popularity with toy companies. While Gromit naturally proved merchandisable, kids were even more eager to scoop up plush toys and backpacks of Shaun.
• What Could Have Been: As mentioned above, there were more scenes planned that would explore Wendoline's backstory as well as several more gag references to classic horror, all of which were cut for time.
• Uncredited Role: Justin Fletcher, most well known these days for Mr. Tumble was the voice of Shaun the Sheep in this film, and every production that's included Shaun since, including the TV show.

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