"Son of a Gypsy" has Peter held hostage by a thieving band of gypsies, who demand that Micky, Davy, and Mike steal for them the priceless 'Maltese Vulture' (Peter would also be kidnapped in the following episode). Led by Jeanne Arnold, they're an interesting bunch, with both Vincent Beck ("Royal Flush") and Vic Tayback ("Your Friendly Neighborhood Kidnappers") returning a third time the second season. The best gags involve the three Monkees desperately trying to worm their way past two security guards; best of all, Mike and Micky nervously eye their lit matches as they attempt to start a fire, only to be branded as litterbugs by the guards! The lone song is again Neil Diamond's "I'm a Believer," in its fourth straight appearance (and its last). Broadcast no. 16 (Dec 26 1966), "Son of a Gypsy" was 20th in production, filmed Oct 26-27.
2 Reviews
HOW TO GYP THE GYPIES IN ONE EZ LESSON
tcchelsey21 August 2023
Off the wall salute to the MALTESE FALCON (in a slight way)... as the guys get mixed up with a band of thieving gypsies, who have their greedy eyes on the Maltese Vulture. Get it?
Peter is held hostage by the gypsies, and will only be returned ALIVE, provided Micky, Davy and Mike crash the Rantha mansion (where there's an swank party going on) and smuggle out the jewel-encrusted statue. The gypsie boss is Maria, well played by stage actress Jeanne Arnold. She is the queen of mean, but with a soft spot? If you play her game, that is. Her two henchmen are nonother than Vincent Beck and Vic Tayback, who appeared several times on the show. Beck began his career in the camp sci fi SANTA CLAUS CONQUERS THE MARTIANS, and many other cult films and tv shows. Tayback, of course played heavies for years, a fixture on cop shows in the 70s.
The party scene is nicely staged, and you can tell the cast was having a real deal blast. The guys do their best to zig and zag through the mansion; a wacky scene has Davy trying to crack a safe and out booms... THE LAST TRAIN TO CLARKSVILLE, the Monkee's first no. 1 hit!
Also listen for I'M A BELIEVER, without fail.
Crazy stuff that runs fast, co-written by Dee Caruso, who was behind so many classic tv comedies.
SEASON 1 EPISODE 16 restored dvd box set.
Peter is held hostage by the gypsies, and will only be returned ALIVE, provided Micky, Davy and Mike crash the Rantha mansion (where there's an swank party going on) and smuggle out the jewel-encrusted statue. The gypsie boss is Maria, well played by stage actress Jeanne Arnold. She is the queen of mean, but with a soft spot? If you play her game, that is. Her two henchmen are nonother than Vincent Beck and Vic Tayback, who appeared several times on the show. Beck began his career in the camp sci fi SANTA CLAUS CONQUERS THE MARTIANS, and many other cult films and tv shows. Tayback, of course played heavies for years, a fixture on cop shows in the 70s.
The party scene is nicely staged, and you can tell the cast was having a real deal blast. The guys do their best to zig and zag through the mansion; a wacky scene has Davy trying to crack a safe and out booms... THE LAST TRAIN TO CLARKSVILLE, the Monkee's first no. 1 hit!
Also listen for I'M A BELIEVER, without fail.
Crazy stuff that runs fast, co-written by Dee Caruso, who was behind so many classic tv comedies.
SEASON 1 EPISODE 16 restored dvd box set.
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