Poll
Question:
Which TV show do you prefer?
Option 1: Addams Family
Option 2: Munsters
Which TV show do you prefer?
Addams Family
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g434/Balticprince/General%20Album%203/Addam_zps148fc162.jpg) (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/Balticprince/media/General%20Album%203/Addam_zps148fc162.jpg.html)
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g434/Balticprince/General%20Album%203/Addamsfamily_zps311c9a40.png) (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/Balticprince/media/General%20Album%203/Addamsfamily_zps311c9a40.png.html)
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g434/Balticprince/General%20Album%203/AddamsF_zps23418dc9.png) (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/Balticprince/media/General%20Album%203/AddamsF_zps23418dc9.png.html)
Munsters
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g434/Balticprince/General%20Album%203/Munsters4_zps2d00162b.jpg) (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/Balticprince/media/General%20Album%203/Munsters4_zps2d00162b.jpg.html)
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g434/Balticprince/General%20Album%203/munsters_zpsa9870d12.jpg) (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/Balticprince/media/General%20Album%203/munsters_zpsa9870d12.jpg.html)
Why?
???
Love them both and didn't want to choose, but Addams family just cracks me up more. I always wanted to be gomez when i gre up. And morticia is way hotter than lilly.
Yes, I love them both, but I find the Addams Family funnier & more original.
As a little kid, I'd rather be adopted by the Addams Family then the Munsters.
Also, I found Gomez more attractive than Herman ... I liked Carolyn Jones (R.I.P.) better than Yvonne DeCarlo.
Doing some research, it is sad that Carolyn Jones died of colon cancer at the age of 53 .. I also didn't know that she had been married to Aaron Spelling from 1953 to 1964 .. which sort of made her a pre-stepmother to Tori Spelling ... ;)
I know that Yvonne De Carlo took the role of Lily Munster due to money issues .. I remembered her from "The Ten Commandments" and the silly film "Band of Angels" ...
I enjoyed Grandpa's Restaurant ... http://ephemeralnewyork.wordpress.com/2012/01/02/dining-at-grandpa-munsters-on-bleecker-street/ (http://ephemeralnewyork.wordpress.com/2012/01/02/dining-at-grandpa-munsters-on-bleecker-street/) but he was never there when I was .. hmmmm.
May they all rest in peace.
Would Grampa's Restaurant have been in Greenwich Village?
???
Yes .. Bleecker Street .. is one of my favorite streets in Greenwich Village.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bleecker_Street (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bleecker_Street)
I love both shows. Both shows have their merits, and I have collectibles from both (Including a 1966 Munster Lunchbox, which is like the one I actually used in school), but if I had to pick one over the other, it's the "Addams Family". The people who wrote the "Addams Family" also wrote for the Marx Brothers, and there's honestly a sophistication in the Addams family, as opposed to "The Munsters" which was brought to us by the same creative team that gave us "Leave it to Beaver". Of course, "Leave it to Beaver", was a well loved TV sitcom, and the people who put the Munsters on the air, showed a feeling for putting on TV shows that people still talk about to this day.
The Munsters is a fun show, but The Addams Family is by far my favorite.
It's ADDAMS FAMILY for me, too. My folks had some volumes of THE NEW YORKER magazine cartoons which were filled with Charles Addams' work. By the time the TV show came along, I was familiar with the premise....and preferred it. I did watch THE MUNSTERS occasionally, but it was only for Fred Gwynne...
"E", who is a MAJOR LEAGUE fan of Jackie Coogan ;D ;D ;D ;D
I enjoy both as well but let me be the first to say.....it's The Munsters for me!
The Munsters for me as well!! I enjoy both shows, but the Munsters a bit more. I just think the Munsters is a funnier show.
Both shows are amazing and fun to watch. Both very different. But......I have to go with the MUNSTERS.
The Addams Family was more original, but I always felt closer to the Munsters. Munsters for me.
Hmmmmm. Something strange here. Four members have declared for the Munsters show, yet the Munsters have only three votes....
???
I believe a poll was taken previously, either on the UMA or somewhere else, and the Munsters won hands down. For my money, the Munsters were far superior. The Addams Family was a little too weird, and the characters didn't seem very likable, even for a monster family! lol
JP
Quote from: Wolfman on June 18, 2013, 01:41:07 PM
I believe a poll was taken previously, either on the UMA or somewhere else, and the Munsters won hands down. For my money, the Munsters were far superior. The Addams Family was a little too weird, and the characters didn't seem very likable, even for a monster family! lol
JP
Superior? We'll the whole point of the Munsters was to do an Addams family style comedy using the Universal Studios licensed monsters. If you want to talk weird, how about a reanimated corpse wedded to Dracula's daughter, having a werewolf for a kid, and settling down with the King of the Vampires in a house in a typical middle class neighborhood during the mid 1960's. Nothing all that weird there right? Somehow, the neighbor's they had didn't find them all that normal, and were constantly gripping. As far as the Addams family was concerned, I found them to be a very gracious family when it came to guests, and actually we'll mannered. I would certainly have felt right at home visiting them. I am talking about the 1960's sitcom family. The later family, headed by Raul Julia were abit on the homicidal side, and you might put yourself at risk visiting them.
Quote from: Wolfman on June 18, 2013, 01:41:07 PMI believe a poll was taken previously, either on the UMA or somewhere else....
There was no poll on this subject taken on Universal Monster Army previously. I'm careful enough to check these things before starting a poll.
cl:)
Quote from: Haunted hearse on June 18, 2013, 01:52:15 PM
Superior? We'll the whole point of the Munsters was to do an Addams family style comedy using the Universal Studios licensed monsters. If you want to talk weird, how about a reanimated corpse wedded to Dracula's daughter, having a werewolf for a kid, and settling down with the King of the Vampires in a house in a typical middle class neighborhood during the mid 1960's. Nothing all that weird there right? Somehow, the neighbor's they had didn't find them all that normal, and were constantly gripping. As far as the Addams family was concerned, I found them to be a very gracious family when it came to guests, and actually we'll mannered. I would certainly have felt right at home visiting them. I am talking about the 1960's sitcom family. The later family, headed by Raul Julia were abit on the homicidal side, and you might put yourself at risk visiting them.
I would have felt more comfortable staying with the Munster family than the Addams family. The only thing I liked better about the Addams family was the song.
JP
Addams Family for me (but I liked them both)
Quote from: Wolfman on June 18, 2013, 03:21:49 PM
I would have felt more comfortable staying with the Munster family than the Addams family. The only thing I liked better about the Addams family was the song.
JP
I've always heard that Univeral Monsters tend to stick together ... ;D
I did have a crush on Gomez Addams and had that awful sinking feeling that if I visited the Munsters that Herman would 'accidently' step on my toes. ???
I did read that Yvonne De Carlo was told to play Lily Munster as 'Donna Reed' and she did a great job of it. Alas, I don't think that I could be a room with Donna Reed for very long.
For such popular 'cult' series .. they didn't do very well as each show only lasted for two seasons.
Quote from: Flower on June 18, 2013, 03:45:47 PM
I've always heard that Univeral Monsters tend to stick together ... ;D
I did have a crush on Gomez Addams and had that awful sinking feeling that if I visited the Munsters that Herman would 'accidently' step on my toes. ???
I did read that Yvonne De Carlo was told to play Lily Munster as 'Donna Reed' and she did a great job of it. Alas, I don't think that I could be a room with Donna Reed for very long.
For such popular 'cult' series .. they didn't do very well as each show only lasted for two seasons.
The truth is both shows were well written, had great settings, and very talented cast members. There's a reason these shows have cult followings. Otherwise, like "my mother the Car", which made it only one season, these would have been forgotten footnotes in TV history. What's amazing is that these shows got syndicated, as typically when it came to syndication, it was preferred that a show had at least five seasons. By the way, even when they were able to bring back original cast members for reunion shows ("Munster's revenge" and the Addams Family Halloween reunion) the reunion shows were awful. There's something that just clicked with both shows, in their original versions.
Funny .. I was just discussing the syndication issue a few minutes ago. In the 60's the typical show such as The Addams Family or The Munsters produced 36 shows a season (I believe that this is down from 39 shows with 13 reruns) .. Today the typical program produces 22 shows a season with reruns and summer replacements .. so it would take 5 seasons for a show to hit the 'magic syndication number of 100.
I agree that both The Addams Family and The Munsters were well written and I feel that they should've (or wish that they had) longer runs. Both shows had perfect casting too!
*Btw ~ I remember St. Elsewhere's 100th show (they had many inside jokes) and the first patient was called Cindy Cation.
I love both TV shows. I'm a fan of John Astin as well. I'd have to choose, 'The Munsters', but I love them both.
Here's the theme from the Addams Family show:
The Addams Family Intro Theme Song 1964 - 1966 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YFk4b6yeX4#)
:)
The Munsters was written on a six year old's level, the Addams Family was written on an adult's level, which is why at the time, The Munsters was so more popular with kids.
Quote from: Monster Bob on June 19, 2013, 09:06:29 AM
The Munsters was written on a six year old's level, the Addams Family was written on an adult's level, which is why at the time, The Munsters was so more popular with kids.
Strangely enough I think Charles Addams (who played a part in the shows creation) regarded the "Addams Family" as a kids show. The family in the show were a lot more friendly and easier to be with for your typical television watcher of the time, than the darker version found in the New Yorker cartoons. If any of the Munsters creative team had said it was their intention to write the show for primarily 6 year olds, I'd like to see that. I always thought that the team, who'd been sucessful with "Leave it to beaver", were actually shooting for entertainment for the entire family, and not just first graders. When it came to "Batman", who's popularity was a big part of the reason for the cancellation of both series, they intended the show to appeal to audiences on more then one level. There would be adveture for the small kids, and campy humor for the adults. Regarding something more recently, we have (shudder) Jar Jar Binks. That character was definately intended for small children. When the film came out, my now 21 year old daughter adored the character. At present? She can't stand to look at the character. I honestly can't think of a time or age, since the Munsters were originally seen, that I have ever considered the show too childlike or silly to be watched, like I did for a while with "Batman".
It seems that Uncle Fester has a restaurant too. Maybe we should do a road trip and compare his place (in Turkey) with Grandpa's in Greenwich Village?
http://www.tripadvisor.ca/ShowUserReviews-g298661-d2192629-r137766465-Uncle_Fester_s_Restaurant_Bar-Gumbet_Bodrum_Peninsula_Mugla_Province_Turkish_Aeg.html (http://www.tripadvisor.ca/ShowUserReviews-g298661-d2192629-r137766465-Uncle_Fester_s_Restaurant_Bar-Gumbet_Bodrum_Peninsula_Mugla_Province_Turkish_Aeg.html)
(http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/03/fc/86/26/uncle-fester-s-best-of.jpg)
Used to be the Munsters by a landslide when I was younger. Now I appreciate the subtleties of the Addams family more, guess its a push...
Quote from: Haunted hearse on June 19, 2013, 11:17:54 AM
Strangely enough I think Charles Addams (who played a part in the shows creation) regarded the "Addams Family" as a kids show. The family in the show were a lot more friendly and easier to be with for your typical television watcher of the time, than the darker version found in the New Yorker cartoons. If any of the Munsters creative team had said it was their intention to write the show for primarily 6 year olds, I'd like to see that. I always thought that the team, who'd been sucessful with "Leave it to beaver", were actually shooting for entertainment for the entire family, and not just first graders. When it came to "Batman", who's popularity was a big part of the reason for the cancellation of both series, they intended the show to appeal to audiences on more then one level. There would be adveture for the small kids, and campy humor for the adults. Regarding something more recently, we have (shudder) Jar Jar Binks. That character was definately intended for small children. When the film came out, my now 21 year old daughter adored the character. At present? She can't stand to look at the character. I honestly can't think of a time or age, since the Munsters were originally seen, that I have ever considered the show too childlike or silly to be watched, like I did for a while with "Batman".
Chas Addams may have the considered it a kid's show, but in my mind there was just too much sexual innuendo for the time to be considered anything but adult comedy. Even the word "sex" was used in several episodes, pretty heavy stuff for little kids. I suppose it could be said it was playing on two levels, but I remember not "getting" a lot of the humor on its first run, and not appreciating it until much later in life.
The Munsters, on the other hand, was all slapstick and one liners, as if written for kids. I remember many adults at the time thinking it was "stupid". And look at the merchandising- most of it was specifically aimed at the kiddie set.
Quote from: Monster Bob on June 19, 2013, 07:28:48 PM
Chas Addams may have the considered it a kid's show, but in my mind there was just too much sexual innuendo for the time to be considered anything but adult comedy. Even the word "sex" was used in several episodes, pretty heavy stuff for little kids. I suppose it could be said it was playing on two levels, but I remember not "getting" a lot of the humor on its first run, and not appreciating it until much later in life.
The Munsters, on the other hand, was all slapstick and one liners, as if written for kids. I remember many adults at the time thinking it was "stupid". And look at the merchandising- most of it was specifically aimed at the kiddie set.
I guess adults don't enjoy slapstick humor and one liners. Does that mean that Laurel and hardy comedies are just kiddie fare, because they weren't up to the film product created by Orson Welles or James Whale? So the real question was why "The Munsters" weren't scheduled for Saturday morning, since it was a network show intended only for six graders? And I guess those pictures of Marylyn photographed in front of the Munster Koach, were intended to be published in "Jack and Jill Magazine". There were stories that had Herman and Lily having marital problems, you know, problems only small children have to deal with. And what small child of the sixites didn't enjoy the episodes which included mushy stuff? As far as merchandising was concerned, I don't recall that the Aurora Model of the Addams family House and "Thing Bank" were only sold in adult novelty shops.
Was the Addams Family a more sophisticated show? I'd say yes. But to dismiss the Munsters as only a kid show I think does tremendous diservice to the very talented cast and writers, not to mention the great atmosphere found in the show, which have been a big part that there have long fans of this show of all ages.
:P
I found another Uncle Fester's Restaurant .. this one is a BBQ joint and is a bit closer to home for most of us ...
http://www.yelp.ca/biz/uncle-festers-columbia (http://www.yelp.ca/biz/uncle-festers-columbia)
(http://photos.wikimapia.org/p/00/00/66/75/06_big.jpg)
I think that the one in Turkey is a bit more interesting.
I have to agree with Haunted Hearse, even though the Addam's Family was the more adult show, the Munsters were much more than a kiddie show. The Munsters were far more likeable and, in the long run, the more memorable of the two. There's really no reason to pit one show against the other, I think we have enough room in our hearts for both. There's nothing like them around now, that's for sure.
I believe that since inception, that the Addams Family was compared to the Munsters. It's kind of natural to compare them .. sort of like comparing I Dream of Jeannie to Bewitched.
The Addams Family and the Munsters were very different shows about offbeat families with humor and the supernatural tossed into the mix.
Quote from: Mord on June 20, 2013, 05:36:11 PM
I have to agree with Haunted Hearse, even though the Addam's Family was the more adult show, the Munsters were much more than a kiddie show. The Munsters were far more likeable and, in the long run, the more memorable of the two. There's really no reason to pit one show against the other, I think we have enough room in our hearts for both. There's nothing like them around now, that's for sure.
Mord, that was a very nice sentiment about both shows.
Thanks, Mars.
Mord, well put. It's easy to prefer one show, over the other, but there is no reason to put down the show you don't perfer, to make your point, especially since some of us are fans of both shows.
If you are referring to my comments, I wasn't putting anything down, just telling it like I see it. Nobody is a bigger Munsters or Addams fan than I am. Ask Al Lewis.
Quote from: Monster Bob on June 21, 2013, 01:05:31 PM
If you are referring to my comments, I wasn't putting anything down, just telling it like I see it. Nobody is a bigger Munsters or Addams fan than I am. Ask Al Lewis.
Not yours in particular. For some reason fans of only one of the shows, need to put the other one down, never occuring that maybe some folks are fans of a well made show, where a weird family, lives in a spooky old house. You know, like "Please Don't eat the Daisys".
Let's all eat some cake!!!
No cake till everybody votes and the poll closes.
cl:)
Which cupcakes do you want?
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FqSpWlhubI8/UHTtDwHBVvI/AAAAAAAABvw/a7WZD2eKWiU/s1600/Hostess+Munster+Scary+Cakes.jpg)
or
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ycOJUBz2BZk/TPn2YTOaeUI/AAAAAAAAAb8/ZTPKVEPbevc/s1600/AddamsFamilyCakes%2B001.JPG)
Quote from: Hepcat on June 21, 2013, 06:38:25 PM
No cake till everybody votes and the poll closes.
cl:)
Okay...... :( :( :(
The Munsters
Quote from: Flower on June 18, 2013, 03:45:47 PM
For such popular 'cult' series .. they didn't do very well as each show only lasted for two seasons.
While history may blame Batman, allegedly the cast of The Munsters was not easy to work with and is said to have been a large factor in the cancellation.
I heard that Batman was to blame.
I also heard that Yvonne De Carlo had serious money problems and I don't think that she would want to bite the hand that fed her.
Neither Al Lewis or Fred Gwynne were exactly household names at this point in time .. other than the very short lived 'Car 54 Where Are You?' .. so being difficult was just stupid. It's stupid at any time ... >:(
Yeah, it is. But the accounts I recently read indicate major personality differences. It would appear these were softened once the whole lot found themselves haunted by typecasting.
I'm often amazed at actors .. like the casts or Friends and Seinfeld turning down another year after being offered one million per show on a 22 show season, which would also add in residuals. I do understand about the quality of the show but was it in their minds that the shows were going down hill and wouldn't some new writers help?
Lewis and Gwynne got along fine, and at the time Gwynne didn't mind working on the show. They did not want DeCarlo on board initially, as they didn't think she was right for the part. DeCarlo worked out great, much to their surprise, though she was difficult throughout the series. She had her own trailer, kept to herself, and was a prima donna. Understand she was a Universal contract player years earlier and a former studio queen. Her husband (Bob Morgan, who did guest shots on the show) was a stuntman who had lost a leg in the 50s and couldn't work, so yes, they needed the money to survive. As a side note, Gwynne lost a child during the run of the series, obviously making his Munsters tenure a difficult time, and probably the reason for his later disdain for the Herman role.
Quote from: aura of foreboding on June 22, 2013, 07:03:36 PM
While history may blame Batman, allegedly the cast of The Munsters was not easy to work with and is said to have been a large factor in the cancellation.
Batman itself only lasted 2 seasons. I think kids back then were a little more adventurous and moved on a little quicker than later, more complacent generations (face it, Justin Bieber would have been a one hit wonder back then like all the other Tiger Beat fodder). As for shows calling it quits early, isn't that better than becoming a tired self-parody? One of my favorite shows was "The Outer Limits", and that only lasted a season and a half.
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g107/backlotcharlie/images-13_zpsdc2630fa.jpeg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/backlotcharlie/media/images-13_zpsdc2630fa.jpeg.html)
.
Maybe even six years, if they were on cable stations like HBO or Showtime.
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g107/backlotcharlie/images-15_zpsf97dd96a.jpeg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/backlotcharlie/media/images-15_zpsf97dd96a.jpeg.html)
,
This is what is written in Stephen Cox's book, The Munsters: A Trip Down Mockingbird Lane:
http://books.google.com/books?id=LtU2rfMrhAIC&pg=PA120&lpg=PA120&dq=%22+Bob+and+I+had+just+had+it.%22&source=bl&ots=a4EOLWA_YQ&sig=8me56PVrS-LlEJIYfjlZVgK-M0s&hl=en&sa=X&ei=l07HUefeOIayigLWuIHQAw#v=onepage&q=%22%20Bob%20and%20I%20had%20just%20had%20it.%22&f=false (http://books.google.com/books?id=LtU2rfMrhAIC&pg=PA120&lpg=PA120&dq=%22+Bob+and+I+had+just+had+it.%22&source=bl&ots=a4EOLWA_YQ&sig=8me56PVrS-LlEJIYfjlZVgK-M0s&hl=en&sa=X&ei=l07HUefeOIayigLWuIHQAw#v=onepage&q=%22%20Bob%20and%20I%20had%20just%20had%20it.%22&f=false)
Of course, he also provides other reasons throughout the book. But this is from the perspective of Joe Connelly.
Previous Post edited to add link to original source. :)
I've never heard that any of the cast members of the Addams family, were diificult; yet their show got cancelled about the same time as the Munsters. The news the "Addams family" were cancelled came as a suprise to Big Daddy Roth. He claimed that he had been commisioned to build the "Druid Princess" for the "Addams Family's" third season, and the show was cancelled prior to it's completion.
I think people forget what a phenominum "Batman" was during it's initial season. The networks wanted to pull the monster shows, to make room for shows they felt could better compete with "Batman", including "Captain Nice", and "Mr. Terrific". By the way, there would have been at least one more season for Batman, even though it had been cancelled. Another network was considering picking up the show, but the "Batcave" set had been demolished, prior to the Network letting them know, and the cost of rebuilding the set put an end to continuing the Batman series.
Nobody's saying that Batman wasn't a major factor, but there were - apparently - other issues. Anyway, Addams never had as high of ratings as Munsters. And both shows could have had new timeslots if the nets felt they were worth saving.
I enjoyed reading this post on IMDB
The Addams Family was, in its own strange way, the healthiest TV family ever presented. The mother and father are utterly smitten with one another. They dote on their children and pay meticulous attention to their upbringing. The children, for their part, are respectful of their elders but brim-full of curiosity and mischief. The grandmother and uncle are loved and respected. Extended family members are admired and included. The butler shows great devotion to his employers, who repay him by providing a loving family. Thing (whatever it is) is appreciated for his omnipresent helpfulness. And visitors are always welcome and treated with the utmost courtesy.
The macabre touches are fun, and provide the fish-out-of-water running gag of outsiders trying to cope with the Addams' ghoulish world, but it's the relationships that make The Addams Family tick. Current sit-coms, with their focus on deception and underhanded tricks, would do well to emulate the Addamses.
Quote from: Hepcat on June 18, 2013, 02:40:46 PM
There was no poll on this subject taken on Universal Monster Army previously. I'm careful enough to check these things before starting a poll.
cl:)
No poll but there is a thread
http://www.universalmonsterarmy.com/forum/index.php?topic=9201.0 (http://www.universalmonsterarmy.com/forum/index.php?topic=9201.0)
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g107/backlotcharlie/images-14_zpsef576a5f.jpeg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/backlotcharlie/media/images-14_zpsef576a5f.jpeg.html)
Quote from: Ghost on June 23, 2013, 08:49:20 PM
No poll but there is a thread
http://www.universalmonsterarmy.com/forum/index.php?topic=9201.0 (http://www.universalmonsterarmy.com/forum/index.php?topic=9201.0)
And don't forget this one from the previous year:
http://www.universalmonsterarmy.com/forum/index.php?topic=4172.msg64266#msg64266 (http://www.universalmonsterarmy.com/forum/index.php?topic=4172.msg64266#msg64266)
Both were flawed though since there was no poll option.
:-\
I like both also, hey it was horror themed TV:) but I give the edge to the Munsters. A Frankenstein Character, Spot- the most awesome pet in the world, Eddie the little Werewolf kid, Edgar-the raven in the clock, and grandpa- a character that just made me laugh. The awesome cars, the unique home, I loved it all! A little cartoonist, yes, but all the characters were based on my fave Universal Monsters.
And you should look up some of the pics of Yvonne DeCarlo from the 1940's - 50s noir films...stunning :D
I like them both (the Munsters a little more- Love Herman!)
50/50 sounds about right. Though I also give a slight edge to the Munsters.
The shows are similar enough, you can love them both, while being different enough that you can prefer one over the other. And in my case I prefer the Addams Family, but I enjoy watching the Munsters.
I love both but prefer the Munsters because it's based on Universal and it is more slapstick-y. Fred Gywnne and Al Lewis were so good together!
Quote from: RedKing on July 06, 2013, 11:57:33 PM
I love both but prefer the Munsters because it's based on Universal and it is more slapstick-y. Fred Gywnne and Al Lewis were so good together!
I enjoy the contrast between the early and later MUNSTERS episodes, the early ones being more "cinematic" and shot like a movie. Plus, Gwynne and Lewis' comedic stride really hit second season.
The Munsters were kind of like an Abbott and Costello Meet ...movie turned into a sitcom. Loved it as a kid, still dear to my heart as an adult.
Quote from: RedKing on July 06, 2013, 11:57:33 PM
I love both but prefer the Munsters because it's based on Universal and it is more slapstick-y. Fred Gywnne and Al Lewis were so good together!
Yeah, they were fantastic together. Always getting into trouble.
Let me put it this way, if they are on tv I would watch both, but I only own The Munsters on DVD:)
Quote from: Cerebus on July 07, 2013, 03:36:17 PM
Yeah, they were fantastic together. Always getting into trouble.
Let me put it this way, if they are on tv I would watch both, but I only own The Munsters on DVD:)
I own both series on DVD. I always liked the Munsters better because of the Universal connection and also the chemistry between Fred Gwynne and Al Lewis. I did like the second season a little better than the first becuase Herman was kind of dry in the beginning then he got stupid and it became hiliarious. The Addams Family was always IMHO an acquired taste. Not as funny as the Munsters but still a good show. Who doesn't like Lurch and Thing?
I liked both shows as a kid.
And I still like them both as an (kinda) adult.
However, I tend to appreciate the Gomez-Morticia relationship--especially after 28 years of marriage.
Herman and Lily obviously had a good marriage. After all, they were among the first fictional TV couples to share one bed (Samatha and Darren Stevens were there first). For some reason I was always uncomfortable with Herman's childishness and Lily's almost patronizing way of treating him.
Al Lewis and Fred Gwynne were always great together. Watch some old clips of Car 54 Where Are You and you'll see what I mean.
Overall, I have to admit a preference for the Addams Family.
But then, my name is probably a giveaway . . . ::)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/1017694_678413745508814_941388785_n.jpg)
"The Addams Family" always, probably because I have a major crush on Mortcia
The votes are currently tied at.....13-13!.......Mockingbird Lane?
Quote from: horrorhunter on July 14, 2013, 01:00:34 PM
The votes are currently tied at.....13-13!.......Mockingbird Lane?
maybe that should be a new poll. Which reboot was better; "New Addams family", or "Munsters Today"? Or which made for TV reunion sucked more; "Halloween with the Addams Family", or "The Munsters Revenge"? (For the record, I liked "Here Come the Munsters".)
Quote from: Mord on June 23, 2013, 01:31:17 PM
Batman itself only lasted 2 seasons. I think kids back then were a little more adventurous and moved on a little quicker than later, more complacent generations (face it, Justin Bieber would have been a one hit wonder back then like all the other Tiger Beat fodder). As for shows calling it quits early, isn't that better than becoming a tired self-parody? One of my favorite shows was "The Outer Limits", and that only lasted a season and a half.
With you completely.............especially on the "Outer Limits"! Pure genius!
BTW, adore them both, but just the slight edge to The Munsters.
Adams Family always had that eccentric millionaire vibe; lighting cigars with 100 bills, making money with deals on the phone, etc. Munsters always seemed like working class stiffs, more relatable to my family. In fact, we started calling ourselves the Munsters, and still do to this day :)
So the
Munsters have come back from an early deficit and have now taken the lead! Here to throw kerosene on the embers is a dissenting opinion I found on the net:
Quote from: ThreesorryboysHaving described the genius of the Addams family, I must now turn my attention to the unworthy competition. The Munsters is a pathetic derivative of the vastly superior Addams Family, relying on low-brow humor for cheap laughs. Even their name betrays their lack of innovation. The Monsters - o + u = The Munsters. Get it? Duh. Just look at this set of rejects:
Here's a link to the full article:
Addams Family versus the Munsters cl:)
Don't need some snobbish, elite critique, don't need another useless, annoying poll...I stay with the Munsters but still enjoy the Addams Family.
Huh? Does this fit your definition of a "useless, annoying poll"?
???
I said "another useless, annoying poll", meaning one is enough. We have our results, for what it's worth. No offense intended, brother. I completely respect what you're doing.
Quote from: Hepcat on July 23, 2013, 10:07:47 AM
So the Munsters have come back from an early deficit and have now taken the lead! Here to throw kerosene on the embers is a dissenting opinion I found on the net:
Here's a link to the full article:
Addams Family versus the Munsters (http://www.threesorryboys.com/articles/addams_munsters_article.html)
cl:)
Good grief........that article was pure fertilizer.
Nitrogen fertilizer with gasoline to be precise. Positively incendiary! That's why I thought it was such a good item for discussion.
;)
Ehh... Not really. It lacked any merit, and the thing that he claims to be a schoolyard rhyme only hurts the case for the Addams family.
Quote from: Hepcat on July 23, 2013, 10:07:47 AM
So the Munsters have come back from an early deficit and have now taken the lead! Here to throw kerosene on the embers is a dissenting opinion I found on the net:
Here's a link to the full article:
Addams Family versus the Munsters (http://www.threesorryboys.com/articles/addams_munsters_article.html)
cl:)
I also remember that in the 1960's Mad magazine had both shows as representative of the garbage found on Television. Of course they also hated "Hogan's Heroes", and I'm also a big fan of that show. Both shows have their fans, and I love both, just a slight preferance for the Addams Family.
Quote from: Haunted hearse on July 23, 2013, 06:42:13 PM
I also remember that in the 1960's Mad magazine had both shows as representative of the garbage found on Television. Of course they also hated "Hogan's Heroes", and I'm also a big fan of that show. Both shows have their fans, and I love both, just a slight preferance for the Addams Family.
So, is it Hogan's Hero's or McHale's Navy? Just kidding, please don't start another one of these. I hate defending one show against the other when I like them both :)
Quote from: Cerebus on July 23, 2013, 10:05:57 PM
So, is it Hogan's Hero's or McHale's Navy? Just kidding, please don't start another one of these. I hate defending one show against the other when I like them both :)
Both of those were great shows. Tim Conway Jr. has said that naval enlistment shot way up because of McHales Navy.
Yeah, low brow. Me the Three Stooges and the Munsters all in the same boat, I don't care. I like it :)
Quote from: Haunted hearse on July 23, 2013, 06:42:13 PM
I also remember that in the 1960's Mad magazine had both shows as representative of the garbage found on Television. Of course they also hated "Hogan's Heroes....
Don't be silly.
Mad magazine wasn't serious enough to hate anything.
Mad delightfully satirized everything separately but equally.
???
Quote from: Haunted hearse on July 23, 2013, 10:08:54 PM
Both of those were great shows. Tim Conway Jr. has said that naval enlistment shot way up because of McHales Navy.
They were airing McHale's Navy on one of the cable channels for a while, brought back memories. So, I haven't seen HH in a longer amount of time. I'm dying to see them. Why do they not play these great old shows on all the cable channels I'm paying for?????
Quote from: Hepcat on July 23, 2013, 10:14:18 PM
Don't be silly. Mad magazine wasn't serious enough to hate anything. Mad delightfully satirized everything separately but equally.
???
We'll they may have hated Hogans Heroes more then a lot of things. The piece they did was continuoulsy droaning on and on about how making light of Nazi's and their prison camps was not funny, and concluded the article, where the network's idea of an even funnier show would be taking place in a death camp. Interestingly enough, two of the shows stars, had been Nazi survivors. Robert Clarie (Labeau) and John Banner (Sgt Shultz), Banner was always shown wearing long sleve shirts to cover up the number tatoo the Nazi's had given him.
Each and every one of Mad's movie and TV satires left me with the impression that the underlying show was sheer unadulterated drivel. That's why they were so good!
;)
Quote from: Cerebus on July 23, 2013, 10:21:44 PM
They were airing McHale's Navy on one of the cable channels for a while, brought back memories. So, I haven't seen HH in a longer amount of time. I'm dying to see them. Why do they not play these great old shows on all the cable channels I'm paying for?????
McHale's Navy airs on Antenna TV -- over-the-air, free, digital substation
Hogan's Heroes is on Me-TV -- over-the-air, free, digital substation
Cable is a ripoff. ;)
Werner Klemperer and his family fled Germany in 1935 .. his father was Jewish .. converted to Catholicism and then back to Judaism but told reporters that he was Jewish.
From Wikipedia ...
Klemperer, conscious that he would be playing the role of a German officer during the Nazi regime, agreed to the part only on the condition that Klink would be portrayed as a fool who never succeeded. When Klemperer's father, the famous conductor, saw his first episode of Hogan's Heroes, he said to his son, "Your work is good . . . but who is the author of this material?" In addition to the character's bumblings, Klink was also remembered for his horribly screechy violin playing, spoofing Klemperer's talent for the violin. For his performance as Klink, Klemperer received six Emmy Award nominations for best supporting actor, winning in 1968 and 1969.
Quote from: aura of foreboding on July 24, 2013, 01:58:26 AM
McHale's Navy airs on Antenna TV -- over-the-air, free, digital substation
Hogan's Heroes is on Me-TV -- over-the-air, free, digital substation
Cable is a ripoff. ;)
Got ANT-TV, don't have ME-TV.
Quote from: Hepcat on July 23, 2013, 10:56:45 PM
Each and every one of Mad's movie and TV satires left me with the impression that the underlying show was sheer unadulterated drivel. That's why they were so good!
;)
My favorite part of their "Loused up in space" article, was where their version of "Space Family Robinson" is in danger of suffocation from the spaceship they're on board traveling through space, until the robot sugests they open a window, thus saving them all.
This was actually a fairly difficult decision for me. In the end I went with The Addams Family. One of my favorite Christmas memories put it over the top. Watching an Addams Family marathon with my grandfather on Christmas eve a couple years before he died.
Addams Family was the "smarter" show, but The Munsters had some beautiful art direction.
Here are the TV intros to help those who still can't decide:
The Addams Family Intro Theme Song 1964 - 1966 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YFk4b6yeX4#)
The Munsters - Original 1964 Theme! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuHr00nxeew#noexternalembed)
8)
Addams Family all the way. Love both, but bigger Addams fan.
Quote from: Hepcat on September 11, 2013, 10:11:54 AM
Here are the TV intros to help those who still can't decide:
The Addams Family Intro Theme Song 1964 - 1966 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YFk4b6yeX4#)
The Munsters - Original 1964 Theme! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuHr00nxeew#noexternalembed)
8)
That actually helped me decide. I voted for The Munsters.
What I think helps the Munsters is the fact that their family is actually made up of Universal monsters. Herman/Frankenstein, Grandpa/Dracula, Eddie/Wolfman, while the Addams family are just a bunch of creeps (in a good way of course). My vote went to the Munsters.
JP
The Addams Family is just so cool and creepy and at this time of year (Halloween approaching), they just seem 'right' .. I would've loved to go trick or treating at their mansion.
I think that trick or treating at 1313 Mockingbird Lane would have been just as cool (especially with those two beautiful cars parked out front).
Here are my wrappers from the card sets issued on the competing shows in 1964:
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g434/Balticprince/26-06-201165744PM.jpg)
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g434/Balticprince/26-06-201165720PM.jpg)
cl:)
By the way, does anybody know in "The Munsters" why they chose "Mockingbird Lane" as the address? I've always wondered if it had to do with the title of the Universal Movie "To Kill a Mockingbird". In the final verse of the song "Listen to the Mockingbird" they mention at the end, how the "Mockingbird's still singing ov'er her grave".
Are either shows currently airing? Thought I saw that somewhere but it's alot to sift thru. I have MeTV and now AntennaTV... 8)
Someone mentioned Boomerang somewhere, didn't they?
Sadly, they are not on Antenna or Me-TV.
Quote from: aura of foreboding on October 26, 2013, 01:14:30 PM
Someone mentioned Boomerang somewhere, didn't they?
Sadly, they are not on Antenna or Me-TV.
Fortunately, they are both available on DVD.
Quote from: Haunted hearse on October 26, 2013, 02:17:53 PM
Fortunately, they are both available on DVD.
The prices have been drastically lowered on all dvd sets (Munsters are $9.99 per set at Target).
On my way...O0
As per usual I don't find what I go in looking for at my brand new target, so annoying...>:(
Here are my Aurora model kits based on the two rival TV series:
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g434/Balticprince/AddamsFamilyHauntedHouse.jpg)
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g434/Balticprince/TheMunstersAurora.jpg)
8)
Man, I can't believe you have sealed copies of those two classics! I had to settle for the Polar Lights reissues.
I bought them separately about ten to twelve years ago off Ebay. I think they cost me somewhere between $300 and $500 each at the time.
:-\
Those are fantastic prices! I bought the Munsters set, sealed about 25 years ago for $350. Unfortunately, on the drive home from picking it up, my car started to smoke on the freeway. I had to sell it back for $50 less than I paid to pay for the repair to my car.
I don't believe prices for Aurora kits have gone up appreciably in the last twenty years or so due to a combination of factors. The Polar Lights and other reissues have reduced demand from kit builders and the existence of Ebay has brought warehouse, old store and forgotten attic stock onto the market.
:-\
Here's this same poll in the U.K. Telegraph:
The Addams Family vs. the Munsters - The Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/11102649/The-Addams-Family-v-The-Munsters.html)
cl:)
I love the Munsters. I did watch the Addams Family, but I haven't gone out of my way (and still won't), to purchase the DVDs of the show. I'm a straight up Universal Studios Monster guy. Frankenstein was (and still is) my favorite Monster. When the DVDs of The Munsters came out - I was all over it! I was so happy to be able to own a copy of all the episodes. I still love to watch that show. Even at 61 years of age!
I have nothing against The Addams Family. But if it came down to a "you can only pick one to watch for the rest of your life" - then it's The Munsters all the way.
Quote from: Hepcat on May 07, 2015, 02:35:32 PM
Here's this same poll in the U.K. Telegraph:
The Addams Family vs. the Munsters - The Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/11102649/The-Addams-Family-v-The-Munsters.html)
cl:)
Some people voted "other". I wonder if the other votes were for the Brady Bunch?
Quote from: Haunted hearse on May 08, 2015, 09:19:02 AM
Some people voted "other". I wonder if the other votes were for the Brady Bunch?
Maybe the Partridge Family.
Quote from: Anthony Caranci on May 07, 2015, 03:58:53 PM
I love the Munsters. I did watch the Addams Family, but I haven't gone out of my way (and still won't), to purchase the DVDs of the show. I'm a straight up Universal Studios Monster guy. Frankenstein was (and still is) my favorite Monster. When the DVDs of The Munsters came out - I was all over it! I was so happy to be able to own a copy of all the episodes. I still love to watch that show. Even at 61 years of age!
I have nothing against The Addams Family. But if it came down to a "you can only pick one to watch for the rest of your life" - then it's The Munsters all the way.
I agree, The Munsters all the way, loved that show big time.
Yeah the munster is my fav but uncle fester was a riot. I wasnt around for when they aired on tv im 26 so i kind of just picked it up one day and watched it i was able to watch the munsters over and over but the addams i watched maybe twice mostly for uncle fester jokes
Watch "The Addams Family funny scene" on YouTube
https://youtu.be/1OnJt98B6Oc
My fav scene
Two great shows, but The Munsters just feels more like family to me. They both over used the same gags, but The Munsters did it a little less.
Quote from: John Pertwee on May 09, 2015, 11:07:09 PM
Two great shows, but The Munsters just feels more like family to me. They both over used the same gags, but The Munsters did it a little less.
That's exactly how I feel. I get a warmer feeling from the Munsters. I feel at home in 1313 Mockingbird Lane (rain & all).
Quote from: John Pertwee on May 09, 2015, 11:07:09 PM
Two great shows, but The Munsters just feels more like family to me. They both over used the same gags, but The Munsters did it a little less.
That shouldn't be surprising, considering the same creative forces behind the Munsters, we're also behind "Leave it to Beaver". The Addams family in all honesty felt every bit as much a family as the Munsters to me. That some prefer one to the other, is a testament to the quality that was evident in both series.
Quote from: Haunted hearse on May 11, 2015, 10:54:34 AM
That shouldn't be surprising, considering the same creative forces behind the Munsters, we're also behind "Leave it to Beaver". The Addams family in all honesty felt every bit as much a family as the Munsters to me. That some prefer one to the other, is a testament to the quality that was evident in both series.
I love both shows as most Monsterkids do, but I prefer the Addams Family a little more because of the actors and characters. Carolyn Jones and John Astin are big fun as Morticia and Gomez, and Morticia easily got the
hottie nod over Lily.
(http://images4.fanpop.com/image/photos/15100000/568-morticia-addams-15195966-508-405.jpg)
Quote from: horrorhunter on May 11, 2015, 11:31:13 AM
I love both shows as most Monsterkids do, but I prefer the Addams Family a little more because of the actors and characters. Carolyn Jones and John Astin are big fun as Morticia and Gomez, and Morticia easily got the hottie nod over Lily.
(http://images4.fanpop.com/image/photos/15100000/568-morticia-addams-15195966-508-405.jpg)
Yvonne de Carlo was drop dead gorgeous, much more so than jones. imo.
(http://i1366.photobucket.com/albums/r770/stlcardinalsfan09/Yvonne%20dc_2_zpskkttp6bn.jpg) (http://s1366.photobucket.com/user/stlcardinalsfan09/media/Yvonne%20dc_2_zpskkttp6bn.jpg.html)
(http://i1366.photobucket.com/albums/r770/stlcardinalsfan09/Yvonne_DeCarlo_2_zpsxvyhbxwu.jpg) (http://s1366.photobucket.com/user/stlcardinalsfan09/media/Yvonne_DeCarlo_2_zpsxvyhbxwu.jpg.html)
But Yvonne de Carlo was not only past her prime at the time, she wasn't really into her role on the Munsters. And it showed. Meanwhile the sexual electricity between Gomez and Morticia was as big part of the appeal of the Addams Family show, at least to adults.
cl:)
Morticia seemed the more seductive of the two. Maybe Lily and Herman shared the same bed, but in all honesty, I really believe that Gomez and Morticia did more than sleep together.
Quote from: Haunted hearse on May 11, 2015, 07:00:11 PM
Morticia seemed the more seductive of the two. Maybe Lily and Herman shared the same bed, but in all honesty, I really believe that Gomez and Morticia did more than sleep together.
Herman & Lily did manage to conceive a werewolf child. That in itself is some sort of achievement, isn't it?
Quote from: gillmanjoe on May 11, 2015, 01:10:30 PM
Yvonne de Carlo was drop dead gorgeous, much more so than jones. imo.
(http://i1366.photobucket.com/albums/r770/stlcardinalsfan09/Yvonne%20dc_2_zpskkttp6bn.jpg) (http://s1366.photobucket.com/user/stlcardinalsfan09/media/Yvonne%20dc_2_zpskkttp6bn.jpg.html)
(http://i1366.photobucket.com/albums/r770/stlcardinalsfan09/Yvonne_DeCarlo_2_zpsxvyhbxwu.jpg) (http://s1366.photobucket.com/user/stlcardinalsfan09/media/Yvonne_DeCarlo_2_zpsxvyhbxwu.jpg.html)
Yvonne de Carlo was getting a little
long in the tooth when
The Munsters aired. She wished she still looked like that first picture you posted when she was Lily. She still looked alright but she was a little past
hot. And, all of this is just opinion. My
hot may be your
not.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CUg3Emz7hpI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CUg3Emz7hpI)
Quote from: Mord on May 11, 2015, 07:13:08 PMHerman & Lily did manage to conceive a werewolf child. That in itself is some sort of achievement, isn't it?
While you may be sure Herman was the father then, I'm not.
:o
Quote from: Mord on May 11, 2015, 07:13:08 PM
Herman & Lily did manage to conceive a werewolf child. That in itself is some sort of achievement, isn't it?
Considering how childlike Herman was, he may have been told the vulture brought little Eddie, and he may just assumed he was the father.
Quote from: Haunted hearse on May 12, 2015, 09:25:46 AM
Considering how childlike Herman was, he may have been told the vulture brought little Eddie, and he may just assumed he was the father.
Are you suggesting that Lily was having an affair with their werewolf mailman? Luckily Uncle Gilbert was family (otherwise, Eddie would have an entirely different look).
Quote from: Mord on May 12, 2015, 01:52:08 PM
Are you suggesting that Lily was having an affair with their werewolf mailman? Luckily Uncle Gilbert was family (otherwise, Eddie would have an entirely different look).
Waldemar Daninsky stopped at 1313 Mockingbird Lane to ask directions and when Lily answered the door she was overcome by the
Naschy Musk. The rest is fuzzy history. ;)
(http://www.plumasdecaballo.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/paul_naschy.jpg)
Quote from: horrorhunter on May 12, 2015, 04:00:46 PM
Waldemar Daninsky stopped at 1313 Mockingbird Lane to ask directions and when Lily answered the door she was overcome by the Naschy Musk. The rest is fuzzy history. ;)
Nailed it! I completely see the family resemblance.
Quote from: Mord on May 12, 2015, 05:00:33 PM
Nailed it! I completely see the family resemblance.
Whoda thunkit?! Eddie Daninsky! :o
(http://www.markymunster.com/markymunster212.jpg)
I wonder if the Teenage Werewolf was his handy work, too? That guy really got around!
Quote from: Mord on May 12, 2015, 06:06:41 PM
I wonder if the Teenage Werewolf was his handy work, too? That guy really got around!
Yeah, the
Daninsky pipeline ran 'round the world. I guess he was packin' another
monster under all that fur. >:D
(http://proyectonaschy.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/2-paul-naschy-en-el-bac3b1o-fumando-y-enjabonado-por-erika-blanc-archivo-autor.jpg)
LOL, This is actually a pic from
A Dragonfly For Each Corpse (1974) where Naschy didn't even play Daninsky, but it illustrates Naschy's character's way with women (
The Naschy Musk). That's Eurohottie Erika Blanc sitting on the bathtub.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJudmWl9vTw&feature=player_detailpage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJudmWl9vTw&feature=player_detailpage)
:laugh:
:) I love both shows. Saw both shows as a kid growing up in the late 80s and early 90s. Then saw them again in the early 2000's when I was going to high school . I would record a weeks worth of shows and watch them on the weekend. With me being a female I would have Lily's hair with the white streaks and Morticia's dress. I love how Mattel made Barbie and Ken versions of both Herman and Lily and Morticia and Gomez.
Quote from: monsterbride85 on May 14, 2015, 03:57:22 PM
:) I love both shows. Saw both shows as a kid growing up in the late 80s and early 90s. Then saw them again in the early 2000's when I was going to high school . I would record a weeks worth of shows and watch them on the weekend. With me being a female I would have Lily's hair with the white streaks and Morticia's dress. I love how Mattel made Barbie and Ken versions of both Herman and Lily and Morticia and Gomez.
It really is hard to pick a favorite. I think the more
twisted of us lean toward the Addams Family but that's just a theory. ;D
I just bought The Munsters complete series on DVD. So I'll say it again The Munsters over The Addams Family all day. Makes sense since I'll be watching The Munsters all day today lol.
I think a big reason the Munsters get the edge is because Herman, Grandpa & Eddie all represent the classic monsters of Frankenstein, Dracula & Wolfman, whereas the Addams Family is just a bunch of weirdos. Not that there's anything wrong with that. lol
JP
Love both families, but the Munsters are closer to my Universal MonsterKid heart for the same reason Wolfman mentioned.
Quote from: Wolfman on May 20, 2015, 12:11:01 PM
I think a big reason the Munsters get the edge is because Herman, Grandpa & Eddie all represent the classic monsters of Frankenstein, Dracula & Wolfman, whereas the Addams Family is just a bunch of weirdos. Not that there's anything wrong with that. lol
JP
The king of macabre cartoonists, Charles Addams, begs to differ, good sir. His
family cartoons appeared in
The New Yorker all the way back from the 1940s, and began being collected in books in the '40s as well.
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mqaPixlv9XQ/UOtHjpWB3mI/AAAAAAAAB2o/Hm6Ui-o5Ypg/s1600/Charles+Addams.jpg) (https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3367/4620232233_51b4f7198b.jpg)
Of course they weren't known as
The Addams Family until the TV show. All those years before that they were...just a bunch of weirdos. :laugh:
Quote from: Wolfman on May 20, 2015, 12:11:01 PM
I think a big reason the Munsters get the edge is because Herman, Grandpa & Eddie all represent the classic monsters of Frankenstein, Dracula & Wolfman, whereas the Addams Family is just a bunch of weirdos. Not that there's anything wrong with that. lol
JP
And just that they are an eccentric family, and not classic universal Monsters acting as a typical middle class family, is why the Addams family has more appeal to me. I love the classic Universal monsters, and I love the sets and makeup, which is why I will watch the Munsters. However: it's the difficulty of accepting the king of the vampires as a bumbling senior citizen, his daughter as a matronly housewife, and somehow the union of that daughter with a reanimated corpse bearing a werewolf as their offspring, which is why I accept the show as little more than a funny 1960's TV sitcom. Basically the Cleaver family having an awesome Halloween party. The Addams family strikes me as an eccentric family who choose to live their lives in their own fashion. There isn't all that much suspension of belief involved, and I think the humor is a bit more sophisticated with the Addams family. It's understandable that there are enough differences between the two that people have preferences, but most common complaint I've heard about the Addams Family being that they don't look like Horror film monsters, may be the reason I prefer the Addams family.
Quote from: horrorhunter on May 20, 2015, 02:41:53 PM
The king of macabre cartoonists, Charles Addams, begs to differ, good sir. His family cartoons appeared in The New Yorker all the way back from the 1940s, and began being collected in books in the '40s as well.
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mqaPixlv9XQ/UOtHjpWB3mI/AAAAAAAAB2o/Hm6Ui-o5Ypg/s1600/Charles+Addams.jpg) (https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3367/4620232233_51b4f7198b.jpg)
Of course they weren't known as The Addams Family until the TV show. All those years before that they were...just a bunch of weirdos. :laugh:
Charles Addams would name the characters as part of the development of the series for Television. It also helps to understand that Universal was attempting to create a Addams Family type comedy with the Munsters, using their own copyrighted characters and images.
Quote from: Haunted hearse on May 20, 2015, 02:49:02 PM
And just that they are an eccentric family, and not classic universal Monsters acting as a typical middle class family, is why the Addams family has more appeal to me. I love the classic Universal monsters, and I love the sets and makeup, which is why I will watch the Munsters. However: it's the difficulty of accepting the king of the vampires as a bumbling senior citizen, his daughter as a matronly housewife, and somehow the union of that daughter with a reanimated corpse bearing a werewolf as their offspring, which is why I accept the show as little more than a funny 1960's TV sitcom. Basically the Cleaver family having an awesome Halloween party. The Addams family strikes me as an eccentric family who choose to live their lives in their own fashion. There isn't all that much suspension of belief involved, and I think the humor is a bit more sophisticated with the Addams family. It's understandable that there are enough differences between the two that people have preferences, but most common complaint I've heard about the Addams Family being that they don't look like Horror film monsters, may be the reason I prefer the Addams family.
It doesn't bother me in the least that Grandpa stumbles around from time to time. Look at all the magic potions he comes up with. I think that more than makes up for it. I guess it bothers some people that our precious monsters are being made fun of. I don't look at it that way. I enjoy it for what it is, a comedy. As far as your comment that "There isn't all that much suspension of belief involved" goes, I don't know too many families that have a hand living inside a box. Jeez, maybe I need to get out more often if that's the case. lol
JP
Quote from: Haunted hearse on May 20, 2015, 02:49:02 PMAnd just that they are an eccentric family, and not classic universal Monsters acting as a typical middle class family, is why the Addams family has more appeal to me. I love the classic Universal monsters, and I love the sets and makeup, which is why I will watch the Munsters. However: it's the difficulty of accepting the king of the vampires as a bumbling senior citizen, his daughter as a matronly housewife, and somehow the union of that daughter with a reanimated corpse bearing a werewolf as their offspring, which is why I accept the show as little more than a funny 1960's TV sitcom. Basically the Cleaver family having an awesome Halloween party. The Addams family strikes me as an eccentric family who choose to live their lives in their own fashion.
Yes. That basically sums up why I prefer
The Addams Family these days.
:)
Quote from: Wolfman on May 20, 2015, 04:31:11 PM
It doesn't bother me in the least that Grandpa stumbles around from time to time. Look at all the magic potions he comes up with. I think that more than makes up for it. I guess it bothers some people that our precious monsters are being made fun of. I don't look at it that way. I enjoy it for what it is, a comedy. As far as your comment that "There isn't all that much suspension of belief involved" goes, I don't know too many families that have a hand living inside a box. Jeez, maybe I need to get out more often if that's the case. lol
JP
Again, I love the Munsters for what they are, which is a monster themed family sitcom. If it bothered me that the classic monsters were being made fun of, I would ignore the series. However, do I prefer the way the monsters were treated in A&CMF? Yes. And yes, I have a whole lot less problem with the hand coming out of the box, than I do with a vampire that terrorized Europe being a bumbling senior citizen.
Quote from: Haunted hearse on May 21, 2015, 12:36:37 PM
Again, I love the Munsters for what they are, which is a monster themed family sitcom. If it bothered me that the classic monsters were being made fun of, I would ignore the series. However, do I prefer the way the monsters were treated in A&CMF? Yes. And yes, I have a whole lot less problem with the hand coming out of the box, than I do with a vampire that terrorized Europe being a bumbling senior citizen.
For me, the Munsters are a much more likable family. I could see spending a weekend there as opposed to staying with the Addams Family. I'd be afraid Wednesday would try to kill me. lol. They're both great shows though, that's for sure.
Hey, I see the Munsters have a 25-21 lead in the voting, you better get your vote in if you haven't already. I voted Munsters of course.
JP
Quote from: Wolfman on May 21, 2015, 01:49:13 PM
For me, the Munsters are a much more likable family. I could see spending a weekend there as opposed to staying with the Addams Family. I'd be afraid Wednesday would try to kill me. lol. They're both great shows though, that's for sure.
Hey, I see the Munsters have a 25-21 lead in the voting, you better get your vote in if you haven't already. I voted Munsters of course.
JP
I'd be fine with the John Astin-Carolyn Jones Addams Family. I would be afraid to spend the night with the Raul Julia- Anjelica Hustin Addams Family.
Quote from: Haunted hearse on May 21, 2015, 01:54:35 PM
I'd be fine with the John Astin-Carolyn Jones Addams Family. I would be afraid to spend the night with the Raul Julia- Anjelica Hustin Addams Family.
Either way, you'd still have Wednesday to contend with.
JP
I had a crush on Wednesday when I was a kid. She was a hip little chick. 8)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3jnymeJof4&feature=player_detailpage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3jnymeJof4&feature=player_detailpage)
Lurch was potentially dangerous due to extreme size and clumsiness. cl:)
Quote from: Wolfman on May 21, 2015, 02:01:03 PM
Either way, you'd still have Wednesday to contend with.
JP
The Wednesday from the series was peculiar but sweet. In the film, I would fear her more than any other family member.
Melissa Hunter is killin' it with these Adult Wednesday Addams vids.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TQ2SQJXuSw&feature=player_detailpage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TQ2SQJXuSw&feature=player_detailpage)
As much as I love The Munsters (makeup, sets, Gwynne/Lewis, etc.), as an adult, the ADDAMS series is much more intelligently written. Most Munsters situations could be plugged into any 1960s sitcom. The actors are what raised the bar. The Munsters repeated gags ad nauseam. The best they could do for poor Lily was "The last time..." jokes, and with Grandpa it was "blood" jokes. The main The Munsters had over Addams was the budget- cars, a real house, Universal special effects, etc.
I just don't get where Grandpa Munster became a "bumbling senior citizen". Grandpa was always the crafty, devious one getting the bumbling, but loveable, Herman out of trouble. I'm not really that comfortable pitting one childhood favorite against the other in the first place. The Addams Family had more brains, while The Munsters had more heart. If we got anything from "The Wizard of Oz", it's that both are worth pursuing.
Quote from: Mord on May 21, 2015, 07:14:29 PM
I just don't get where Grandpa Munster became a "bumbling senior citizen". Grandpa was always the crafty, devious one getting the bumbling, but loveable, Herman out of trouble. I'm not really that comfortable pitting one childhood favorite against the other in the first place. The Addams Family had more brains, while The Munsters had more heart. If we got anything from "The Wizard of Oz", it's that both are worth pursuing.
Al Lewis was very funny as Grandpa. The Whitman children books tried to claim Grandpa wasn't Dracula, but the series made it clear he was. So yeah, there is a certain disconnect between the character played by Al Lewis, and the one played by either Bela Lugosi and Christopher Lee. Bumbling? We'll his spells often went wrong and (say it along with me) hilarity ensues. In Mockingbird Heights, the character was played more in the traditional blood thirsty manner, and many thought Eddie Izzard as Grandpa was the best thing about the 2012 reboot. This does not mean I don't like the show for what it is, and why I have a modest collection of Munster memorabilia. That the show is entertaining is a real testament to the creative forces behind the show, and all we have to do is look at "Munsters Today", to see how uninspired the series could be, when you remove the original creative forces that we're behind the 1960's series.
Hello all,
Wolfman mentioned The Munsters had a 25 - 21 edge over The Addams Family. Where was the voting taking place? In this Poll/thread? I wanted to vote.
Since this Poll/thread is about two situation comedies; which show had the best comedy material?
I just think the Munsters was a funnier show. Sure towards the end - the gags were repetitive, and Al Lewis did voice his distain over overused jokes and storylines. Still the jokes still hole up rather well. Take for instance The Treasure of Mockingbird Heights. The story is simple, and it becomes very funny when GREED sets in.
In watching both shows as I was growing up; I could relate to the comedy material of the Munsters a whole lot easier than I could The Addams Family.
Then we had those wonderful automobiles. The Munster Koach and Dragula were my favorite cars when I was growing up; along with Adam West's Batmobile and The Black Beauty of The Green Hornet. I don't remember The Addams Family vehicle - if there was one. The Munsters also had a color movie going for them as well.
In the End; I'm grateful that both shows were there for me, because I really needed them.
Okay - Stupid me! I finally found the vote button. Thanks for mentioning that there was a voting option. Time for new glasses. Don't I just love getting old!
Both shows are good and both have their fans. Maybe a better question is, who had the worse reunion film done years after theses series were canceled, but with most of the original cast. "The Munsters' Revenge" (1981) or "Halloween with the New Addams Family" (1977)?
Quote from: Haunted hearse on July 25, 2015, 10:25:58 AM
Both shows are good and both have their fans. Maybe a better question is, who had the worse reunion film done years after theses series were canceled, but with most of the original cast. "The Munsters' Revenge" (1981) or "Halloween with the New Addams Family" (1977)?
I love both shows. Unfortunately, I thought both reunions kinda stunk. Bad writing on both of them.
It was fun to see everyone back in costume in
The Munsters Revenge, but most of polish and timing that made the old show funny was not there. Some of the actors, Bob Hastings and Sid Ceasar come to mind, were trying way to hard. Most of the jokes were just stale as hell.
Halloween With The new Addams Family started out promising and the better of the two, but lost wind about half way through the movie. The short-ceilinged house bothered me right off the bat. The props were not utilized well. Coogan seemed to have forgotten how to play his character.
The Addams actors themselves held up better than The Munsters, age-wise anyway. In a recent veiwing of this, it was surprsing to me how many original actors (Vito Scotty, Parley Baer, etc.) and behind the scenes people from the original Addams show were involved in Halloween, yet it still fell flat.
Quote from: Monster Bob on July 25, 2015, 11:26:42 AM
I love both shows. Unfortunately, I thought both reunions kinda stunk. Bad writing on both of them.
Halloween With The new Addams Family started out promising and the better of the two, but lost wind about half way through the movie. The short-ceilinged house bothered me right off the bat. The props were not utilized well. Coogan seemed to have forgotten how to play his character.
The House didn't bother me that much. The house that was used is an Actual Victorian House that was also featured in the movie Willard. It was probably a lot easier to film in an existing house, than attempt to recreate the interior sets, which were recycled from the musical "The Unsinkable Molly Brown". Far more troubling to me was the need to have tow Pugsly's and two Wednesday, and calling the kids "Jr."
Quote from: Haunted hearse on July 25, 2015, 10:25:58 AMMaybe a better question is, who had the worse reunion film done years after theses series were canceled, but with most of the original cast. "The Munsters' Revenge" (1981) or "Halloween with the New Addams Family" (1977)?
Huh?! How would which of two bad alternatives is worse be a
better question than which of two good alternatives is better? Are you sure you're living on the same planet as the rest of us?
???
Quote from: Hepcat on July 25, 2015, 05:21:03 PM
Huh?! How would which of two bad alternatives is worse be a better question than which of two good alternatives is better? Are you sure you're living on the same planet as the rest of us?
???
The truth is, some of us prefer one over the other, and many of us like them both. This thread is now over three years old, and with the exception to a newcomer to the UMA, most of us who like either series have had an opportunity to make their case. I thought it might be interesting add something to this long running thread if we looked at the two reunion films, and maybe look at where they went wrong. Sometimes understanding what went wrong with a reboot, and in both these cases both reboots included most of our favoite performers from the two series, can also be interesting to fans of the original series. By the way, when it came to the series revivals, I really preferred "New Addams Family" that ran on Fox Family, to "Munsters Today".
Quote from: Haunted hearse on July 27, 2015, 06:12:14 PM
The truth is, some of us prefer one over the other, and many of us like them both. This thread is now over three years old, and with the exception to a newcomer to the UMA, most of us who like either series have had an opportunity to make their case. I thought it might be interesting add something to this long running thread if we looked at the two reunion films, and maybe look at where they went wrong. Sometimes understanding what went wrong with a reboot, and in both these cases both reboots included most of our favoite performers from the two series, can also be interesting to fans of the original series. By the way, when it came to the series revivals, I really preferred "New Addams Family" that ran on Fox Family, to "Munsters Today".
I didn't like either. I didn't like the reunions, as well. Both shows had a unique chemistry that only fully worked in their original runs, IMO.
Quote from: Mord on July 27, 2015, 06:54:35 PM
I didn't like either. I didn't like the reunions, as well. Both shows had a unique chemistry that only fully worked in their original runs, IMO.
Yeah, it's tough to recapture the quality of those original shows when they were fresh. The actors and creative people were younger and excited about the work. I also think the synergy of the
Monster Craze entertainment in general had some to do with it. It's like when Hammer was Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Terence Fisher, James Bernard, Jimmy Sangster, and Bernard Robinson, and on a roll. You can never go back to that, bro.
Quote from: horrorhunter on July 27, 2015, 08:06:18 PM
Yeah, it's tough to recapture the quality of those original shows when they were fresh. The actors and creative people were younger and excited about the work. I also think the synergy of the Monster Craze entertainment in general had some to do with it. It's like when Hammer was Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Terence Fisher, James Bernard, Jimmy Sangster, and Bernard Robinson, and on a roll. You can never go back to that, bro.
Well stated, perfect analogy.
To be honest, the actors did a good job with what they were given, but the writing was awful on both. If maybe they had been given good material to work with, say the script for "Here Comes the Munsters", the "Munsters Revenge" would have been a better film. The only time I really didn't care for the performances put out by Gwynne and Lewis, were when they attempted to pass themselves off as waitresses. That was just appalling. But even the finest actors can't save poorly written material.
Quote from: Haunted hearse on July 28, 2015, 08:35:44 AM
But even the finest actors can't save poorly written material.
I agree with your general rule...but this fine fellow, and maybe a few others, are the exceptions. ;)
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p-Sb9IL1DmI/ToqyLxBDOHI/AAAAAAAAX6Q/39vX0wfske4/s1600/CushingSkull.JPG)
I did not see the Addams Family Reunion, but I did catch The Munster's Revenge. I do have it on DVD. It is a disappointment, and I thought Sid Caesar ruined it. What I still love about it though is the Phantom breaking the glasses of Marilyn's boyfriend. Too bad the old magic wasn't there.
Quote from: Anthony Caranci on July 29, 2015, 02:08:18 AM
I did not see the Addams Family Reunion, but I did catch The Munster's Revenge. I do have it on DVD. It is a disappointment, and I thought Sid Caesar ruined it. What I still love about it though is the Phantom breaking the glasses of Marilyn's boyfriend. Too bad the old magic wasn't there.
I had a chance to see the Addams Family reunion in 1977 on TV, but haven't see it since. I think it was released on VHS, but never on DVD, so your best hope to see it is on something like Youtube.
I really hate to choose one over the other though. And speaking (just) for myself; I don't find it necessary. True, I do favor The Munsters over The Addams Family. I'm a Universal Studios guy. Frankenstein is my favorite monster, along with the other Universal Classic Monsters. Also being a former employee of the studio; I am partial to everything Universal (within reason).
Still, I am a big fan of Carolyn Jones & John Astin, and I did watch the show too! But like I said already: I purchased Munster DVDs, but not Addams Family DVDs.
However, as someone previously mentioned: If The Addams Family had a budget & a major film studio backing them, then what kind of show would we have gotten? While we'll never know the answer to that; The Addams Family is a great show too! I like what Horror Hunter said about the Monster craze of the times having a lot to do with it. I was born in 1954, and I remember the early to mid 1960s; monsters were everywhere, and in everything! It was a wonderful time to be a little boy.
Roalex released a rad cool Addams Family slide puzzle in 1964:
(https://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g434/Balticprince/General%20Album%203/General%20Album%203001/Addams%20Family%20slide%20puzzle_zpsfv7fwzod.jpg)
Plus another one on the Munsters:
(https://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g434/Balticprince/General%20Album%203/General%20Album%203001/Munsters%20Slide%20Puzzle_zpsjng5qevu.jpg)
Take your choice!
8)
Id love to have that Addams Family puzzle.
I've always been more partial to The Addams Family, however, I must admit that I'm not too familiar with either. Maybe I'm partial to the Addams Family because I grew up watching the cartoon (1992-93) on Saturday mornings and had seen the live action movie in 1991. So I was more familiar with this family. I don't think I found out about the Munsters until maybe lat 90's early 2000's. One of these weekends soon I plan to start watching each series from the beginning. I know Monster Bash this June is having a Munsters theme, so I'm kind of interested to see what that will entail.
I recently did my first complete viewing of both shows, and it turns out I'm more of an Addams Family guy. I really liked The Munsters, but I thought the Addams Family had more episodes that I really liked.
Toy manufacturers often managed to licence both the Addams Family and Munsters for offerings despite the fact that the two shows ran on competing TV networks. Ideal released hand puppet sets for both TV series in 1964-65. Here are pics I've found of a few of these:
Addams Family
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/g434/Balticprince/Addams_Family_6.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/g434/Balticprince/Addams_Family_1.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/g434/Balticprince/Addams_Family_3.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/g434/Balticprince/Addams_Family_4.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/g434/Balticprince/Addams_Family_2.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/g434/Balticprince/Addams_Family_5.jpg)
Munsters
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/g434/Balticprince/Grandpa_Munster.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/g434/Balticprince/Munsters_2.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/g434/Balticprince/Munsters_3.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/g434/Balticprince/Munsters_4.jpg)
cl:)