"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 | Frankenstein | Werewolf | Vampire | Cult TV

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)

Series Directed by
Ezra Stone		(27 episodes, 1964-1966)
Norman Abbott		(12 episodes, 1964-1965)
Joseph Pevney		(11 episodes, 1964-1966)
Earl Bellamy		(7 episodes, 1964-1965)
Lawrence Dobkin		(4 episodes, 1964)
Jerry Paris		(3 episodes, 1965)
David Alexander		(2 episodes, 1964)
Gene Reynolds		(2 episodes, 1966)

Series Writing credits
Ed Haas		(72 episodes, 1964-1966)
Norm Liebmann		(72 episodes, 1964-1966)
Allan Burns		(71 episodes, 1964-1966)
Chris Hayward		(71 episodes, 1964-1966)
Joe Connelly		(29 episodes, 1964-1966)
Bob Mosher		(29 episodes, 1964-1966)
Dick Conway		(13 episodes, 1964-1966)
Doug Tibbles		(12 episodes, 1965-1966)
Tom Adair		(11 episodes, 1964-1966)
James B. Allardice		(11 episodes, 1964-1966)
Richard Baer		(5 episodes, 1965-1966)
Roland MacLane		(2 episodes, 1964)
George Tibbles		(2 episodes, 1965)

Series Produced by
Joe Connelly	....	producer / executive producer (71 episodes, 1964-1966)
Bob Mosher	....	producer (71 episodes, 1964-1966)
Irving Paley	....	production executive (70 episodes, 1964-1966)

Series Original Music by
Jack Marshall		(70 episodes, 1964-1966)

Series Cinematography by
Enzo A. Martinelli		(23 episodes, 1965-1966)
Walter Strenge		(16 episodes, 1964-1965)
Fred Mandl		(10 episodes, 1964-1965)
Lionel Lindon		(7 episodes, 1964-1965)
Monroe P. Askins		(4 episodes, 1965)
Benjamin H. Kline		(2 episodes, 1964-1965)
William Margulies		(2 episodes, 1965-1966)
Jacques R. Marquette		(2 episodes, 1965)
Bud Thackery		(2 episodes, 1965)

Series Film Editing by
Bud S. Isaacs		(57 episodes, 1964-1966)
George Ohanian		(5 episodes, 1966)
Michael R. McAdam		(3 episodes, 1965-1966)

Series Art Direction by
Henry Larrecq		(56 episodes, 1964-1966)
Frank Arrigo		(7 episodes, 1964-1965)
Raymond Beal		(3 episodes, 1964-1965)
Howard E. Johnson		(3 episodes, 1964)
John J. Lloyd		(2 episodes, 1964)

Series Set Decoration by
John McCarthy Jr.		(70 episodes, 1964-1966)
Robert C. Bradfield		(45 episodes, 1964-1965)
Audrey A. Blasdel		(19 episodes, 1965-1966)
Ralph Sylos		(2 episodes, 1965)
James M. Walters Sr.		(2 episodes, 1966)

Series Makeup Department
Karl Silvera	....	makeup artist (70 episodes, 1964-1966)
Bud Westmore	....	makeup artist (70 episodes, 1964-1966)
Abe Haberman	....	makeup artist (69 episodes, 1964-1966)
Michael Westmore	....	makeup artist (69 episodes, 1964-1966)
Perc Westmore	....	makeup artist (69 episodes, 1964-1966)
Larry Germain	....	hair stylist / makeup artist (51 episodes, 1964-1966)
Virginia Darcy	....	hair stylist (20 episodes, 1964-1965)

Series Production Management
Michael R. McAdam	....	post-production supervisor (38 episodes, 1964-1965)
James Hogan	....	unit manager (32 episodes, 1965-1966)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Dolph Zimmer	....	assistant director (60 episodes, 1964-1966)
John Clarke Bowman	....	assistant director (4 episodes, 1964)
Lester Wm. Berke	....	assistant director (2 episodes, 1964)
Lou Watt	....	assistant director (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
George Ohanian	....	sound effects editor (37 episodes, 1965-1966)
Lyle Cain	....	sound (11 episodes, 1964-1966)
Edwin J. Somers Jr.	....	sound (7 episodes, 1964-1966)
Frank H. Wilkinson	....	sound (7 episodes, 1965)
Corson Jowett	....	sound (6 episodes, 1964-1966)
Robert R. Bertrand	....	sound (6 episodes, 1964-1965)
James T. Porter	....	sound (5 episodes, 1964-1966)
Earl Crain Jr.	....	sound (5 episodes, 1964-1965)
Earl Crain Sr.	....	sound (3 episodes, 1964-1965)
David H. Moriarty	....	sound (3 episodes, 1964-1965)
Bill Ford	....	sound (3 episodes, 1966)
Ralph Butler	....	sound (2 episodes, 1965)
Melvin M. Metcalfe Sr.	....	sound (2 episodes, 1965)
Roger A. Parish	....	sound (2 episodes, 1966)

Series Special Effects by
Ken Strickfaden	....	special effects (1 episode, 1966)

Series Stunts
Jerry Summers	....	stunt driver (1 episode, 1965)
Gene LeBell	....	stunt coordinator (unknown episodes)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Vincent Dee	....	costume supervisor (70 episodes, 1964-1966)

Series Editorial Department
David J. O'Connell	....	editorial department head / editorial supervisor (70 episodes, 1964-1966)

Series Music Department
Stanley Wilson	....	music supervisor / musical supervisor (70 episodes, 1964-1966)

Series Transportation Department
Frank Khoury	....	driver (1 episode, 1965)

Series Other crew
Allan Burns	....	developer: original format (70 episodes, 1964-1966)
Chris Hayward	....	developer: original format (70 episodes, 1964-1966)
Keith Vincent	....	assistant to producers (32 episodes, 1965-1966)

Production Companies

• Kayro-Vue Productions

Distributors

• MCA Television (1964) (worldwide) (TV)
• CBS Television Network (1964-1966) (USA) (TV)
• Arbeitsgemeinschaft der öffentlich-rechtlichen Rundfunkanstalten der Bundesrepublik Deutschland (ARD) (1987) (West Germany) (TV)
• Hessischer Rundfunk (HR) (1991-1993) (Germany) (TV)
• Mainostelevisio (MTV3) (2007) (Finland) (TV)
• Universal Home Entertainment (2005) (USA) (DVD) (season 2)
• Universal Studios Home Video (2004) (USA) (DVD) (season 1)
• Universal TV

Other Companies

• General Mills  original sponsor (Cheerios, Betty Crocker cake mixes, Gold Medal flour)

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:

Lily Munster's original first name was Phoebe in the pilot.

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:

Grandpa Munster: Hmm. What smells so good?
Herman Munster: I cut myself shaving.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Roseanne: Dream Lover (#3.10)" (1990)

"Herman Munster don't you dare!"

This show can easily be dismissed as being so stupid it's funny, but there's more to it than just obvious jokes with a laugh track. The cast was fabulous but also talented; many having Hollywood careers or television experience prior to the show. Look at all the reincarnations (sorry) of the show and then compare the cast to the original set. No contest. Also the sets and costumes were really cool, who doesn't like Granpa's dungeon or their telephone "booth" or the Munstermobile? Some of the story lines were hilarious but my person favorite is "A House Divided." The only regret I have is that it didn't go on for one more season, who knows, maybe it would have been in ghoulish color!