Monkees Spectacular Vol 1 Num 12, 1968
You are invited to
Mike's Far-Out,
Far East Party!
It's 8:30 p.m. and as your car winds up the curving
roads of the Hollywood Hills, you can see Mike Nesmith's gas lanterns burning
on top of the hill. A few more curves and then you spot the entrance
to the Villa Antela.
As you arrive at the gate, Alfie's cheerful voice
comes through the speaker at the gate. (Alfie is Mike's personal
chauffeur whom he and Phyllis met on their London vacation last year.)
Alfie can see you at the gate through one of the four closed-circuit television
cameras on the grounds. He checks the guest list, as the party is
by invitation only, and suddenly the big iron gates open automatically.
You drive in mentally preparing yourself for an evening of fun and excitement
at the Nesmith's Far East party.
GRAND TOUR
You are greeted at the door by Mike's beautiful wife,
Phyllis, who is wearing a groovy floor-length East Indian-style dress.
As you pass through the entryway and into the living room, Mike glances
and comes over and says, "Hello, come on in... glad to have you with us."
He's wearing a velvet East Indian peasant shirt and bell-bottomed slacks.
Michael asks if you'd like to see the rest of their
new home. "I'd love to," you admit and off you go. Before you
leave the living room, decorated in Spanish modern furniture and luxurious
with thick off-white carpeting, you notice many of Mike's friends sitting
around on the floor (the old Oriental custom) talking happily. From
the fireplace a warm fire lights the room.
FANTASTIC VIEW
From the dining room there is an almost 180 degree view
of the San Fernando Valley and on the terrace Mike has a powerful telescope,
which he received for a Christmas present. Here Mike introduces you
to his close friends Keith and Judy Allison who are engrossed in star gazing.
Next Mike leads you into the den, which is a most
unusual room. In one corner is the soda-fountain/bar which even has
an ice cream machine. Behind the bar a real tree grows through the
floor and on up through the ceiling! The floor is carpeted in deep
orange and a large semi-circular sofa fills the opposite corner of the
room.
INDOOR-OUTDOOR POOL
The amazing feature of the comfortable den is the indoor-outdoor
swimming pool. The pool comes right into the room and is separated
from the outside by sliding glass doors that rest on steel runners.
You can swim both in and out of the doors by going under the runners and
they can be automatically removed by the flick of a switch to make the
pool one large area.
But what Mike is especially proud of in this room
is his new pinball machine. "It's real and it's life size and Phyllis
got it for me for Christmas!" he says so excitedly.
PSYCHEDELIC CHAIRS
Off the den is the library-study room carpeted in rich
red. The sofa here is done in exquisite white tapestry and there
are two chairs upholstered in red, blue and green psychedelic-pattern tapestry.
There are matching pillows with gold tassels which decorate the floor.
From here Mike leads you up the spiral staircase
carpeted in a brown-red tone pile. At the base of the stairs is a
section of brown antique tiles set into the floor. On the way up
you pass three large hanging lamps over the staircase. A turn to
the left and you are in Christian's bedroom. Chris is asleep now,
but Mike explains that his room is done in shades of green and that his
windows are sliding glass doors that lead to a balcony overlooking the
front entrance to the house.
MASTER BEDROOM
On down the hall, which is lined with gorgeous paintings,
is Mike and Phyllis' bedroom. The carpeting is green with beige flecks
and so thick you feel as if it might be a cloud. The king-size bed
is covered by a green bedspread that blends beautifully with the carpeting.
The curtains, which cover one side of the room, work automatically, as
Mike demonstrates, by a control next to the bed.
Downstairs again, you join the other guests like
Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, Brendan Cahill, Bert Schneider and Bob Rafelson
and Mike's many other personal friends (all dressed in freaky Far Eastern
clothes). Everyone begins lining up for the buffet supper that has
been catered.
UNUSUAL FOODS
Among the delightful dishes are beef dip, mushroom and
steak hors d'oeuvres, potato dip, noodle currie casserole, roast beef and
rice, arichoke hearts, and green beans. The huge centerpiece is made
from various grapes surrounded by sour cream, strawberries and mouthwatering
melons.
After dinner everyone seems to congregate in the
den. As you enter you notice that Mike has changed into levis and
a Lewis and Clark ribbon shirt; the outfit complete with moccasins.
Of course, he's busy playing with his favorite Christmas present--the pinball
machine!
GROOVY TAPES
In another corner there are two of the most unusual
chairs you've ever seen. They appear to look like two big eggs and
relaxing in one is Bobby Darin, dressed in a white Oriental peasent shirt
and looking very cool. He's listening intently to "Magical Mystery
Tour" through the speakers in the sides of the chairs!
The remainder of the evening you spend listening
to Mike's groovy tapes and talking with his interesting friends.
But it's getting late and time to go. So, thanks Mike and Phyl for
a great evening. We'll never forget it!
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Transcribed by GCF, 2001