62 reviews
Credit where credit is due: Fred Gwynne, Yvonne De Carlo and Al Lewis are what keep you coming back to the Munsters. Yes, the look of the show (Universal Horror all the way) is great, the writing often clever, the numerous sight gags usually entertaining. But if you didn't have good (very good) acting from the leads this show would have tanked.
Boiled down, the Munsters is a typical family sitcom in a bizarre setting. And while most of the episodes are fun, if feather-light, it didn't take long until the first clunker (#14: Grandpa Leaves Home). And that wasn't the last one but, thankfully, it's in the minority. The reason, again, is that Herman, Lily and Grandpa (along with the kids and numerous guest star appearances) are, frankly, endearing. You become so fond of them that some episodes actually become touching (Happy 100th Anniversary).
Only 70 episodes but that was about the limit of what you could crank out without it becoming painful. Too many sitcoms run on past their welcome. This one managed not to.
Boiled down, the Munsters is a typical family sitcom in a bizarre setting. And while most of the episodes are fun, if feather-light, it didn't take long until the first clunker (#14: Grandpa Leaves Home). And that wasn't the last one but, thankfully, it's in the minority. The reason, again, is that Herman, Lily and Grandpa (along with the kids and numerous guest star appearances) are, frankly, endearing. You become so fond of them that some episodes actually become touching (Happy 100th Anniversary).
Only 70 episodes but that was about the limit of what you could crank out without it becoming painful. Too many sitcoms run on past their welcome. This one managed not to.
- zeebrite-321-220768
- Apr 11, 2012
- Permalink
"THE MUNSTERS," in my opinion, is a must-see CBS hit! Despite the fact that I've never seen every episode, I still enjoyed it. It's hard to say which one is my favorite. Also, I really loved the theme song. If you ask me, even though I liked everyone, it would have been nice if everyone had stayed on the show throughout its entire run. Everyone always gave a good performance, the production design was spectacular, the costumes were well-designed, and the writing was always very strong. In conclusion, even though it can be seen on TV Land now, I strongly recommend you catch it just in case it goes off the air for good.
- Catherine_Grace_Zeh
- Jul 18, 2006
- Permalink
Oh, I wish they made shows like The Munsters today. I have many happy memories of watching it. It was so innocent and so amusing. Somebody should release it onto DVD as soon as possible.
The Munsters were the perfect family. They may have been ugly, they may have been weird and they may have been totally eccentric but they loved each other and cared so much about each other.
The Munsters emphasized traits such as loyalty to your family and love (qualities not found in many shows today). But once you get past all that you had many highly amusing stories. One that springs to mind for me is when Herman and Grandpa Munster get locked in a bank vault one night just as a pair of robbers are about to steal the loot.
The one thing I enjoyed about The Munsters was it's total innocence. No bad language, no sex, no violence, just pure entertainment. Oh, it was brilliant. I cannot praise it enough.
The Munsters were the perfect family. They may have been ugly, they may have been weird and they may have been totally eccentric but they loved each other and cared so much about each other.
The Munsters emphasized traits such as loyalty to your family and love (qualities not found in many shows today). But once you get past all that you had many highly amusing stories. One that springs to mind for me is when Herman and Grandpa Munster get locked in a bank vault one night just as a pair of robbers are about to steal the loot.
The one thing I enjoyed about The Munsters was it's total innocence. No bad language, no sex, no violence, just pure entertainment. Oh, it was brilliant. I cannot praise it enough.
- Big Movie Fan
- Aug 11, 2002
- Permalink
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!
- moonspinner55
- Aug 31, 2002
- Permalink
- nickenchuggets
- Jan 24, 2022
- Permalink
As far as I'm concerned, THE MUNSTERS featured the quintessential American family: eccentric, perhaps, but quintessentially American. That they all looked like they'd just stepped straight out of a classic Universal horror movie (with the notable exception of Marilyn, who actually turned out to be a shape-shifter of sorts...) only added to their many charms. Though the level-headed head of the household, Herman was often just a great big kid at heart, with an infectious laugh and boyish charm; Lily Munster, if not THE sexiest woman to ever ramrod a telefamily, was certainly Number Two- and I never laid eyes on Number One; and Grandpa was that iconic family elder who dispensed the Wisdom of the Ages with a mad cackle and an abra cadabra. Eddie was lucky, indeed, to have been surrounded by such a loving family unit. Santa Claws dropped off THE MUNSTERS: A TRIP DOWN MOCKINGBIRD LANE by Stephen Cox just a few days ago, and I've been immersing myself in all things Munster ever since. None of the subsequent attempts to revive the show ever came close to the charm of the original (the MOCKINGBIRD LANE debacle of just a month or so ago has to be by far the worst of the worst); but, as long as Home Video exists, THE MUNSTERS will live on (and on, and on).
What a wonderful series! I remember it was broadcast on Austrian television in the 80's in English with German subtitles. There's no way you can translate Grandpa's Brooklyn accent into German, or any other language. ("I wus down in the laab today..." or "Hoiman" instead of "Herman"). Fred Gwynne, Yvonne DeCarlo and Al Lewis are no longer with us. I hope the series lives on, worldwide, but please only in the original language. There was a later series that used the same story line but different actors and actresses, broadcast in Germany and Austria and dubbed in German. It flopped. This was one of the great moments in American television.
- Gm-774-471156
- Aug 24, 2013
- Permalink
"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.
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.
- RiffRaffMcKinley
- Aug 31, 2007
- Permalink
Come on down to the spooky-looking mansion at 1313 Mockingbird Lane and join The Munsters, a happy family of friendly "monsters", who (consider themselves "normal") manage to get themselves into all sorts of silly, hair-raising situations that have the folks in town running away in fright.
This goofy, yet, fun and good-natured TV Sit-Com from the mid-1960s is enjoyable entertainment for all ages.
The crazy antics of Fred Gwynne, as Herman Munster, and Al Lewis, as Grandpa, are the highlight of the show.
Filmed in black and white - I really liked this show's spooky, up-tempo theme music.
This goofy, yet, fun and good-natured TV Sit-Com from the mid-1960s is enjoyable entertainment for all ages.
The crazy antics of Fred Gwynne, as Herman Munster, and Al Lewis, as Grandpa, are the highlight of the show.
Filmed in black and white - I really liked this show's spooky, up-tempo theme music.
- strong-122-478885
- Feb 7, 2017
- Permalink
I was almost 11 when both "The Munsters" and "Addams Family" had their debut in 1964. To put these shows in perspective is to realize that this year marks the beginning of an era of non-conformity and social turbulence. "The Munsters" was about a family that always thought of itself as "normal" and average middle class, but was shunned and feared by not only their neighbors, but just about everyone they came in contact with, because of their non-conformity. "Addams Family" was fun too, but this non-conformist family was wealthy, eccentric and felt they were better than their neighbors. I always favored "The Munsters" for its slapstick play between Herman and Grampa, its broken-down haunted house look, their "ugly ducking" niece, Marilyn, Grandpa's bumbling spells and their fabulous dragster, among other things. The shows were always well-written and I still laugh at the double-meanings used during their jokes. One of my favorite episodes is "Autumn Croakus", where Grampa's mail-order bride, the Black Widow, asks Lily if they have any other relatives living there. Lily: "No, they're all dead." Black Widow: "Oh, that's a shame. They're all deceased?" Lily (poker-faced):"No, just dead." When the Black Widow is captured by the police after fleeing when she meets Herman, the police talk to Marilyn. Policeman (laughing): "She believes you have a monster in your house..." Marilyn (incredulous): "Monster? There's nobody in that house but my family!" When Herman accidently gets into the Black Widow's bed and they both wake up, staring at each other, Herman's hysterical screaming, along with the lady's, is hilarious. In "Love Locked Out", as Lily fumes when Herman stays out late at an office party, the smart-alecky raven in the clock gives the time, "It's midnight...and the bum's not home yet!!!" If "The Munsters" ever becomes available on DVD, I will be one of the first to order it.
- bh-boclraca
- May 24, 2003
- Permalink
While I did watch the Munsters, they tried too hard to be an all american family and didn't have the innate weirdness of the Addams Family. The cast was great and some episodes were funny, but it was bit too stereotypical sitcom fare for me.
- quitwastingmytime
- Apr 2, 2021
- Permalink
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!
This show is brilliant and hilarious. The writing is intelligent and the cast is wonderful. The Munsters are a great way to escape from the utter garbage the TV and movie industry puts out now.
THE MUNSTERS (1964-1966) Although some compare this to "The Addams Family" due to similar theme (dark comedy revolving around strange undead family) and exact same run time, (as well as suspiciously sourced material). This series definitely had its own vibes. Much more slapsticky and light-hearted, but still entertaining, memorable and endearing. Both shows had their own unique values and qualities. Normal is abnormal with The Munsters, the family of monsters.
"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)."
Original, Inspired or Stolen? This series was a fun, albeit parody (?) series loosely rewritten, likely inspired by (although some say borrowed) from the classic Charles Addams comics. Universal studios is said to have made their "own" version, at the same time, inadvertently inspired by his ideas, as "The Addams Family" could not use the copyrighted characters of "Dracula" and "Frankenstien" back then, both being Universal studios owned characters. Or at least that's what a little digging turns up. It always seemed to be too much of a coincidence for these two extremely similarly themed shows to turn up side by side at the exact same time.
But knock-offs, The Munsters are not! Happily for us, audiences got two great shows! Although they are often pitted off as rival series, with similar content and themes, how can you truly hate one or the other? Both series were great and entertaining and that's because they share a similar root, in my opinion. Like two apples from the same tree. There are no coincidences.
"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)."
Original, Inspired or Stolen? This series was a fun, albeit parody (?) series loosely rewritten, likely inspired by (although some say borrowed) from the classic Charles Addams comics. Universal studios is said to have made their "own" version, at the same time, inadvertently inspired by his ideas, as "The Addams Family" could not use the copyrighted characters of "Dracula" and "Frankenstien" back then, both being Universal studios owned characters. Or at least that's what a little digging turns up. It always seemed to be too much of a coincidence for these two extremely similarly themed shows to turn up side by side at the exact same time.
But knock-offs, The Munsters are not! Happily for us, audiences got two great shows! Although they are often pitted off as rival series, with similar content and themes, how can you truly hate one or the other? Both series were great and entertaining and that's because they share a similar root, in my opinion. Like two apples from the same tree. There are no coincidences.
- Jinxxa_Wolf
- Mar 9, 2024
- Permalink
I'm not sure which aired first: "The Addams Family" or "The Munsters," but I always had the impression that "The Munsters" was trying to copy "The Addams Family." Of course, none of that mattered to me as a kid. In fact, I liked "The Munsters" more; partially because I saw more episodes of it and partially because I thought it was funnier. Both shows were off the air before I was even born, so I was watching reruns.
"The Munsters" were led by Herman Munster (Fred Gwynne) who can probably be remembered as the judge in the movie "My Cousin Vinny." He was the funniest and most prominent character. I loved when he would laugh and stomp his feet and shake the entire house. The other Munsters were Grandpa (Al Lewis), Lily (Yvonne De Carlo), Eddie (Butch Patrick), and Marilyn (played by Pat Priest and Beverly Owen). None of them were as large, literally and figuratively, as Herman Munster.
"The Munsters" were led by Herman Munster (Fred Gwynne) who can probably be remembered as the judge in the movie "My Cousin Vinny." He was the funniest and most prominent character. I loved when he would laugh and stomp his feet and shake the entire house. The other Munsters were Grandpa (Al Lewis), Lily (Yvonne De Carlo), Eddie (Butch Patrick), and Marilyn (played by Pat Priest and Beverly Owen). None of them were as large, literally and figuratively, as Herman Munster.
- view_and_review
- Mar 19, 2024
- Permalink
When I was a kid The Munsters was a big favourite, and at 19 it still is. The costumes, sets and photography still look great after all these years, and the music is more than memorable. The humour is perhaps broader than a 60s series like The Addams Family(also a classic) but goodness isn't the humour hilarious too? The lines are sharp and the slapstick uproarious. And it really helps that (at least to me that is) the laughter track is never inappropriate or annoying. The stories are always well-paced and entertaining, Grandpa's experiments are worth the viewing alone and the characters are so lovable and genuinely for each other as a family, my personal favourite is Eddie. The acting is spot on, Al Lewis, Fred Gwynne, Yvonne DeCarlo and Butch Patrick are just perfect. Overall, another TV classic of the 60s. 10/10 Bethany Cox
- TheLittleSongbird
- Jul 21, 2011
- Permalink
Munsters was like a Khazar show.
It was mixed with comedy and horror. With the means to desensitize people to practice witchcraft and dark activities. Nevertheless, if you were intelligent you can still accept this as a good show without being manipulated.
Anyways, A great show for the family. Its "Familytainment" and you can feel "relaxtained".
If you liked the Addams Family then you should like this show too.
Yokeness level: 0.
It was mixed with comedy and horror. With the means to desensitize people to practice witchcraft and dark activities. Nevertheless, if you were intelligent you can still accept this as a good show without being manipulated.
Anyways, A great show for the family. Its "Familytainment" and you can feel "relaxtained".
If you liked the Addams Family then you should like this show too.
Yokeness level: 0.
- ThunderKing6
- Nov 8, 2021
- Permalink
I was more familiar with the Munsters than with the Addams family. I thought the Munsters were more friendly and less threatening and less spooky. The show had a first rate cast that featured Fred Gwynne as Herman Munster, the lovable Frankenstein father figure, Yvonne De Carlo as Lily Munster, the vampire's daughter, and Grandpa played by Al Lewis. Lewis and Gwynne were also in Car 54 together so they worked quite well on this show. I thought the relationships between these characters were more authentic and less serious at times. While they scared their neighbors or would be visitors, the laughter was on the audience because we fell in love with this odd-looking family. Who cares if the grandfather is a vampire who can turn himself into a bat? Or that the father works as a gravedigger? Or that lovely Lily Munster looks like a vampire herself? or that little Eddie Munster looks like a future wolfman? As long as the family was functional, that they loved each other despite society's disapproving views and looks upon them. The show is still being shown to a new audience and maybe today's audiences will amuse themselves inside the Munster estate at 1313 Mockingbird lane.
- Sylviastel
- May 11, 2007
- Permalink
All the characters are great especially Grandpa!
All the characters are great especially Grandpa!
One of the greatest television shows of all time in My opinion is the Munsters! The show starred legendary actors Fred Gwynne, Yvonne De Carlo, Al Lewis, Beverley Owen, Pat Priest, Butch Patrick, and Mel Blanc! First I will want to commentate about the characters and the actors who played them and then I will talk about why I think this program is one of the best. I am just thrilled about how these actors are in this great series. Fred Gwynne was just incredible. Being a large fellow already was something but becoming Herman Munster he became huge! I was so surprised how agile he was. He had such a charming personality as well. Yvonne De Carlo was already a beautiful woman but I thought that she was so neat as Lily! Her character is one the most beautiful woman character that I haven seen on the screen! Al Lewis' Grandpa is such a hilarious charmer. He is arguably the most talented actor of all time. Beverley Owen and Pat Priest both gave the Marilyn character great personality. My favorite is Owen's Marilyn. Butch Patrick's Eddie was good a very good personality as well. Mel Blanc's raven was cute! The other animal characters such as Kitty and Spot were also cute. I loved the guest stars that appeared in the shows. The sets such as the Munsters' house and such all looked realistic. I loved the spookiness of the series and how it was like Halloween all the time! In My opinion each and every episode was great and funny. The theme music by Jack Marshall was also very good. I think that this series is just wonderful and that in My opinion its arguably the greatest one ever. If you can watch this show on TV strongly I recommend it and I also strongly recommend that you head over to Amazon.com and purchase the First Complete Season of The Munsters on DVD! I strongly recommend The Munsters!
- Movie Nuttball
- Feb 20, 2005
- Permalink
This show always had me laughing in the late 60s to 70s. You will never see another comedy like it.
Very creative and original scripts. Superb cast with Fred Gwynn's, Yvonne DeCarlo and Al Lewis.
Very creative and original scripts. Superb cast with Fred Gwynn's, Yvonne DeCarlo and Al Lewis.
- johnnypic816
- Feb 26, 2022
- Permalink