"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)

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:

Other member's of the Munster family were Lily's brother (and Grandpa's son) a werewolf named Lester and Uncle Gilbert, the Creature from the Black Lagoon.

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 "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Time of the Apes (#4.6)" (1991)

rather nonsensical, but you're bound to love it

I'll say that "The Addams Family" was actually cleverer, but still, "The Munsters" definitely had its merits. Basically the story of a household in which the father, Herman (Fred Gwynne), is Frankenstein's monster, the mother, Lily (Yvonne DeCarlo), is a vampire, the son, Eddie (Butch Patrick), is a werewolf, the grandfather (Al Lewis) is Count Dracula, and the niece, Marilyn (played by two different people), is the ugly (make that "pretty") duckling in the family. While the Munsters' everyday routine is the same as everyone else's, everything that's normal to them (e.g., a house that looks like a Halloween party should be held there) is weird to the rest of the world, and vice versa. Every human who sees them freaks out, and yet the Munsters can never figure out why everyone finds them strange.

It's completely silly, with a string of gruesome, sardonic jokes, but it's always really funny. Truly one show that you gotta admire.