200 Motels 1971
200 Motels
Film - 1971
A surrealist musical film satire of a rock band on tour written by American music star Frank Zappa, featuring his music and performances by his own band, Mothers of Invention, with roles for two rock and roll legends - Ringo Starr and Keith Moon - as well as Broadway star, Theodore Bikel. Ringo Starr donned a Zappa-like moustache and hair to play Zappa’s alter-ego while Keith Moon played the part of a nun! Somewhat typical of the haphazard proceedings, Ringo’s chauffeur, Martin Lickert, was enlisted for a key role when the Mothers’ bassist quit on the first day of rehearsal, saying he was fed up with playing Zappa’s “comedy music.”
Ringo Starr as Frank Zappa
It was a famously chaotic movie - partly because Zappa, shooting in a London studio with his band, assorted actors and dancers and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, only had a week of filming and completed only a fraction of what he’d intended.
Cast included: Frank Zappa, Ringo Starr, Keith Moon, Theodore Bikel, Mothers of Invention, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Directors: Tony Palmer / Frank Zappa
Choreographer: Gillian Lynne
