runtexas

Part of this movie was filmed at a 10K run in Houston. Those of us who participated in the 10K were invited to stay after the race and be extras. I stuck around and was in several race related scenes, including part of a group of 10 runners who were running with two of the stars (C. Thomas Howell and another whose name I don't remember). When the movie came out, I was surprised there was no mention in the local Houston media about it. I went to go see it, knowing I would see myself, but I found ALL scenes filmed in Houston were removed. All action took place in a small Texas town. Alas, I ended up on the cutting room floor! I really don't remember much about the movie, but noted it was filmed in Waller County, which is next to Harris County where Houston is.

This movie appeared on TCM and decided to watch it. I was 15 when it came out in 1968, thought it would be fun to hear the music again. The intro to the movie made much of how The Monkeys were a copy of The Beatles, and that is correct. The Beatles were known as the fabfour (as in fabulous), the Monkeys were known as the prefab four (as in prefabricated). They were created for the TV show and were to be an American version of the Beatles. Only one (Mickey Dolenz) had any acting background, two (Peter Tork and Mike Nesmith) had a musical background. Initially, they were just the show, but they did eventually break out as a band with a number of hits. To be honest, I liked their music at the time, but was not a real Monkeys fan.

Watching the movie today, it is clearly a rip off of the Beatles, and in my mind, not a good one. I grew tired of it 10 minutes into the movie.

I grew up in the 60s, and this movie is clearly a product of that era. Even the psychedelic stuff was reminiscent of the ending scenes in 2001 A Space Odyssey.

If you have the patience to sit through a lot of dated stuff, the music is good. But I really couldn't get past the opening.