Watch Baby Snakes

Baby Snakes is a 1979 film directed by Frank Zappa himself, featuring highlights from his shows with The Mothers of Invention and his solo performances. The film premiered on December 21, 1979, and is known for its bizarre humor and unique live performances. The movie's primary conceit is that it is presented as a surrealistic documentary featuring man-on-the-street interviews, backstage shenanigans, and live footage of Zappa and his band. The film's opening scene is of an audience filing into a concert venue where they are greeted by distorted close-ups of Frank Zappa's elongated features.

The film goes on to document Frank Zappa and his band's eccentric live performances from their 1977 Halloween shows at the Palladium in New York City. The live footage is interspersed with impromptu backstage interviews with Zappa, his band members, and audience members. Along the way, the movie incorporates animations, live-action comedy skits, and absurd cutaways to provide a unique insight into the mind of Frank Zappa.

Baby Snakes features iconic performances from Zappa's legendary band line-up, which included Adrian Belew on guitar, Tommy Mars on keyboards, and Patrick O'Hearn on bass.

The concert footage is where this movie shines, capturing an unprecedented level of raw energy and talent that is known to Zappa's dedicated fan base. The film features live performances of Zappa classics like "Peaches En Regalia", "City of Tiny Lites," and "San Ber'dino." Additionally, fans of Zappa's more musically complex work will be thrilled by several lengthy solo improvisations.

Zappa's unique perspective on music has never been seen to flourish more than it does in the live concert footage. He blends styles in his signature style, jumbling genres like ska, hard rock, jazz, and classical music together to create undeniable tunes. Every musician in his band is in top form as they play progressive rock with virtuosic precision. Adrian Belew's guitar work is especially notable, with his innovative solos adding a futuristic edge to the proceedings.

As the film progresses, it becomes increasingly psychedelic with avant-garde animations by Bruce Bickford. These animations are made to match the music, and they are often as weird as the music itself. There are also bizarre skits and cutaways that show Zappa's sense of humor. These scenes display Zappa's love for irreverence and his willingness to go to bizarre places to get a laugh.

Despite the film's off-kilter structure and placement of the visuals, Baby Snakes offers some candid backstage glimpses. We see Zappa's relaxed and playful side as he guides rehearsals, interviews fans, and pokes fun at the newsreel footage. The backstage footage makes Baby Snakes feel less like a concert film and more like an inside look at the mind of Frank Zappa.

Zappa remains one of the most iconic artists of the 20th century, and Baby Snakes captures him at his creative peak. His ability to combine genres, humor, and his willingness to take risks as a musician continues to inspire musicians today.

In conclusion, Baby Snakes is an essential film for any Zappa fan, showcasing the late-musician's boundless creativity and love of experimentation. The film's humor, strange visuals, and fantastic live performances make it a cult classic that no music fan should miss.

Baby Snakes is a 1979 music movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 46 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.0.