The Munsters 

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

Creators:

Ed Haas, Norm Liebmann

Stars:

Fred Gwynne, Al Lewis, Yvonne De Carlo

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 4 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Fred Gwynne	...	Herman Munster / ... 72 episodes, 1964-2004
Al Lewis	...	Grandpa 72 episodes, 1964-2004
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

Storyline

The Munsters are a weird but honest family. Herman (the father) is Frankenstein's monster. Lily (his wife) and Grandpa (her father) are vampires. Eddie (their little son) is a werewolf. Marilyn (their niece) is the only normal one (that is the ugly duck of the family).

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Plot Keywords:

sitcom | monster | spoof | husband wife relationship | family relationships | 

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Taglines:

Cross their welcome mat and you're apt to die laughing! Monstrous fun with Fred Gwynne, Yvonne DeCarlo, Al Lewis. (season 1)

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Genres:

Comedy | Family | Fantasy | Horror

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Initially, Fred Gwynne did his own stunt work on the Munsters however, after falling flat on his back (which was the plan) and dismantling his head set, the studio hired Bill Foster (also known as Jeff County) as stunt double for Fred Gwynne. Fred Gwynne and Bill Foster met at Universal Studios when Bill (a security guard for Universal and an accomplished musician) saw Fred attempting to play a guitar one day and offered a few lessons.

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Goofs

In the first season's re-shoot of the opening credits, in order to introduce Pat Priest, as Fred Gwynne/ Herman is bending over to kiss Lily, it's possible to see Butch Patrick/ Eddie's legs moving, on the right balcony (upper right-hand screen corner), as he positions himself to come down the staircase for his introduction.

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Quotes

[repeated line]
Herman Munster: DARN, DARN, DARN, DARN!

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Crazy Credits

In the un-broadcast pilot The Munsters: My Fair Munster: Unaired Pilot (2004), Nate Derman, who played Eddie Munster, is listed in the opening credits as "Happy Derman."

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Connections

Referenced in RuPaul's Drag Race: Prancing Queens (2015)

User Reviews

Atmospheric, colorful fun!

I think the problem with TV sitcoms these days is that 90% of the them are filmed in front of studio audiences. Save for the cable-TV comedies, adventurous shows like "The Munsters" don't get made today. They went OUTSIDE, they drove around. Everything wasn't confined to the sets, although their house was a doozy and I loved it every time action took place down in Grandpa's basement. What a bunch of great characters these were (with kudos to Al Lewis and--God bless him--Fred Gwynne). Many of the episodes--such as the classic one where Eddie runs amok on a popular ghoul-TV program, "Zombo"--are still very pointed today, and just as funny. Herman's super strength was always good for a colorful sight-gag, Yvonne De Carlo's Lily was the perfect straight-face for Herman's antics. And don't forget that Drag-U-La...what a beauty!

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 September 1964 (USA)

Also Known As:

Meet the Munsters

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

CBS, Kayro-Vue Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min (70 episodes)

Color:

Black and White