Product Details

• Actors: Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork
• Directors: Micky Dolenz, Peter Tork, Jon C. Andersen, Mike Elliot (III), James Frawley
• Format: Box set, Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Rhino / Wea
• VHS Release Date: March 17, 1998
• Run Time: 110 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6304509022
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #118,007 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Whether you're indulging nostalgia or experiencing the Monkees for the first time, Our Favorite Episodes--chosen by Davey Jones, Mickey Dolenz, Peter Tork, and Michael Nesmith--is a curious time capsule. Even for veteran Monkeephiles, it's obvious that the TV series, totaling 58 episodes from 1966 to 1968, hasn't aged very gracefully. It's fun as a pop-cultural artifact, and original fans will fondly recall the eagerness with which each week's episode was anticipated. Looking back, however, the shows are marginally amusing, and their improvisational, low-budget strategy tends to limit their lasting appeal. For die-hard fans it won't matter a bit; any chance to own and archive the Monkee phenomenon (with brief latter-day interviews included) is going to be welcomed and thoroughly enjoyed.

Because Jones's favorite episode was actually the Emmy-winning "Royal Flush," the inclusion of "Hitting the High Seas" is a conspicuous blunder, but it's compensated by Peter's "Monkee vs. Machine." Directed by series producer (and then-budding filmmaker) Bob Rafelson, and featuring comedian Stan Freberg as a stodgy toy-company executive, this early episode was a first-season highlight. Mickey selected (and directed) the series finale, "Mijacogeo (The Frodis Caper)," which is noteworthy for a filmed performance of Tim Buckley singing a rare acoustic version of "Siren Song" (further proof that the Monkees were hipper than their TV personas). Mike's favorite "Fairy Tale" is a wild romp indeed, with Nesmith in drag (as a fairy princess), sounding shockingly like Cher from her later TV variety show. They're semi-inspired at best, but these vintage episodes still capture the lunacy that accompanied the meteoric success of the "Pre-Fab Four." --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good DVD "Stand In", July 27, 2002

By 

smctopia - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Monkees - Our Favorite Episodes (DVD)

This disc was Rhino's first attempt to package Monkee episodes in the then-new DVD format. Clips of each of the Monkees from their 1997 documentary are used to introduce their favorite episodes.

It has already been noted that the episode that Davy mentions is really "Royal Flush" ("Hitting the High Seas" is shown instead as his favorite). "Royal Flush" would have been a better choice because it would've balanced the DVD better to have 2 episodes from the first season and 2 from the second, instead of having 3 from the second and only 1 from the first.

The film quality was a bit of a disappointment, especially during parts of "Fairy Tale". The quality is much better on Rhino's second Monkee DVD (Monkees Volume 1 & 2) although there are some good moments on this disc. Some of the episodes have the original end credits with Kellogg's products. It's fun on both discs to pause the picture and use the "step" button on your DVD remote to discover things that have never been noticed before on VHS copies.

The chapter breaks are much better than on Rhino's second Monkee DVD and there are actually breaks for all of the songs in each episode; even the Kellogg's commercial shown during Mijacogeo has a chapter break.

Since the DVD format was still young when Rhino released this, it has no extras, not even closed-captioning. It's too bad that the Monkees couldn't have recorded audio commentary in addition to introducing the episodes. A photo gallery and some more Kellogg's commercials wouldn't been a nice extra also.

Fans desparate for any Monkee episodes on DVD will want to pick this up but keep in mind that the VHS edition is packaged better in a retro-style metal Monkee lunchbox with a mini-ceral box and puzzle. This DVD will have to do as a "stand in" until Rhino gets around to issuing the entire series on DVD.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Monkees discuss their shows, April 10, 2000

By 

Thomas Magnum (NJ, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Monkees - Our Favorite Episodes (DVD)

A nice concept by Rhino, having the four Monkees select and discuss their favorite episodes. The dvd shows the episodes in their entirity with bonus features including commercials featuring the Monkees and interviews with the band. Three of the four episodes are excellent, but the Davy Jones entry (Out to Sea) is a little weak. Since no other Monkees TV episodes are currently available on dvd, this disc is a must for any Monkees fan who wants to see the shows on a digital format. It also makes for a nice introduction to the group's shows for the new or casual fan.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Monkees and their favorite episodes..., August 27, 2000

By 

M. Bandy (Champaign, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Monkees - Our Favorite Episodes (in Metal Lunchbox) [VHS] (VHS Tape)

The metal lunchbox is probably the best thing about this set for "serious" Monkees fans, but the video is a pleasant diversion for anyone. Davy's chosen episode is extremely weak. However, Peter's episode is a classic 'traditional' Monkees episode (the story of how they foil the plans of a greedy toy company owner). Micky's entry is the one that he directed, and Mike's is the Monkees' spoof of fairy tales, featuring Mike playing Princess Gwen. The interviews between the episodes are not very long, so don't expect too much more than the episodes themselves. A good bet for casual fans of the series, or those wanting a video to brighten a rainy afternoon.