"The Munsters" (1964) TV series 1964-1966

Seasons:

1 | 2 | unknown

Release Date:

24 September 1964 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family | Fantasy | Horror

Plot:

A family of friendly monsters have misadventures never quite realising why people react to them so strangely.

Plot Keywords:

Monster | Werewolf | Frankenstein | Vampire | Multiple Actors For One Character

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 3 nominations

Cast

Fred Gwynne	...	Herman Munster (72 episodes, 1964-1966)
Al Lewis	...	Grandpa (72 episodes, 1964-1966)
Yvonne De Carlo	...	Lily Munster (71 episodes, 1964-1966)
Butch Patrick	...	Eddie Munster (71 episodes, 1964-1966)
Pat Priest	...	Marilyn Munster (57 episodes, 1964-1966)

Also Known As:

Meet the Munsters (USA) (working title)
I mostri (Italy) [it]
La familia Monster (Spain) [es]
Les monstres (France) [fr]
Los Munsters (Argentina) [es]
Me Hirviöt (Finland) [fi]
Vi monster (Finland: Swedish title) [sv]

Runtime:

30 min (70 episodes) | Argentina:30 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Canada:PG (DVD rating) | USA:Not Rated (DVD rating)

Filming Locations:

Backlot, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company:

Kayro-Vue Productions

Trivia:

Beverley Owen's final episode was "Family Portrait".

Goofs:

Plot holes: It's made clear that Marilyn is from Lily's side of the family, yet her last name is 'Munster'. Marilyn is Lily's sister's daughter, so Marilyn should have had Lily's sister's last name, which would not have been 'Dracula' if Marilyn's mother was married and had a married name. Lily's sister may have married a Munster too, but then that doesn't explain why Herman often says that Marilyn's looks have nothing to do with his side of the family. Apparently, Marilyn has simply taken the Munster family name.

Quotes:

Lily: Eddie! You better start dawdling, or you're going to be on time for school!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Pumpkin Karver (2006)

Lily, for just once in this family, let's let the dead stay buried!

"The Munsters" isn't quite as good as its contemporary, "The Addams Family," but it's still a great show-- just very different.

In fact, the Munster/Addams comparison, I've come to realize, is totally unfair. As "AF" cast member Lisa Loring said on a DVD commentary, "the Addams Family is more like the Marx Brothers and the Munsters were like the 3 Stooges." That's a great way to sum it up. The humor on "The Munsters" is more in rimshot-oriented jokes ("Have you heard of our family doctor back in Germany? Dr. Frankenstein? He made me what I am today") and the bumbling goofiness of Herman. Lily is also a far more independent and formidable wife than Morticia, who's not afraid to bend Herman to her will, and she's played so perfectly by the late, great Yvonne de Carlo. Al Lewis is terrific as Grandpa, and Butch Patrick is probably the most grown-up of them all, the 1960s equivalent of Tommy Solomon in attitude and appearance. And the various Marilyns are interesting as well.

However, a lot of the jokes on this show can be very corny and predictable, and it was starting to stagnate a little after the end of the first season. But it's still a very memorable show worth watching and laughing at.