The Off-Handed Jape... & How to Pull It Off

The Off-Handed Jape is an afternoon’s lark made by Nelson and his artist friend William Wiley. The two men perform whimsical actions and poses for the camera, then recontextualize this imagery by improvising their own commentary on the action at a later time. —Andy Ditzler. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2002.

Loading countdown...

Color Fragments

1948

Why Korea?

Why Korea?

1950

The Sergeant

The Sergeant

1910

Bath

Bath

1969

Blue Value

1996

Stasis

1976

Odds & Ends

Odds & Ends

1959

Muscle Beach

Muscle Beach

1948

Composition in Blue

Composition in Blue

1935

Ronnie

Ronnie

1972

Fragment of Seeking

Fragment of Seeking

1947

Chicago Loop

Chicago Loop

1976

Persian Series #5

Persian Series #5

1999

I Be Done Been Was Is

I Be Done Been Was Is

1983

The Tuxedo Theatre

The Tuxedo Theatre

1969

The Mean Brothers "Get Stood Up"

The Mean Brothers "Get Stood Up"

1973

The Last Word in Chickens

The Last Word in Chickens

1924

Little Billy's Triumph

Little Billy's Triumph

1914

Come Closer

Come Closer

1953

Along the Moonbeam Trail

Along the Moonbeam Trail

1920