Circle Sky 1968
Jack Nicholson
Michael Nesmith, Micky Dolenz, David Jones & Peter Tork
For “Lost My Stub.Com” review March 2012 (MZ: #H-8)
By: Rik ‘MrZero’ Schwinden
Ok fans, as you may have heard David Jones just passed away on 29 Feb 2012 of a fatal heart attack.
In tribute to David I am reviewing “Head”
The Opening;
I met David many times from 1990 to 2011, and in the 90s David asked me to do a research project for David on his music he wrote & produced for “The Monkees” and so I became an acquaintance of his. I was reminded of this when I was at Concert of his in Wisconsin, Jul 2003. I was with my friend ‘Doc’ when she was talking to David, then David looked at me and said “Hey, man how have you been? I haven’t seen you in a while…” I responded “Well that’s because you haven’t been around in awhile” David asked “So how’ve you been ? You two wanna come backstage” we answered “Sure” as we were walking back Doc said to me “You know everybody in the world knows who David is, but David Knows Who You Are !!!” I joked with David more than once I appreciated him because “He knew which side his bread was buttered on” meaning he was good to his fans because he knew they paid the bills !!!
So let the journey begin;
First of all the film was originally titled “Changes” and a Theme song of the same name was written by David Jones and recorded by the Monkees in 1968, before release the title was changed to “Head” as in ‘Head Trip’ The 4 Monkees, Bob Rafelson & Jack Nicholson went to a cabin in Ojai, CA. got high and wrote the basis for this movie MOST of the ideas used in the film were written by the 4 Monkees & Rafelson. Nicholson, just compiled them and assembled it into a screen play.
The Premise;
The 4 Monkees had become disillusioned with the whole made for TV Pop Band situation and decided to make a film and poke fun at themselves !!! Prime examples are: The band are dandruff in Victor Mature’s hair as a TV commercial. Frank Zappa makes his 2nd Monkees appearance as a critic telling David “Your song’s pretty white” Micky gets fed up and explodes a ‘Coke’ machine with a tank (aimed at corporate sponsorship) Nesmith’s bitter attitude towards his birthday and Christmas. Micky’s fed up with Hollywood and all it’s fakery in his scene with the lovely Teri Garr. Peter’s stance on wasting food and lending money. David expresses he just wants to dance and sing with Toni Basil (Oh, “Mickey” fame) who was David’s dance partner on more than this occasion. The famous boxer Sonny Liston (who had the ‘Phantom Punch’ with Ali) fights David, then Micky proclaims to be the dummy, but corrected by Peter that in fact he, Peter is the Dummy. In the 70s reruns of the film, the Viet Nam War footage was cut out for being deemed to controversial.
My personal favorite movie quote “You mean to tell me you don’t see the connection between the Government and laughing at people?”
The Music;
There is a soundtrack for this film with songs and dialog, upon my research this was a common thing to do in 1968 for film soundtracks. However there are only 7 songs for the hour and half film. There were many recorded and not used such as “Changes” “Down the Highway” “War Games” “Merry Go Round” “Look Down” “Hollywood” “Ceiling in My Room” & “If You Have the Time” was actually used in place of “Daddy’s Song” until the last minute when Nesmith produced the replacement Nilsson song for David. This is Tork’s shining moment, as he has 2 songs and great ones at that “Can You Dig It” & “Long Title” on this LP, as apposed to the 2 he had over 6 LPs before this. To prove a point the Monkees perform “Circle Sky” live in concert. Rhino Handmade CDs released a 3 CD Boxset of the soundtrack last year.
In Conclusion:
“Head” is the a typical 60s Psychedelic film, full of imagery, humor, sights, sounds & color. If you love this stuff as much as I do this is a film for you. I am biased so I will give it 5 out of 5 ‘Peace Signs’
Until the next time………. R.L.Schwinden aka MrZero
P.S. The name “Mr. Zero” came from The Monkees Episode # 52 “Devil and Peter Tork” from 5 Feb 1968 where Peter goes to Mr. Zero’s Pawn Shop to buy harp and accidentally sells his soul to the Devil who is “Mr. Zero” who was played by: Monte Landis.
* Richard @
“Mr. Zero’s” Est. 2009
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