AaronHandy3
11-06-2003, 03:51 PM
HEAD (prod. #8888), a motion picture starring that popular TV rockband The Monkees, opened at the Studio Cinema and Greenwich Theaters in New York City.
A Raybert Production of A Columbia Pictures Release, directed by Monkees TV producer Bob Rafelson (his first film), written and produced by Rafelson and Jack Nicholson, and executive-produced by Monkees TV co-producer Bert Schneider, it featured many movie, sports and TV icons by the likes of Victor Mature, Sonny Liston, Annette Funicello, Carol Doda, Ray Nitschke, and a youthful Teri Garr (billed in the movie as Terry Garr). The songs featured in the movie were “Porpoise Song” by Gerry Goffin & Carole King, “Circle Sky” by Michael Nesmith, “Can You Dig It” and “Long Title: Do I Have To Do This All Over Again” by Peter Tork, “As We Go Along” by Carole King & Toni Stern, and “Daddy’s Song” by Nilsson.
The principal photography was a 3-month, 10-day shoot from February to May 1968 in Screen Gems Studio 7 and on location in California (Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco; Pasadena Rose Bowl, Pasadena; Bronson Canyon; Palm Springs), Utah (Valley Auditorium, Salt Lake City), and the Bahamas. Unfortunately, a misleading ad campaign (a balding man’s face? No indication of the group appearing in the film?) and a mistimed release date, due to a painfully prolonged postproduction process (November 6, 1968? Two months after The Monkees TV show’s official cancellation [and the day after Richard M. Nixon defeated Hubert Humphrey in a knockdown, dragout vie for The Presidency!]?) helped sabotage this otherwise fun-loving crowd pleaser, which landed with a tumultuous thud at the box-office with a meager $16,111 in ticket sales. But its has over the years developed quite a cult following among moviegoers and Monkees fans. Today, we celebrate the 35th anniversary of the debut of The Monkees' cinematic debut.
Sad note: A huge chunk of HEAD's supporting cast has since passed on: Timothy Carey (Lord High ‘n’ Low), Logan Ramsey (Officer Faye Lapid), Abraham Sofaer (Swami), Vito Scotti (I. Vitteloni), Charles Macaulay (Inspector Shrink), T.C. Jones (Mr. & Mrs. Ace), Charles Irving (Mayor Feedback), William Bagdad (Black Sheik), Percy Helton (Heraldic Messenger), Sonny Liston (Extra), Ray Nitschke (Private One), Frank Zappa (The Critic), and Victor Mature (The Big Victor). This post is dedicated to their memory.
A Raybert Production of A Columbia Pictures Release, directed by Monkees TV producer Bob Rafelson (his first film), written and produced by Rafelson and Jack Nicholson, and executive-produced by Monkees TV co-producer Bert Schneider, it featured many movie, sports and TV icons by the likes of Victor Mature, Sonny Liston, Annette Funicello, Carol Doda, Ray Nitschke, and a youthful Teri Garr (billed in the movie as Terry Garr). The songs featured in the movie were “Porpoise Song” by Gerry Goffin & Carole King, “Circle Sky” by Michael Nesmith, “Can You Dig It” and “Long Title: Do I Have To Do This All Over Again” by Peter Tork, “As We Go Along” by Carole King & Toni Stern, and “Daddy’s Song” by Nilsson.
The principal photography was a 3-month, 10-day shoot from February to May 1968 in Screen Gems Studio 7 and on location in California (Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco; Pasadena Rose Bowl, Pasadena; Bronson Canyon; Palm Springs), Utah (Valley Auditorium, Salt Lake City), and the Bahamas. Unfortunately, a misleading ad campaign (a balding man’s face? No indication of the group appearing in the film?) and a mistimed release date, due to a painfully prolonged postproduction process (November 6, 1968? Two months after The Monkees TV show’s official cancellation [and the day after Richard M. Nixon defeated Hubert Humphrey in a knockdown, dragout vie for The Presidency!]?) helped sabotage this otherwise fun-loving crowd pleaser, which landed with a tumultuous thud at the box-office with a meager $16,111 in ticket sales. But its has over the years developed quite a cult following among moviegoers and Monkees fans. Today, we celebrate the 35th anniversary of the debut of The Monkees' cinematic debut.
Sad note: A huge chunk of HEAD's supporting cast has since passed on: Timothy Carey (Lord High ‘n’ Low), Logan Ramsey (Officer Faye Lapid), Abraham Sofaer (Swami), Vito Scotti (I. Vitteloni), Charles Macaulay (Inspector Shrink), T.C. Jones (Mr. & Mrs. Ace), Charles Irving (Mayor Feedback), William Bagdad (Black Sheik), Percy Helton (Heraldic Messenger), Sonny Liston (Extra), Ray Nitschke (Private One), Frank Zappa (The Critic), and Victor Mature (The Big Victor). This post is dedicated to their memory.