Script to Screen! "The Picture Frame!" Spot the Many Differences!

I was lucky enough to get my paws on a copy of the '67 shooting script for the famed 2nd-season MONKEES episode, "The Picture Frame," so let's all dive in and spot the many differences that occurred when this wacky adventure got transferred from script to screen!  Click images below to enlarge!

Above: The actual episode begins as the band (minus Peter) arrives
inside the film studio. The producers probably thought to just use
the existing soundstages THE MONKEES was already filmed on, instead
of searching out an actual location for a "dilapidated old movie
studio" exterior!

Above: In the filmed version, the guys simply approach the crook's desk, with no spotlight gag.

Above: The visual "cut away" gag (a staple of THE MONKEES series) of
the bricks falling was never used.

Above: Mike's little speech to the bank guard was cut..

Above: In the actual episode, we cut right to the guys, in their pad, being confronted by police outside their door. In the script, the guys are rehearsing their Oscar-acceptance speeches, with Peter even posing as the famous industry statue!

Above: In a line not used in the filmed version, Micky zings
Mike with this comparison to Jerry Lewis. Oddly, so much of
Micky's comedy act was cribbed from Lewis!

Above: This cute "file" gag was substituted for a different take on the word! Peter brings fingernail files, and not paper files or (as expected) metal files!

Above: To prove just how much the Monkees successfully ad-libbed and improvised, check out the simple bit with Mike wooing the female judge. Mike added so much more to this gag when filmed, even attempting to eat a portion of the flowers offered to the judge!

Above: Again, the Monkees were only given simple script instructions for some scenes (such as this "food distribution" bit), and, as filmed, we see just how much the band brought to the comedy!

Above: Most of these scripted "romp gags" went unused, and, as filmed, Peter simply runs to the courthouse and enters (as opposed to entering thru a low window), with the gangsters dogging his heels!

Above: This "tag" was fully dropped in the filmed version, to make
room for a video of the band performing "Randy Scouse Git!"



The wrap-up: When the group, in '67, was 
being raked over the coals for not playing 
their own instruments on early cuts, the 
band took comfort in ownership over much 
of the comedy of the TV show, pointing out 
just how much improvising and creativity 
they were allowed to bring to bear in that 
arena. Looking at many shooting scripts, like 
this one, demonstrates just how tre-
mendous their contributions were, in 
concert with directors like Jim Frawley (who 
helmed this very episode)!