"The Addams Family" (1964) TV series 1964-1966

Seasons:

1 | 2

Release Date:

18 September 1964 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family | Horror

Plot:

The misadventures of a blissfully macabre family.

Plot Keywords:

Addams Family | Tall | Butler | Macabre | Disembodied Hand

Awards:

3 nominations

Cast

Carolyn Jones	...	Morticia Frump Addams / ... (64 episodes, 1964-1966)
John Astin	...	Gomez Addams (64 episodes, 1964-1966)
Ted Cassidy	...	Lurch / ... (64 episodes, 1964-1966)
Jackie Coogan	...	Uncle Fester Frump (61 episodes, 1964-1966)
Ken Weatherwax	...	Pugsley Addams (40 episodes, 1964-1966)
Lisa Loring	...	Wednesday Addams (37 episodes, 1964-1966)
Marie Blake	...	Grandmama Addams (35 episodes, 1964-1966)

Series Directed by
Sidney Lanfield		(48 episodes, 1964-1966)
Jerry Hopper		(4 episodes, 1964)
Sidney Salkow		(4 episodes, 1965-1966)
Jean Yarbrough		(3 episodes, 1964)

Series Writing credits
Charles Addams		(42 episodes, 1964-1966)
Hannibal Coons		(25 episodes, 1964-1966)
Harry Winkler		(25 episodes, 1964-1966)
David Levy		(21 episodes, 1964-1965)
Phil Leslie		(10 episodes, 1964-1966)
Keith Fowler		(5 episodes, 1964-1965)
Sloan Nibley		(5 episodes, 1965-1966)
Henry Sharp		(5 episodes, 1965)
Jameson Brewer		(4 episodes, 1964-1965)
Bill Lutz		(4 episodes, 1965-1966)
Charles R. Marion		(3 episodes, 1964-1965)
Preston Wood		(3 episodes, 1965-1966)
Lou Huston		(2 episodes, 1964-1965)
Elroy Schwartz		(2 episodes, 1965-1966)
Jerry Gottler		(2 episodes, 1965)
Carol Henning		(2 episodes, 1965)
Mitch Persons		(2 episodes, 1965)
Leo Rifkin		(2 episodes, 1965)
Ed Ring		(2 episodes, 1965)
Gene Thompson		(2 episodes, 1966)
Arthur Weingarten		(2 episodes, 1966)

Series Produced by
Herbert W. Browar	....	associate producer (64 episodes, 1964-1966)
David Levy	....	executive producer (64 episodes, 1964-1966)
Nat Perrin	....	producer (64 episodes, 1964-1966)

Series Original Music by
Vic Mizzy		(64 episodes, 1964-1966)

Series Cinematography by
Archie R. Dalzell		(64 episodes, 1964-1966)

Series Film Editing by
Joseph Harrison		(22 episodes, 1964-1966)
Gerald Shepard		(21 episodes, 1964-1966)
Douglas Hines		(18 episodes, 1964-1966)
Jim Faris		(2 episodes, 1966)

Series Casting by
Kerwin Coughlin		(64 episodes, 1964-1966)

Series Art Direction by
Edward L. Ilou		(64 episodes, 1964-1966)

Series Set Decoration by
Ruby R. Levitt		(60 episodes, 1964-1966)
Claude E. Carpenter		(3 episodes, 1964)

Series Makeup Department
Norman Pringle	....	makeup artist (64 episodes, 1964-1966)
Myrl Stoltz	....	hair stylist (64 episodes, 1964-1966)

Series Production Management
Robert Freedman	....	post-production supervisor (23 episodes, 1965-1966)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Jack Voglin	....	assistant director (64 episodes, 1964-1966)

Series Art Department
Joe Thompson	....	property master (64 episodes, 1964-1966)

Series Sound Department
George J. Eppich	....	sound editor / sound effects editor / ... (64 episodes, 1964-1966)
Earl E. Spicer	....	sound mixer (64 episodes, 1964-1966)
Don J. Bassman	....	sound recordist / recordist (34 episodes, 1964-1965)
Al Boyle	....	boom man (30 episodes, 1965-1966)
Ray Regula	....	sound recordist / recordist (17 episodes, 1965-1966)
Erick Jolley	....	audio restoration (13 episodes, 1965)

Series Special Effects by
Larry Chapman	....	special effects (34 episodes, 1964-1965)
Joe Zomar	....	special effects (34 episodes, 1965-1966)
Robert Cole	....	special effects (30 episodes, 1965-1966)
Bob Overbeck	....	special effects (25 episodes, 1964-1965)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Harry Hopkins	....	chief electrician (64 episodes, 1964-1966)
Roy Kight	....	key grip (64 episodes, 1964-1966)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Myrtle Logan	....	costume supervisor (64 episodes, 1964-1966)

Series Editorial Department
Robert Freedman	....	editorial coordinator / post production supervisor (40 episodes, 1964-1965)

Series Music Department
Vic Mizzy	....	conductor / musician: harpsichord (64 episodes, 1964-1966)
Dave Kahn	....	music coordinator / music supervisor (63 episodes, 1964-1966)

Series Other crew
Richard Greer	....	production coordinator (63 episodes, 1964-1966)
David Levy	....	developed for television by (59 episodes, 1964-1966)
Stanley Olsen	....	script supervisor (49 episodes, 1964-1965)
Stanley Scheuer	....	script supervisor (15 episodes, 1965-1966)
Frank Inn	....	animal trainer (5 episodes, 1964)

Production Companies

• Filmways Television

Distributors

• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1964-1966) (USA) (TV) (original airing)
• MGM Television (2000-) (worldwide) (TV)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2006-) (worldwide) (video)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2006-) (USA) (DVD) (North America)
• FS Film Oy (2007) (Finland) (DVD)
• Horror TV (2007) (Japan) (TV)
• Lumivision (1992) (USA) (laserdisc)
• Orion Pictures Corporation
• Republic Pictures Home Video (1991) (USA) (VHS)
• The Program Exchange (2004-) (USA) (TV) (sales)
• Verenigde Arbeiders Radio Amateurs (VARA) (1976-1978) (Netherlands) (TV)
• Worldvision Enterprises (1991) (USA) (VHS)

Other Companies

• Ford Motor Company  automobiles furnished by
• General Service Studios  filming location
• Todd-AO Studios  sound recording

Also Known As:

Runtime:

30 min (64 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | USA:TV-G | Finland:K-7 (DVD) (2007) | Singapore:G | USA:Not Rated (DVD rating)

Filming Locations:

General Service Studios - 1040 N. Las Palmas, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Filmways Television

Trivia:

This show and its rival series, "The Munsters" (1964), both debuted within a week of one another in September 1964. At the end of that year's TV season, The Munsters ranked #18 in the Nielsens, with a rating of 24.7, while this show came in at #23, with a 23.9 rating. At the time, Nielsens indicated what percentage of American TV households tuned in to any given program. By the end of the following year, both series were canceled.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: While Kitty is consistently referred to with female pronouns throughout the series, the lion that plays Kitty is a male lion.

Quotes:

Grandmama Addams:Fester, You're not cheating!
Uncle Fester:Sorry.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "General Hospital: Episode #1.12566" (2012)

Possibly the finest live action sitcom ever created

I generally despise situation comedies - the story lines are often cliché plot devices and wholly predictable. However, I love "The Addams Family". I'm not sure exactly why either. It may be because of the macabre twist the show puts on the typical American family show of its era. It could also be because of the Gothic atmosphere and slight bits of surrealism. Most likely its because of the fact its genuinely funny, something missing from most television shows. Whatever the reason may be, I just can't get enough of it.

The cast all around is terrific, creating truly lovable characters despite the offbeat environment. Its been noted in most reviews that the family is presented as incredibly well adjusted and caring for each other. Gomez and Morticia have an undying passion for each other and are one of the healthiest couples ever on prime time. The children are respectful to their elders yet get in enough mischief to keep the show interesting. The butler and "thing" are completely loyal and grateful to the family. Grandma and Uncle Fester are treated as members of the family through and through.

Also, what sets this above "The Munsters" is the style of humor. "The Munsters" was way too broad for my tastes, while "The Addams Family" blends more subtle jokes with typical slapstick gags. Plus, the humor at times has a weirdness that borders on surrealism. The fact that just what makes the family supernatural is never fully explained makes it all the more bizarre. "The Addams Family" is still one of the best things to ever happen to TV. (9/10)