User Reviews

The production of broadcast no. 34 (Sept 18 1967), "The Picture Frame," took place Apr 5-7, marking the second season's debut episode (but second telecast). After a two month hiatus recording third LP HEADQUARTERS, spirits are running high, with Micky, Davy, and Mike hired by J. L. (Cliff Norton) to play bank robbers in a movie, but after returning with the loot are quickly rounded up by the cops (Dort Clark, from "Monkees a la Carte") and put on trial. Only Peter and his trusty magnifying glass can recover the incriminating photo that will reveal their innocence. So much is going on that it's difficult to keep up; particularly notable as the bank cashier is the irresistible Joy Harmon, who always brightened everything in which she appeared, remembered for cult films like "Village of the Giants" and "Cool Hand Luke" (returning, along with Dort Clark, for "Monkees on the Wheel"). Both songs debut on the series: "Pleasant Valley Sunday," composed by Gerry Goffin and Carole King, from the PISCES LP, already a huge summer hit as the band's fourth single, backed with Boyce and Hart's "Words." An unsympathetic take on suburbia, it was perhaps Chip Douglas' most accomplished production, featuring 'Fast' Eddie Hoh on drums, Douglas on bass, Micky's acoustic guitar, Peter on piano, and Nesmith himself on electric guitar, performing the famous opening lick that would do Louie Shelton proud. The second song is "Randy Scouse Git," the closing track on HEADQUARTERS (previously issued on May 22), Micky's very first band composition, conceived in England in the presence of 'the 4 kings of EMI' (The Beatles of course). The Mar 2 recording features Micky's drums, Peter on both piano and organ, Nesmith's electric guitar, and producer Chip Douglas on bass (when issued as a single in Britain, the possibly offensive title was changed to "Alternate Title"). Next in production- "Art for Monkees' Sake."