|
[ 33 1/3 PICTURES ]
33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee is something that I think most people will honestly say was one of the worst things The Monkees ever did. Even the most dedicated of fans will admit that this TV special does no justice for The Monkees, and makes them uncomfortable to watch it. They should feel this way. This television special was, for the most part, abysmally awful. The quality alone of the cinematography and set was bad because of a strike at NBC. They had to film this in a quickly assembled make-shift studio. The plot of the special is a drug-trip at best. It makes no sense, it is not enjoyable, nor is it meaningful. It's a cruel and deranged, ironically continuing to abuse The Monkees and depriving them of their creative control, in the most obvious, overt way. It literally both took away the Monkees creative control in the production of this show, as well portraying that in the plot itself which shows The Monkees as helpless puppets under the control of their creators. The Monkees are mocked as the victims of their television creation, and either because they were so drugged up or contractually obligated, I don't know, they went along with this. And if all this is done sarcasticly and tongue-in-cheek, the depressing overtones certainly make that hard to figure out. But besides the morality of it all, this is simply one of the most poorly put together, tasteless, chaotic, ugly, disturbing peices of music and television I have ever seen. In short, this is one of the greatest anti-drug films ever made: show this to your friends who use, and tell them this could happen to them. They'll stop. 33 1/3 is something many of us who have been exposed to want to repress our deeply in our memory. Some of us accept it. And still, even fewer adore it, and adhere to it as a cult following: very few. But within all its horror, the special actually has some very notable scenes and aspects of it that are worth exploring. It has some appealling Monkees songs with corresponding psychedelic song romps. It has surprising guest appearances, like Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, and Brian Auger and Julie Driscoll [God knows what they were smoking to want to do this]. It has "I'm A Believer" sung R&B. The movie is definately memorable. Do we want to remember it? You decide. Honestly, part of the reason I'm doing making this now is it's part of the healing process since having this damn thing enter my life.
33 1/3 In Depth [Note: Because I would actually have to watch 33 1/3 again, possibly on repeat, to record much of this information in accurately, this analyzation does not claim to be the least bit accurate.] 33 1/3 starts with this really weird looking woman with some god awful make-up, Julie Driscoll of The Trinity, biting into an apple and saying "I Am Womannnnnnnn..." Yeah. Don't ask. This is followed by Brian Auger, also of The Trinity, making some weird comments, and then biting the apple as well. They talk about controlling the Monkees then and then controlling the world, and then there's like this psychedelic organ that looks like Janis Joplin's car, and Charles Darwin enters the scene. I'm not really sure of this right now, I know I could watch this again and figure it out. If you want, watch it yourself, but somehow I doubt anyone will watch this more than necessary. Anyway, the whole beginning of the special starts with this drug-induced scene of a recreation of The Fall [Julie and Brian as Adam and Eve], and the entrance of Charles Darwin. Have I mentioned there's a monkey? Or some kind of ape or gorilla. And it's my theory that despite this TV special's basic lack of plot, which you'll see more later, that part of this special was somehow a Creationism vs. Evolution debate. Again, don't ask. But note they once again have used The Monkees to spread their own message and plot in a TV show. Why Creationism Vs. Darwinism? I don't know. Why ask why at this point in time? Anyway, eventually they capture The Monkees and put them in Star Trek tubes, and tell them they are controlled, although Julie Driscoll tells them they still have control over their minds... Freaky. Like the drugs weren't scaring them enough. I seriously wouldn't show this to small children. But this is where their "fantasies" begin, and this is the most interesting part of the TV special, in my opinion. Micky Dolenz's Fantasy: Singing "I'm A Believer" R&B With Julie Driscoll
Well, if this is Micky Dolenz's fantasy, I am sorry Micky, I can not fullfill it. Well, this scene took me a while to get. Although there's nothing to get, really; it just takes an aquired taste, to say the least. An aquired taste you may never require. Ever. You have to get over the fact that Julie Driscoll looks like satan here [sorry, Julie, I'm sure you're really beautiful in real life], and that seeing her psychotic face with the strange eye make-up would not make anyone a Believer. You have to get used to this version of the song, and stop telling yourself it's weird or "not how it should be sung". You have to get over that you have voluntarily gotten this far into the special. Once you get over all this, and begin to not take it very seriously, you can actually really get into Micky singing this song, and just laugh hysterically at Julie. Really. You should seriously listen to Micky Dolenz's commentary on this thing though. I have, but not all the way through, because I don't own it, my friends do... But he really does justice to it. About like I am. He is so FUNNY. Micky's commentary. Do it. Peter Tork's Fantasy: Strange Eastern Meditation Rite Sorry, Peter, there must be something better to call this scene; but I can't figure it out. Micky's commentary on this was also hysterical. Not that I can remember it right now. So, we see Peter in some strange harem, harem girls, strange lighting, too much of this gauze stuff that I suppose is supposed to be sexy or something, and Peter sitting at some sort of throne... or cage. Not sure. He's singing "Prithee: Do Not Ask For Love Once More" though. You know, "Prithee", is one of the great unreleased Monkees songs: but Micky really does a better job on it. I mean, I can see why they would choose this song for Peter, but... it's called vocal training. It is really too bad though they never released any version of this song though. I mean, in the 06's. It's really somewhat sad to see this whole thing. Peter seems to be rather abused and broken hearted in his world. Maybe this is all a stereotype of what everyone thinks Peter is... or maybe it's the truth? But, next, we have... Michael Nesmith's Fantasy: Western Cowboy Personality Complex Yeah, this is pretty much the coolest thing I have ever seen. I haven't said it yet, but it's really this scene that makes 33 1/3 at all tolerable to watch. And, oh, it does. It has been said that I am Michael Nesmith. And this scene is us. Michael Nesmith demonstrates both his undeniable role conflict and its constant stressor, and the fact that Michael can not be quiet, can not be passive, and can not be... sane. He's always trying to write/right wrongs at a hundred miles per hour with conflicting dichotomous means and measures. Complete with social commentary all the way. I honestly think this says a lot about Michael. Imagine that, The Monkees do something that reflects an aspect of themselves... Imagine. Here is Michael, the psychotic, neurotic, intense, brilliant cowboy in conflict with everything he is. And he talks to himself. Brilliant. Positively brilliant. So, the exaggerated cowboy-barbie-doll Michael sits next to the fast talking scheming, dealing, business-suited Michael [can we say Dallas?]. Collectively, they sing "Naked Persimmon". And I've taken the effort to show you these lyrics. Because I care. Oh, so much.
"Naked Persimmon"
FAST TALKING: Well, the devil incarnate was runnin' music supervison
INTERUPTED BY COWBOY DOLL SIGNING SLOWLY:
FAST TALKING:
Well, tell me Mr. TV Man Absolutely amazing. Oh, and Michael gets shot. Because, he has to be morbid. Doesn't he. I suppose this is where we differ. And what the hell is a rugulator? Davy Jones's Fantasy: Guiltless Childhood Daydreams While Michael is trying very fast to take over the world, or at least sing about it, Davy is wanting to flee from his responsibilities and the entire real world as we know it, and go to a guiltless childhood dream-like fantasy. Goo goo, ga ga. Yes, this is davy. Or is it? I do really feel this does express a lot about Davy though. At first I thought this scene was very innocent, however. Yes, why not? Davy is in this trippy scene where he's dancing around with story-book characters, in an all red room, singing this euphismistic song, "Goldilocks Sometime". Although the red did scare me a little. Davy is dressed as a little boy. And does he ever look young. So, "Goldilocks Sometime" I first interpreted to be about fearing responsibility and wanting to live in this world of his imagination. Then I began to suddenly see it as the "Look Out: Here Comes Tomorrow" complex: Davy wants to hook up with all these chicks-- Goldilocks, Little Red Ridding Hood, Cinderella, etc, and not have to deal with the responsibility of it, and drop them whenever he wants. Think about it. "Goldilocks Somtime"
"Alice in Wonderland I'm really sick of this attitude in men. Seriously.
Anyway... That concludes my in depth analyzation, and caring of this TV special in any way. Some more stuff happens of course. Eventually The Monkees do this "wind-up doll" scene where this intoxicatingly hypnotic song plays that will haunt you in your sleep, "I'm a wind-up man... fully automatic something... Turn me on..." So, you see the Monkees dressed like wind-up dolls, controlled again. As if seeing them in blush wasn't scary enough. Again, kids, don't do drugs. Then you see the Monkees dressed up as monkeys. This is so touching. This is the scene that insults my viewing capabilities. I want to cry when I think that the people involved with them had to spend even a second more of their time doing this than I had to watching it. Now, just to reiterate... in case you don't know what I'm talking about or don't believe me... This is what I'm talking about:
Just to make sure we're on the same page here. How was this sold to the network? No... Really? How? I want to know. Eventually Fats Domino, Little Richard, and Jerry Lee Lewis appear though. And the Clara Ward singers, and some other people who must not be in the actors union. Buddy Miles Express, Paul Arnold and The Moon Express, We Three... The Monkees are dressed up like the 1950's complete with their hair slicked back, which only adds more to one of my most compelling points the 1950's tells us: you can look bad at *any* age, even if you're young and attractive. And the Monkees are all singing with these soul wonders, many of their original songs. And I'm glad I wasn't there. Meg has delved into some meaning during this part, although I never have. But, then again, I don't like the 1950's. "This skit is like saying the 1950s never happened, or mattered. These legends of rock, Jerry Lee, Fats, etc. apparently DON'T MATTER. We don't need the originals to perform when we have the freakin MONKEES to do the hits of your generation." I never saw it this way, because I really thought they were all so intoxicated no one really knew what was going on or had any purpose or intention behind having The Monkees sing these 1950's hits with their original masters. However, perhaps that's generous of me. An interesting point during this fifties song romp though is that I have reason to believe Reine, Peter's girlfriend, was playing the drums in the background. Check out this picture from psycho jello. I'm not really sure about this. But just the thought she is is such a turn on, it's so damn cool. I love Reine. Oh, I love Reine.
sleepyjeangrl: I have reason to belive Reine is there, playing the drums. I forgot to add, at some point in time in the special there are these "interpretative dancers". It's right when you find yourself asking if there is a God or not. It could have been before or after the adorementioned scenes: but, the order doesn't matter. They are wearing these full body leotards with strange symbols on them related to their genders [ugh], dancing behind one of those "blue screens", which on TV is psychedelic and interpretative backgrounds behind their dance/mating ritual/we-wish-we-didn't-do-these-drugs dance. There is this tribal drum-beat music along with all of this, aggitating on some levels, and hypnotizing on others. To just to be really annoying, I would like to point out that if we go back to our earlier concept [okay, my earlier concept] that this is a Creationism Vs. Darwinism debate, these dancers represent represent primordial soup, and the beginning of evolution. They also represent procreation. It's really what you wanted to see when you turn on "The Monkees"... Eventually The Monkees find themselves in this barren rubbish filled room, while Peter, unphased by this whole thing, plays "Toccata in D". And then, Davy, sings affectionately "String For My Kite". Davy, I hope you get that string. I really do. Then there's chaos. There's a lot of chaos. Some people might call it "psychedelic". Others might call it "no script, no plot, no actor's union". Still, others might call it "apocolypse". But most wouldn't call it anything, because they would have already changed the channel to something less mind numbing, like the at-home shopping channel. Through out all of this merges an abused version of "Listen To The Band". God help me, Michael. God help me. This all ends strangely abruptly with a butterfly emerging and the choas being closed into the pages of a large, leather bound book. Shut. There is utter silence. And I guess that's the end. Life as we know it. God, or Evolution. The Monkees. A lot of dreams and fantasies and role conflict and totaliarianism. Rock and roll. Then, total chaos. And then, the end. Total silence. Peace, silence, a beautiful book, and a butterfly. That is, until it's interupted by a dark, satanic voice saying, "... The end... the end... the end...!" and Peter Tork's beautiful *cough* singing to the credits of the show, "California here it comes, right back where it started from... This is the end... This is end... " Don't you all feel warm and cozy inside?
|
