200 Motels
Synopsis
"Touring makes you crazy," Frank Zappa says, explaining that the idea for this film came to him while the Mothers of Invention were touring. The story, interspersed with performances by the Mothers and the Royal Symphony Orchestra, is a tale of life on the road. The band members' main concerns are the search for groupies and the desire to get paid.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
200 Motels Movie Trailer Frank Zappa Ringo Starr Mothers of Invention
Type: Trailer • Published 2008-07-30
Top Cast
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Frank Zappa
Member of Mothers of Invention (uncredited)
Mark Volman
Member of Mothers of Invention
Howard Kaylan
Member of Mothers of Invention
Ian Underwood
Member of Mothers of Invention
Aynsley Dunbar
Member of Mothers of Invention
George Duke
Member of Mothers of Invention
Theodore Bikel
Rance Muhammitz / Dave
Keith Moon
Hot Nun
Ringo Starr
Larry the Dwarf / Frank Zappa
Janet Neville-Ferguson
Groupie #1 (Janet Ferguson)
Lucy Offerall
Groupie #2 (Lucy)
Jimmy Carl Black
Lonesome Cowboy Burt
Martin Lickert
Jeff
Dick Barber
Bif Debris - The Vacuum Cleaner
Don Preston
Don
Pamela Des Barres
Interviewer (as Pamela Miller)
Ruth Underwood
Fake Drummer
Judy Gridley
Chorus Leader
Release History & Theatrical Window
November 10, 1971
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Financials & Box Office Performance
Production Budget
$679K
Filming & production cost
Worldwide Gross
Pending
Total global ticket sales
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Tony Palmer, Frank Zappa
- Screenplay & Story
- Frank Zappa
- Original Score
- Frank Zappa
- Original Title
- 200 Motels
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 38m
- Production Budget
- $679K
- Production Studios
- Bizarre Productions, Murakami-Wolf Productions
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Tony Palmer, Frank Zappa
Frank Zappa, Tony Palmer
Frank Zappa
Tony Palmer
Rich Harrison
Herb Cohen, Jerry D. Good
Department Leadership Roster
Tony Palmer
Director
Frank Zappa
Director
Frank Zappa
Screenplay
Rich Harrison
Editor
Tony Palmer
Writer
Sue Yelland
Costume Design
Herb Cohen
Producer
Jerry D. Good
Producer
Cal Schenkel
Production Design
Tony Palmer
Director of Photography
Frank Zappa
Original Music Composer
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
R: Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
International Certification Matrix
Suitable only for adults 18 years and over.
Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for 200 Motels.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring 200 Motels.
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Frequently Asked Questions About 200 Motels
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is 200 Motels about?
"Touring makes you crazy," Frank Zappa says, explaining that the idea for this film came to him while the Mothers of Invention were touring. The story, interspersed with performances by the Mothers and the Royal Symphony Orchestra, is a tale of life on the road. The band members' main concerns are the search for groupies and the desire to get paid.
Who directed 200 Motels?
200 Motels was directed by Tony Palmer, Frank Zappa.
Who stars in 200 Motels?
The principal cast of 200 Motels includes Frank Zappa, Mark Volman, Howard Kaylan, Ian Underwood, Aynsley Dunbar.
When was 200 Motels released and how long is it?
200 Motels was released in 1971 with a total runtime of 1h 38m.
Who composed the musical score for 200 Motels?
The original motion picture soundtrack for 200 Motels was composed by Frank Zappa.
What is the age rating and content advisory for 200 Motels?
200 Motels holds official age classifications: GB: 18 (Suitable only for adults 18 years and over.); US: R (Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.).