DAYTIME REVOLUTION
Nostalgic, riveting and radical!
Director Erik Nelson presents Daytime Revolution, a wonderful documentary, with the perfect title…
John and Yoko Ono Lennon co-hosted The Mike Douglas Show on American daytime tv for five days in February 1972 with some of their unconventional friends. It was revolutionary!
The film explores a controversial and provocative week of interviews and entertainment. This ultimate cultural collision between the mainstream and the radical (orchestrated by the Lennons and mediated by Douglas) is not only an amazing snapshot of the turbulent 1970s, but also a shocking reflection of our current time in history. It includes poignant reflections from many of the fascinating guests who appeared. Others who worked behind the scenes share their experiences.
– Madeline Bocaro
DAYTIME REVOLUTION – Film Review
by Madeline Bocaro
February 1972: John and Yoko take over The Mike Douglas Show…
Release Date: October 2024 / Soon on Home Video
Director Erik Nelson presents a wonderful documentary. John and Yoko Ono Lennon co-hosted The Mike Douglas Show on daytime television in America for five days in February 1972, with some of their unconventional friends. It was revolutionary!
The film will be released on more than 50 screens across the country on October 9 — what would have been Lennon’s 84th birthday. Yoko Ono and Sean Lennon served as creative consultants.
After appearances on The Dick Cavett and David Frost shows in America, John and Yoko were delighted when contacted by The Mike Douglas Show to appear for a whole week. They considered this the perfect platform on which to enlighten middle-America about “the movement” to better the world. Forty million Americans were watching – during the week that Nixon visited China. This wide exposure would put the Lennons in Nixon’s bullseye. He then germinated his relentless agenda to remove them from the country.
The majority of the 90-minute show’s afternoon audience were housewives who were accustomed to much more sedate entertainment, such as the host’s opening song – a sappy cover of The Beatles’ song ‘Michelle’ (one of Paul McCartney’s). Mike unwittingly honors the wrong Beatle right off the bat. Lennon was most likely cringing backstage, but he musters up the strength to ignore the host’s faux pas, and highlights the fact that he wrote the middle-eight.
The beauty of the documentary is that it features countless uninterrupted digitally restored clips of the five actual episodes in gorgeous clarity. This allows us to gain insight and revel in the nostalgic details; the egg-carton backdrop dotted with pop-art flowers, Yoko’s hot pants, John’s brilliant wit, the orange and brown 1970s hues, the 51- year-old host’s un-hip suits and his nervous giggles, the irreverence of Jerry Rubin… It is amazing to live through this again, having not understood the heavy meaning of it all as a teenager.
John’s point was that we all “fall for images.” Someone might appear to be more radical or fearsome until you actually hear what they have to say. For this reason, the Lennons brought radical thinkers into our living rooms. This was the ultimate cultural collision between the mainstream and the radical, orchestrated by John and Yoko. Douglas, the show’s cordial and genial host kept things from going off the rails.
The most hilarious thing was how uncomfortable it made my mom. This was her favorite TV show. She tuned in every day while preparing dinner, monopolizing the only TV in the house. Now my world was invading her world. She had to endure John and Yoko and their guests for an entire week! I watched every minute of it, enraptured and unblinking. I enjoyed watching mom shake her head with disdain, day after day!
The Lennons arrived at the show’s Philadelphia studio each day with their many guests, including demonstrative, disgruntled activist Jerry Rubin (who considered America to be an atmosphere of apathy – in contrast with the Lennons’ view of hope and possibilities). Black Panther Bobby Seale (unbelievably a former stand-up comedian) was eloquent, serious and very impressive – presenting films about the Panthers’ free programs and clinics.
The documentary includes interviews with the surviving guests, sharing their recollections and reflections, including consumer activist Ralph Nader, singer Vivian Reed, (who presented a Harry Nilsson tune and a heavy gospel number). Nobuko Miyamoto of the duo Yellow Pearl (who sang about the plight of Japanese who lived in the internment camps), the biofeedback researcher, the macrobiotic chef (hijiki eggrolls!), avant-garde musician David Rosenboom and the show’s then 24-year-old associate producer, who shared behind-the-scenes tales of turmoil and worries throughout the incredible week. It’s also noted that the show’s PR guy was Roger Ailes, who later worked for Nixon and even later, started FOX news. Mike Douglas passed away in 2006 at age 86.
The film gives us context by inserting poignant newsreels of the turbulent time throughout; atrocities of the Vietnam war, rampant drug use, rising food prices, protests and busing boycotts. These horrible scenes were accepted as the norm at the time, as we watched the evening news over dinner – but in retrospect it is shocking to see how desensitized we were to these severe, frightening and impactful reports. Many of us were teenagers at the time, just reveling in the joy of seeing our idol and his wife in our midst and anticipating their antics. They did not disappoint!
The opening scene is the solemn and respectful introduction of John and Yoko at the benefit concert in 1971 for families of victims of the Attica State prison uprising. (Ironically – in a sad twist of fate, John’s killer was incarcerated at Attica). The Lennons’ move from the UK to New York City in late 1971 is documented. Within weeks, they meet the heads of the counter sub-culture and appear on television’s most popular afternoon show.
When asked during show No. 1, “What do you want to talk about?” John replied, “Love, peace, communication, women’s lib…
” Yoko chimed in, “Racism, prisons, drugs – what’s going on now.
To show that the future direction of the world is going to be beautiful.”
And away we go…
Mike interviews the Lennons about their personal lives – John tells the sad stories of his childhood, the sweet story of how he and Yoko met (at her art exhibition in London in 1966) and their “mind marriage.” He answers questions about the Beatles’ non-political stance, upon their manager’s request. John and Yoko also premiered clips from their new Imagine film.
The musical highlights were diverse. John performed songs from his ‘Imagine’ album with the Plastic Ono Elephant’s Memory Band (we see the entire performance of ‘Imagine’) and had a dream jam with his hero Chuck Berry on show No. 3 (their first meeting in person). Lennon almost loses his mind when Chuck says, “Take it John!” John’s idea of having Yoko join in every aspect of his life did not bode well for this particular performance. Unfortunately, Yoko would never live it down.
Yoko performed her new song ‘Sisters O Sisters’ – shown in its entirety! (Yoko also sang ‘Sakura’ – ‘Cherry Blossoms’ an old Japanese folk song that she learned as a child). Vivian Reed sang an emotional gospel piece. Yoko invited folk duo Yellow Pearl to represent the mistreatment of Asians with their acoustic ‘We Are the Children.’
The episodes also showcased Yoko’s participatory art and events, including Touch Piece (asking audience members to touch each other) and Mend Piece (repairing a broken teacup by re-assembling one piece each day). She presented Mike with A Box of Smile (a small box with a mirror at the bottom) which John and Yoko each smiled into, for him.
Despite the mayhem, everyone remembers John and Yoko as equals (“she was equal to a rock star”) and as warm human beings with trust and faith in the human race, trying to do good in the world. The US government thought otherwise, and began deportation proceedings shortly after the broadcasts.
Flashback photographs of the week are shown over the show’s ragtime style weekly wrap-up theme-song, which sounds a bit strange when reflecting upon this particular week of shows!
This week with you was really “the most…”
It’s been a happy week I know I’ll never forget.
I hope it isn’t very long before the moment when
we have another chance to do it again.
Of course, this special moment in time could not, and would not ever happen again.
In the poignant final scene of this incredible time capsule, a young female student in the audience asks what she can do personally to help people. John’s answer: “Just making that decision, ‘I want to do something’ is a start.” The girl’s smile shows that she is very proud of herself, and satisfied with his answer. Mission accomplished.
A chilling afterthought:
John and Yoko were scheduled to appear on Douglas’ show again in December 1980 (in Hawaii) but cancelled, having to finish recording their Double Fantasy album. Had they not cancelled, they would not have been in New York City on the day that John was murdered. Ironically, his killer went from Hawaii to New York to kill him.
– Madeline Bocaro, author
In Your Mind – The Infinite Universe of Yoko Ono
Multiple Emmy and IDA award winning filmmaker Erik Nelson has produced and directed a wide range of feature documentaries for his company Creative Differences. These range from producing four films with Werner Herzog (Grizzly Man, Cave Of Forgotten Dreams, Into The Abyss and Oscar nominated Encounters At The End Of The World), to directing Dreams With Sharp Teeth (2008) a biographical look at writer Harlan Ellison, and A Gray State (2017). Nelson’s two most recent films are World War 2 documentaries The Cold Blue (2019) and Terror and Glory: 1945 (2021).
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DVD Extras :
- Restoration Demonstration
- Theatrical Trailer
- Uncut Musical Performances by John Lennon and Yoko Ono:
- IT’S SO HARD (FEB. 14th, 1972)
- MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE (w/ Chuck Berry, FEB. 16th, 1972)
- LUCK OF THE IRISH (FEB. 18th, 1972)
Blu Ray:
MORE:
The whirlwind of the Lennons’ extraordinary existence resulted in two documentaries about two six-month periods in their lives – in 1972. Six months after The Mike Douglas Shows, John and Yoko would perform a live benefit concert (One to One) for special needs children at Madison Square Garden on August 30th, promoting their album Some Time in New York City. An upcoming documentary titled One to One will address this time in their lives.
Countless other films highlight John’s relationship to New York City (LennoNYC), his immigration case (The U.S. vs. John Lennon – also excecutive produced by Erik Nelson) John and Yoko’s relationship, their music and other aspects of their incredible lives together.
NOTE:
After Yoko performed Mend Piece on The Mike Douglas Show, a boy approached John and Yoko during their cross-country trip. He thanked them, saying that his parents had been on the verge of divorce. When they saw Mend Piece, they decided to mend their relationship, and stayed together.
Yoko appeared on The Mike Douglas Show without John. She was interviewed and made random “Love Calls,” dialing up strangers to say I love you.’ It was especially hilarious when Mike dialed up fellow British talk show host David Frost (whom John and Yoko had also driven a bit crazy on his show) to say ‘I love you.’ Unfortunately, Frost was not available. A documentary should be made about his experiences with the Lennons’ many appearances on his show over the years! It could be titled Frost/Lennon!
YOKO & MIKE
Yoko appeared on The Mike Douglas Show by herself on November 15, 1973 to promote her album Feeling the Space. She performed ‘Angry Young Woman’ wearing hot pants and thigh high boots! Yoko was also interviewed, but was rudely interrupted by Spanky McFarland of The Little Rascals/ Our Gang Comedies fame, who was hawking his barbecue sauce. He threw a bottle of BBQ sauce to Mike, and it almost hit Yoko in the head!
Yoko presented Heavily Bandaged Box to Douglas:
“This is a box that contains something very, very beautiful, and only one person saw it. So she decided to put it in a box. But the only drawback is that this beautiful thing is so sensitive to light that when you open it under the light it disappears.
The last time I saw this box it was sort of like shining, and all beautiful and now it’s bandaged, so I call it Very Heavily Bandaged Box.”
– Yoko, The Mike Douglas Show, 1973
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A Yoko Ono biography
In Your Mind – The Infinite Universe of Yoko Ono
The true story of the woman John Lennon loved
The first extensive exploration of the artist’s amazing life, struggles, art, activism, films and music – in astounding detail.
Not only a biography – it is the ultimate reference guide to Ono’s life and work.
Now in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Library & Archives
Acclaimed by MOJO & Goldmine
Honorable Mention in The Beatles Gift Guide
On Amazon worldwide and…
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