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SUPAKINO presents three episodes of cult TV show The Monkees, introduced by Ranjit S. Ruprai.
Episode 31: The Monkees at the Movies (1967) Dir. Russell Mayberry
The Monkees are cast in a beach-party drive-in movie in this self-aware episode about the exploitation of the American teenage market. Songs featured include: 'Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You' (Neil Diamond), 'Last Train To Clarksville' (Tommy Boyce/Bobby Hart) and an early version of 'Valleri' (Tommy Boyce/Bobby Hart). Teen idol Bobby Sherman appears as a spoof of Frankie Avalon performing surf-style song 'The New Girl In School' co-written by Brian Wilson. [Filmed in August 1966.]
Episode 54: The Monkees in Paris (1968) Dir. Bob Rafelson
The Monkees are fed up with the formulaic scripts to their TV show and go to Paris instead, where they are pursued by four ladies through a variety of French settings. Bob Rafelson writes and directs this experimental episode, featuring: 'Love Is Only Sleeping” (Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil), 'Don’t Call On Me' (Michael Nesmith/John London), 'Star Collector' (Gerry Goffin/Carole King) and 'Goin’ Down' (Micky Dolenz/Peter Tork/Diane Hildebrand/Michael Nesmith/David Jones). [Filmed in Paris in June 1967 and Hollywood in December 1967.]
Episode 47: The Christmas Show (1967) Dir. Jon C. Andersen
This episode was broadcast on Christmas Day, 1967. The Monkees try to earn money babysitting a rich, cynical but lonely kid played by Butch Patrick, better known as the werewolf child in The Munsters. The Monkees impart a lesson in the Christmas spirit and sing a beautiful a cappella rendition of the traditional 16th-century Spanish song 'Ríu Chíu'.
SUPAKINO:
Ranjit S. Ruprai is an independent programmer and supporter of indie cinemas, film festivals and film clubs in London. Since founding SUPAKINO, he has been presenting friendly film screenings around fun and unusual themes including Turbans Seen On Screen, Bombay Mix double-bills and Midnight Excess late-night shows. Ranjit also speaks at film conferences about repertory/archive film exhibition, guest lectures at the National Film & Television School, and was Chair of the historic Rio Cinema, Dalston. Learn more at: supakino.com
