Frank Zappa Movies
A musician since high school, Frank Zappa left college after six months for paying jobs, and by age 23, he'd accumulated enough capital to open his own small-scale recording studio. He gained national popularity in the mid-'60s as guitarist/composer of the Mothers of Invention. To many adults, Zappa was a near-obscene provocateur, forever skirting the boundaries of taste and indulging in senseless cacophony; to those in the know, Zappa was as serious a stylist as his classical music idols, Stravinksy and Varese. He was also perhaps the most articulate and knowledgeable rock star on the scene, demonstrating his expertise in the many slyly humorous articles that he wrote for mainstream magazines. In direct opposition to his "hippie freak" outward appearance, Zappa was a tireless, intimidatingly well-organized craftsman. He was known as one of the strictest and most demanding musical producers in the business, insisting that his musicians abstain from booze and dope if they wanted to work with him. Zappa's tight recording schedule allowed him a few precious moments to appear in films, though the results were not always that precious: a comic walk-on in the Monkees flick Head (1968); an acting/directing stint in the will-of-the-wisp, free-form rockumentary 200 Motels (1971); and the three-hour ego trip Baby Snakes (1979) in which producer/director Zappa allowed actor Zappa way too many scenes in which fans groveled at his feet (even Zappa finally decided that that was too much, and edited the film down to an hour and a half). After his untimely death from cancer in 1993, Frank Zappa's show business legacy was carried on by his daughter, singer Moon Unit Zappa (who, for better or worse, introduced the "Valley Girl" vernacular to an unsuspecting world) and by Frank's son, Dweezil Zappa, an engaging young TV actor who supplied voices for the USA network cartoon series Duckman -- which featured, as main-theme and background music, the experimental compositions of the late Frank Zappa. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2005
Larry "Wild Man" Fischer was a wildly eccentric singer who in 1968 was discovered on the streets of Hollywood by Frank Zappa, who was intrigued by Fischer's offer to write and perform original songs for passers-by for a mere ten cents each. After hearing a few dollars' worth, Zappa offered Fischer -- who had been wandering the edges of the music business for several years, with no success -- a recording contract, and in 1968 the album An Evening With Wild Man Fischer was released. Sometimes funny, sometimes harrowing, and always boasting Fischer's wobbly matter-of-taste voice and adult-child songwriting, the two-LP set of oddball tunes (including "Merry-Go-Round," "Monkeys vs. Donkeys," "Are You From Clovis," and "The Rocket Rock") sold only modestly, and after an altercation at Zappa's home, Fischer soon found himself without a record deal. While he remained a favorite among a tiny cult of admirers, Fischer was difficult for most folks in the music industry to deal with -- he'd been diagnosed as both a manic-depressive and a paranoid-schizophrenic, and his extreme mood swings, obsessive need for attention, and inability to conform to societal standards of public behavior have kept him at the sidelines of show business as a freak talent, when his abilities are acknowledged at all. But there are a number of people who know music and believe Fischer is a genuine talent, including legendary big band singer Rosemary Clooney, soul icon Solomon Burke, Devo leader Mark Mothersbaugh, and music historian and disc jockey Dr. Demento. Derailroaded: Inside the Mind of Larry "Wild Man" Fischer is a documentary which offers a look at Fischer's torturous childhood, his strange adventures in show business, his struggle to be heard, and his constant battle with his own demons; the film includes interviews with Fischer and his admirers, as well as vintage performance clips (including his appearance on Laugh-In). ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Wild Man Fischer
- 1988
A claymation video. Bruce Bickford animates a fantasy world of strange creatures to music by Frank Zappa and Pierry Boulez performed by the London Symphony Orchestra and the Ensemble InterContemporain. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1988
This comedy presentation by Frank Zappa features a behind the scenes look at the making of this video. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1987
The Frank Zappa movie sampler Video From Hell showcases the bizarre genius and talent of this musical legend. See selections from a number of Zappa videos and other unforgettable Zappa moments, including footage from his address to the Maryland State Legislature in which he discusses censorship laws. Highlights also include scenes from Zappa's appearance on an Australian talk show where he conducts the house band. See clips from G-Spot Tornado, The True Story of 200 Motels, Baby Snakes, Uncle Meat, and others. This video was originally offered with Honker No-D glasses. ~ Sally Barber, All Movie Guide
- 1987
Twenty years in the making, this video takes the world of the bizarre to new levels. Part one features "the Mothers" live on-stage in a 1968 performance at London Festival Hall. Footage portrays the struggle that bandmembers faced when trying to break away from the group to establish their own musical identities. Part two is the story of Uncle Meat, a strange character who eventually must choose between his love for music and his love for his wife. Featured songs include "The Uncle Meat Variations," "Dog Breath," "In the Year of the Plague," "Overture to Holiday in Berlin," "Mother People," and more. ~ Sally Barber, All Movie Guide
- 1985
A music performance video, with Zappa sending up MTV-type videos. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1984
- Add Frank Zappa: Does Humor Belong in Music? to QueueAdd Frank Zappa: Does Humor Belong in Music? to top of Queue
Legendary composer and musician Frank Zappa mounted one of his last tours with a full rock band in 1984 in support of his album Them or Us, and this concert video captures him and his band -- including Ike Willis, Scott Thunes, Chad Wackerman, and Ray White -- playing a wild set of new and old favorites for a packed house in New York City. Frank Zappa: Does Humor Belong in Music? blends interview excerpts with full-bodied performances of "Zoot Allures," "Dancin' Fool," "Dinah-Moe Humm," "Cosmik Debris," "Tinsel Town Rebellion," and many more. Zappa fans should note that this home video release contains a number of songs which don't appear on the CD release of the same name drawn from this concert. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1983
This program takes a sobering look at the world of cocaine use. Sigmund Freud was among the first famous people to extol the virtues of cocaine, in sharpening the mind and creating a sense of euphoria. And he was among the many who learned, to his dismay, about the destructive side of the drug. In this documentary, musicians and celebrities who have used the substance discuss their descent into addiction. They share stories about the resulting paranoia, ill health, personality and relationship problems, and brushes with death. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1982
A compilation of Frank Zappa footage from 1967 to 1982 is featured here. Includes music video clips and live concert footage. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1981
Narrated by Vincent Price, this story is about a boy who goes to a Transylvanian Castle to learn about fear. This program is not intended for young children. ~ All Movie Guide
Composer, bandleader, satirist and all-around mad genius Frank Zappa offers an up-close look at "people who do stuff that is not normal" in this off-center concert documentary. Primarily filmed during a 1977 Halloween show by Zappa and his group (which at the time included Adrian Belew, Terry Bozzio, Roy Estrada, Patrick O'Hearn, and Ed Mann), the performance is interspersed with backstage footage of the group, visits with Zappa's fans, and clay animated sequences from filmmaker Bruce Bickford. Songs include "Disco Boy", "City of Tiny Lights", "Curse of the Knick-Knack People", "Punky's Whips", "Jones Crusher", "Black Page #2", and more. Baby Snakes was originally released in a version running 166 minutes, but at the insistence of the film's distributor it was edited down to 91 minutes; the complete version was later restored for release on home video and DVD. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frank Zappa, Adrian Belew, (more)
- 1978
This 1978 episode of Saturday Night Live is hosted by Frank Zappa, who also serves as the musical guest. ~ Skyler Miller, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frank Zappa
- 1976
This 1976 episode of Saturday Night Live is hosted by Candice Bergen and features musical guest Frank Zappa. ~ Skyler Miller, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Candice Bergen, Frank Zappa, (more)
- 1976
In the 1960s and '70s, Mike Douglas was the host of one of America's most popular TV talk shows. In his 22 years on the air, Douglas was famous for presenting a dizzying variety of entertainers and newsmakers, and this video features 75 minutes of great moments from the show's heyday. Guests featured in this collection include Kenny Rogers, Frank Zappa, Jimmy Walker, Donny & Marie Osmond, and Elayne Boosler. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1971
- R
Less a movie than a purposely crude series of musical vignettes and inside jokes for die-hard fans, Frank Zappa informs viewers in the opening scene that "Touring can make you crazy, ladies and gentlemen, and that is what 200 Motels is all about." The rest of the plot-less production is filled with more self-reflexive reminders, as the close-up eye and tape recorder signal that Zappa is watching everything his bandmembers are doing. Reasonably, the Mothers of Invention make up the cast, notably Jimmy Carl Black, who repeatedly remarks how he just wants to quit the band and go play real music, have a beer, and get laid. The character of Jeff, played by Martin Lickert, was written for bassist Jeff Simmons, who actually did quit the band just prior to shooting. Other cast members include real-life groupies appearing in some bizarre nudity sequences, along with the Who's drummer Keith Moon as the Hot Nun who overdoses on drugs. Ringo Starr appears as Larry the Dwarf and lends some humorous narration, but that does not clarify any of the proceedings. The action supposedly takes place in Centerville, which is really a kind of poorly dressed set guarded by soldiers. The scenes are randomly assembled and interspersed with performances, including the songs "Lonesome Cowboy Burt," "Magic Fingers," and "Strictly Genteel." ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- The Mothers of Invention, Theodore Bikel, (more)
- 1968
Suffering from writers' block, Peter visits a nightclub hypnotist, The Great Oracullo (Monte Landis). But instead of curing Peter, Oracullo drugs the poor Monkee and places him under his evil spell. The other Monkees try to rescue Peter by pretending to succumb to Oracullo's hypnotic powers -- but are they merely pretending? Watch for cameo appearances by frequent Monkees' director James Frawley as Oracullo's henchman Rudi Bayshore, Burgess Meredith in his familiar Batman guise as the Penguin, and Frank Zappa -- as Mike Nesmith. Songs: "Daily Nightly", "Gonna Buy Me a Dog, "Valleri, and "Mother People", the latter tune written by Zappa. First broadcast on March 11, 1968, "Monkees Blow Their Minds" was written by Peter Meyerson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The Monkees -- Micky Dolenz, Mike Nesmith, Davy Jones and Peter Tork -- didn't really enjoy being labelled the Prefab Four back when their TV series was all the rage in 1966. With the help and support of Bob Rafaelson (co-producer, co-writer and director) and Jack Nicholson (co-producer, co-writer, and, if you look closely, bit player), the Monkees expressed their displeasure over being packaged for popular consumption in the non sequitur masterpiece Head. At least, it seems that the film is an indictment of the merchandising of pop stars. It's hard to tell at times, because Head literally has no plot; it is instead a patchwork of loopy sight gags, instant parodies, "camp" cutups, musical numbers and wry inside jokes. Clips of such old movies as the 1934 Karloff-Lugosi epic The Black Cat pop up every so often, as does an impressive lineup of pop-culture icons: Victor Mature, Annette Funicello, Sonny Liston, Frank Zappa (he's the one leading a cow) and Ray Nitschke, as well as such movie-trivia "answers" as Timothy Carey, Vito Scotti, Teri Garr, Percy Helton, Logan Ramsey, Carol Doda, and pre-Divine cross-dresser T.C. Jones. The best bits include a lengthy Golden Boy parody which does double duty as a lampoon of the network's efforts to create "personalities" for the individual Monkees, and a psychedelic buck-and-wing performed by Davy Jones. One gag, in which Micky Dolenz blows up a Coca Cola machine, is usually excised from TV showings. Head did zero business when it first came out thanks to poor distribution, but it has since become a fixture of midnight-movie showings and campus cinema classes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Tork, Davy Jones, (more)
- 1967
Less a straight documentary than a freeform essay film, Robert Carl Cohen's Mondo Hollywood entertains its audience by profiling a series of "mod" L.A.-area individuals in the late '60s. The film flows freely and loosely from one subject into another and thus emerges as a series of vignettes on colorful lifestyles in Southern California. The individuals profiled in this film include: Dr. Richard Alpert, a professor booted from Harvard in 1963 for his work with Timothy Leary on the Psilocybin Project, which involved studying the effects of LSD; Rudi Gernreich, the gay rights activist and fashion designer notorious for bringing bare breasts en vogue with his topless bikinis; Jay Sebring, the phenomenally successful celebrity hairstylist/salon entrepreneur and onetime boyfriend of Sharon Tate, who was butchered two years later (along with Tate) by members of the Manson family; avant-garde music composer Bobby Beausoleil, the Kenneth Anger artistic collaborator imprisoned for decades because of his onetime involvement with Charles Manson; sculptress Valerie Porter; sex symbol and screen siren Jayne Mansfield; and the wickedly funny rocker Frank Zappa. The film takes its title from the series of Mondo shockumentaries that director Gualtiero Jacopetti began in the early '60s with Mondo Cane. Mike Curb compiled the psychedelic soundtrack. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- 1965
In this strange western a woman enlists the aid of her two brothers and her sister-in-law and begins a series of bank robberies to get revenge upon the banker who refused her father a loan for the medical treatment he desperately needed to survive. Frank Zappa wrote the soundtrack for this interesting western. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1962
Character actor and cult hero Timothy Carey wrote, produced, and directed this one-of-a-kind parade of the unusual, in which Carey stars as Clarence Hilliard, a seemingly content insurance salesman who undergoes a remarkable transformation. Hilliard, bored with his job and certain fate has bigger things in store for him, begins telling customers that insurance is pointless, which leads to him being fired. Hilliard then declares that "There's only one God, and that's Man," and with the help of his loyal gardener, Alonzo (Gil Barreto), forms the Eternal Man party and throws his hat into the political arena. To attract attention to his crusade, Hilliard learns to play guitar (well, sort of), hires a rock & roll band, and stages frenetic shows in which he throws himself about with a frantic abandon like a cross between Gene Vincent and James Brown. Hilliard drops the name "Clarence" and proclaims himself "God," and begins attracting a fanatical legion of followers. A mysterious political kingmaker offers his services to Hilliard, and "God" soon finds himself a serious contender for the office of President of the United States. Growing crazed with his own power, Hilliard tells his followers that they are "super human beings" (one who does not live up to Hilliard's high standards is forced to commit suicide), seduces both 70-year-old grandmothers and 14-year-old groupies, and tells potential voters that if elected, he can make all people millionaires and bring eternal life to those who follow him. Hilliard's long-neglected wife and children are taken aback by Clarence's transformation, urging him to turn his back on his blasphemous crusade and return to the Catholic faith of his earlier days. Facing a crisis of conscience, Hilliard challenges the Supreme Being to prove its existence. Shot on a shoestring budget over a period of four years, The World's Greatest Sinner is, if anything, even more bizarre than a recounting of its plot would lead you to expect, and has inspired a surprisingly large fan following considering the fact the film never received a nationwide release (Carey chose to distribute it himself). Frank Zappa, who was 22 when the film was released, composed the musical score and wrote the title song ("As a sinner he's a winner/ Honey, he's no beginner"); noted voice-over artist Paul Frees narrates; and Ray Dennis Steckler (who later developed a cult following of his own for The Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living and Became Mixed-Up Zombies) was one of the cameramen. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Timothy Carey, Gil Baretto, (more)
