The Munsters - Review

"My mother irons and my father steals" – A review of The Munsters. 

Despite being released in the 1960s, I have some lovely childhood memories of sitting down and watching The Munsters. Even as a child I was a fan of the Gothic, and The Munsters was a sitcom ideal for family viewing, so my parents correctly guessed I would love it. I can't quite remember now if we sat down to watch it on VHS or repeats on TV, but I do remember happily sitting with my parents, eating snacks, and laughing along with that silly monster family.

This was a show that put a comedic twist on the traditional family model. This was no ordinary family; instead, the show followed a family of monsters who were trying to live ordinary lives in a neighborhood which found them to be anything but; their amazing gothic mansion and their unusual lifestyle provided endless opportunities for hilarious misunderstandings, ridiculous situations and a lot of genuinely heart-warming moments.

So, who were the family? Herman Munster, the father, was a gentle, kind Frankenstein’s monster full of childlike energy, married to Lily Munster, an elegant vampire who was the glue who held the family together with her wisdom and grace. Grandpa was a vampire also, as well as being the inventive and mischievous source of wacky schemes, and Eddie Munster, son of Herman and Lily, was an endearing, energetic werewolf. Lastly, Marilyn, niece to Herman and Lily, was perfectly normal, making her odd to the family, but she also brought her own charm to the show. Each character had their own quirks, but their affectionate natures massively contributed to the endearing nature of the show.

At its core, The Munsters is all about the ways in which a loving family can transcend things like conventional values or appearance. It's a lovely satire of typical suburban life, and it pokes fun at the concept of fitting in being important. The supernatural cast is used to highlight themes such as acceptance and individuality, as well as the benefits and warmth that comes from accepting others for who they are, despite their differences.

Of course, the show has aged, but the black and white aesthetic only adds to the spooky yet inviting atmosphere. The direction is a balance of slapstick comedy and visual gags with sincere, heartwarming moments, allowing viewers to laugh along with the absurd whilst also genuinely feeling care for the family.

Whilst there is a lot of nostalgia for me, I do genuinely think that The Munsters is still worth a watch today. Playful, heartwarming, spooky and endearing, this is a show that is perfect for anyone who enjoys classic comedy and clever parody.

Written by Tam Page

Posted by Mr. Tomney

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