Customer Reviews

The Monkees: Captain Crocodile (23)/Fairy Tale (18) [VHS]

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This video contains two episodes of the Monkees television series.

The first, "Captain Crocodile", is my favorite episode. In it the Monkees are hired to play on a children's television show, only to be the victims of a paranoid host who is afraid that the Monkees want to replace him. The episode includes a great romp set to the novelty tune "Your Auntie Grizelda" and a funny scene in which the Monkees tell the kids a story...from the dictionary.

The second, "Fairy Tale", is another favorite of many fans. The Monkees tell the story of a poor peasant in love with a princess. The episode spoofs fairy tales while providing the Monkees a chance to wear ridiculous costumes, most notably Michael Nesmith, who plays the object of Peter's affections, the lovely (?) Princess Gwen.

These are both great episodes. If you want to buy one of the volumes and are unsure of which to get, I would heartily recommend volume 8. Both episodes are strong, memorable, and funny. Whether you are a new fan or looking to revisit old memories, this tape is a great place to start.

One episode from each of the show's two seasons are featured on this tape. The first is a parody of the long-running Captain Kangaroo series - here the Monkees get a gig on Captain Crocodile, but the reason for the invitation quickly becomes clear as the obnoxious titular host of the show uses the boys solely as targets of abusive gags. Mike finally demands the boys be allowed to play - a cleverly subtle allegory on the boys' real life fight with Don Kirshner - so the Captain relents - except no one sees the boys as they do the original version - far superior to the downbeat 1968 version - of "Valleri."

The epsiode features a terrific satirical montage of the boys in varied TV roles - newsmen, Mike as a weatherman, Micky starring in a Batman spoof, and the game show To Tell A Fib - but overall it isn't as satisfying as most of the other episodes because the boys are humiliated almost throughout the story and even in the epilogue, and the abuse wears out its welcome by the end of Act One.

Though ultimately lacking in complete satisfaction as well, the second-season episode Fairy Tale is nonetheless a clever attempt at something different - The Monkees starring in a cheesy fairy tale with Mike as the "beautiful" (?) princess. A big part of the reason for the episode's weakness is the mailed-in quality of the boys' performances - a sign of their dissatisfaction and exhaustion with the show. The best moment comes when a dragon gives the boys a riddle they figure out to his surprise.

The episode's music video is the interesting B&W rendition of Mike's rambling LA-street-scene poem "Daily Nightly," featuring Micky on Moog synthesizer.

This tape has my fave episode on it!! The first ep, titled "Captain Crocodile" is about a TV show for kids with a very uptight host is trys to eliminate The Monkees and keep them from appearing on his show. Songs on it are "Valleri", and a great one (cause Peter sings it), "Your Auntie Grizelda". Second ep is called "Fairy Tale", and its about when Peter (yay!) falls in love with the princess, and goes to great lenghts to save her from being killed. This is sooo funny because the princess is played by Monkee Mike Nesmith, who thinks of himself as a "groovy looking chick"! Including is a very small interview about the ep, and the song "Daily Nightly"..enjoy!!

This tape has my favorite Monkees episode of all time: the fairy tale. Whenever I want to laugh I always think of Mike's magic locket and his princess costume. Most enjoyable for 60's television.

In this episode, the Monkees are supposed to play on the Captain Crocodile Show; but, the host of the show has other plans. This was one of their best videos. In it they play the song "Auntie Grizelda." I recommend this video to everyone.

I have seen all of the Monkee episodes. These two in particular are my favorites. I especially love The Monkees Fairy Tale. I can say I know the dialogue word for word. This episode is funny. In this form it is completely uncut. For every Monkee fan I highly recommend it. Captain Crocodile is also funny. The former is from the second season and the latter from the first season. The best of both worlds!