I Feel Like I'm In Heaven

And so will you when you download today's sharity: the sheet music to the theme song from Joanie Loves Chachi! This is the first time I am posting sheet music on The World of Wonder and I picked a great song to start! Here it is. Enjoy!

Joanie Loves Chachi Sheet Music

The Best of The World of Wonder: The Wizard of Oz Gets The Soap Treatment

I had the immense honor of meeting Liza Minelli back in January of 2007 and could not help but think that I had spent time with Hollywood Royalty! The ironic twist to the whole thing is that on the way home, I was listening to the 1950 Lux Radio Theater production of The Wizard of Oz and at the very end of it, Judy Garland talks about her four year old daughter, Liza! As a way of celebrating my irony and meeting of Miss Minelli, I posted that very same radio show that accompanied my ride home. Here is the Lux Radio Theatre production of "The Wizard of Oz" from Christmas Day, 1950. Judy Garland, then aged 28, was the only original cast member of the MGM film to be in this Lux program. Rounding out the cast were: Herb Vigran (Tin Man), Hans Conreid (Scarecrow), Ed Max (Lion), Herb Butterfield (Wizard), Betty Lou Gerson (Good Witch), Noreen Gammill (Wicked Witch) William Johnson (Uncle Henry), Ruth Perrott (Auntie Em), Gil Stratton (Mayor) and David Light was the voice of Toto. Enjoy!

Lux Radio Theater presents The Wizard of Oz

Classic TV Episode of The Month: S.W.A.T.

The Best of The World of Wonder: A Little Ditty About Jack and Shirley

After their 1956 marriage, movie musical star Shirley Jones and stage musical star Jack Cassidy recorded a duet album of operetta songs, Speaking of Love, and a studio-cast album of Brigadoon for Columbia Records in 1957. In 1959, they returned to Columbia for With Love From Hollywood, a companion piece to Speaking of Love in which they revived songs from Hollywood movies released between 1934 and 1948, songs written by Harold Arlen, Irving Berlin, George & Ira Gershwin, Jerome Kern, Ted Koehler, Johnny Mercer, Cole Porter, Rodgers & Hammerstein, and Rodgers & Hart. Jones, who had a history with Rodgers & Hammerstein, beautifully interpreted their "It Might as Well Be Spring" from State Fair as a solo, while Cassidy on his own had fun with Porter's "Nina" from the underrated score to The Pirate. Frank DeVol (TV's Happy Kine) treated the songs for what they were, movie songs, employing alternately playful and lushly sentimental string-filled arrangements. Here is that great album! Enjoy!

Shirley Jones & Jack Cassidy - With Love From Hollywood

Showtime At Disneyland!

Back in 1970, the weekly television show, The Wonderful World of Disney, premiered an episode starring the Osmonds and Kurt Russell that was set at California's Disneyland. It was titled "Disneyland Showtime!" It featured Kurt showing the Osmonds around the Magic Kingdom. Today, here at the World of Wonder, you not only get to watch the entire episode (thanks to YouTube) but you get the complete soundtrack as well! Here are all five parts of the show followed by the download link for the soundtrack. Enjoy!



Disneyland Showtime TV Soundtrack

The Best of The World of Wonder: Pitting a Mouse Against A Giant

Of course everyone knows the story of Jack & The Beanstalk. It's been told over and over again in all different forms. I even played a snare drum duet based on the story! One version that is extremely popular with people who are in my generation and older is the Walt Disney version, "Mickey & The Beanstalk". It was released in 1947 as part of the feature film, "Fun & Fancy Free" and has since taken on a life of its own. It has been featured on television, videos, DVDs and on record. Which brings us to today's post. This is the recorded version that accompanied the "Fun & Fancy Free" movie release. It was originally released as a 78 storybook album. Later on, with the advent of the LP, it was released on that medium as well. The most notable fact about the recorded version is that it was narrated by the popular singer and composer, Johnny Mercer. Here is Johnny Mercer telling the story of Mickey & The Beanstalk. Complete with dialogue, music and sound effects from the cartoon!

Mickey & The Beanstalk

The Best of The World of Wonder: Billy & The Boingers!

If you grew up in the 80s you were privy to two of the greatest comics of all time. One was Calvin and Hobbes and the other was Bloom County. In fact, I dare say that Bloom County might be the greatest comic ever. In 1986, smack dab in the middle of the hair band regime, the story line of Bloom County turned towards the characters forming a band called "Deathtöngue". The band was created by lawyer Steve Dallas and their first single, "Demon Drooler of the Sewer" (which sold with "Leper Lover") peaked at 1,012 on the Top 100 list. Their record deal with CBS Records fell through because of explicit lyrics on their song, "Let's Run Over Lionel Ritchie with a Tank." During congressional hearings on "porn rock," Dallas, under grilling by the wives of several congressmen, completely caved into congressional pressure and announced the band had changed their name and image. The rechristened "Billy and the Boingers" embarked on their first world tour, sponsored by Dr. Scholl's Odor Eaters, which consisted of a single gig: the Moose Lodge in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was around this time that Berkley Breathed, the creator of Bloom County, announced a songwriting competition for what would be the real first single from Billy and The Boingers. Two entrants were picked for a flexi-disc that was released with a collection of the strips entitled,"Billy and The Boingers Bootleg". The songs were "I'm a Boinger", written and played by the Harry Pitts Band, and "U-Stink-But-I-♥-U", written and performed by the band Mucky Pup. Here now are those songs! Enjoy!

Billy and The Boingers

The Best of The World of Wonder: Cuchi-Cuchi!!!!

In 1977, Charo was it! She was everywhere. You could usually catch her on the Tonight Show and The Love Boat. She's considered a national treasure in her homeland but here in the States, she is considered a Queen of kitsch. When she released an album with The Salsoul Orchestra she earned herself a hit! Both with the single, "Dance A Little Bit Closer" and with the album cover. Add a little double entendre ("You're Just The Right Size), a sultry (?) cover of the Stones' "Let's Spend The Night Together" and a little non-PC Hispanic humor ("Speedy Gonzalez) and you have "Cuchi-Cuchi". Incidentally, Charo can play the hell out of a guitar. Her flamenco playing is unreal! I had the privilige of seeing her live a couple of years ago and she blew my mind. And for someone her age, she's still hot! CUCHI-CUCHI!!!!!!

Cuchi-Cuchi

Hello World There's A Song That We're Singing . . .

This is too good to not pass on. It's a Partridge Family Tribute Band performing a cover of KISS' "Shout It Out Loud". Pure genius!

A Month of Monkees: Sold Only At Concerts Part 3

Well, we made it through "A Month of Monkees". Today marks the 43rd anniversary of the Monkees and also the last post of this mega-special month here at The World of Wonder. And we end it, fittingly, with the last original Monkees release. This time it's the live album, "MonkeeMania 2002 Live In Toronto." Fittingly, just as the last studio album of the original Colgems catalogue featured Micky and Davy, this last live album features the same two Monkees. After the "dismissal" of Peter Tork near the conclusion of the 2001 summer tour, Micky Dolenz & Davy Jones decided to continue their most recent reunion into 2002. Early in the year, the duo performed a few scattered dates in the U.S. & Canada. During one of their concerts at the Casino Rama in Toronto, Canada, as Micky Dolenz later explained, "everything came together." They just happened to be recording the show for reference reasons and decided not to let a good opportunity go to waste since Tork was no longer in the group, making the previous album out of date. The CD, which some say was done with more effort than the previous album, also brought some more joking and fooling around between Dolenz & Jones. When the tour visited the UK in March, fans had an opportunity to purchase the last remaining 2001 CDs as well as the brand new 2002 disc. By the time they came back to North America, the 2001 CD had been long sold out and the newer release was available for $15. It has since long gone away with no hopes of returning to the sale market. Therefore, as a public service to all of you wonderful Monkees fans, we here at The World of Wonder present that live album for your listening pleasure. We hope you have enjoyed this very special month. I know I have and I look forward to more "special months" in the future. For now, I am going to take a much needed break and will be back posting lots more pop culture fun in a week or two. Until then, enjoy!

Micky Dolenz & Davy Jones - MonkeeMania 2002 Live In Toronto

PS - Thank you to all who participated in the "pledge drive" auctions for The Richard S Dart Memorial Arts Scholarship. All total, our Monkees items brought in over $130! Thanks again!

A Month of Monkees: An Alternate Reality Part 8

Today we finish up the "Alternate Reality" of Monkees' records with a Greatest Hits collection. According to a March 21, 2009 Wikipedia entry, Colgems was slated to release a second Monkees greatest hits LP, but the plans were scuttled when the label folded. Apparently, in 1971, a test-pressing of another Monkees hits LP was planned. Like its predecessor, it contained 14 songs: four of these songs were key album tracks; five songs were issued on both singles and albums; the remaining five selections were previously released only as singles and would have made their album debut on this collection. While no official catalog number was ever assigned, the track listing was in place right from the start. Further documentation reveals that all 14 songs were in true stereo. Since we have been exploring this "Alternate Reality" of the Monkees, I decided that in that "alternate reality" Colgems did release this hits collection. As with the Alternate Reality HEAD Soundtrack, this is one that was put together from concept to cover art by myself. While I wasn't too keen on my cover art for the a.r. HEAD soundtrack, I absolutely love the cover art for this album. Since there was no official catalog number assigned, I just gave it the next number after Changes to "follow" the history.

(Theme From) The Monkees
Porpoise Song (Theme from Head)
Someday Man
Good Clean Fun
Oh My My
What Am I Doing Hangin' 'Round?
D.W. Washburn
For Pete's Sake
Listen To The Band
It's Nice To Be With You
The Girl I Knew Somewhere
Tear Drop City
Long Title: Do I Have To Do This All Over Again
Goin' Down

All songs are in stereo. Also, as a special bonus, in this "alternate reality", Colgems released the album with this exculsive pull out poster!



Please enjoy this last album in the "Alternate Reality" series!

The Monkees Greatest Hits No. 2 (Alternate Reality LP)

A Month of Monkees: Monkees Past Posts

As we near the end of "A Month of Monkees" here at the World of Wonder, I can't help but feel a sense of great accomplishment that I was able to do an entire month of posts featuring the Monkees without having to resort to re-posting any of the Monkees items that I have posted in the past. Every single day during this month, I featured (and will until the 12th) a brand new never before posted item. However, I could not let this month go by without giving the past posts a nod as well. Here are some Monkees items that I have posted in the past for you to enjoy just in case you missed them or have misplaced them! Enjoy!

33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee Soundtrack

The Monkees Live In L.A. 9/7/86

Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart LP

The Monkees - Mobile, Alabama - 8/12/67 (part 1)
The Monkees - Mobile, Alabama - 8/12/67 (part 2)

The Living Strings Play "I'm A Believer" and other Monkees Hits

Monkees Christmas Album

A Month of Monkees: A Deck of Monkees Part 6

Even though we finished the complete set of 90 cards put out by RHINO/Carleton in the 90s a few posts back, we still have the super cool FOIL cards also known as CHASE cards. These are the high quality collectible cards that are randomly put into the packs and are considered the most valuable of the set. This particular set has 4 FOIL/CHASE cards. All 4 of them are presented here so that you can complete the set for yourself.

The Monkees Trading Cards Chase Set

A Month of Monkees: 33 1/3 Revolutions Per Comic

Here we have the last of the Monkees comic books that I am posting during this "Month of Monkees". The last two issues we posted were issues 7 and 8. I would love to end this series of posts with the next two consecutive issues but unfortunately I don't have the next two issues. So, we have to jump a few issues. Here are issues 13 and 14 in the Dell Comic Book Series of The Monkees. Enjoy!

The Monkees Dell Comic Book Issue 13

The Monkees Dell Comic Book Issue 14

BONUS:
Here is a super cool magazine from the 60s that is pretty much totally devoted to The Monkees. It's an issue from Fall of 1967 that features articles like "The Monkees Talk About LSD (that one's pretty funny!), "The Kind of Mail The Monkees Would Answer" and then some. There's also a few articles about The Mothers of Invention, The Mamas and The Papas and a few more groups but most of the magazine is dedicated to The Monkees! Enjoy!

Freak Out Magazine Fall 1967

A Month of Monkees: Papa Nez's Super Secret All Purpose Songs

After posting two live albums from the 80s Monkees (Peter, Micky & Davy), I felt that it would only be fair to post something from the other Monkee; Michael Nesmith. Nesmith has become the "legitimate" Monkee over the years and has gained a fair amount of respect for his decisions in both the entertainment and business world. Anything Nesmith does becomes an instant collector's item whether it be a new album or a book. Back in the 90s, he went out on his first solo tour in a while to support his album, "Tropical Campfires" and released a live video which has since been released on DVD (Live At The Brit Festival). But back in the 70s, Nesmith was touring to support his work with The First National Band. It was on these tours that he played London. Once in 1974 and then again a year later. The 1975 show was broadcast on the BBC-Radio 1 in England. What sticks out about that gig is the amount of material he performed from his album, "The Prison". What sticks out about that gig here at the World of Wonder is that gig! Today I present not only that show, but the fore-mentioned 1974 London show as well. The '74 show is an audience recording but is extremely listenable. Here are both of those shows for you in audio form. Enjoy!

Michael Nesmith-London, April 28, 1974

Michael Nesmith - BBC-Radio 1, November 27, 1975

A Month of Monkees: An Alternate Reality Part 7

Here is yet another in our series of "Alternate Reality" Monkees LPs. This time around, we take a look at what could have happened if Mike didn't leave the band and stayed on to release "Changes" with Micky and Davy before they all called it quits. The result is a noticeably changed album featuring a completely different set of songs due to the involvement from Mike. Michelle 66's cover art for this is super cool. She used the same picture that was used on the real release and just kept in Mike. (the original picture was a photo taken on their 1969 tour with Sam and the Goodtimers). The one change I made to this album was a switch with the second track. Her original track listing had "Down The Highway" as the second track. While this was a track that may have been recorded by Nesmith during his Monkees days, there is no evidence of it anywhere. In it's place I put Mike's "Michigan Blackhawke". Other than that, I have kept her original concept.


1. Oh My My
2. Michigan Blackhawke
3. If You Have The Time
4. I Love You Better
5. Little Red Rider
6. Time and Time Again
7. Steam Engine
8. Love to Love
9. If I Ever Get To Saginaw Again
10. Do You Feel It Too?
11. Midnight Train
12. Angel Band




As with the other alternate reality LPs, Michelle 66's original art contained "Bonus Tracks" on the mini-LP. Once again I chose to keep it "bonus track free" to make it feel more like a legitimate release from the 60s. And as with the others, many of the tracks used are alternate takes and recordings. Enjoy!

The Monkees-Changes Alternate Reality LP

To see the original artwork that was put together by Michelle 66, head over to her Flicker page. Drop her a line and tell her the Dartman sent you!

A Month of Monkees: Last Chance For E-Bay Items!

Just a reminder that today is the last day to bid on the Monkees items I put up for auction on E-Bay! As stated before, all of these items are being auctioned off to raise funds for "The Richard S Dart Memorial Arts Scholarship" To help me on this "pledge drive", my good friend, Micky Dolenz, has donated some autographed items to put up for auction. All of the signed items came directly from Micky who signed them all personally and each one comes with a certificate of authenticity. All proceeds from these auctions will go towards the scholarship fund and I will include a receipt with each item so that you can claim the auction as a tax deduction.

(just click on each one to take you to the auction itself):

The Monkees TV Series Complete VHS Box Set with booklet and collectible watch

Monkees VHS Tape Collection

The Monkees Greatest Hits CD personally signed by Micky Dolenz

An 8'X10" color photo of Micky signed by him

"Micky's Secret Snaps" Photo Book signed by Micky!

Daydream Believer Remix 1986 Single

Heart and Soul/MBGBT Single 1987

Heart and Soul/MBGBT Single on PINK VINYL

Monkees Coffee Mug

Monkees 20th Anniversary Tour Baseball Cap

As always, if you feel like donating without having to bid on an auction, you can click on the donation button located on the right sidebar! Thanks in advance!

A Month of Monkees: A Deck of Monkees Part 5

Today we have the last of the Monkees trading cards from the RHINO/Carleton set that was released in the 90s. We have the final two "packs" of 9 cards bringing the grand total to 90 cards in the set. Also, feel free to download the cover to the super cool flip book at the left. Enjoy!

The Monkees Trading Cards 73-81

The Monkees Trading Cards 82-90

A Month of Monkees: Much More Monkee Business!

More great items from around the world wide web! (click on the images to get the full size pic)

This was the board game put out to coincide with the television show. I have never played it. Judging by most board games based on television shows, it probably wasn't that much fun.




This one cracks me up! Davy Jones as Pavel Chekov in Star Trek! Hilarious!



Here's one of the many model kits for the Monkee Mobile. I have the most recent release of this that was put out about 6 years ago. I attempted to build it. Attempt is about as far as I got. It looks somewhat like the actual car but I don't think I'll be taking on any more model cars in the future. The cool thing about the one pictured here is that it comes complete with figures of the Monkees to put in the seats. Mine didn't have that. Even it they were included, mine still wouldn't have that.

This is an ad for a performance by a group of kids taking music lessons at a "School of Rock" type place. Apparently the concert featured music by The Monkees. That must have been pretty cool to hear. I'm sure it sounded great! These "schools of rock" are becoming more and more common. I think it's a great way to teach kids 1) how to play an instrument and 2) the history of rock and popular music.


This is a poker chip that was used as a promotion to tie in with the Monkees week long engagement at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in 2001. This is the same week long stay where the guys recorded "2001 Live in Las Vegas", the album sold on the summer leg of that same tour that we featured on yesterday's post.



And finally, the infamous four headed puppet from the 60s!

I actually owned this puppet, in its original box, no less, for many years before I decided to unload it on e-bay. How I came to own it is quite the story. I was in high school at the time and it was no secret that I was a huge Monkees fan. It was during the big resurgence of the band in the mid-80s and I don't think a day went by where I wasn't wearing a shirt that had some kind of Monkees reference on it. I even wrote a term paper on the band! Anyway, a girl that I knew and at one time dated had told me that her brother had the puppet and that it was currently being stored in her attic. Now, here is where it gets weird. Her brother had committed suicide some time back and the puppet in question was being stored in the attic with the rest of his possessions that his family kept in his memory. I, being the self indulgent jerk that I was, really wanted that puppet and tried every angle to get it, with no luck coming my way. Until . . . the girl asked me to her prom. I told her that I would go with her if, and only if, I could have the puppet. Obviously, I went to the prom and the puppet became mine. Looking back on it now, I realize that I was a gigantic ass for doing this but it still makes for a great story! Please do not think less of me . . . if it makes you feel better, the voice box didn't work.

A Month of Monkees: The Spy Who Came In From The Comic

More Monkees Comics! Here are the next two issues of the Dell Comic Book series featuring The Monkees from the 60s! These comics make great reading material for all ages. This time we have issues 7 and 8. Enjoy!

The Monkees Dell Comic Book Issue 7

The Monkees Dell Comic Book Issue 8

A Month of Monkees: Monkees On The Wheel For Real

This is the latest in Monkee related items: The Monkees Slot Machine. Notice that the theme is not the original and has a different vocal track.

Monkees slot machine atlantic city

A Month of Monkees: Sold Only At Concerts Part 2

In November 2000, it was announced that Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, & Peter Tork would reunite as The Monkees for a short tour in March & April 2001. While not as popular as the 1986 concerts, this tour played to sold out crowds in theatres, casinos, & selected fairly large venues. The tour hit the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV the last week of March, 2001. It was towards the end of that week that two of their shows were recorded. These recordings were put together and mixed in April & May before the kick-off of the tour's summer leg, where it was sold at the merchandise table. Interesting note: As with the "20th Anniversary Tour" album, this album is also credited to the guys individually rather than to "The Monkees". The last time new copies of this album were available was on Micky & Davy's UK tour in March 2002. Now, 7 years later, you can get it here at the World of Wonder. Here is that live concert album for you. Enjoy!

Peter Tork, Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz - 2001 Live In Las Vegas

A Month of Monkees: An Alternate Reality Part 6

Here is the 6th Monkees Alternate Reality LP. This time around we have a slightly different version of "The Monkees Present". The original concept for that album was that it would be a double album and each Monkee would have one complete side to devote to whatever they wanted to record. When Peter announced that he was leaving, the concept changed to the remaining three each getting a side and the remaining side would be a collaboration. In the end, as we all know, the entire concept went out the window and it just became a regular single album with 12 tracks. In the "Alternate Reality", however, Peter has not yet left the group and the original concept became a reality! Michelle 66's artwork was based on the idea of each Monkee releasing their own album (kind of like when all the members of KISS released their solo albums). This is a great idea but the problem for me was that most of the tracks that she listed, particularly on Micky and Peter's albums, are non-existent. For example, her version of Micky's solo LP was basically a collection of compositions played on the Moog synthesizer. As far as I know, there are no recordings of this type of stuff and if there are, they have yet to see the light of day. As a result, I chose to go with the original 4 sided concept and used most of the original "Present" tracks along with a lot of tracks that were not released on the original albums. I thought of the cover art as being a gatefold cover with, like the records inside, each Monkee getting a side. In the "alternate reality" the album was released in four different covers with each Monkee getting a chance for his cover to be on the front.




1. Good Clean Fun
2. Never Tell A Woman Yes
3. The Crippled Lion
4. Oklahoma Backroom Dancer
5. Calico Girlfriend
6. Listen To The Band









1. Through The Looking Glass
2. Bye Bye Baby Bye Bye
3. Shake 'Em Up
4. She'll Be There
5. Rosemarie
6. Pillow Time









1. Changes
2. If I Learned To Play The Violin
3. You Can't Tie A Mustang Down
4. Looking For The Good Times
5. Ceiling In My Room
6. 99 Pounds









1. Alvin
2. Seeger's Theme
3. Come On In
4. Tear The Top Right Off My Head
5. Lady's Baby
6. Merry Go Round


For the production, each Monkee was in charge of his six tracks that would make up the side of the album. They could use whatever material they wanted and could use whomever they wanted on the tracks. Some of the tracks, particularly Davy's, show a collaboration between two of them. This is because they simply asked each other to be on their tracks. This is all so geeky but all so much fun as well. Anyway, here's the "Alternate Reality" version of The Monkees Present. Enjoy!

The Monkees Present Alternate Reality LP 1
The Monkees Present Alternate Reality LP 2

To see the original artwork that was put together by Michelle 66, head over to her Flicker page. Drop her a line and tell her the Dartman sent you!

A Month of Monkees: More Monkee Business

More items I have found floating about the inter-web (click on each pic to get the larger version).

First is a card for a bubblegum machine that featured paper action figures of the boys that you could mix and match. Has anyone ever seen one of these?



Next are two of the infamous Ben Cooper Halloween costumes. These are Micky and Davy.







Here are the four mini dolls that were made in the 60s. Each Monkee was represented. Each package also claims to have a "Groovy 331/3 Record" that tells all about each Monkee. Does anyone have these?


Here is a postcard that was sent to fan club members welcoming them to the club. I actually have this one!


Here is a mail-in offer to get what I am presuming to be a copy of "The Monkees Present" that came inside various boxes of Kellog's cereal. This ws in conjunction with the cardboard records that were put on the back of the boxes that featured various Monkees songs. One of them is below the ad.

Stay tuned for more Monkees' items right here on the World of Wonder!

A Month of Monkees: A Deck of Monkees Part 4

We continue on with the RHINO/Cornerstone Trading Card series from the 90s. These are the next two "packs" of cards each featuring the fronts and backs of the next nine cards in the sequence. The cool package on the left is from the 1967 series of cards put out by Donruss. Feel free to download that as well. You can click on it to get the full size image. Here are the next two "packs" of cards. Enjoy!

The Monkees Trading Cards 56-63

The Monkees Trading Cards 64-72

A Month of Monkees: Monkees A La Comics

Here, in order, are the next two issues of the Dell Comic Book series based on The Monkees from 1967. They are issues number 5 and 6. It's interesting to note that many of the scenes in the comic books are expanded versions of many of the "romps" in the original television series. Check them out!

The Monkees Dell Comic Book Issue 5

The Monkees Dell Comic Book Issue 6