Cry Baby Lane (found Nickelodeon TV horror film; 2000): Difference between revisions

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{{InfoboxFound
{{InfoboxFound
|title=<center>Cry Baby Lane</center>
|image=CryBabyLane-TitleCard.png
|image=CryBabyLane-TitleCard.png
|imagecaption=Title card.
|imagecaption=Title card.
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|foundby=firesaladpeach
|foundby=firesaladpeach
}}
}}
'''''Cry Baby Lane''''' was a Halloween-themed comedy-horror made for TV film that originally aired on Nickelodeon's television block SNICK on the night of October 28th, 2000. After its premiere, it was never released on any form of home media, or aired outside of the United States, and wouldn't be aired again for over a decade.
'''''Cry Baby Lane''''' is a Halloween-themed comedy-horror made for TV film that originally aired on Nickelodeon's television block SNICK on the night of October 28th, 2000. After its premiere, it was never released on any form of home media, or aired outside of the United States, and wouldn't be aired again for over a decade.


==Plot==
==Plot==
Line 13: Line 12:


==Production==
==Production==
The film was originally envisioned as a big cinema film with a budget of $10 million; however, Nickelodeon's parent company Paramount, had different ideas, and the film was ultimately shelved. A year later, Nickelodeon reopened the plans for the film and wanted to go ahead with production, although the film had a reduced budget of $800.000. The film's two writers, Peter Lauer and Robert Mittenthal jumped at the chance to make it. Filming was completed in around 20 days, with the shots of the town being taken in Ohio and the rest filmed in New Jersey.<ref name="dailydotinterview">[https://archive.fo/D68V7 Daily Dot interview with Peter Lauer.] Retrieved 21 Sept '17</ref>
The film was originally envisioned as a big cinema film with a budget of $10 million; however, Nickelodeon's parent company Paramount, had different ideas, and the film was ultimately shelved. A year later, Nickelodeon reopened the plans for the film and wanted to go ahead with production, although the film had a reduced budget of $800.000. The film's two writers, Peter Lauer and Robert Mittenthal jumped at the chance to make it. Filming was completed in around 20 days, with the shots of the town being taken in Ohio and the rest filmed in New Jersey.<ref name="dailydotinterview">[https://archive.fo/D68V7 Daily Dot interview with Peter Lauer about the film.] Retrieved 21 Sep '17</ref>


==Criticism and Nickelodeon's Response==
==Criticism and Nickelodeon's Response==
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==Search Efforts==
==Search Efforts==
[[File:CryBabyLane-Pre2011Still.jpg|thumb|300px|This image was popular around pre-2011, with urban legend forums saying that this was the only known still image from the film.]]
This ensured the launch of several fan sites in the early 2000s where people could talk about the film’s existence. When contacted, Nickelodeon would deny knowing anything about the film, despite the overwhelming evidence. Some Nickelodeon employees even went as far as to spread false information such as the film never having aired on TV, or simply being a myth.
This ensured the launch of several fan sites in the early 2000s where people could talk about the film’s existence. When contacted, Nickelodeon would deny knowing anything about the film, despite the overwhelming evidence. Some Nickelodeon employees even went as far as to spread false information such as the film never having aired on TV, or simply being a myth.


===Resurfacing and Aftermath===
===Resurfacing and Aftermath===
In 2011, a user of the social media forum Reddit named "firesaladpeach" claimed she had a bootleg VHS of the film recorded on the night of its original premiere, on a thread on the talk board “/r/TodayILearned”.<ref>[http://reddit.com/r/todayilearned/comments/jedpc/til_nickelodeon_released_a_tv_movie_in_2000_that/c2bfg2l reddit.com /r/TodayILearned talk board, with firesaladpeach's claims.] Retrieved 22 Oct '17</ref><ref>[http://youtu.be/6xHrDmsfDtM Reupload of proof that firesaladpeach possessed a VHS of the film.] Retrieved 22 Oct '17 '''|''' Archived 11 Aug '11</ref> She later released the film on a file-sharing website and YouTube, attracting hundreds of viewers.<ref>[https://reddit.com/r/reddit.com/comments/jicg6/cry_baby_lane/ Reddit thread with a dead download link to ''Cry Baby Lane''.] Retrieved 06 Jun '18</ref> The sudden spike in popularity the Reddit thread had garnered is speculated to have prompted TeenNick to re-air the film on October 31st, 2011, where they proclaimed in advertising that it was "Nickelodeon’s dark secret", so scary it was "banned from TV".<ref>[http://archive.is/fYwXY Video from Nickelodeon's website with description.] Retrieved 21 Nov '17</ref> The airing ultimately revealed that Nickelodeon had the film all along.
In 2011, a user of the social media forum Reddit named "firesaladpeach" claimed she had a bootleg VHS of the film recorded on the night of its original premiere, on a thread on the talk board “/r/TodayILearned”.<ref>[http://reddit.com/r/todayilearned/comments/jedpc/til_nickelodeon_released_a_tv_movie_in_2000_that/c2bfg2l reddit.com /r/TodayILearned talk board, with firesaladpeach's claims.] Retrieved 22 Oct '17</ref><ref>[http://youtu.be/6xHrDmsfDtM Reupload of proof that firesaladpeach possessed a VHS of the film.] Retrieved 22 Oct '17</ref> She later released the film on a file-sharing website and YouTube, attracting hundreds of viewers.<ref>[https://reddit.com/r/reddit.com/comments/jicg6/cry_baby_lane/ Reddit thread with a dead download link to ''Cry Baby Lane''.] Retrieved 06 Jun '18</ref> The sudden spike in popularity the Reddit thread had garnered is speculated to have prompted TeenNick to re-air the film on October 31st, 2011, where they proclaimed in advertising that it was "Nickelodeon’s dark secret," so scary it was "banned from TV."<ref>[http://archive.is/fYwXY Video from Nickelodeon's website with description on the film.] Retrieved 21 Nov '17</ref> The airing ultimately revealed that Nickelodeon had the film all along.


The film was originally rated TV-Y7 in 2000, but in its 2011 re-release, it was re-rated TV-PG-V. Oddly enough, in its 2017 re-airings, Nickelodeon had removed the rating in its entirety.
The film was originally rated TV-Y7 in 2000, but in its 2011 re-release, it was re-rated TV-PG-V. Oddly enough, in its 2017 re-airings, Nickelodeon had removed the rating in its entirety.
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==Gallery==
==Gallery==
===Screenshots===
<gallery mode=packed heights=150px>
CryBabyLane-Pre2011Still.jpg|The pre-2011 screenshot, with urban legend forums stating that this was the only known still image from the film.
</gallery>
===Footage===
===Footage===
{{Video|perrow  =1
{{Video|perrow  =1
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   |description1 =2017 re-airing of the film from NickSplat.
   |description1 =2017 re-airing of the film from NickSplat.
}}
}}
===Videos==
===Videos===
{{Video|perrow  =1
{{Video|perrow  =1
   |service1    =youtube
   |service1    =youtube
Line 57: Line 59:
*[[Leader Dog (partially lost Nickelodeon animated short series; 2004)]]
*[[Leader Dog (partially lost Nickelodeon animated short series; 2004)]]
*[[Making Fiends (partially lost promotional shorts for Nickelodeon animated series based on web series; 2008)]]
*[[Making Fiends (partially lost promotional shorts for Nickelodeon animated series based on web series; 2008)]]
*[[Meet The Moores (partially found Nicktoons UK animated short series; 2002-2003)]]
*[[Meet The Moores (partially found Nickelodeon UK animated short series; 2002-2003)]]
*[[Nick Studio 10 (partially found Nickelodeon channel block; 2013)]]
*[[Nick Studio 10 (partially found Nickelodeon channel block; 2013)]]
*[[Nickelodeon Addicting Games Showdown (partially found interstitial TV event of online game website; 2009-2010)]]
*[[Nickelodeon Addicting Games Showdown (partially found interstitial TV event of online game website; 2009-2010)]]
*[[Nickelodeon Blimp (found Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards animated short; 2005-2007)]]
*[[Nickelodeon Blimp (found Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards animated short; 2005-2007)]]
*[[Oh Yeah! Cartoons (found Nickelodeon animated anthology series; 1998-2001)]]
*[[Oh Yeah! Cartoons (found Nickelodeon animated anthology series; 1998-2001)]]
*[[Schoolyard Safari (found Nickelodeon short series; 2002-2003)]]
*[[Schoolyard Safari (found Nickelodeon animated short series; 2002-2003)]]
*[[SpongeBob: Re-Hydrated (partially lost "SpongeBob SquarePants" animated short; 2003)]]
*[[SpongeBob: Re-Hydrated (partially lost "SpongeBob SquarePants" animated short; 2003)]]
*[[Tortellini Western (partially lost Nickelodeon animated short series; 2004)]]
*[[Tortellini Western (partially lost Nickelodeon animated short series; 2004)]]
*[[A Very Aggressive Vegetable (partially lost Nickelodeon Australia animated short series; 1998)]]
*[[A Very Aggressive Vegetable (found Nickelodeon Australia animated short series; 1998)]]


===Bumpers and Promos===
===Bumpers and Promos===
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*[[Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius (partially lost TV promos for Nickelodeon animated film and TV series; 2001–2002)]]
*[[Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius (partially lost TV promos for Nickelodeon animated film and TV series; 2001–2002)]]
*[[Nickelodeon (partially found idents and bumpers from TV channel; 1979-present)]]
*[[Nickelodeon (partially found idents and bumpers from TV channel; 1979-present)]]
*[[Nickelodeon's Historical Firsts (partially lost animated promos from TV channel; 1997) ]]
*[[Nickelodeon's Historical Firsts (found animated promos from TV channel; 1997)]]
*[[SpongeBob's Nicktoon Summer Splash (partially lost bumpers from Nickelodeon channel block; 2000-2001)]]
*[[SpongeBob's Nicktoon Summer Splash (partially lost bumpers from Nickelodeon channel block; 2000-2001)]]


Line 101: Line 103:
*[[SuperNick (partially found Nickelodeon Netherlands game show; 2007-2011)]]
*[[SuperNick (partially found Nickelodeon Netherlands game show; 2007-2011)]]
*[[SuperNick op De Stoep Bij... (partially found Nickelodeon Netherlands sports show; 2007-2008)]]
*[[SuperNick op De Stoep Bij... (partially found Nickelodeon Netherlands sports show; 2007-2008)]]
*[[Webheads (partially found second season of Nickelodeon game show; 2015)]]
*[[Webheads (partially lost Nickelodeon game show; 2014–2015)]]


===Inaugural Series===
===Inaugural Series===
*[[America Goes Bananaz (partially found Nickelodeon variety series; 1977-1980)]]
*[[By The Way (partially found inaugural Nickelodeon series; 1979-1980)]]
*[[By The Way (partially found inaugural Nickelodeon series; 1979-1980)]]
*[[Hocus Focus (partially found inaugural Nickelodeon series; 1979-1981)]]
*[[Nickel Flicks (lost inaugural Nickelodeon series; 1979)]]
*[[Nickel Flicks (lost inaugural Nickelodeon series; 1979)]]
*[[Pinwheel (partially found Nickelodeon educational puppet series; 1977-1990)]]
*[[Pinwheel (partially found Nickelodeon educational puppet series; 1977-1990)]]
Line 121: Line 123:
*[[Kids' Court (partially found Nickelodeon non-traditional court series and other media; 1988-1994)]]
*[[Kids' Court (partially found Nickelodeon non-traditional court series and other media; 1988-1994)]]
*[[Mcjuniorclub TV (partially found Nickelodeon Netherlands/McDonald's live-action short series; 2008)]]
*[[Mcjuniorclub TV (partially found Nickelodeon Netherlands/McDonald's live-action short series; 2008)]]
*[[The Nick Cannon Show (partially lost spin-off of "All That" Nickelodeon sketch comedy series; 2002-2003)]]
*[[Nick News with Linda Ellerbee (partially found Nickelodeon educational news series; 1992-2015)]]
*[[Nick News with Linda Ellerbee (partially found Nickelodeon educational news series; 1992-2015)]]
*[[Noah Knows Best (partially found English audio of Nickelodeon sitcom; 2000-2001)]]
*[[Noah Knows Best (partially found English audio of Nickelodeon sitcom; 2000-2001)]]
Line 128: Line 131:


===Pilots===
===Pilots===
*[[Aaahh!!! Real Monsters (partially found unaired pilot of Nickelodeon animated series; early 1990s)]]
*[[Aaahh!!! Real Monsters (partially found pitch pilot of Nickelodeon animated series; early 1990s)]]
*[[The Adventures of Johnny Quasar (found prototype "Jimmy Neutron" animated shorts; 1995-1997)]]
*[[The Adventures of Johnny Quasar (found prototype "Jimmy Neutron" animated shorts; 1995-1997)]]
*[[The Angry Beavers "Cuffed Together" (non-existent pilot episode of Nickelodeon animated series; early-mid 1990s)]]
*[[The Angry Beavers "Cuffed Together" (non-existent second pilot of Nickelodeon animated series; early-mid 1990s)]]
*[[Back at the Barnyard (partially found original test pitch of Nickelodeon CGI animated series; 2000)]]
*[[Back at the Barnyard (partially found original test pitch of Nickelodeon CGI animated series; 2000)]]
*[[Bad Seeds (found pilot of "Harvey Beaks" Nickelodeon animated series; 2013)]]
*[[Bad Seeds (found pitch pilot of "Harvey Beaks" Nickelodeon animated series; 2013)]]
*[[Big Beast Quintet (lost Nickelodeon animated pilot; 1990)]]
*[[Big Beast Quintet (lost Nickelodeon animated pilot; 1990)]]
*[[Camp Nick (partially found Nickelodeon game show pilot; mid-1990s)]]
*[[Camp Nick (partially found Nickelodeon game show pilot; mid-1990s)]]
*[[Catscratch (found animated pitch of Nickelodeon animated series; 2004)]]
*[[Catscratch (found animated pitch of Nickelodeon animated series; 2004)]]
*[[The Crowville Chronicles (partially found Nickelodeon animated pilot; 1990)]]
*[[The Crowville Chronicles (partially found Nickelodeon animated pilot; 1990)]]
*[[Drake & Josh (partially found unaired pilot of Nickelodeon sitcom; 2002)]]
*[[Curbside (found Nickelodeon animated pilot; 1999)]]
*[[Figure it Out (partially found unaired pilot of Nickelodeon game show; 1990s)]]
*[[Drake & Josh (partially found pitch pilot of Nickelodeon sitcom; 2002)]]
*[[Fresh Beat Band of Spies (found unaired pilot of Nickelodeon animated spin-off of "The Fresh Beat Band" musical series; 2013)]]
*[[Figure it Out (partially found pitch pilot of Nickelodeon game show; 1990s)]]
*[[Fresh Beat Band of Spies (found pitch pilot of Nickelodeon animated spin-off of "The Fresh Beat Band" musical series; 2013)]]
*[[Generation Gap (partially found Nickelodeon game show pilot; early 1990s)]]
*[[Generation Gap (partially found Nickelodeon game show pilot; early 1990s)]]
*[[Gibby! (partially found unaired pilot of cancelled spin-off of "iCarly" Nickelodeon teen sitcom; 2012)]]
*[[Gibby! (found pitch pilot of cancelled spin-off of "iCarly" Nickelodeon teen sitcom; 2012)]]
*[[Go For It (lost Nickelodeon game show pilot; early 1990s)]]
*[[Go For It (lost Nickelodeon game show pilot; early 1990s)]]
*[[Hey Arnold! (found unaired pilot of Nickelodeon animated series; 1994)]]
*[[Hey Arnold! (found pitch pilot of Nickelodeon animated series; 1994)]]
*[[Humongous (lost pilot of Nickelodeon game show; early 1990s)]]
*[[Humongous (lost pilot of Nickelodeon game show; early 1990s)]]
*[[I Don't Think So (partially found Nickelodeon game show pilot; 1994)]]
*[[I Don't Think So (partially found Nickelodeon game show pilot; 1994)]]
*[[Invader Zim (lost 3D animation test sequence from pilot of Nickelodeon animated series; 1999)]]
*[[Invader Zim (lost 3D animation test sequence from Nickelodeon animated series pilot; 1999)]]
*[[KaBlam! "The Henry and June Show" (found spinoff pilot of Nickelodeon animated series; 2000)]]
*[[KaBlam! "The Henry and June Show" (found spin-off pilot of Nickelodeon animated series; 2000)]]
*[[Kappa Mikey (found original MTV pitch and Nicktoons pilots of animated series; 2004)]]
*[[Kappa Mikey (found pitch pilots of Nickelodeon animated series; 2004)]]
*[[Morph Sports (partially found Nickelodeon game show pilot; 1995-1996)]]
*[[Morph Sports (partially found Nickelodeon game show pilot; 1995-1996)]]
*[[Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide (partially found pilots of Nickelodeon sitcom; 2003)]]
*[[Mr. Meaty "In Parker's Sight" (partially lost pitch pilot of Nickelodeon puppet series; 2005)]]
*[[Ned's Declassified High School Survival Guide (lost pilot of rejected spin-off series of Nickelodeon sitcom; 2008)]]
*[[Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide (partially found original version of Nickelodeon sitcom pilots; 2003)]]
*[[Ned's Declassified High School Survival Guide (lost pitch pilot of rejected spin-off of Nickelodeon sitcom; 2008)]]
*[[The Penguins of Madagascar (partially found pitch pilot versions for Nickelodeon CGI animated series; mid-2000s)]]
*[[Pudding Toast (lost Nickelodeon animated pitch pilots; 2012)]]
*[[Pudding Toast (lost Nickelodeon animated pitch pilots; 2012)]]
*[[Rocket Beach (found unaired pilot of "Rocket Power" Nickelodeon animated series; 1998)]]
*[[Rocket Beach (found pitch pilot of "Rocket Power" Nickelodeon animated series; 1998)]]
*[[Roundhouse (partially found unaired pilot of Nickelodeon comedy series; 1991)]]
*[[Roundhouse (partially found pitch pilot of Nickelodeon comedy series; 1991)]]
*[[Slime Survivor (partially found Nickelodeon game show pilot; 2000)]]
*[[Slime Survivor (partially found Nickelodeon game show pilot; 2000)]]
*[[The Thundermans (partially lost unaired pilot of Nickelodeon live-action comedy series; 2012)]]
*[[The Thundermans (partially lost pitch pilot of Nickelodeon live-action comedy series; 2012)]]
*[[Tooned In! (partially found Nickelodeon game show pilot; 1998)]]
*[[Tooned In! (partially found Nickelodeon game show pilot; 1998)]]
*[[Trash (lost Nickelodeon stop-motion animated pilot; 1990)]]
*[[Trash (lost Nickelodeon stop-motion animated pilot; 1990)]]
*[[The Weasel Patrol (lost Nickelodeon animated pilot; 1990)]]
*[[The Weasel Patrol (lost Nickelodeon animated pilot; 1990)]]
*[[Video Dream Theater (lost Nickelodeon animated pilots; 1979)]]
*[[Who Knew? (partially found Nickelodeon game show pilot; 1998)]]
*[[Who Knew? (partially found Nickelodeon game show pilot; 1998)]]
*[[The Wild Thornberrys (found pilot of Nickelodeon animated series; 1998)]]
*[[The Wild Thornberrys (found pilot of Nickelodeon animated series; 1998)]]


===Other===
===Other===
*[[Action League Now!: The Series "Monster Mashed" (found episode of "Kablam!" spinoff animated series; 2002)]]
*[[Action League Now!: The Series "Monster Mashed" (found episode of "Kablam!" spin-off animated series; 2002)]]
*[[Action League Now!: The Series "Thunder Girl: Tracking The Storm" (found episode of "Kablam!" spinoff series; 2001-2002)]]
*[[Action League Now!: The Series "Thunder Girl: Tracking The Storm" (found episode of "Kablam!" spin-off series; 2001-2002)]]
*[[Adventures in Wonder Park (partially found unaired Nickelodeon animated series based on film; 2019)]]
*[[Against the Odds (partially found Nickelodeon documentary series; 1982-1988)]]
*[[The Angry Beavers "A Tail of Two Rangers/Bye Bye Beavers" (partially found finale episode of Nickelodeon animated series; 2001)]]
*[[The Angry Beavers "A Tail of Two Rangers/Bye Bye Beavers" (partially found finale episode of Nickelodeon animated series; 2001)]]
*[[Back at the Barnyard (partially found widescreen versions of Nickelodeon CGI animated series episodes; 2007-2011)]]
*[[The Butcher (lost Nickelodeon puppet short film; existence unconfirmed; 2001)]]
*[[The Butcher (lost Nickelodeon puppet short film; existence unconfirmed; 2001)]]
*[[Crash Nebula (lost production material of cancelled spinoff of" The Fairly OddParents" Nickelodeon animated series; 2004-2006)]]
*[[Danny Phantom (partially found original opening title sequence of Nickelodeon animated series; 2003)]]
*[[Danny Phantom (partially found original opening title sequence of Nickelodeon animated series; 2003)]]
*[[Got Chocolate Milk? (found "SpongeBob SquarePants" animated tie-in commercial; 2001)]]
*[[Got Chocolate Milk? (found "SpongeBob SquarePants" animated tie-in commercial; 2001)]]
*[[Gruff's Groove Box (lost Nickelodeon music series; 2001)]]
*[[Gruff's Groove Box (lost Nickelodeon music series; 2001)]]
*[[Hocus Focus (partially found Nickelodeon variety series; 1979-1981)]]
*[[The Humpback Hop (found full version of "SpongeBob SquarePants" production music; 2002)]]
*[[ICarly "How To" (found bonus content DVD from Nickelodeon sitcom "Web Show Set"; 2011)]]
*[[ICarly "How To" (found bonus content DVD from Nickelodeon sitcom "Web Show Set"; 2011)]]
*[[Invader Zim (partially found production material of cancelled episodes of Nickelodeon animated series; 2001-2002)]]
*[[Invader Zim (partially found production material of cancelled episodes of Nickelodeon animated series; 2001-2002)]]
Line 177: Line 188:
*[[KaBlam! "Just Chillin" (found final episode of Nickelodeon animated series; 2000)]]
*[[KaBlam! "Just Chillin" (found final episode of Nickelodeon animated series; 2000)]]
*[[KaBlam! "KaFun!" (found episode of Nickelodeon animated series; 1999)]]
*[[KaBlam! "KaFun!" (found episode of Nickelodeon animated series; 1999)]]
*[[KaBlam! "An Off-Beats Valentine's" (found spinoff special of Nickelodeon animated series; 1998)]]
*[[KaBlam! "An Off-Beats Valentine's" (found spin-off special of Nickelodeon animated series; 1998)]]
*[[The Lil' Sam & Cat Show (partially lost web series based on Nickelodeon sitcom; 2013-2014)]]
*[[The Loud House (partially lost deleted scenes of Nickelodeon animated series; 2016-present)]]
*[[The Loud House (partially lost deleted scenes of Nickelodeon animated series; 2016-present)]]
*[[Nickelodeon Japan (partially found various final sign-off footage of Japanese TV channel; 2009)]]
*[[Nickelodeon Japan (partially found various final sign-off footage of Japanese TV channel; 2009)]]
*[[Nickelodeon Launch Box (partially found educational series; 1991-1994)]]
*[[Nickelodeon Launch Box (partially lost educational series; 1991-1994)]]
*[[Nickelodeon Magazine's Big 10 Birthday Bash (found Nickelodeon TV special; 2003)]]
*[[Nickelodeon Magazine's Big 10 Birthday Bash (found Nickelodeon TV special; 2003)]]
*[[Nickelodeon Mega Music Fest 2010 (found Nickelodeon musical event broadcast; 2010)]]
*[[Nickelodeon Studios Opening Day Celebration (found live broadcast of Nickelodeon event; 1990)]]
*[[Nickelodeon Studios Opening Day Celebration (found live broadcast of Nickelodeon event; 1990)]]
*[[The Ren & Stimpy Show (non-existent unused Kurt Cobain song for Nickelodeon animated series; 1990)]]
*[[The Ren & Stimpy Show (non-existent unused Kurt Cobain song for Nickelodeon animated series; 1990)]]
Line 190: Line 203:
*[[SpongeBob SquarePants (partially lost deleted scenes of Nickelodeon animated series; 1999-present)]]
*[[SpongeBob SquarePants (partially lost deleted scenes of Nickelodeon animated series; 1999-present)]]
*[[SpongeBob SquarePants "Sailor Mouth" (lost uncensored version of Nickelodeon animated series episode; 2001)]]
*[[SpongeBob SquarePants "Sailor Mouth" (lost uncensored version of Nickelodeon animated series episode; 2001)]]
*[[SpongeBob SquarePants "Shanghaied/You Wish" (lost English audio from alternate "Patchy the Pirate" segments of Nickelodeon animated series episode; 2001)]]
*[[SpongeBob SquarePants "Shanghaied/You Wish" (partially lost English audio from alternate "Patchy the Pirate" segments of Nickelodeon animated series episode; 2001)]]
*[[SpongeBob SquarePants "SpaceBob InvaderPants/Krabs' Army" (lost production material of cancelled Nickelodeon animated series episodes; 2015)]]
*[[SpongeBob SquarePants "SpaceBob InvaderPants/Krabs' Army" (lost production material of cancelled Nickelodeon animated series episodes; 2015)]]
*[[War Blowers (found full version of "SpongeBob SquarePants" production music; 1999)]]
*[[War Blowers (found full version of "SpongeBob SquarePants" production music; 1999)]]

Revision as of 20:22, 11 April 2024

CryBabyLane-TitleCard.png

Title card.

Status: Found

Date found: 14 Aug 2011

Found by: firesaladpeach

Cry Baby Lane is a Halloween-themed comedy-horror made for TV film that originally aired on Nickelodeon's television block SNICK on the night of October 28th, 2000. After its premiere, it was never released on any form of home media, or aired outside of the United States, and wouldn't be aired again for over a decade.

Plot

A young Andrew and his older brother, Carl, conduct a seance in their local graveyard, in an effort to impress a group of girls. Unknowingly, they release the soul of a dead Siamese twin. Whatever the evil twin touches turns evil, and by the next day, havoc is wrecked upon the town. After Carl becomes possessed, Andrew travels to Cry Baby Lane and cuts the root out of the heart of the good twin, to end the effects of the evil twin's reign of terror.

Production

The film was originally envisioned as a big cinema film with a budget of $10 million; however, Nickelodeon's parent company Paramount, had different ideas, and the film was ultimately shelved. A year later, Nickelodeon reopened the plans for the film and wanted to go ahead with production, although the film had a reduced budget of $800.000. The film's two writers, Peter Lauer and Robert Mittenthal jumped at the chance to make it. Filming was completed in around 20 days, with the shots of the town being taken in Ohio and the rest filmed in New Jersey.[1]

Criticism and Nickelodeon's Response

The film's original premise was to be both scary and child-friendly. However, the airing was speculated to have invoked an extreme number of parents to complain en masse about the film's content, as they had found the film to be too inappropriate for children.

This allegedly caused Nickelodeon to state that they did not own the film and were not responsible for its "accidental" airing, with some workers even denying the existence of the film; however, some claimed that they were aware of it when contacted by forums and sites from 2007 to 2011.

Search Efforts

This ensured the launch of several fan sites in the early 2000s where people could talk about the film’s existence. When contacted, Nickelodeon would deny knowing anything about the film, despite the overwhelming evidence. Some Nickelodeon employees even went as far as to spread false information such as the film never having aired on TV, or simply being a myth.

Resurfacing and Aftermath

In 2011, a user of the social media forum Reddit named "firesaladpeach" claimed she had a bootleg VHS of the film recorded on the night of its original premiere, on a thread on the talk board “/r/TodayILearned”.[2][3] She later released the film on a file-sharing website and YouTube, attracting hundreds of viewers.[4] The sudden spike in popularity the Reddit thread had garnered is speculated to have prompted TeenNick to re-air the film on October 31st, 2011, where they proclaimed in advertising that it was "Nickelodeon’s dark secret," so scary it was "banned from TV."[5] The airing ultimately revealed that Nickelodeon had the film all along.

The film was originally rated TV-Y7 in 2000, but in its 2011 re-release, it was re-rated TV-PG-V. Oddly enough, in its 2017 re-airings, Nickelodeon had removed the rating in its entirety.

The film’s director, Peter Lauer, was interviewed soon after its re-discovery and said that he was surprised and flattered by the attention his film had gotten 11 years after its original release. He claimed that he was unaware of its supposed banning by Nickelodeon, stating that he "just assumed they didn't show it again because they didn't like it. I thought it failed, and I moved on".[1] A Nickelodeon representative later claimed that the film was never banned, disowned, or destroyed by Nickelodeon but that it was merely forgotten.[6] Despite the speculated initial outrage and Nickelodeon's attitude towards the film, it has achieved a cult following.

Gallery

Screenshots

Footage

2017 re-airing of the film from NickSplat.

Videos

TheGamerFromMars' video on the subject.

See Also

Anthology and Short Series

Bumpers and Promos

Films

Game Shows

Inaugural Series

Live Action

Pilots

Other

External Links

References