tickettostars

This was technically the first "episode" I ever saw. I was almost seventeen when this aired, and had just discovered these zany, loveable boys. So I didn't know what to expect. Now that I've seen the series, itself, I know better. It doesn't compare, but it's still entertaining.

Here's what you get: The Monkees gently poke fun at themselves, and at the series that made them international celebrities. It's cute, but I prefer the actual series. If you don't know what these guys are about, then this is not too bad of an introduction; just bear in mind that it REALLY IS a spoof of the original Sixties sitcom. It does share some things in common with the actual show, though: It's fun, it's quirky, and it naturally has fantastic music.

I first discovered this weird little "gem" in 2021, which is when the restoration was made. It aired repeatedly on TCM, and is doing so again this year. Trust me, however, when I state that this is NOT worthy of the word "classic".

Even by the standards of the Forties, this is inferior-grade. I'm not familiar with the production company and the associated staff, but this must have been a decidedly low-budget effort.

The puppets are seriously creepy, and the acting is dreadful. I don't know why anyone would think that it was a good idea to make this, or why anyone decided that it was worthy of a restoration. They were sadly mistaken!

Even as I type this review, I have the film showing on TV. I haven't the slightest idea of what's going on! It looks like it was a waste of the time and talents of a number of people who could have found something more productive to do.

I love Boris Karloff, so don't get me wrong on that score. And I'm certainly well familiar with June Foray, mainly as a voice-over artist for Chuck Jones' cartoons for the Looney Tunes series from Warner Brothers.

But I think this film is pointless. They should both have turned this script down and walked away from what is clearly a total disaster disguising itself as a film.