Robert Nelson Movies

  • 1967
    Gourley in 67

    Gourley in 67

    Gourley in 67

    01967HD

    A film by Robert Nelson

    Gourley in 67
  • 1965
    Oh Dem Watermelons

    Oh Dem Watermelons

    Oh Dem Watermelons

    6.11965HD

    Commissioned by the San Francisco Mime Troupe as a short to be screened during intermission for its rather infamous 1965 Minstrel Show (Civil Rights...

    Oh Dem Watermelons
  • 1967
    The Off-Handed Jape... & How to Pull It Off

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

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

    41967HD

    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...

    The Off-Handed Jape... & How to Pull It Off
  • 1978
    Suite California Stops & Passes Part 2: San Francisco to the Sierra Nevadas & Back Again

    Suite California Stops & Passes Part 2: San Francisco to the Sierra Nevadas & Back Again

    Suite California Stops & Passes Part 2: San Francisco to the Sierra Nevadas & Back Again

    01978HD

    "I'm definitely not interested in passing along intellectual information about California. There's plenty of that everywhere. I'm trying to get at...

    Suite California Stops & Passes Part 2: San Francisco to the Sierra Nevadas & Back Again
  • 1963
    Plastic Haircut

    Plastic Haircut

    Plastic Haircut

    01963HD

    "Dada-inspired performance in which absurd actions take place in an environment of strange symbols and graphic forms." -Mark Webber. Design by...

    Plastic Haircut
  • 1965
    T.P.II

    T.P.II

    T.P.II

    01965HD

    A film by Robert Nelson

    T.P.II
  • 1965
    Oily Peloso the Pumph Man

    Oily Peloso the Pumph Man

    Oily Peloso the Pumph Man

    01965HD

    A film by Robert Nelson. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2011.

    Oily Peloso the Pumph Man
  • 1967
    Half-Open & Lumpy

    Half-Open & Lumpy

    Half-Open & Lumpy

    01967HD

    Found footage accompanies an accelerated song by the children’s band the Tweedy Brothers.

    Half-Open & Lumpy
  • 1967
    Penny Bright & Jimmy Witherspoon

    Penny Bright & Jimmy Witherspoon

    Penny Bright & Jimmy Witherspoon

    01967HD

    Nelson sets minimal, repetitive imagery against a looping recording of his daughter Oona, which goes gradually from sweet to curious to mysterious to...

    Penny Bright & Jimmy Witherspoon
  • 1998
    Hauling Toto Big

    Hauling Toto Big

    Hauling Toto Big

    81998HD

    Hauling Toto Big is a dense and ecstatic work of fragmented narratives, dream states, chaos and serenity… a culmination of Nelson’s...

    Hauling Toto Big
  • 1967
    1/2 Bright, 1/2 Open, 1/2 Withered, 1/2 Lumpy

    1/2 Bright, 1/2 Open, 1/2 Withered, 1/2 Lumpy

    1/2 Bright, 1/2 Open, 1/2 Withered, 1/2 Lumpy

    01967HD

    A film by Robert Nelson

    1/2 Bright, 1/2 Open, 1/2 Withered, 1/2 Lumpy
  • 1965
    T.P.I.

    T.P.I.

    T.P.I.

    01965HD

    A film by Robert Nelson

    T.P.I.
  • 1968
    War is Hell

    War is Hell

    War is Hell

    01968HD

    Made by Robert Nelson and William Allan in cooperation with KQED-TV San Francisco. Starring an ensemble cast that includes Bill Gourley, Bruce...

    War is Hell