Frank Zappa - Baby Snakes

Frank Zappa is a genius and passage by passage this film is marvellous when it isn't outright brilliant...what's good in this film, is very good. Bruce Brickford's clay animation is particularly outstanding and Zappa is generous with it, as well as offering interview footage of the furry-humoured, eloquently stoned Bickford himself. The rest of the film is a concert given in New York City, a very good one, with audience participation and all kinds of lively touches. Everyone in Zappa's band has an acute and effective sense of theatre. F.X. Feeney, L.A.Times 1983.