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IMDbPro

Baby Snakes

  • 19791979
  • RR
  • 2h 46m
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
882
YOUR RATING
Frank Zappa in Baby Snakes (1979)
  • Documentary
  • Comedy
  • Music
Rock artist Frank Zappa hosts a concert in New York City. This movie contains tons of on-stage footage, off-stage footage, and animation.Rock artist Frank Zappa hosts a concert in New York City. This movie contains tons of on-stage footage, off-stage footage, and animation.Rock artist Frank Zappa hosts a concert in New York City. This movie contains tons of on-stage footage, off-stage footage, and animation.
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
882
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Frank Zappa
  • Writer
    • Frank Zappa
  • Stars
    • Frank Zappa
    • Adrian Belew
    • Tommy Mars
Top credits
  • Director
    • Frank Zappa
  • Writer
    • Frank Zappa
  • Stars
    • Frank Zappa
    • Adrian Belew
    • Tommy Mars
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 18User reviews
    • 7Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos

    Baby Snakes (1979)
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    Top cast

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    Frank Zappa
    Frank Zappa
    • Selfas Self
    Adrian Belew
    • Self - Guitaras Self - Guitar
    Tommy Mars
    • Self - Keyboardsas Self - Keyboards
    Terry Bozzio
    • Self - Drumsas Self - Drums
    Kerry McNabb
    • Self - Soundmanas Self - Soundman
    Ron Delsener
    • Self - Concert Promoteras Self - Concert Promoter
    Bruce Bickford
    • Self - Animatoras Self - Animator
    Robert Leacock
    • Self - Bickford's Cameramanas Self - Bickford's Cameraman
    • (as Rob Leacock)
    Ed Mann
    • Self - Percussionas Self - Percussion
    Warren Cuccurullo
    • Self - Backstage Fanas Self - Backstage Fan
    • (as Warren Cucurullo)
    Chrissie Martin
    • Self - Cuccurullo's Girlfriendas Self - Cuccurullo's Girlfriend
    • (as Chris Martin)
    Klaus Hundsbichler
    • Self - Bickford's Film Editoras Self - Bickford's Film Editor
    Roy Estrada
    • Self - The Mexican Popeas Self - The Mexican Pope
    John Smothers
    • Self - Zappa's Bodyguardas Self - Zappa's Bodyguard
    David B. Ditkowwich
    • Self - Brooklyn For Zappaas Self - Brooklyn For Zappa
    • (as David Ditkowich)
    Bill Harrington
    • Self - Keyboards Soundman Stage Leftas Self - Keyboards Soundman Stage Left
    Patrick O'Hearn
    • Self - Bass Guitaras Self - Bass Guitar
    Phil Parmet
    Phil Parmet
    • Self - Zappa's Camermanas Self - Zappa's Camerman
    • Director
      • Frank Zappa
    • Writer
      • Frank Zappa
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      The film had particular trouble finding a distributor. Frank Zappa tried to interest United Artists, the company that released 200 Motels (1971). Fearing that it was about to be embroiled in the Heaven's Gate (1980) fiasco, UA turned him down. Other studios followed in its footsteps, fearing that Zappa's trademark cinematic style had lost considerable appeal in post-'70s pop culture. Several European distributors told him that there might be interest if it were cut from its original 168-minute running time. The film was cut to 90 minutes and still there were no takers. Even after Bruce Bickford's sequences won first prize at a French animated film competition, there was no interest. Eventually Zappa took it upon himself to distribute the film independently via his own Intercontinental Absurdities production company. The film ran 24 hours a day at the Victoria Theater in New York City and made a handsome profit.
    • Quotes

      Frank Zappa: God made three mistakes. First was the man. Second was the wo-man. Third was the poodle. He meant to make a German Shepherd but he fucked up.

    • Crazy credits
      Movie goes on for 10 minutes after credits are over.
    • Alternate versions
      1984 reissue was edited to 91 minutes.
    • Connections
      Edited into Video from Hell (1985)
    • Soundtracks
      Baby Snakes
      Performed by Frank Zappa

    User reviews18

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    A 'Must See' for any musician/Zappa fan
    Zappa was great. An okay guitarist, but a genius composer/band leader. He was the Miles Davis of rock- finding the best young musicians and pushing them to the next level. That's what he did with Terry Bozzio, who (in my opinion) steals the show(DVD). Highlights are 'Pound for a Brown' with Bozzio, Mars and O'hearn getting real intense, the pre-'Disco-boy' drum solo, Bozzio's awesome performance on 'Punky's Whips,' and of course the great abstract claymation. I'd be happy if this video was all claymation and drum solos, but most of the rest of the movie is cool too. The dood with the blow-up doll and gas mask gets kinda annoying, but the DVD makes up for it by having Adrian Belew dance around in a dress. I'd strongly recommend this to any drummer because there are some great close-ups on Bozzio as he hurts the feelings of other drummers by keeping perfect grooves and being funny at the same time. That's what I'm talking' about.
    helpful•5
    1
    • heybike
    • Jan 1, 2005

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 21, 1979 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • Los Angeles, California, USA
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      2 hours 46 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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