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IMDbPro

Tapeheads

  • 1988
  • R
  • 1h 33m
IMDb RATING
5.7/10
4.3K
YOUR RATING
John Cusack and Tim Robbins in Tapeheads (1988)
Clip: You are gonna start making music videos
Play clip1:37
Watch Tapeheads
1 Video
25 Photos
ComedyMusic

A couple of creative losers accidently become big shots in the video music industry.A couple of creative losers accidently become big shots in the video music industry.A couple of creative losers accidently become big shots in the video music industry.

  • Director
    • Bill Fishman
  • Writers
    • Bill Fishman
    • Peter McCarthy
    • Jim Herzfeld
  • Stars
    • John Cusack
    • Tim Robbins
    • Mary Crosby
  • See production, box office & company info
    • IMDb RATING
    5.7/10
    4.3K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Bill Fishman
    • Writers
      • Bill Fishman
      • Peter McCarthy
      • Jim Herzfeld
    • Stars
      • John Cusack
      • Tim Robbins
      • Mary Crosby
    • 30User reviews
    • 47Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro

    • Videos1

    Tapeheads
    Clip 1:37
    Watch Tapeheads

    Photos25

    John Cusack, Tim Robbins, and Jello Biafra in Tapeheads (1988)
    John Cusack and Ted Nugent in Tapeheads (1988)
    Phillip Fisher in Tapeheads (1988)
    John Cusack and Don Cornelius in Tapeheads (1988)
    Stiv Bators and Nicky Turner in Tapeheads (1988)
    Sam Moore and Junior Walker in Tapeheads (1988)
    King Cotton in Tapeheads (1988)
    Sam Moore and Junior Walker in Tapeheads (1988)
    John Cusack and Mary Crosby in Tapeheads (1988)
    John Cusack in Tapeheads (1988)
    John Cusack and Tim Robbins in Tapeheads (1988)
    John Cusack and Mary Crosby in Tapeheads (1988)

    Top cast

    Edit
    John Cusack
    John Cusack
    • Ivan Alexeev
    Tim Robbins
    Tim Robbins
    • Josh Tager
    Mary Crosby
    Mary Crosby
    • Samantha Gregory
    Clu Gulager
    Clu Gulager
    • Norman Mart
    Katy Boyer
    Katy Boyer
    • Belinda Mart
    Jessica Walter
    Jessica Walter
    • Kay Mart
    Sam Moore
    Sam Moore
    • Billy Diamond
    Junior Walker
    Junior Walker
    • Lester Diamond
    Susan Tyrrell
    Susan Tyrrell
    • Nikki Morton
    Doug McClure
    Doug McClure
    • Sid Tager
    Connie Stevens
    Connie Stevens
    • June Tager
    King Cotton
    King Cotton
    • Roscoe
    Don Cornelius
    Don Cornelius
    • Mo Fuzz
    Ebbe Roe Smith
    Ebbe Roe Smith
    • Mr. G.
    Keith Joe Dick
    Keith Joe Dick
    • Mr. B.
    Lee Arenberg
    Lee Arenberg
    • Norton
    Lyle Alzado
    Lyle Alzado
    • Thor Alexeev
    Rocky Giordani
    Rocky Giordani
    • Hitman #1
    • Director
      • Bill Fishman
    • Writers
      • Bill Fishman
      • Peter McCarthy
      • Jim Herzfeld
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The band Ranchbone in this movie is portrayed by the real life ska-punk band Fishbone. Both John Cusack and Tim Robbins are big fans of the band in real life. Robbins can even be seen wearing a Fishbone t-shirt in a scene in the movie Bull Durham (1988) released earlier that same year.
    • Quotes

      Josh Tager: Look, Ivan... I hope you're not putting too much faith in me. I don't even know if I...

      Ivan Alexeev: "IF"? Instant Failure! "FEAR" - False Evidence Appearing Real! We've talked about this!

    • Crazy credits
      After the final credits, there is one minute of video static with the following superimposed text: Oh ... and by the way, the next time you're passing through Santa Monica, CA., stop in at Renee's Courtyard Cafe.
    • Alternate versions
      The 1990 UK video was cut by 48 secs by the BBFC to remove all footage of nunchakus and butterfly knives. The 2002 release is uncut.
    • Connections
      Referenced in Say Anything... (1989)
    • Soundtracks
      Betcher Bottom Dollar
      Performed by The Swanky Modes
      Written by Brian Adler
      Produced and Arranged by Bob Rose

    User reviews30

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    5/10
    Amusing if nothing else
    It's not a bad movie but not worth buying it on DVD (as I did). Funny at times but you somewhat get drawn automatically towards a happy ending.

    The DVD version had quite a bad soundtrack (with the exception of the music score).

    Reminded me of Weird Al's "UHF" (who b.t.w. makes a cameo in this flick) but less hilarious.

    Good for one run, then bury it at the bottom of the stack.
    helpful•5
    7
    • lschoux
    • Nov 27, 2001

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 21, 1988 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
      • French
    • Also known as
      • Tapeheads - Verrückt auf Video
    • Filming locations
      • Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Front Films
      • NBC Productions
      • Pacific Arts Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $3,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $343,786
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $133,330
      • Oct 23, 1988
    • Gross worldwide
      • $343,786
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 33 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Ultra Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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