Baby Snakes

Himself

Himself - Guitar

Himself - Keyboards

Himself - Drums

Himself - Soundman

Himself - Concert Promoter

Himself - Animator

Himself - Bickford's Cameraman (as Rob Leacock)

Himself - Percussion

Himself - Backstage Fan (as Warren Cucurullo)

Herself - Cuccurullo's Girlfriend (as Chris Martin)

Himself - Bickford's Film Editor

Himself - The Mexican Pope

Himself - Zappa's Bodyguard

Himself - Brooklyn For Zappa (as David Ditkowich)

Himself - Keyboards Soundman Stage Left

Himself - Bass Guitar

Himself - Zappa's Camerman

Himself - Keyboards (as Peter Wolf)

Himself - Zappa's Camerman (as Dick Pearce)

Herself - On-Stage Audience Participation Member

Herself - On-Stage Audience Participation Member

Herself - On-Stage Audience Participation Member

Himself - Road Manager & Human Trombone

Himself - Stage Crew Member

Herself

Herself - Zappa's Daughter (as Diva)

Himself - On-Stage Audience Participation Member

Himself (as Joey Psychotic)

Himself (uncredited)

Herself (uncredited)

Filmed in 1977, not released until 1979.

The film had particular trouble finding a distributor. Frank Zappa tried to interest Untied Artists, the company that released 200 Motels (1971). Fearing that they were about to be embroiled in the Heaven's Gate (1980) fiasco, they turned him down. Other studios followed in United Artists' footsteps, fearing that Zappa's trademark cinematic style had lost considerable appeal in post-'70s pop culture. Several European distributors told Zappa 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.

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.

Frank Zappa: [after having presented a real whip to the participating audience] Hey, this is Halloween, we don't fuck around!

Frank Zappa: [referring to a stuffed animal's ass] We're gonna call this part "Burbank".