33 ⅓ Revolutions per Monkee (1969)

33 ⅓ Revolutions per Monkee Poster

33 1?3 Revolutions per Monkee is a television special starring the Monkees that aired on NBC on April 14, 1969. Produced by Jack Good, guests on the show included Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Little Richard, the Clara Ward Singers, the Buddy Miles Express, Paul Arnold and the Moon Express, and We Three. Although they were billed as musical guests, Julie Driscoll and Brian Auger (alongside their then-backing band The Trinity) found themselves playing a prominent role; in fact, it can be argued that the special focused more on the guest stars (specifically, Auger and Driscoll) than the Monkees themselves. This special is notable as the Monkees' final performance as a quartet until 1986, as Peter Tork left the group at the end of the special's production. The title is a play on "?33 1?3 revolutions per minute."

Introduction
"33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee" is a 1969 musical-variety special that aired on NBC. Directed by Jack Good, it features the American pop-rock band, The Monkees. It also boasts visitor looks from music icons such as Fats Domino, Little Richard, and Jerry Lee Lewis. The movie is notable for its experimentation with the norms of tv production and for its function in specifying The Monkees' persona beyond their television show.

Plot
The plot focuses on The Monkees - Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz, Mike Nesmith, and Peter Tork - who are kidnapped by an evil villain known as the Big Man, played by Brian Auger. The Big Man utilizes the quartet as "servants", requiring them into a meaningless pop band creating music utilizing an unique brainwashing device. The band is used to control and hypnotize teenage viewers.

Creative Direction
The film is a stark departure from The Monkees' light-hearted tv series and is identified by psychedelic visuals, a disorderly narrative structure, and sufficient social commentary. It parodies consumerism and commercialization in the music industry, buffooning The Monkees' own manufactured image. The storyline also serves as a critique of the formulaic, commercially driven nature of pop music during the 1960s. In numerous scenes, The Monkees openly reveal their disappointment about being seen as simple products in the pop music industry.

Music
"33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee" is brimming with musical efficiencies. Noteworthy renditions consist of the assortment of rock-and-roll strikes carried out by visitor stars Fats Domino, Little Richard, and Jerry Lee Lewis. The Monkees also perform numerous numbers, consisting of a distinct performance of "Wind-Up Man", which is utilized to reveal their dissent versus being controlled.

The Monkees' Transition
The film marked a substantial minute in The Monkees' career as they intended to move from their pre-fabricated pop image to major artists. The narrative freely challenged their made image, addressing the band members' underlying disappointment about being a manufactured band. Yet, the movie was not well gotten by the audience. Many fans struggled to fix up the newly provided, harsher image of The Monkees with the fun-loving persona they were utilized to from the television series.

Conclusion
"33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee" was The Monkees' final television outing prior to they sculpted their course as musicians. The movie, with its mix of satire, slapstick humor, musical efficiencies, and social commentary, represented The Monkees attempting to break devoid of their stereotype as a made and manipulated band. It likewise depicted a revealing glance of the darker side of the music industry. The film was a vibrant effort to modify The Monkees as artists who could stand outside their tv persona, however it ultimately consulted with minimal commercial and crucial success.

Top Cast

  • Michael Nesmith (small)
    Michael Nesmith
    Himself/Monkee #3
  • Davy Jones (small)
    Davy Jones
    Himself/Monkee #4
  • Peter Tork (small)
    Peter Tork
    Himself/Monkee #2
  • Micky Dolenz (small)
    Micky Dolenz
    Himself/Monkee #1
  • Julie Driscoll
    Herself/Sorceress
  • Brian Auger
    Himself/Sorcerer/Charles Darwin
  • Jerry Lee Lewis (small)
    Jerry Lee Lewis
    Himself
  • Fats Domino (small)
    Fats Domino
    Himself
  • Little Richard (small)
    Little Richard
    Himself
  • Clara Ward
    Herself
  • Buddy Miles
    Himself