User Reviews

"Monkees in a Ghost Town" featured Lon Chaney doing a comic reprise of Lennie Small, his gentle giant in 1939's "Of Mice and Men," but for the last time, using lines he'd actually spoken in Westerns past ("you ain't going no place!"). The Monkeemobile runs out of gas in the middle of a deserted Western ghost town occupied only by two small time crooks, George (Len Lesser) and Lenny, who await the arrival of their boss, The Big Man. Locking up the meddlesome foursome in the jail, the pair receive a shock when who should walk in but The Big Woman (Rose Marie), who turns out to have a show business background, allowing The Monkees to perform before they get bumped off. Easily one of the brightest entries, with a nonstop parade of gags in a Western setting: Davy calls for help, a deputy named Chester (from GUNSMOKE) limps up to the phone and assures Davy that he'll get Mr. Dillon- Davy: "Marshal Dillon?" Chester: "No, Bob Dylan, he can write a song about your problem!" Virtually nothing but padding throughout, but this was one show that benefited by using the romps that were the forerunners of music videos. While Lon Chaney was nearing the end of his 40 year career, Len Lesser (later seen in "Monkees in Texas") was only getting started, a memorable face that graced many TV shows and feature films for over 50 years (I particularly enjoyed his villain opposite Gloria Grahame in 1970's "Blood and Lace"). A repeat of "Tomorrow's Gonna Be Another Day" is first up, quickly followed by the country/western flavored "Papa Gene's Blues," written and produced by Michael Nesmith (recorded July 7), featuring James Burton and Glen Campbell on guitar, with Peter Tork playing acoustic guitar, one of the very few instances when a group member was allowed to perform on a track prior to January 1967. The four actor/musicians hired to play The Monkees truly had a tremendous workload, and clearly did not deserve the widespread criticism from the rock community at the time. No other group was shooting a TV series during the day, recording in the studio during the night, rehearsing for their eventual live debut, plus making personal appearances, culminating in a summer tour in 1967 sandwiched around the recording of their fourth million-selling record LP. The original four stayed together for only three years, not to reunite again until their 30 year anniversary for both a new album and TV special. "Monkees in a Ghost Town" actually was the 7th episode filmed (July 11-15), as well as the 7th broadcast (Oct 24).

After all these years, THE MONKEES never fail to get a few laughs. A big thank you to CATCHY TV Net for rerunning the entire series all weekend, and especially a fun watch with late night pizza.

"Monkees in a Ghost Town" is one of the best episodes of the short-lived series, and well directed by James Frawley, who handled a ton of prime tv shows, including CAGNEY AND LACY and of course, THE MUPPET MOVIE. Frawley's biggest claim to fame was his name. He, unfortunately, was NOT the son of William Frawley (Fred) on I LOVE LUCY, though many reviewers kept on claiming it and he had to keep on denying it!

Surprise! The fab foursome turn up in a ghost town, held hostage by two goofy gangsta's. In a terrific casting move, the great Lon Chaney, Jr plays "not to bright" Lenny, which obviously was a take-off on his famous film role (OF MICE AND MEN). Chaney was a tv and movie favorite, especially in westerns, and this had to be a labor of love. The other baddie is none other than Len Lesser, as George (the smarter goofy guy), best known as rascally Uncle Leo on SEINFELD. Lesser worked for decades in many cop shows, usually as some shifty types.

Best of the rest is a surprise visit by tv star Rose Marie, playing THE BIG MAN, who inherited the title for her late husband??? Rose Marie gets to sing here and trade wisecracks with the guys. You can tell everyone here is having a blast.

According to notes, legendary cartoon voice man Mel Blanc (BUGS BUNNY) makes the zany sounds for the Monkeemobile --as it runs out of gas in the ghost town. Blanc not only did crazy voices for years, but he was hilarious immitating car engines, planes, trains etc, a side gig he picked up during his years on radio comedy shows. The guy was an original and an inspiration to so many voice actors.

At the time, the Monkees were HOT. They had a number one hit with "Last Train to Clarksville", and ended the year (1966) with a second No. 1 hit, "I'm A Believer". In early 67, they peaked at No. 2 with "A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You". Sit back and enjoy the 60s. SEASON 1 EPISODE 7 remastered dvd box set.