Cry Baby Lane (found Nickelodeon TV horror film; 2000)

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.

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”. She later released the film on a file-sharing website and YouTube, attracting hundreds of viewers. 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." 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". A Nickelodeon representative later claimed that the film was never banned, disowned, or destroyed by Nickelodeon but that it was merely forgotten. Despite the speculated initial outrage and Nickelodeon's attitude towards the film, it has achieved a cult following.

Gallery

Screenshots

• 

  The pre-2011 screenshot, with urban legend forums stating that this was the only known still image from the film.

Footage

2017 re-airing of the film from NickSplat.

Videos

TheGamerFromMars' video on the subject.

See Also

Anthology and Short Series

• Astrology with Squidward (found series of "SpongeBob SquarePants" Nickelodeon animated shorts; early 2000s)
• Attack of the Giant Vulture (found Nickelodeon short film; 1998)
• Balinese Slapping Fish (found Nickelodeon Australia animated short series; 1998)
• Bobby the Lizard Boy (found Nickelodeon animated short; 2000)
• Eddie Retractorhead (partially lost Nickelodeon UK animated short series; 2008)
• Gordon Bleugh! (found Nickelodeon animated short series; early 2000s)
• The Hopkins (lost Nickelodeon Australia animated short series; 2005)
• ICarly at the 2008 Kids Choice Awards (found Nickelodeon promotional short web series; 2008)
• Leader Dog (partially lost Nickelodeon animated short series; 2004)
• Making Fiends (partially lost promotional shorts for Nickelodeon animated series based on web series; 2008)
• Meet The Moores (partially found Nickelodeon UK animated short series; 2002-2003)
• Natalie's Backseat Traveling Web Show (partially found Nickelodeon interstitial series; mid-late 1990s)
• 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 Blimp (found Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards animated short; 2005)
• Oh Yeah! Cartoons (found Nickelodeon animated anthology series; 1998-2001)
• Schoolyard Safari (found Nickelodeon animated short series; 2002-2003)
• SpongeBob: Re-Hydrated (partially lost "SpongeBob SquarePants" animated short; 2003)
• Tortellini Western (partially lost Nickelodeon animated short series; 2004)
• A Very Aggressive Vegetable (found Nickelodeon Australia animated short series; 1998)

Bumpers and Promos

• 101% Whizbang! with Henry & June (partially found Nickelodeon channel block; 1999)
• Dora The Explorer Meets George Lopez (found Nick at Nite tie-in commercial of "The George Lopez Show" ABC sitcom; 2008)
• Blood and Guts (partially found Nickelodeon bumpers; 2000s)
• Friday Night Nicktoons (partially found bumpers from Nickelodeon channel block; 2002-2004)
• HaHa Nick (lost Chinese block of Nickelodeon shows; 2005-2007)
• Henry & June's Nicktoon Summer Jam (partially found bumpers of Nickelodeon summer block; 1999-2000)
• 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 lost "Nick at Nite" bumpers from TV channel block; 1985-present)
• Nickelodeon's Historical Firsts (found animated promos from TV channel; 1997)
• Nicktoons Gets Zombified (found Nickelodeon Halloween bumpers; 2011)
• Nicktoon World News (partially found bumpers of Nickelodeon block; 2001)
• SpongeBob's Nicktoon Summer Splash (partially lost bumpers from Nickelodeon channel block; 2000-2001)

Films

• Aaahh!!! Real Monsters (non-existent Nickelodeon TV film; 1998)
• A Day With SpongeBob SquarePants: The Movie (unproduced unauthorized direct-to-DVD mockumentary film; 2011)
• The Electric Piper (found Nickelodeon animated TV film; 2003)
• Hey Arnold! The Jungle Movie (partially found production material of cancelled original adaptation of Nickelodeon animated series film; 2002)
• Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus (lost/unreleased deleted Tak scenes of film based on Nickelodeon animated series; 2018-2019)
• Rugrats Go Wild (partially found original 90 minute cut of Nickelodeon animated crossover film; 2003)
• The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (partially found deleted scenes of film based on Nickelodeon animated series; 2004)

Game Shows

• BrainSurge (partially lost Nickelodeon game show; 2009-2014)
• Double Dare (partially found Australian adaptation of Nickelodeon game show; 1989-1992)
• Double Dare (partially lost Nickelodeon game show; 1986-1993)
• Family Double Dare (partially found spin-off of Australian adaptation of Nickelodeon game show; 1989)
• Figure It Out (partially found episode of Nickelodeon game show; 1998)
• Friday Night Slimetime (partially found Nickelodeon game show; 2005-2006)
• Gamefarm (partially lost Nickelodeon GAS game show; 2003)
• Legends of the Hidden Temple (lost Pit of Despair incident footage from unaired final round/episode of Nickelodeon game show; 1994)
• Legends of the Hidden Temple (partially found original consolation plugs from Nickelodeon game show; 1993-1995)
• Nick Arcade (found Nickelodeon game show; 1992)
• Nick Arcade (partially found original consolation prize plugs from Nickelodeon game show; 1992)
• Nickelodeon Splat! (partially found Nickelodeon game show; 2004)
• Slime Time Live (partially found Nickelodeon game show; 2000-2004)
• SuperNick (partially found Nickelodeon Netherlands game show; 2007-2011)
• SuperNick op De Stoep Bij... (partially found Nickelodeon Netherlands sports show; 2007-2008)
• Webheads (partially lost Nickelodeon game show; 2014–2015)

Inaugural Series

• America Goes Bananaz (partially found Nickelodeon variety series; 1977-1980)
• By The Way (partially found inaugural Nickelodeon series; 1979-1980)
• Nickel Flicks (lost inaugural Nickelodeon series; 1979)
• Pinwheel (partially found Nickelodeon educational puppet series; 1977-1990)
• Pocket Money (non-existent inaugural Nickelodeon series; 1979)
• Video Comics (partially found inaugural Nickelodeon series; 1979-1981)

Live Action

• The Adventures of Pete & Pete (partially found original versions of Nickelodeon live-action comedy series episodes; 1991-1993)
• All That (partially lost Nickelodeon sketch comedy series; 1994-2005)
• Beyond Belief!! (partially found Nickelodeon documentary series; 1992-1994)
• Bing! The Sound of Something New (partially lost Nickelodeon magazine TV series; 1995)
• Cartoon Lost and Found (found live-action/animated Nick at Nite special; 1990)
• Cousin Skeeter (partially lost Nickelodeon live-action/puppet series; 1998-2001)
• Drake & Josh (partially found widescreen version of Nickelodeon sitcom episodes; 2004-2007)
• Innie & Outie (found live-action Nickelodeon short film; 1996)
• Just For Kicks (found Nickelodeon live-action comedy-drama series; 2006)
• 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)
• The Nick at Nite Holiday Special (found musical comedy Christmas special; 2003)
• 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)
• Noah Knows Best (partially lost English audio of Nickelodeon sitcom; 2000-2001)
• Reggie Jackson's World of Sports (partially found Nickelodeon sports series; 1981-1982)
• U to U (partially found Nickelodeon interactive series; 1994-1996)
• Vic's Vacant Lot (partially found ESPN/Nickelodeon sports series; 1982-1985)

Pilots

• 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 Angry Beavers "Cuffed Together" (non-existent second pilot of Nickelodeon animated series; early-mid 1990s)
• Bad Seeds (found pitch pilot of "Harvey Beaks" Nickelodeon animated series; 2013)
• The Barnyard (found original test pitch of Nickelodeon CGI animated series; 1999)
• Big Beast Quintet (lost Nickelodeon animated pilot; 1990)
• Brand New Day (partially found pitch pilot of "Big Time Rush" Nickelodeon musical comedy series; 2007)
• Camp Nick (partially found Nickelodeon game show pilot; mid-1990s)
• Catscratch (found animated pitch of Nickelodeon animated series; 2004)
• The Crowville Chronicles (partially found Nickelodeon animated pilot; 1990)
• Curbside (found Nickelodeon animated pilot; 1999)
• Drake & Josh (partially found pitch pilot of Nickelodeon sitcom; 2002)
• Double Dare (partially found test pilot for Nickelodeon game show; 1986)
• Figure it Out (partially found pitch pilot of Nickelodeon game show; 1990s)
• Generation Gap (partially found Nickelodeon game show pilot; early 1990s)
• Gibby (found pitch pilot of cancelled spin-off of "iCarly" Nickelodeon teen sitcom; 2012)
• Go For It (lost Nickelodeon game show pilot; early 1990s)
• Hey Arnold! (found pitch pilot of Nickelodeon animated series; 1994)
• Humongous (lost pilot of Nickelodeon game show; early 1990s)
• I Don't Think So (partially found Nickelodeon game show pilot; 1994)
• Invader Zim (lost 3D animation test sequence from Nickelodeon animated series pilot; 1999)
• KaBlam! "The Henry and June Show" (found spin-off pilot of Nickelodeon animated series; 2000)
• Kappa Mikey (found pitch pilots of Nickelodeon animated series; 2004)
• Morph Sports (partially found Nickelodeon game show pilot; 1995-1996)
• Mr. Meaty "In Parker's Sight" (partially lost pitch pilot of Nickelodeon puppet series; 2005)
• 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 (partially found Nickelodeon animated pitch pilots; 2012)
• Rocket Beach (found pitch pilot of "Rocket Power" Nickelodeon animated series; 1998)
• Roundhouse (partially found pitch pilot of Nickelodeon comedy series; 1991)
• Slime Survivor (partially found Nickelodeon game show pilot; 2000)
• The Thundermans (partially lost pitch pilot of Nickelodeon live-action comedy series; 2012)
• Tooned In! (partially found Nickelodeon game show pilot; 1998)
• Trash (lost Nickelodeon stop-motion animated pilot; 1990)
• Video Dream Theater (lost Nickelodeon animated pilots; 1979)
• The Weasel Patrol (partially found Nickelodeon animated pilot; 1990)
• Who Knew? (partially found Nickelodeon game show pilot; 1998)
• The Wild Thornberrys (found pilot of Nickelodeon animated series; 1998)

Other

• 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!" spin-off series; 2001-2002)
• Adventures in Wonder Park (partially lost 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)
• 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)
• Danny Phantom (partially found original opening title sequence of Nickelodeon animated series; 2003)
• Got Chocolate Milk? (found "SpongeBob SquarePants" animated tie-in commercial; 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)
• Invader Zim (partially found production material of cancelled episodes of Nickelodeon animated series; 2001-2002)
• KaBlam! "Episode 29" (non-existent episode of Nickelodeon animated series; 1998)
• KaBlam! "Just Chillin" (found final episode of Nickelodeon animated series; 2000)
• KaBlam! "KaFun!" (found episode of Nickelodeon animated series; 1999)
• 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)
• Nickelodeon Japan (partially found various final sign-off footage of Japanese TV channel; 2009)
• Nickelodeon Launch Box (partially lost educational series; 1991-1994)
• 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 event; 1990)
• PopClips (partially found Nickelodeon music video TV series; 1980-1981)
• Prometheus and Bob (lost various material of "KaBlam!" Nickelodeon stop-motion animated series; late 1990s)
• The Ren & Stimpy Show (non-existent unused Kurt Cobain song for Nickelodeon animated series; 1990)
• The Ren & Stimpy Show "Man's Best Friend" (found banned episode of Nickelodeon animated series; 1992)
• Robot and Monster (partially found unaired/unfinished episodes of Nickelodeon animated series; 2012-2013)
• Rugrats: A Live Adventure (partially found footage of musical adaptation of Nickelodeon animated series; 1998-2000)
• Rugrats "Incredible" (partially lost storyboard jam comic of Nickelodeon animated series; 1998)
• SpongeBob SquarePants (partially lost deleted scenes of Nickelodeon animated series; 1999-present)
• SpongeBob SquarePants "Behind Closed Doors" (partially found storyboard jam comic of Nickelodeon animated series; 2000s)
• SpongeBob SquarePants "Sailor Mouth" (lost uncensored version of Nickelodeon animated series episode; 2001)
• SpongeBob SquarePants "Shanghaied/You Wish" (found alternate "Patchy the Pirate" segments of Nickelodeon animated series special; 2001)
• 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)
• Weinerville (partially lost Nickelodeon variety puppet series; 1993-1997)

External Links

• Andrew Barrett's portfolio page of the movie.
• Direct link to Andrew Barrett's SoundCloud playlist of several music pieces.