Customer Reviews

Elephant Parts

5 star:		(39)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

These days a concert clip passes for a "video" of a song, and very few artists take the time and trouble to make a video that is in itself a piece of art, further developing and enrichening the song it is showcasing.

Michael Nesmith stood at the forecastle of the video ship, sailing her into port with the production of this comedy album/collection of video clips, "Elephant Parts." Yes, some of the comedy is a little dated; some of it is just plain silly. But Michael never claimed it was anything more than silly; plus, amidst all the late 70's jokes you'll find the extreme timelessness of his opening monologue, discussing the fact that "there's something funny about the gasoline prices!" rings hysterically true today, as does "The Large Detroit Car Company." The words of his closing song, "Tonite," also speak to a 2000's audience.

Enclosed with these comedy skits are five of Michael Nesmith's video clips, some of the best videos ever made in a time when video was truly its own standalone art form--made by the pioneer of video art. "Light," "Magic," and "Cruisin'" are all from Nesmith's "Infinite Rider on the Big Dogma" album (as is the above-mentioned "Tonite"), with "Cruisin'" being remembered fondly for its quirky lyrics and a young Hulk Hogan in his first major role. "Rio" is from the album "From a Radio Engine to the Photon Wing," and was probably the first major video clip release (although groups from the 60's had been doing it since, well, The Monkees cribbed from The Beatles). "Rio" is funny, it is thoughtful, and it is brilliant.

"Elephant Parts" went on to become a short-lived NBC series called "Television Parts," which would give some early television exposure to such luminaries as Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno, Whoopi Goldberg, and Garry Shandling.

Michael has a bizarre sense of humor, and you do have to be a fan to laugh out loud at his director's commentary (which we did). It's extremely silly and delivered deadpan serious, and I do believe you need a steeping in The Monkees, Monty Python and some of Michael's mid-80's work such as "Tahiti Condo" (from the CD "The Newer Stuff"). I thought it was hilarious, and laughed so hard it hurt.

To be honest, I bought my copy direct from the source...-- it's cheaper here at Amazon, but Papa Nez will autograph it for you if you buy it from him.

All in all, Elephant Parts is a classic -- nothing more, nothing less. "First Grammy for Video Music" notwithstanding, "Elephant Parts" was the beginning of the video age, spawning M-TV and its subsidiaries, VH-1 and CMT and GAC and all the rest of them. Just put your mind on hold and enjoy it for what it is.

Many years ago when music video was in its infancy, I happened upon Elephant Parts. Michael Nesmith was my least favorite of the Monkees singing group, but after experiencing The Elephant Parts Video I discovered where the real talent was in this group. It is a "must see" program -- fun and nostalgic, yet, still cutting edge for today. Five stars is too low a rating for this knock-out piece!

I just recieved the DVD of "Elephant Parts" & have just finished watching it, I haven't laughed soooo much in years!!. I used to own the VHS version a long time ago & watching my new copy tonight, it reminded me how funny it was. Mike Nesmith is trully a genius when it comes to not only producing music, but video as well & it's a big pitty that he didn't go further with his "back-to-back" video concept (MTV format) that he sold to a large television company, it could have been so much more interesting!!. I do have ONE slightly small complaint, I found the video quality it's self, to be poor. I remember seeing the video version I had having a much clearer picture, has the video deteriorated over the years, or was it sourced from an inferior master tape?. Apart from that I loved watching it again for the first time in years & hope that his follow-up T.V. series "Televison Parts" will also be released on DVD in the near future!

For anyone who doesn't remember the TV show (it didn't last long), this DVD consists of short comedy bits, music videos from the ex-Monkee, and the occasional moment of deconstructionism that somehow work wonderfully together. Especially enjoyable is the over-the-top director's commentary which serves as a parody of director's tracks in general, taking everything too seriously and having an amazing descent into incomprehensability. Each short section is a chapter so you can skip to the ones you want to see now. It's great for a get together with friends. Wonderful to have in digital format. As Nesmith says, "things just keep getting more modern all the time"

Elephant Parts is a classic! The various bits are both strange and hilarious. I particular like the Marine Recruiting Audition, the Pirate Alphabet, and Neighborhood Nuclear Superiority. Some say this whole thing just doesn't make sense. That's the entire point! If you haven't seen the granddaddy of all the video efforts that followed it, you have a treat in store for you ... provided you can find it. This video has been out of print, and is just now available again on DVD, so here's your chance to check it out. Unfortunately, Amazon.com doesn't have the best price. For that you'll need to visit www.dvdexpress.com.

This collection of sketches and commercial spoofs stands in the same tradition as "The Kentucky Fried Movie" and "Amazon Women on the Moon"; only "Elephant Parts" is a lot less dirty! It's refreshing to see a genuinely funny film which doesn't rely too heavily on profanity and sex to get its yuks (there are a few drug jokes, but even those don't dominate the piece). Unlike so much of what passes for comedy nowadays, the laughs aren't cheap in "Elephant Parts".

My favorite sketches are Rock 'n' Roll Hospital, Neighborhood Nuclear Superiority and the vegetarian guy hunting for his food. The music videos are visually intriguing. My husband remembered the Sunset Sam video from SNL many years ago.

Highly recommended.

I have loved this collection of videos and short skits since I was a teenager in 1980. The other reviewers are correct in that you have to have the right sense of humor to enjoy it, though. If you like your humor on the bizzare side, (and trying to think of the right analogy here is not easy, because it's really not like anything else I know of), then you will love this DVD. I'm thinking "Repo Man" is a movie that has a similar feel, and since Nesmith produced that movie, it's no surprise.
The skit in "Elephant Parts" where he "interprets" the words to a song sung in Spanish for his date is my favorite. "My wife's biscuits edge closer...No running by the pool...." I am laughing just writing this.... The music videos are fabulous, as I think it can be argued that some of the best music videos came out of the '80's, and Nesmith, being the visionary behind MTV, and having all the experience with the Monkees, obviously would likely have great videos for his tunes.

Mike Nesmith's mother invented Liquid Paper. People inhale Liquid Paper films and get high and hurt themselves.

Mike Nesmith invented MTV. People ingest MTV and hurt themselves worse than the ones who sniff Liquid Paper.

But this wonderful "video album", as Nesmith called it, represents what MTV *could* have been, if he had developed it himself instead of selling the idea to a Major Corporation.

The three or four videos scattered thru the show are uniformly excellent; i'm not sure whether i prefer "Cruisin'" or "Blue Carioca" (i think that's the title), but it's all good.

Of the comedy/surreal material, i think that my favourite piece is the "Elvis Drugs" ad -- "Let's face it, running the world is a bitch, and they were totally unprepared ... All Shook Uppers, Love Me Tenderisers and Blue Suede Ludes!"

A short-lived and virtually unknown teevee series, "Television Parts" that was developed from this and sort of ran on NBC (i think) eatured more of the same; it was also available on VHS at one time and would be worth looking for.

Great stuff form one of the more original minds in the field.

This newer version of Elephant Parts has added some more of Nesmith's great work. Listening to his commentary while watching the video clips explains how the production was made and the details of filming are a plus. I purchased the Laser Disc back in the early 80s and as many times that I saw the Detroit Car Company clip I never noticed that the PG and E power plant at Moss Landing, CA was used in the filming. My own father worked at that plant. One problem with the disc seems to be with the production stills noted on the box and on the DVD. I was unable to access them but would like to see them.

This breakout video was produced long after the Monkees television series ended and led the way to MTV. I watched the VHS version over and over in the early 80's and I was happy to see the DVD release. Few folks remember that the "Talk Like A Pirate" fad was preceeded by decades with Michael Nesmith's "Pirate Alphabet" in the style of "Sesame Street". And his parody of "Joanne" as "Rodin", is funny and still memorable after 30 years. This is a must-own for Nesmith fans, Monkee fans, and fans of quick, clever, blackout sketches and songs.