The Munsters: The Complete Series [DVD]

All disc's came in good condition.

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We love this show

"The Munsters: The Complete Series" is an excellent box set, beginning with the packaging and its raised lettering in the front and on top. Fred Gwynne (Herman Munster) and Al Lewis (Grandpa) played off each other very well, having previously worked together in the TV series "Car 54, Where Are You?" A fascinating bonus feature is the 15-minute pilot episode, filmed in color. The silly incidental music was later replaced by the classic instrumental Munsters' theme, written by composer/arranger Jack Marshall. The pilot episode included Joan Marshall as Phoebe Munster, and Nate "Happy" Derman as Eddie Munster. Phoebe looked eerily similar to Morticia Addams, as played by Carolyn Jones. Phoebe was very subservient to Herman. Yvonne De Carlo, who effortlessly made the transition from movies to television, was spookily perfect as Herman's wife, Lily Munster. Lily was strong willed, and kept the child-like Herman in line. "Happy" Derman played Eddie Munster as a young werewolf, with pointed ears, long fangs and sharp claws, who panted and growled a lot. He would never be able to attend public school. Butch Patrick's character of Eddie Munster was more of a human-werewolf hybrid, who was able to make some friends in school. In fact, in the episode "Eddie's Nickname," the other kids only made fun of Eddie because he was the shortest student in his class, calling him Shorty. Herman had a meaningful father-to-son talk about that subject. To me, it summed up why the Munsters are so beloved. Herman to Eddie: "The lesson I want you to learn is, it doesn't matter what you look like. You can be tall or short, or fat or thin, or ugly or handsome like your father, or you can be black or yellow or white, it doesn't matter. What does matter is the size of your heart, and the strength of your character."The episodes in the second season became even more bizarre. They also featured more physical comedy, especially with regards to Herman's super-human strength, and his ability to take punishment. In the episode "John Doe Munster," a huge safe falls on Herman's head. Herman isn't physically injured, but he does develop amnesia. In "Just Another Pretty Face," due to an accident in Grandpa's lab, Herman's face becomes disfigured, at least by Munsters' standards. Fred Gwynne appears without the Munster makeup on his face, for most of the episode. Near the end of the episode, Herman is hit by lightning, which restores his original facial features. Due to the rigors of applying that makeup, and wearing the heavy boots and bulky clothes, playing Herman took a physical toll on Fred Gwynne. In addition to that, Fred was wary of being typecast as Herman Munster for the rest of his career. The success of "Batman" caused a ratings drop for "The Munsters," which led to their cancellation after the second season. Fred, Al and Yvonne did appear in the theatrical movie "Munster, Go Home!" (1966), and the made-for-TV movie "The Munsters' Revenge" in 1981. Fortunately, both of those movies are included as bonus features in this box set. In addition, biographies of Fred Gwynne, Al Lewis and Yvonne De Carlo are also included in disc 6 of season two. Also included is the best bonus feature about the Munsters, "America's First Family Of Fright." After watching this box set, it's easy to see why a TV show that debuted fifty years ago, and only lasted two seasons, is so fondly remembered.

I loved watching "The Munsters" as a kid growing up in the 60's and have enjoyed seeing it again sporadically in syndication over the years since. It still surprises me that this great show only ran for 2 seasons. In recent years seeing it played on cable retro TV stations, I was very disappointed that the episodes were edited (for time), and that's partly what motivated me to buy the complete series on DVD. And it certainly was worth it. The acting, physical comedy and sight gags, makeup and even the special effects (for a TV show of its day) all made this show a classic. And the network deciding to film it in B&W instead of color (for cost savings) was the best decision they ever made. While it's very interesting to see some of the pilot in color, it just doesn't come across the same. The series was stellar and each episode holds up incredibly well, and the documentary/bios on Fred Gwynne, Al Lewis, Yvonne DeCarlo and the series as a whole, make the special feature extras outstanding. While some may appreciate the inclusion of the two movies made after the series ended: "Munster, Go Home" (1966) and "Munsters Revenge" (1981), I could have done without them. "Munster, Go Home" pales in comparison to the TV series, but at least it was made immediately afterwards and Gwynne, Lewis, DeCarlo and Patrick (they should have also kept Pat Priest as Marilyn) all look the same and they do try hard to recapture a very tiny bit of the energy, gags and chemistry of the TV show--albeit unsuccessfully. However, "Munsters Revenge" was truly awful in every way--acting, storyline, makeup, special effects . . . In my opinion, they should have ended on a high note and stopped with the end of the TV series. But aside from those critiques, this is a near perfect collection of all things Munsters and a must-have for lovers of the show.

Living on a retirement fixed income has caused me to evaluate my fun time expenses, and spend more wiselyInstead of subscribing to cable, wi-fi services, I started purchasing series that I enjoyed back in the day, or never had the opportunity to watch due to circumstances beyond my control, or budgetSo, in the past 5 years being retired, I have a nice library of "favorites", that I can and do watch multiple timesNo expensive cable bill, no commercials that are using more time in a half hour show than they did 20 years ago. All the while, your being charged more for the luxury of watchingSo, yes. I recommend The Munsters. It's highly rewatchable, always makes me laugh, and even sprinkles in some family values that never get old