um
12-28-2015, 10:50 AM
There is "rare footage" that has somehow been preserved of the different actors and musicians (most notably, Davey Jones, Mike Nesmith, Peter Tork, and Mickey Dolenz) who auditioned for "The Monkees" back in the mid 60s.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63nhSFFFfJ4
I don't know of any other TV show (at least TV shows before the 1980s) whose screen tests for the cast has been kept for all these years. I think I read somewhere that in the pilot episode of the Monkees, or one of the earliest episodes, the screen tests for the four chosen Monkees were part of what was shown in that particular episode.
Regarding TV shows featuring a singing group such as The Partridge Family,
it would be interesting if the screen tests were also available.
But, come to think of it, what other TV sitcom featured the adventures of a group of musicians and singers other than "The Monkees," and "The Partridge Family" ? Someone let me know.
Of course it was an odd situation with both TV shows since "The Monkees" was a sitcom about a "Beatles-like" singing group and the producers wanted actors who can act as if they are singing or playing an instrument, but not necessarily actually know how to play music, but in reality Mickey, Mike, Peter and Davey did have singing and music-playing ability but reportedly "The Monkees" were prevented from actually playing their own music by the producers and other creators of the show.
The Partridge Family cast were chosen as actors also, and were supposed to be good at acting as if they are performing music, but did not need to actually perform music, but Shirley Jones and her stepson David Cassidy could sing and David Cassidy could play a guitar.
Looking back, it seems so strange since the popularity of both shows eventually was partially because of the music produced by both "groups."
I know that an attempt was made sometime in the 1980s to re-create "The New Monkees" as a sitcom with new actors/musicians to attract a new audience, but it failed big time.
But again, it seems that since The Partridge Family was very much like The Monkees in concept and regarding the very circumstances of its creation,
the screen tests for the actors who were eventually chosen should be somewhere in an archive of film. Who knows?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63nhSFFFfJ4
I don't know of any other TV show (at least TV shows before the 1980s) whose screen tests for the cast has been kept for all these years. I think I read somewhere that in the pilot episode of the Monkees, or one of the earliest episodes, the screen tests for the four chosen Monkees were part of what was shown in that particular episode.
Regarding TV shows featuring a singing group such as The Partridge Family,
it would be interesting if the screen tests were also available.
But, come to think of it, what other TV sitcom featured the adventures of a group of musicians and singers other than "The Monkees," and "The Partridge Family" ? Someone let me know.
Of course it was an odd situation with both TV shows since "The Monkees" was a sitcom about a "Beatles-like" singing group and the producers wanted actors who can act as if they are singing or playing an instrument, but not necessarily actually know how to play music, but in reality Mickey, Mike, Peter and Davey did have singing and music-playing ability but reportedly "The Monkees" were prevented from actually playing their own music by the producers and other creators of the show.
The Partridge Family cast were chosen as actors also, and were supposed to be good at acting as if they are performing music, but did not need to actually perform music, but Shirley Jones and her stepson David Cassidy could sing and David Cassidy could play a guitar.
Looking back, it seems so strange since the popularity of both shows eventually was partially because of the music produced by both "groups."
I know that an attempt was made sometime in the 1980s to re-create "The New Monkees" as a sitcom with new actors/musicians to attract a new audience, but it failed big time.
But again, it seems that since The Partridge Family was very much like The Monkees in concept and regarding the very circumstances of its creation,
the screen tests for the actors who were eventually chosen should be somewhere in an archive of film. Who knows?