Creepy TV: The Munsters (1964)

 While ABC & Filmways adapted Charles Addams' long running strip, The Addams Family, into a sitcom, CBS opted for an original idea. 

Norm Liebmann & Ed Haas developed an idea from fellow writers Allan Burns & Chris Hayward (Rocky & His Friends) into The Munsters, which, like Addams, ran for 2 seasons. Herman (Fred Gwynne, ex-Car 54, Where Are You?) was a Monster of Frankenstein who worked the night shift (of course), for a firm. Grandpa (Al Lewis, ex-Car 54), a vampire, spent most of his time in a lab. Lily (Yvonne DeCarlo) was his granddaughter, another vampire. Eddie (Butch Patrick) was a werewolf, as you could see. Marilyn (Beverley Owen, later succeeded by Pat Priest) was the lone human in the family, but the exact nature of where she stood in the family tree was never really clarified. As a result, she remained a bachelorette for the entire series, as all of her dates were chased off, scared.

In the opener, Marilyn wrangles an invitation for Herman & Lily to attend a costume party. Mabel Albertson, who would also recur on another freshman fantasy-com, Bewitched, Linden Chiles, and Frank Wilcox (ex-The Untouchables) guest star.

Turning 60 this week, The Munsters remains a beloved favorite of baby boomers on cable and, before that, in syndication. After the 1966 theatrical feature, "Munster, Go Home", the series would not see any sort of revival until the 80's.

Rating: B.