The Munsters | |
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![]() Season One opening, with Yvonne De Carlo featured behind the title | |
Created by | Allan Burns Chris Hayward[1] |
Developed by | Norm Liebmann Ed Haas |
Starring | Fred Gwynne Yvonne De Carlo Al Lewis Beverley Owen (1964) Pat Priest (1964–66) Butch Patrick |
Theme music composer | Jack Marshall Bob Mosher (unaired lyrics) |
Opening theme | "The Munsters' Theme" |
Ending theme | “The Munsters’ Theme” |
Composer | Jack Marshall |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
No. of seasons | 2 |
No. of episodes | 70 (list of episodes) |
Production | |
Producers | Joe Connelly Bob Mosher |
Production locations | Universal Studios, Universal City, California |
Camera setup | Single-camera |
Running time | 23-26 minutes |
Production companies | Kayro-Vue Productions Universal Television |
Original release | |
Network | CBS |
Release | September 24, 1964 May 12, 1966 | –
Related | |
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The Munsters is an American sitcom depicting the home life of a family of benign monsters that aired from 1964 to 1966 on CBS. The series stars Fred Gwynne as Frankenstein's monster[Notes 1] Herman Munster, Yvonne De Carlo as his vampire wife Lily,[2] Al Lewis as Grandpa the aged vampire Count Dracula,[Notes 2] Beverley Owen (later replaced by Pat Priest) as their niece Marilyn, and Butch Patrick as their werewolf-like son Eddie. The family pet, named "Spot", was a fire-breathing dragon.
Produced by the creators of Leave It to Beaver, the series was a satire of American suburban life, the wholesome television family fare of the era and traditional monster movies.[3][4] It achieved higher Nielsen ratings than did the similarly macabre-themed The Addams Family, which aired concurrently on ABC.
In 1965, The Munsters was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series[5] but lost to The Rogues. In the 21st century, it received several TV Land Award nominations, including one for Most Uninsurable Driver (Herman Munster).[6]
The series originally aired on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. from September 24, 1964 to May 12, 1966. Seventy episodes were produced. The show was canceled after ratings had dropped to a series low in the face of competition from ABC's Batman.[7] Patrick said, "I think 'Batman' was to blame. 'Batman' just came along and took our ratings away."[8] However, The Munsters found a large audience in syndication. A spinoff series ensued, as well as several films, including one with a theatrical release and several more recent attempts to reboot it.[9]
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