The Monkees: Season 1
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Movie Reviews of The Monkees: Season 1
Movie Review: The Monkees First Season Done Right!
Summary: 5 Stars
This DVD boxset of the Monkees' TV series first season is beautifully designed to resemble an old carry-around record player from the 1960's, which I actually owned at one time, even showing the record speeds at 33, 45 and 78 rpms! The six discs are packaged in cardboard replicas of some of the original Monkees 45 picture sleeves, including a few import sleeves, a very cool touch from Rhino. The only problem I see with them is that the DVDs might tend to slip out too easily from the sleeves and get damaged, so I'd advise everyone who buys the set to be careful how they handle the discs. The booklet has some photos and interesting information on the Monkees first season, but it's very thin and not nearly as nice and colorful as the booklet from the VHS version of the box set of the entire series.
A sampling of some of the shows on DVD has them in pristine condition, the best I've ever seen them. There are special audio commentaries spread out on some of the episodes on the discs by Bob Rafelson, Michael Nesmith, Davy Jones and Peter Tork. (I guess Micky Dolenz was too busy to comment on some of the episodes, a pity, would have loved to hear what he thought of 'Monkees at the Circus'. Maybe he'll record some commentaries when Season 2 is released on DVD.)
The sixth disc has the most bonus material, including the 16mm version of the original Monkees pilot with Boyce & Hart singing the songs, an interview by Bobby Hart, a gallery of photos and rare memorabilia, audio commentary by Mike and Peter on the 'Monkees on Tour' episode, and original Monkees commercials, though some of the commercials looked like they came from video dupes, a pity Rhino couldn't seem to find original film sources.
Overall, this is an excellent presentation of the first season of the Monkees, beautifully produced and packaged. Hopefully, Season 2 on DVD will be just as handsomely produced. Suggestions I'd make to Rhino for the Second Season box set is to definitely include the '33 & 1/3' TV special (and please Rhino, marry the better video picture from the VHS box set with the better sound of the single tape release of the special), the 1976 'Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart' special, the 1997 'Hey Hey, It's The Monkees' TV special, the Rhino produced 'Hey Hey, We're The Monkees' documentary, some of the Monkees rare late 1960's TV appearances, like Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell, Hollywood Squares and others, more rare commercials, including the Kool Aid commercials, which were the last things Nesmith did with the Monkees before he quit.
Also, if any rare outtakes exist from the show, they must be included, and get commentaries on some of the episodes from all four Monkees, I definitely want to hear Micky's commentary on 'The Frodis Caper', the episode he directed. What would also be nice would be to include the videos the Monkees did in the 1980's for 'That Was Then, This Is Now', 'Heart & Soul', 'Every Step Of The Way', and the 'Justus' videos as well. Rhino should make the second box set as complete as possible, with a thicker booklet filled with rare photos and show information to make it appealing to the fans. If the second season box set comes out by Christmas, I definitely want to see it under my tree.
Kudos to Rhino for putting together a really great DVD set that does justice to the first season of the Monkees TV series.
Movie Review: Monkee Business
Summary: 5 Stars
The Monkees television program was created to capitalize on the success of The Beatles' movies. The show was based on the Fab Four's A Hard Day's Night and the idea was to bring rock and roll into primetime for the large teenage audience. The show cast four unknowns, Mickey Dolenz, Mike Nesmith, Davy Jones & Peter Tork, to play themselves. The show was produced by Bob Rafelson (who also directed several episodes) and Bert Schneider and they wanted to create a madcap, quick paced show. The show's plots were pretty simple, usually revolving around Davy falling in love with a girl and the group foiling someone's evil schemes. The way that the show was put together that was extremely inventive. It didn't follow standard television scene shooting by filming an entire scene on a single set. The scenes would feature images spliced in and out, quick camera movement from one character to the next, freeze frames, inserting images like light bulbs over someone's head and humorous captions. The shows also feature what would become known as Monkee romps. These were set to the Monkees' songs and were basically promotional clips for the songs. They were the forerunners of music videos and that is probably why MTV featured Monkees episodes in 1986 and helped spur a new Monkeemania wave in the mid 80's. The Monkees each assumed their own identities, Davy was the handsome one, Mike was the leader, Mickey was the silly one and Peter was the dumb one. Each actor was quite believable, so believable that the public thought they were an actual group and the success of the music helped pave the way for a Monkees tour. The show had an anarchic sense of humor and the guys never took themselves too seriously on screen. It's this loose feel that helps keep the show fresh (although the clothes and phrases are 60's all the way) even today. The show was a moderate success in the ratings, but it was a big success with the critics. It won the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series (an award also bestowed on shows like Cheers, All In The Family, Friends and The Mary Tyler Moore Show) for the 1966-67 season and James Frawley won for Outstanding Director for a comedy series as well. Rhino, as they have done in the past with Monkees material, has done a masterful job in packaging this six-dvd set. The packaging is like an old record player and the disks are encased in what look like old 45 record sleeves. Each episode contains a trivia section that can be accessed on the episode screen (the trivia section is quite comprehensive as it gives some background info on the episode, bio information on guest stars, use of music and other interesting tidbits) and can be played in 5.1 surround sound which makes each episode sound crisp and clean. Each episode is presented in its original format, with all the original songs included (the shows in reruns, both during their original reruns during the show's summer hiatus and when they appeared on Saturday morning contained newer songs used to promote new releases) and even with the Kellogg's and Black Label sponsors shown over the closing credits. This dvd set a first rate set and a welcomed one as it helps preserve one of the great shows from the 60's and an underrated program that was highly influential (shows like Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In copied the show's style) and highly entertaining.Movie Review: Can you dig it?
Summary: 5 Stars
The Monkees TV program ran for two seasons, combining comedy and music, to present a unique view of the 60's pop culture, focusing on the adventures of an aspiring Southern California band. Wacky, unconventional, spontaneous, outrageous, irreverent, and fun, are just a few of the adjectives that could be used to describe the world of the Monkees. Then as now, the reasons for this program's appeal, lies with their music, and the intrinsic charm, and talent of the members of the group. Modeled on the Beatles' film, A Hard Days Night, the Monkees won an Emmy for best comedy program, in its first season.Circumstances brought together relative unknowns, Mickey Dolenz, Peter Tork, Davy Jones, and Mike Nesmith, to play roles as members of a rock group. Who could predict the phenomenon that this fortuitous casting would come to produce? Transcending their TV roles to become a "real" band, writing and playing their own music, achieving worldwide success, and turning fiction into fact.
Much has been said about the Monkees' music, which originally consisted of their vocals being recorded over music played by studio musicians. As the original concept was for a fictitious rock group, this approach to music making was a most natural one. Top songwriters were recruited to pen material for the group. "Manufactured" or not, their fans didn't care, and the results are hard to argue with, as the Monkees had a string of hits produced in just this matter. A fact that irks critics immensely. Season one's final episode, which shows the events taking placing before an actual Monkee concert, provides real insight into their lives, and has three separate commentary tracks as well.
The DVD set is not inexpensive, and served up in one 32 episode dose, is a bit too much for the casual fan. This is one set that is definitely for the true fan, with material running over 13 hours. The transfers are very good, with just a few signs of deterioration. Commentary tracks by Peter, Davy, Mike, director Bob Rafelson, and songwriter Bobby Hart, provide different insights into selected episodes. Unfortunately, there is no commentary from the "voice of the Monkees", Mickey Dolenz.
The extras are only semi satisfying, and could have been much better and more comprehensive. A retrospective documentary, where we could hear from the guys, and see them as they look today, would have been great. The closest we get, is Bobby Hart's recollection of events. For those interested in reading rather obscure, often inane trivia, such is provided for each episode. Some discs as an extra, feature a compilation of the musical "romps" from the episodes on the disc. Better than nothing, but just barely.
Many have commented on the "creative" packaging of the set, in which the six discs are inserted into album sleeves, and placed into a cardboard box resembling a portable phonograph. It's all very cute, but not the most practical design for long term storage. Expect something similar for Season 2.
The Monkees remind us of a time, when life seemed much simpler, with an idealistic perspective that never gets too heavy or into the dark side of life. While the number of episodes may overwhelm some, true fans rejoice and eagerly await Season 2. Can you dig it?
Movie Review: Cutting-edge 60s sitcom.
Summary: 5 Stars
My dad didn't install an outdoor TV antenna on our house, until the spring of '69. So, our family was stuck watching shows on CBS until then, since we couldn't pick-up other networks 'til the antenna was installed. As a result, I had to watch the "Monkees" on Saturday mornings, when they were in re-runs on CBS, starting in 1968.
The "Monkees" was a cutting-edge sitcom for its time. The 60s were a new era in pop-culture, television included. So, the "Monkees" fit right in to the new generational zeitgeist, that took over America during the mid-60s.
The show was meant to be a spoof of a rock-band, who lived together in a cool beach house. The "Monkees" were 4 young, good-looking dudes on-the-loose. They never had to answer to any authority figures, such as parents, teachers, etc. That factor alone, made them popular with their youthful viewer-ship. And this was a show aimed right at the under-22 demographic, during the swinging 60s.
The "Monkees" consisted of Mike Nesmith on guitar, Peter Tork on bass, Mickey Dolenz as their drummer, and Davey Jones as their lead-singer (a role he shared with Mickey Donlenz). It was always fun to watch their zany, Marx-brothers-like brand of slap-stick antics. They had a wonderful, on-screen chemistry going on between them all. Instead of relying on funny dialog, the "Monkees" series ran on the strength of the group's highly energetic performances. Each episode revolved around the group getting into hilarious misadventures, but coming-out unscathed in the end.
The group also performed their hit songs in every episode. Most of the "Monkees" songs were written by some very talented composers, including Neil Diamond, and Boyce & Hart. And so, the Monkees had many chart-topping hits during the 60s.
Some have said that the "Monkees" were an insignificant part of the 60s music scene. I disagree. Their show was the early template that paved the way for later sitcoms about rock music, such as the Partridge Family. Most importantly, the "Monkees" series was pioneering, since it linked the concept of visual performances set to pop music. Without this show, there probably never would've been MTV.
As for me, I really looked forward to my sugar-laden bowl of cereal, while watching the "Monkees" every Saturday morning as a youngster. Both the cereal, and the show, always got me stoked with plenty of energy!
Movie Review: Best DVD box set that won't fit on your shelf
Summary: 5 Stars
I give Rhino credit, they did an outstanding job on this set. The episodes look great and the commentaries were excellent. I was very pleased to see Nez comment on a couple of episodes since he is so often absent from modern Monkee projects. Both Nez and Peter give some nice insight to the Monkees on Tour episode. It would have been great to hear all four comment on the craziness of touring, but that is a minor gripe.Listening to Peter's commentary my wife noted that "Peter doesn't really like Mike does he?". Like his commentary from Daydream Believers, Peter is often out front with his assessment of Nez.
David also has some nice commentary and he seems to really enjoy watching and remembering the show. Actually they all seem to enjoy it and you can feel the pride in the work they did.
Sadly Dolenz isn't involved in any commentary. Apparently he was unavailable which is too bad because his commentary on the VH1 Daydream Believers was a riot. He really needs to comment on Frodis in season two, even if Rhino has to hold the set up to get him.
The photo gallery, which I expect many will skip over contains some very cool scans, including "grading" sheets of many that tried out for the show. Some interesting tidbits come out of this including the fact that not only did a number of females try out, but at least one was seriously considered and apparently turned it down because she didn't want to commit to a series.
As for season two, like many I hope Rhino includes 33 1/3 in addition to the 80's and 90's music videos. I guess while we are dreaming, one of the concerts (Billboard Live) with all four guys would be perfect. Then there is the ABC reunion special. Yeah, I know I can only dream. I imagine if we don't get these items tagged onto the season two box we never will. Now is a good time to write Rhino and ask (or beg).
As for the actual packaging. As many have mentioned it is modeled after a 1960's phonograph and looks very cool. The problem is it won't match any other boxed DVD set you have, nor will it fit well on your DVD shelf. "No big deal" I say, let's just stick it with The Monkees CD's. Not so fast, it's too big for that shelf. So I give Rhino 5 stars for creativity and take back half a star for the impractical nature of the box. I imagine the stores that sell these things will find the odd size annoying also.