Am posting this just so I can watch it myself later: a fifty-five minute documentary from 1987 on one of my heroes, Robert Crumb. This film was apparently written by the man himself.
Via Non-Stick Plans.
9 thoughts on “Confessions Of Robert Crumb”
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best part 34:34-36:14 !!!
the shot of him trying to draw at an easel in a median on the highway is great! How can anybody concentrate?
“Just one damn thing after another…” -R. Crumb
A cynic after my own heart, Barry.
[quote comment=”4378″]A cynic after my own heart, Barry.[/quote]
A satirist in his work, certainly. A cynic, I’m not quite so sure about that. At the root of much of his comics (sexual deviations aside) lies the notion that “so many good things have gone down the proverbial shit hole”. One could call that cynicism, but it could also be interpreted as a heartfelt lament of valuable things lost. Nostalgia, if you will. Crumb’s gigantic ’78 vinyl record collection comes to mind. You be the judge…
related posts: One Hour Interview With Neil Young. Hubba Hubba. Thanks Barry; you pretty much got me into Neil Young.
[quote comment=”4379″][quote comment=”4378″]A cynic after my own heart, Barry.[/quote]
A satirist in his work, certainly. A cynic, I’m not quite so sure about that. At the root of much of his comics (sexual deviations aside) lies the notion that “so many good things have gone down the proverbial shit hole”. One could call that cynicism, but it could also be interpreted as a heartfelt lament of valuable things lost. Nostalgia, if you will. Crumb’s gigantic ’78 vinyl record collection comes to mind. You be the judge…[/quote]
cynical: denying the sincerity of people’s motives and actions.
Strange how some still see cynicism as something negative. In the 20th Century, cynicism is a positive trait. It keeps one from being completely bamboozled. I can thank Robert Crumb for his refreshing cynicism, just as I can thank Frank Zappa for his. Two great cynics. Two fantastic satirists.
[quote comment=”4381″]related posts: One Hour Interview With Neil Young. Hubba Hubba. Thanks Barry; you pretty much got me into Neil Young.[/quote]
Nice to know, Clenn. Is Crumb going to be next? 😉
[quote comment=”4384″]Strange how some still see cynicism as something negative. In the 20th Century, cynicism is a positive trait.[/quote]
Much depends on one’s definition of the word, I guess…
[quote comment=”4387″][quote comment=”4381″]related posts: One Hour Interview With Neil Young. Hubba Hubba. Thanks Barry; you pretty much got me into Neil Young.[/quote]
Nice to know, Clenn. Is Crumb going to be next? 😉
[quote comment=”4384″]Strange how some still see cynicism as something negative. In the 20th Century, cynicism is a positive trait.[/quote]
Much depends on one’s definition of the word, I guess…[/quote]
I think we can both agree that the majority of Crumb’s work was largely based on his own inner neurosis, yes? Give or take his cynicism…
I first saw Crumb’s work on the “Cheap Thrills” album that was in my older brother’s record collection. I was just a kid and I was facinated with that cover. I remember the Keep On Truckin’ paraphernalia back in the day, as well. That shit was all over the place!
This little film is quite excellent!
If you enjoyed this I’m sure you’ll like (Barry, I’m sure you’ve seen these)”Crumb” by Terry Zwigoff and “American Splendor” featuring Paul Giamatti.
I watched, enthralled (as I expected to), and came away just a bit disappointed… For a “documentary”, it was rather “staged”.
(I mean, written by R. Crumb?) The impression left on me was one more of “promotional”, rather than documentary.
And I love documentaries – and I love Crumb (just this past Christmas, I gave the [almost] entire ‘Rip-Off Press’ catalog to my best buddy here; he turned me on to Crumb in 1972)…
Hugh is spot on – if you liked this (even if you didn’t), check out the Terry Zwigoff film especially.