My Fair Munster: Unaired Pilot
- Episode aired Jan 1, 1964
- 15m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
150
YOUR RATING
The original unaired pilot presentation. Filmed in color by Universal Studios to shop to the networks.The original unaired pilot presentation. Filmed in color by Universal Studios to shop to the networks.The original unaired pilot presentation. Filmed in color by Universal Studios to shop to the networks.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaJoan Marshall (Phoebe Munster) was replaced by Yvonne De Carlo (Lily Munster) for the series, as Phoebe was thought to be too much like The Addams Family (1964)'s Morticia Addams.
- GoofsWhen Grandpa is talking in the dungeon, he talks too fast for it to match his lips.
- Quotes
Edward "Eddie" Wolfgang Munster: You never let me have any fun! I'm gonna hold my breath and turn myself back into a toad!
- ConnectionsReferenced in Harmontown: Why Is It Called Lord of the Rings? (2015)
Featured review
I would have bought it, too
This is a 15-minute Munsters pilot, made to sell the show to the networks. It's extremely interesting for a couple reasons--one, it's in color, and two, it has Joan Marshall as "Phoebe", Herman's wife (the name was later changed to "Lily"), and Nate "Happy" Derman as Eddie, Herman's son. Part of the plot, which is purposefully incomplete here, was transformed into the season 1 opener, "Monster Masquerade".
The first thing that any Munsters fan will note is the color. I love it, and seeing it made me wish that they'd done the whole series in color. I know what they were going for with the black & white and heavy shadows, of course, but for me, given the sets, costumes and make-up, the color works even better.
Phoebe has a Vampira look, and Vampira was inspired by the cartoons of Charles Addams, which became the basis of the sitcom "The Addams Family", which first aired the same year as "The Munsters", 1964. Morticia on "The Addams Family" also has the Vampira look, so it was probably a good idea that Phoebe was changed to Lily's more Bride of Frankenstein appearance. That also may have made more sense given that Herman is the Frankenstein monster, but on the other hand, Grandpa is a vampire and Eddie is a werewolf, so it's not as if Munster/monster DNA was the primary concern. On the other hand, how many easily recognizable female horror icons were there? Eddie is still a werewolf here, by the way, but played by an older, slightly campier actor.
The basic style and inter-character dynamics are already in place here, with a couple subtle differences that are worth noting, such as Grandpa almost biting Phoebe's neck rather than her hand during the opening credits. All in all, I can easily see why CBS bought the show based on this pilot.
The first thing that any Munsters fan will note is the color. I love it, and seeing it made me wish that they'd done the whole series in color. I know what they were going for with the black & white and heavy shadows, of course, but for me, given the sets, costumes and make-up, the color works even better.
Phoebe has a Vampira look, and Vampira was inspired by the cartoons of Charles Addams, which became the basis of the sitcom "The Addams Family", which first aired the same year as "The Munsters", 1964. Morticia on "The Addams Family" also has the Vampira look, so it was probably a good idea that Phoebe was changed to Lily's more Bride of Frankenstein appearance. That also may have made more sense given that Herman is the Frankenstein monster, but on the other hand, Grandpa is a vampire and Eddie is a werewolf, so it's not as if Munster/monster DNA was the primary concern. On the other hand, how many easily recognizable female horror icons were there? Eddie is still a werewolf here, by the way, but played by an older, slightly campier actor.
The basic style and inter-character dynamics are already in place here, with a couple subtle differences that are worth noting, such as Grandpa almost biting Phoebe's neck rather than her hand during the opening credits. All in all, I can easily see why CBS bought the show based on this pilot.
helpful•274
- BrandtSponseller
- Jul 18, 2006
Details
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- Filming locations
- Colonial Mansion, Backlot, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA(Main house, demolished in 2005)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
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What is the broadcast (satellite or terrestrial TV) release date of My Fair Munster: Unaired Pilot (1964) in Australia?
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