The Munsters Vs The Addams Family

[ChattyLMS]

I always thought that Morticia was pretty, but her face was more child like.  I always thought that Lily Munster was pretty, too.  She had a graceful way of moving that Morticia could not.  I though Wednesday was just plain old cool.  I loved all the long hair!  If only my mom just didn't keep chopping mine off....

[Monster Bob]

Again, I love 'em both, but heck, I'll critique anything!



My main gripe about the Munsters was (which I realized even as a kid) it tread over the same water (and jokes) repeatedly. Overall the writing was a vehicle for Lewis and Gwynne (with DeCarlo on the side), and the characters of Eddie and Marilyn usually having little (of merit) to say other than 'that's right, Aunt Lily' or 'OK, Pop'.

Now I LOVE Yvonne DeCarlo as Lily (she is an icon to me), but all Lily's "the last time..."  jokes got stale, even as a kid, as did the rest of the cast's regular use of 'tired blood' and cliche Monster Jokes.

It was the ensemble acting, not the writing, that held The Munsters together, and there was incredible chemistry among the three principals.


The Addams Family's approach to writing just seems fresher and more creative to me (and esp. for its day-including the sex jokes); I think its approach to comedy better employs well-written character interaction/development as its vehicle and is more clever and complex,  less reliant on olde vaudevillesque one-liners for laughs. Addams forces my brain to think up weird stuff, like just what are they doing with all those torture devices, behind closed doors, when we're not watching?

[BlackLagoon]

The Addams Family's approach to writing just seems fresher and more creative to me (and esp. for its day-including the sex jokes); I think its approach to comedy better employs well-written character interaction/development as its vehicle and is more clever and complex,  less reliant on olde vaudevillesque one-liners for laughs. Addams forces my brain to think up weird stuff, like just what are they doing with all those torture devices, behind closed doors, when we're not watching?

I think that is precisely the reason why I dug the Munsters so much. It was pretty much seeing the "American nuclear family" as my favirote monsters and it was just good "clean" fun.

To put it another way, if I was a somewhat stranger to both families and had to spend the night at either house? I think you would feel safe and warm and perhaps even cared for if you slept on the couch over at the Munster place. The Addams house?? Ummm...I think it may be very unnerving  and scary, you'd pretty much be counting the minutes till sunrise ....THAT may be just the appeal to both families and viewers.

[ProfessorCoffin]

I'm really torn on this one. Have to think about it...

[Monster Bob]

But the Munsters' house was...dirty...and... well, really dirty.

The Addams house always seemed clean and very homey to me, having grown up in a victorian-built 'antique house', much like their's. As far as being afraid of the Addams? I have friends now that are a lot weirder than they are.   

[BlackLagoon]

LOL, I think I can agree on having friends that are creepier then the Addams gang!

Yes the house was "dirty"..but I cant help to think that Herman and Lilly would make sure that I had a blanket and pillows before I turned in for the night. I could being woken up by Herman and Grandpa with the sounds of a midnight snack..and I might join them.

I think in the Addam's house, I may wake to being tied up by Puglsey and Wednesday something of the sort....I just thought the Munster clan was a bit more warm and loving then the Addams family.

Plus the cars! Those cars are still 2 of the coolest rods I have ever seen!!

[hammett1]

Those cars are still 2 of the coolest rods I have ever seen!!

I asked everyone at work today who they thought was best:  The Munsters won hands down.  Main reason most often given: "Those two cars were awesome."  Then the debate started over which was cooler: "The Munster's Coach or the Dragula".  That might be a thought for another thread.  David

[ICEMANN333]

NO.1. MUNSTERS..........

[Wolfman]

The Munsters in a landslide. The Addams Family had the better song though.

[Opera Ghost]

I loved them both and the fact that one was not born of the other. Like Star Trek and Star Wars, each had their own classic worlds.

As a Monster kid...I was more intrugued by the Munsters and the cameos by Gilbert and Lester et al, due to the Universal thing, but Addams as I seemed to get to see it so rarely.

Anyone been by 1313 Mockingbird lately? It's now called Wysteria Lane

OG

[monsterphile]

I guess I never weighed in on this one, at least not in this particular thread--

The Addams Family to me was better because it worked at a higher level of wit and sarcasm.  The Munsters, although fun, was too straightforward with its gags.  I also didn't like the idea as a child of pokig fun at my monsters.  Herman was a silly Frankenstein and that just didn't go over with me. 

Rob

[LundyAfterMidnight]

I love them both, but being forced to choose I'll go with The Addams Family. As others have pointed out, their humor was more clever, & visually more interesting IMO.

[Sleepyhollowstudios]

I'm a Munsters man , myself. From their house, which always seemed to be so cozy and welcoming, to the characters themselves. They were like family members that you only got to see every once in a while.

I think what won me over more than anything, though, were the special effects. The effects in The Munsters were always top-notch, while the effects in the Addams Family always seemed dull. As a kid I didn't care much for piquant or witty humor, and I still don't. I just wanted a good, old fashioned, entertaining show, and The Munsters supplied that.

-Andy

[Todd Frankenstein]

Munsters! Munsters! Munsters!

[coughcool]

Hands down for me The Addams Family. John Astin as Gomez was the best. I watched both shows and enjoyed them both. Just had something I connected with.