Blooming franchises are always an exciting thing to see come to fruition. For the 1960s, there were two spooky family sitcoms that had viewer’s attention. One was The Addams Family and the other being The Munsters. Both were very successful despite the fact that each ran for only two seasons. Sometimes when a TV show does good enough, more interest is generated into expanding the property onto the big screen. Unlike The Addams Family which technically didn’t get one until 1991, but with a small TV movie in 1977, The Munsters got their first movie with this feature two years after the show ended. Quite interesting that this is how it played out considering both shows were evenly popular among American audiences. There’s definitely pitfalls this feature could have avoided but much of it is a good time for anyone who enjoys the show.
Joe Connelly, Bob Mosher and George Tibbles are the writers to this film who also had hands in several episodes to the show. The narrative is about Herman Munster (Fred Gwynne) receiving a notice that he is to inherit a place called Munster Hall located in England, which he and the family head out to visit. However, what they don’t know is that something shady is going on at Munster Hall along with relatives Freddie (Terry-Thomas), Grace (Jeanne Arnold), Lady Effigie (Hermione Gingold) and their butler Cruikshank (John Carradine). With that, it’s up to Herman, Grandpa (Al Lewis) and Lily (Yvonne De Carlo) to figure out what’s going on. Meanwhile, Eddie (Butch Patrick) gets to see Marilyn (Debbie Watson) try to bring home another guy who won’t run out on her after meeting her family – this time being Roger Moresby (Robert Pine).
There’s actually some similarities between this movie and Halloween with the New Addams Family (1977). For one, writer George Tibbles would help write that script too. The second thing is the movie to its credit and fault is that it feels very much like an extended episode or TV movie…not so much a theatrical film. So much of it was kept the same that the translation from a TV series to the big screen doesn’t quite fit. The points that make this plainly obvious is the pacing and comedic timing. Directed by Earl Bellamy whose credits almost completely encompass directing TV series, kept that feeling. For those feeling like this will be a feature that cranks up the franchise to a new height will be disappointed. The film doesn’t really build much momentum. And part of that also is compounded by the comedy elements.
Now this is not to say it doesn’t work but there’s one key element missing from this – the audience laugh track. Now of course, as a feature film – comedies don’t include this. However, this was something that helped make the series work and without it, the jokes sound off without it. Again that’s not to say the punch lines don’t work but it’s not as impactful. This also doesn’t take away the acting of any sort from the slew of veterans attached to this project. Gwynne, De Carlo, Lewis, Patrick, and Watson all play their characters fine. It’s interesting to see even Chris Pine’s father play a role in a Munster film. The English cast members also perform well too from Thomas, Gingold, Carradine and even Bernard Fox playing Roger’s father.
One other similarity that this movie shares with the Addams Family film of 1977 was that it was finally shown in color. Filming these scenes in bright new color was Benjamin H. Kline, the same cinematographer for the TV series. Sufficive to say, Kline was perfect as he kept the look of the show intact for this feature. Credit goes to the production crew for all the interior shots of Munster Hall and all the sets created, as so much of it is impressive to look at. Lastly the film score was composed by the same man from the series, that being Jack Marshall. Again, it only makes sense that since Marshall scored the show that he would for this movie. Surprisingly, an album to this was released with an hour of material. While the main theme isn’t heard like usual, it is referenced and all other tracks have their own unique sound and flare that only Marshall could create.
A lot of the time, it is essential to keep original elements unchanged for a big screen adaptation. Unfortunately, the pacing to the original Munsters show is a little heavy footed for a ninety-minute feature. This also doesn’t work as well with the comedy as the laugh track is absent. However, the acting is still good, practical effects look great and the music is wonderful being that is also can be heard on its own.
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