The Monkees Christmas Show

Written by Neil Burstyn & Dave Evans

Directed by Jon Anderson

Produced by Robert Rafelson & Bert Schneider

Songs: “Riu, Chiu” arranged and adapted by H. Diltz, C. Douglas, C. Faryar and

J. Yester

Guest Appearances

                                 Melvin                                       Butch Patrick

Mrs. Vandersnoot                    Jeannie Sorel

Butler                                           Burt Mustin

Doctor                                        Rege Cordic

Salesman                                Larry Gelman

                                 Salesgirl                                   Jill Chandler

Premiered on December 25, 1967

Summary

The Monkees arrive at the Vandersnoot Mansion on Christmas Eve expecting to perform at a party.  But to their surprise, Mrs. Vandersnoot is planning a Christmas cruise and wants the Monkees to baby-sit her twelve year old nephew Melvin  since he doesn’t want to go with her and offers them $100 each.  They soon see that Melvin is a cynical scrooge-like child who accompanies them to their pad rather than go with his aunt.

Back at their pad, the guys try to entertain Melvin with Mike playing Simple Simon with him, Micky trying to impress him with a yo-yo trick and Davy trying to be his pal but the boy unaffectedly rebuffs their efforts and sneers at them for acting like such kids.  Then the guys take him Christmas shopping but things go awry when Peter tries out a motorcycle which runs a amuck in the department store as it crashes into toys, cloth and into the Christmas tree.  The guys are charged $320 for damages plus $20 for the stretcher they use to carry Peter out.  Back at the pad, Peter is examined by a doctor who charges $20 for medical bills but decides to only charge them $19.95 since its Christmas.  Melvin doesn’t understand how they can enjoy Christmas so much and when the guys try to explain to him what Christmas is, he rejects the idea.  Mike tries to again to tell him that the Christmas spirit can be even in a smile and urges Melvin to try to smile but the boy is unable to do so he spats “Bah Humbug” at them.  The guys realize that Melvin has a lot to learn about Christmas and are even more determined to help him. 

First, they take him out to buy a Christmas tree and Mike finds a small evergreen tree but is soon in a tug a war with an old lady over it who overpowers Mike with a karate chop.  Then Mike learns that there are no more small trees and big trees are too expensive so they go to the forest for a Christmas tree.  Mike tries to chop down a tree he only to wind up with bad vibrations so he sends Davy and Peter to buy a Christmas tree instead.  Then Micky shows the others what he believes to be Holly and Mistletoe but it really is poison ivy and back at the pad, the guys have to pay another $20 to the doctor, the last of their Christmas money for Micky who is now all broken in rash.  Afterwards, they decide to show Melvin how to decorate the Christmas tree but when Davy tries to put the star on top of the tree while standing on a ladder, he falls off and crashes to the ground and winds up with bandages on his head from a concussion.  Since they have no more money, the doctor decides to charge them after Christmas.  A still unaffected Melvin blasts them for nearly killing themselves over something that doesn’t exist and when Mike replies that Christmas doesn’t exist as long as you don’t believe it to, an angry Melvin decides to leave and go back to the mansion as they guys give up.  The are still confused about Melvin’s attitude since they did everything from taking him shopping, hunting for Christmas trees etc. until Mike realizes that they tried everything but love.

Back at the mansion, Melvin encounters the butler and maid who plan on going out for a Christmas dinner and Melvin insists that he’ll be fine without them so they leave. Then Melvin grabs a plate and while looking at his reflection he tries to smile again with no success and soon breaks down in tears.  Then he imagines himself having fun with the Monkees in the department store and at their pad had he had the Christmas spirit.  Micky now dressed as Santa Claus carrying a sack and Davy as an elf are up on the roof of the mansion planning on climbing down the chimney.  They crash down the fireplace all covered with ashes and soon began singing the Christmas  Carol “Deck the Halls” as Mike and Peter enter the room carrying a Christmas Tree singing the chorus and Melvin finally overcome by emotions begins to laugh to everyone’s surprise and then starts to cry.  The guys surprise Melvin even by bringing his aunt, Mrs. Vandersnoot to him and she and Melvin embrace declaring how the missed the other.  Melvin  finally having the Christmas spirit begins to tell his aunt of all things he did with the Monkees as he opens his presents  and Davy and Micky  join them as Mike and Peter start crying over the touching moment.

The Monkees sing an old Latin Christmas Carol called “Riu, Chiu”.  This episode ends with the Monkees giving a message of peace and love just before introducing their backstage crew to say hello to their families for holiday as the end credits roll.

Trivia Notes

This episode was the only holiday-themed episode in the entire series which was

actually filmed during the Thanksgiving week.  It was also the only one to feature

special end credits.

The Monkees sing the Christmas Carol “Riu, Chiu” live.

There was a deleted plot twist which has Micky and Peter with guitars getting tangled

in a Christmas tree eratz Santa (Micky) and a different ending with the backstage crew

joining in on the Christmas Carol.

Then child actor Butch Patrick (Melvin) is best remembered as Eddie Munster in the classic sitcom “The Munsters”.

The late Rege Cordic (Doctor) appeared in the next episode “Fairytale” as the Town Crier/Narrator.