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Taking its stylistic cues from the Richard Lester-directed Beatles films A Hard Day's Night and Help!, The Monkees offered good-natured musical anarchy like no situation comedy before or since. Producers Bob Rafelson and Bert Schneider (Easy Rider), primary director James Frawley (The Muppet Movie, Grey's Anatomy) and writers including Treva Silverman (The Mary Tyler Moore Show) and Paul Mazursky (Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice) saw that the fast-paced, fictional adventures of The Monkees - named Davy, Micky, Peter and Michael as in reality - were never, ever boring. So successful was the series out of the gate that it picked up two 1967 Emmy Awards - for Outstanding Comedy Series and for Frawley's inventive direction.
Over the course of just two seasons presented over the course of seven Blu-ray discs, the group found themselves thrust into various locales. The boys were placed smack in the middle of the Cold War thanks to a pair of "red" maracas (Episode 5: "The Spy Who Came in from the Cool"), faced off with mad scientists (Episode 18: "I Was a Teenage Monkee", thieving gypsies (Episode 16: "Son of a Gypsy") and a bandit (Episode 33: "It's a Nice Place to Visit"), searched for pirate's booty (Episode 40: "Monkees Marooned") and fought an evil wizard played by confetti king Rip Taylor (Episode 58: "Mijacogeo - The Frodis Caper"). The Monkees established the personas of its lead actor/characters reflective of reality, albeit in exaggerated form: Davy the irresistible heartthrob, Micky the showbiz overachiever, Peter the loveable goofball, and Mike the amusingly sarcastic, wool hat-wearing wise-cracker.
The four lads weren't alone. An eclectic "who's who" of famous names popped up on the series, including Stan Freberg (Episode 3: "Monkee vs. Machine"), Alice's Vic Tayback (three appearances beginning with Episode 4: "Your Friendly Neighborhood Kidnappers"), Rose Marie (a pair of appearances including Episode 7: "Monkees in a Ghost Town"), future Company and Merrily We Roll Along author George Furth (two appearances beginning with Episode 13: "One Man Shy (Peter and the Debutante)"), Julie Newmar (Episode 29: "Monkees Get Out More Dirt"), teen idol Bobby Sherman (Episode 31: "Monkees at the Movies"), Hans Conried (Episode 51: "The Monkees' Paw") and Frank Zappa (Episode 57: "Monkees Blow Their Mind").
Each zany episode naturally features musical sequences, beginning with the debut broadcast's "This Just Doesn't Seem to Be My Day" and "Take a Giant Step." These were rendered as proto-music video style "romps" that often stood on their own outside of the individual episodes' storylines. (Hence, some episodes had alternate songs edited into rerun broadcasts, a handful of which are included on this set.) "Monkees on Tour" (Episode 32) features actual concert excerpts, filmed primarily on January 21, 1967 in Arizona with additional footage possibly lensed in San Francisco the following evening. If Monkeemania seemed to be over as quickly as it began (the television show only survived two seasons), the group's music never left the popular consciousness.
The 1080p 1:34:1 transfer of The Monkees for this new Blu-ray presentation is nothing short of excellent. The rich detail and vivid colors on display here far exceed the quality of any past home video presentation. Given the age of the elements, it's unsurprising that there a few blemishes, but the few video issues are minor. This is a spectacular-looking release, through and through. Audio quality is equally strong on the original mono soundtracks for both dialogue and of course, the music - supplied by such legends as Carole King and Gerry Goffin, Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, Jeff Barry, Neil Diamond, Harry Nilsson, David Gates, Tim Buckley and the Monkees themselves.
Numerous bonus features have been carried over from the prior DVD releases including commentary tracks; this means that even the late Davy Jones can be heard reminiscing on "Hitting the High Seas," "Too Many Girls" and "Royal Flush." (All four Monkees are heard across the various commentaries.) Each disc also has a helpful Song Index for quick navigation to one's favorite "romps." The counterculture cult classic Head is presented on Disc Eight seemingly in an identical 1080p transfer to that used on the Criterion Collection's stellar 2010 release. Coveted Head outtakes can be found on Disc Ten, which is exclusive to this collection. 33-1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee, a psychedelic extension of Head which first aired in April 1969, is included on Disc 9. Take note that the brief snippet of Jerry Lee Lewis' "Whole Lot of Shakin' Going On" has been excised from the special due to issues with the song's publisher.
Although certain items initially announced for inclusion on the set proved to be unavailable, there are countless treasures to be found on Disc Ten, the exclusive bonus disc. Screen tests of Peter Tork, Micky Dolenz and would-be Monkee Dallas Williams are a fun treat, as are the camera tests featuring various permutations of actual and hopeful Monkees performing the same scene over and over. The disc is chockablock with commercials for Kool-Aid, Kellogg's cereal and Yardley's aftershave, television appearances from The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour, The Johnny Cash Show, Laugh-In, and Music Bag (some of these are edited), "Rerun Versions" of songs, promotional films, NBC promos, outtakes, and oddities like the "(Theme From) Los Monkees" plus the original unaired pilot version of "Here Come the Monkees," backstage footage from the 1967 Emmy Awards and an insert filmed for the U.K.'s Top of the Pops. In total, there's a little under three hours' worth of bonus material on this disc alone, making it the most comprehensive collection of Monkees ephemera currently - or likely to be - available, and all of it is presented in the best quality possible.
In a wonderful touch, The Monkees - The Complete Series has been designed by Rachel Gutek in the format of the ongoing series of Rhino Handmade Monkees albums box sets, so it can take a place on your shelf right next to the sets of The Monkees, The Birds, the Bees and the Monkees, Head, Instant Replay and The Monkees Present. (It's just the tiniest bit taller than those aforementioned sets.) It boasts a lenticular cover, and each of the ten Blu-Ray discs is housed an in illustrated jacket with a protective inner sleeve. A colorful, full-size 38-page booklet contains a listing of the box set's contents including credits and a complete Episode Guide with trivia and more for each episode. Rounding out the set is an exclusive 45 RPM vinyl disc of "Star Collector" and "Goin' Down" decked out in a period sleeve. (Note that the interior cardboard tray within the sturdy exterior box has been prone to damage in shipping due to the weight of the discs. If you ordered a box set and received one with a damaged tray, please contact Rhino for information on obtaining a replacement. While orders are being accepted, all shipments are currently on hold until a solution is reached.)
Producers Andrew Sandoval, John Hughes and Dan Wingate have created a handsome, classy and happily wide-ranging, collector-oriented volume that's unlikely to be bettered. The Good Times! of The Monkees' hit 2016 album truly do just keep on coming!
The Monkees: The Complete Series is available exclusively at Monkees.com!
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Review: The Monkees, "Headquarters: Super Deluxe Edition"
As I understand, there was a problem with the condition of the boxed set's packaging that affected the initial group of boxed sets that were shipped out, causing Rhino to temporarily postpone the shipping of further sets. I didn't order because of this situation. Has it now been resolved?
Hi Phil, Rhino is currently addressing the problem. See the second to last paragraph above for the info we have. Thanks!
Note that the booklet in this set indicated the songs "Good Clean Fun" and "Apples, Peaches, Bananas and Pears" on the first episode in error. The actual alternate audio includes "You Told Me" and "The Girl I Knew Somewhere."
got a kick out of seeing "Uncle Leo" from "Seinfeld", Len Lesser, in an episode.
What were the "certain items initially announced for inclusion on the set (that) proved to be unavailable"?
I forgot that Bobby Sherman appeared in an episode! Micky sold the Moog he played on "Daily Nightly" to Bobby. When The Monkees performed Daily Nightly in concert in 2012, they joked that since Bobby had the Moog they would have to improvise. Mike did exactly that by recreating the synth sounds with his voice! It was hilarious and one of the highlights of the show.
So 33 & 1/3 is incomplete? First I'd heard about it. I find it disengenuous that Rhino didn't disclose this. Is the version on the (still in print) DVDs complete with Jerry Lee Lewis, or is his song snipped on that version too?
Yes, it's a small gripe. But I still think it's a significant one.
Unlikely I'll ever get these blu-rays anyhow. Don't know how quickly it'll sell out, but $200 is pretty steep. If it weren't limited and if it were available at retailers I'd just horde gift cards to Amazon or wherever (I get them pretty often) and get it that way.
I would like to see the show in blu-ray though, and I'd really love to see those Head outtakes and the even longer "Listen to the Band" jam from 33 & 1/3 contained on this set.
The copyright owner simply refused to license the Jerry Lee Lewis segment; there were no negotiations.
Hmm... Really odd the owner would turn down an easy payday. Well, hopefully the (season 2) DVD version is complete. Anyone know?
I've got the DVD. Been a while since I watched it, but I am pretty sure "Shakin'..." is on there. It amounts to about 16 seconds of missing footage on a 10-disc set.
There is ample compensation, however. The bonus 10th disc includes several complete performances from "33 1/3..." that were edited in the final broadcast version. They are labeled "outtakes," but really they represent extended versions of the same takes used in the special. Hands down, the standout is an uncut 12-minute "Listen to the Band" which was later truncated and intercut with parts of a separate take.
Another of my favorite moments on the bonus disc: two complete performances of "Daddy's Song," with Davy in black on one clip and in white in the other, before they were edited together for "Head."
See, that's the stuff I really want to see.
I'm sure the TV series looks great, especially when compared to those horrid prints that have been shown in syndication for decades (anyone who watched the show last summer on IFC knows what I mean), but, for me, those Head and 33 & 1/3 outtakes Re the real treasure trove.
And, yes, I get that cutting Lewis' song is probably less than a minute of the original broadcast. It still seems bizarre that it had to be cut. I seem to recall him really jamming out on his piano, and flashing a grin at the end because he knew he'd nailed it.
I'd like to know if the unaired Monkees pilot is the early uncut pilot and Not the recut version that sold the series.(the early pilot has peter surfing and coming out of the water Mickey putting an out of order sign on parking meter and the Monkees barge into Rudy's record shop in trench coats with guitar cases.. the very first pilot blew the audiences minds and it didn't score too well until, Rafelson and Schneider edited and put in the screen tests of David and Mike and it did mo better. If you can let me know if it's the very early first pilot film I'd be thrilled. mange tak and happy 50 to the Monkees!
I preordered the set, my shipment arrived with the box severely damaged and missing disc 10 (bonus videos). The replacement packaging finally arrived yesterday, but the missing disc 10 is no where in sight. Very disappointed wth Rhino.
Jim
Then maybe I've made the correct decision not ordering the set. I've already got Rhino's two DVD boxed sets of The Monkees' T.V. series. The bonus disc is, for many, the reason to order this set. Quality control (rough handling of the discs or packaging at the factory) has been an issue with Rhino's limited edition 3-CD Monkees sets. My "Instant Replay" 3-CD set had scratches at the metal layer on one disc, though luckily the disc played O.K.
You generally never get all the discs in perfect condition on any of the 3-CD Monkees sets. I had to send out one of the discs from my "Headquarters Sessions" 3-CD set to a disc polishing company for restoration.
Rhino seems to have major quality control issues across the board. Not only these Monkees horror stories, but I hear the same complaints every time Rhino does another Grateful Dead multidisc box set, and even for the quarterly GD "Dave's Picks" releases (which are usually three discs).
Missing, damaged or otherwise defective discs, damaged packaging, even box-cutter slices into the digipaks. "Dr. Rhino" is usually pretty good about taking care of things, but better care upfront is needed.
Thankfully, I've yet to have any problems with Rhino myself, but I agree with Philip that I may just settle for the DVDs. Probably just season two, since I prefer the music, and the madcap trippiness of the show, in season two, and because that's the set that has 33 & 1/3 on it.
Would love to see those outtakes/bonus material though. Bummer.
I preordered my copy a few days after announced last September. I was very lucky and had no damage on the corners nor inside the box where the Blu-Rays were housed at. Also the cover didn't come unglued. Also, all 10 blu-rays were insude, no missing discs
Recently, Rhino's boxed sets seem jinxed. There was incorrect labeling of four discs in the 14-CD set "Yes-Seven Shows From Seventy-Two" (I got the replacement discs from Dr.Rhino).
Then, there's a problem on the stereo layer of two of the discs in Rhino's 9-disc Blu-Ray Audio quadraphonic set "Chicago-Quadio"("Color My World" plays in folded down mono instead of the intended stereo, on two of the discs). I am presently awaiting the mastering and manufacture of replacement discs.
I'm becoming more wary of Rhino's product. Repeatedly shipping out incomplete Monkees Blu-Ray boxes (with discs missing) or very fragile packaging, has scared me away from buying this boxed set. Stuff like this turns music collecting into a stressful thing.
I am totally satisfied with my copy of the blu-ray boxed set. In particular, I was truly amazed with the high definition transfer of the 58 television episodes, especially the episode, "Monkees In Paris". Looks better than ever. HEAD is a classic film that never becomes stale, and only gets better with repeated viewings. I also enjoy watching the 33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee television special from 1969. Kind of a bummer that the Jerry Lee Lewis rendition of Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On was removed from the medley, as it appears in the VHS and DVD sets. Nonetheless, this special is still a whole lotta fun and perhaps the only time that you would get to see Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino and Little Richard all appearing in the same program together. And, the addition of the bonus 45 RPM disc is also a nice touch. My copy of the blu-ray set does not seem to have any interior damage and there are no discs missing either. All in all, this is a wonderful way to relive Monkeemania.