The True Story of Frank Zappa's 200 Motels_
A one-hour documentary on the making of Frank Zappa's bizarre 1971 comic musical. Vintage private footage from Frank's personal archives plus behind-the-scenes of the actual shooting and recording. With Ringo Starr, Theodore Bikel, Keith Moon and such songs as "Sleeping in a Jar," and "Strictly Genteel." The inside history of the first feature-length film to be shot on video in 6 days.
Starring
Frank Zappa, Tony Palmer, Phyllis Smith Altenhaus
Updated Feb 16, 2026
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Year context
The True Story of Frank Zappa's 200 Motels was released 38 years ago in 1988.
Overview
A one-hour documentary on the making of Frank Zappa's bizarre 1971 comic musical. Vintage private footage from Frank's personal archives plus behind-the-scen...
The True Story of Frank Zappa's 200 Motels is a Documentary, Comedy, Music film with a runtime of 0h 59m.
CAST (20)
Frank Zappa
Self
Tony Palmer
Self
PS
Phyllis Smith Altenhaus
Self (archive footage)
DB
Dick Barber
Self (archive footage)
Theodore Bikel
Self
JC
Jimmy Carl Black
Self
Peter Bos
Self
Napoleon Murphy Brock
Self (archive footage)
PB
Phyllis Bryn-Julson
Self
Warren Cuccurullo
Self
PD
Pamela Des Barres
Self (archive footage)
George Duke
Self
Aynsley Dunbar
Self
Roy Estrada
Self (archive footage)
BF
Bruce Fowler
Self (archive footage)
BG
Bunk Gardner
Self (archive footage)
JD
Jerry D. Good
Self (archive footage)
EH
Elgar Howarth
Self
Howard Kaylan
Self
RK
Roelof Kiers
Self
DETAILS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is The True Story of Frank Zappa's 200 Motels about?
A one-hour documentary on the making of Frank Zappa's bizarre 1971 comic musical. Vintage private footage from Frank's personal archives plus behind-the-scenes of the actual shooting and recording. With Ringo Starr, Theodore Bikel, Keith Moon and such songs as "Sleeping in a Jar," and "Strictly Genteel." The inside history of the first feature-length film to be shot on video in 6 days.
How long is The True Story of Frank Zappa's 200 Motels?
The True Story of Frank Zappa's 200 Motels has a runtime of 59 minutes (0h 59m).
Who stars in The True Story of Frank Zappa's 200 Motels?
The cast of The True Story of Frank Zappa's 200 Motels includes Frank Zappa, Tony Palmer, Phyllis Smith Altenhaus, Dick Barber, Theodore Bikel.
What is the rating of The True Story of Frank Zappa's 200 Motels?
The True Story of Frank Zappa's 200 Motels has a rating of 7.5 out of 10 based on 2 votes on TMDB.
GENRES (3)
Documentary
Comedy
Music
