Head *** (1968, Micky Dolenz, Peter Tork, Davy Jones, Mike Nesmith, Victor Mature, Annette Funicello, Timothy Carey) – Classic Movie Review 2885

Co-writer/director Bob Rafelson’s 1968 movie Head stars the Sixties TV starring and chart topping pop group The Monkees (Micky Dolenz, Peter Tork, Davy Jones, Mike Nesmith) in a riot of psychedelic, surrealist visuals and caustic attacks on the nature of a plastic pop society.

Director Rafelson was behind the whole Monkees phenomenon and understood the disposable nature of their success, hence his sour-sweet attitude to the band and the music business. Proving good company, the fun-loving Monkees also collide head on with another legend, co-writer/co-producer Jack Nicholson.

Aping the style of the Dick Lester Beatles movies, the film offers an exhilarating jumble of ideas and images in a circular entertainment that sometimes flops but more often succeeds. Hey, hey, it’s plotless, this freewheeling movie about Beatles-style loveable mop-tops catapulted to stardom, so there’s no need to describe the plot!

And there are half a dozen or so fine Sixties pop songs: ‘Porpoise Song’ (written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King), Ditty Diego (written by Jack Nicholson and Bob Rafelson), Circle Sky (written by Michael Nesmith), Can You Dig It (Peter Tork), As We Go Along (Carole King and Toni Stern), Get Tuff (Ken Thorne and Bob Rafelson), Do I Have to Do This All Over Again (Peter Tork) and Daddy’s Song (Harry Nilsson).

Also in the amusingly eccentric cast are Victor Mature (The Big Victor), Annette Funicello (Minnie), Timothy Carey (Lord High ‘n Low), Abraham Sofaer (Swami), Charles Macaulay (Inspector Shrink), William Bagdad (Black Sheik), T.C. Jones (Mr. and Mrs. Ace), Teri Garr (as Testy True), Frank Zappa (as The Critic), Charles Irving (Mayor Feedback), Percy Helton (Heraldic Messenger), Jack Nicholson (movie director at film shoot in restaurant), Bob Rafelson (as himself), Dennis Hopper (as himself), Vito Scotti (as I. Vitteloni), Toni Basil (Daddy’s Song Dancer), Sonny Liston (extra) and Logan Ramsey (Officer Faye Lapid).

The running time is 86 minutes but 110 minutes in the director’s cut.

By the end of 1968 The Monkees TV show was cancelled and their film Head had flopped. The Monkees band officially broke up in 1970.

Davy Jones.

Davy Jones died of a heart attack on February 29 2012, aged 66. He made this movie, 58 TV episodes, nine albums and a TV special. In the mid-1970s, Davy rejoined Micky Dolenz and songwriters Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart to make an album and do some touring. He rejoined The Monkees for touring in 1986-89 and 1996-97.

Robert Michael Nesmith (December 30, 1942 – December 10, 2021).

Mike Nesmith died from heart failure at his home in Carmel Valley, California, on 10 December 2021, aged 78.  Dolenz called him ‘a dear friend and partner’.

Nesmith won his role in The Monkees TV show largely by being cool at the audition. He rode his motorcycle there and wore a wool hat to keep his hair out of his eyes. Rafelson remembered the ‘wool hat guy’ and called him back.

He was an executive producer of Repo Man (1984).

© Derek Winnert 2015 Classic Movie Review 2885

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