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.

Top Billed Cast

Robert Nelson

Butch Babad

William T. Wiley

Dr. Otis Bird