The Monkees, a band that needs no introduction, have long been a subject of fascination for music enthusiasts and pop culture aficionados alike. Their story is one of manufactured pop sensations, a tale of four individuals who were brought together to create a band and a TV show, and later, a movie that would challenge their own artificiality. In this article, I will delve into the fascinating story of the Monkees' movie, 'Head', and explore how it reflects the band's desire to break free from their pre-fabricated image. I will also analyze the film's impact on the band's legacy and its place in the history of pop culture.
The Monkees, formed in 1966, were a band assembled by Bob Rafelson through auditions, rather than a natural evolution of musical talent. The band consisted of Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Mike Nesmith, and Peter Tork, who were brought together to record albums and star in a TV series. The TV show, 'The Monkees', was a slapstick farce with wacky fourth-wall-breaking jokes and the band's new singles. However, the band faced criticism for being pre-fabricated, and were referred to as 'The Pre-Fab Four' by the Daily Mirror. This led the Monkees to seek a new direction, and they turned to film with 'Head'.
The story of the writing of 'Head' is a hilarious one. Jack Nicholson, a friend of Bob Rafelson, would hang out on the set of the 'Monkees' TV show and eventually became buddies with the band. One evening, Nicholson, Rafelson, and the Monkees all hung out to smoke a lot of weed and brainstorm a potential movie idea. Nicholson recorded the doped-up conversation and left to turn their ramblings into a screenplay. The result was a very, very bizarre film indeed.
'Head' is a mix of disconnected vignettes that all relate to media studies, artificiality, music, or whatever else was on Jack Nicholson's mind when he was blitzed out on acid. The Monkees pass through various film genres, from Westerns to harems to war pictures. Toni Basil shows up and dances with Davy Jones, while Frank Zappa is there with a cow. The film is a psychedelic trip from the first frame, with the Monkees symbolically drowning themselves at the beginning. The film is a commentary on how artificial the Monkees felt, and the old Monkees were dead.
'Head' tanked horribly, making a measly $16,000 on a $750,000 budget. It's easy to see why it failed. For one, the film is wholly inaccessible. The soundtrack is wonderful, but the movie itself is too psychedelic for mainstream audiences. Additionally, the marketing was terrible. The poster made no mention of the Monkees and only sported a portrait of media theorist John Brockman. The tagline was, 'What is 'Head' all about? Only John Brockman's shrink knows for sure!'.
However, 'Head' eventually attracted a cult audience, fascinated by its pop media deconstruction and amazing music. These days, it has a Criterion Collection edition. It's impenetrable, but it's worth the effort to try to penetrate it. In my opinion, 'Head' is a fascinating artifact of the 1960s, a time when pop culture was rapidly evolving and artists were pushing the boundaries of what was possible. The film's impact on the Monkees' legacy is undeniable, and it remains a cult classic to this day.
In conclusion, 'Head' is a unique and bizarre film that reflects the Monkees' desire to break free from their pre-fabricated image. It is a fascinating artifact of the 1960s, a time when pop culture was rapidly evolving and artists were pushing the boundaries of what was possible. The film's impact on the Monkees' legacy is undeniable, and it remains a cult classic to this day. Personally, I think that 'Head' is a masterpiece of pop culture, and it is a testament to the Monkees' willingness to take risks and challenge the status quo.
