I can't blame Happy Derman for the character. That's on the writers and the director for wanting him to be that way. I'm glad they changed his demeanor for the real show.
I think they let Happy do his own rendition of the character, whereas Butch Patrick decided to do it differently, which of course worked out much better.
If left alone the actors of Grandpa, Herman, and Marilyn would never have been able to have gotten more acting roles in other shows and movies. Many times your performance is what gets you a better carrer. In the case of AMG the worse you are the bigger the laugh and you might move on just fo the laughs.
I remember watching this with my parents when I was younger (reruns during the 80's and 90's). Was one of my favorites and watching tv now is just a bummer.
Yea same here I love this show so much. Such a terrible shame that Rob Zombie has to ruin the reboot already. Using his wife as lily smh. His wife isn’t a good actor at all. Idk why they let Rob zombie do a reboot of this awesome so. But good thing I have the originals and I’ll just watch those instead
Their facial features may have been similar but Pat Priest was a true blonde unlike Beverly Owen. She had to wear a blonde wig the first season. The headband that is visible was the edge of the wig.
Thank you so much for sharing this! Most changes made by the producers for the aired version were for the better, IMO. "Phoebe" is a very nice looking goth chick, but that Vampira outfit also makes her less motherly and sympathetic. Also, let's face it, De Carlo was a better actress. Thankfully they made Herman into a perkier character. Marilyn is pretty much the same here. I hated this version of Eddie, but I think the problem was the concept of "angry beast child", not the actual actor (even though Butch Patrick *had* more charisma). One positive thing I have to say about this pilot is that I liked that Grandpa was more of a magician and less of a mad scientist
The problem with Eddie (and by an extension "Phoebe") is that there's _no twist_ on the archetypes they play. Great comedy usually comes from subverting audience's expectations. "Phoebe" was just another cold, unloving Gothic female we've seen in other horror movies. People have seen _thousands of uncontrollable, savage werewolves_ in media before this pilot and Eddie was just another one of those cliches, the only difference is he was a child. The actual show proper kept the archetypes of Lily and Eddie, but played around more with them. Lily was still a vampire (or zombie), but she was _more importantly and frequently portrayed_ as a _kind-hearted, good-humored and loving_ wife, mother and person in general, so to see her do things like sleep like a corpse, cook monster-type food and mention horror-themed things like graveyards, blood, etc. while being the kind and loving character we've come to know is funnier than if they just had her do the stereotypical monster stuff while still behaving like a monster. Likewise, Eddie is still a werewolf, but they made him more of a playful, energetic and sweet All-American Boy, whose werewolf tendencies like howling at the moon, sleeping in a coffin with a stuffed werewolf doll, etc. make him seem more like a lovable puppy instead of a bratty, pugnacious kid who has monster tendencies.
wow this looks amazing. I've seen many of the original episodes and they look so old and grainy. somebody did a great job remastering this old show. it almost looks to good to be real.
Al Lewis (Grandpa) was a very good actor. Notice the last scene, from the insert shot of the magic potion book to the end, is almost 3 minutes uncut, with camera moves and zooms, while Grandpa makes the potion & delivers a ton of dialog.
The music during the opening credits was from the Doris Day movie, 'The Thrill Of It All.' The next music under the production credits was also from that movie - the scene where the car is pulled up from the bottom of the swimming pool. Both the film and this program were produced by Universal.
Al Lewis really added a lot to this with his dialogue and his interesting lab. Also a well-known actor, I’m sure he drew an anticipatory happy crowd to the premiere of the show, and he didn’t Disappoint. Though he seemed a bit nervous as would be expected he added great deal to the show, and perhaps may have been the thumbs up for the continuation of the show after the pilot. The replacement of the other actors and actresses and the wardrobe changes and modifications certainly helped as well. I remember it was a favorite at our house when I was a child and I’m sure people all over the world remember it fondly. 😁
One difference that no one has mentioned is how both Fred Gwynne and Al Lewis are just playing their CAR 54 WHERE ARE YOU roles, Muldoon and Schnauzer, in monster drag. Too toned down.
Very often it happens that characters develop there 'personalities' through the run of a show. In this very early pilot, they were fleshing out the concept. Many standards of the show had been thought up and put in place. The pilot was used mostly as a showpiece for set, make-up, and the idea that they people thought of themselves as normal, while everyone else was weird. Thankfully, all three components made it to the series.
Phoebe was pretty hot, but Yvonne DeCarlo was attractive and a better actress. Her lines seemed more natural and less forced. I agree with most of the other posts regarding the original Eddie. The way this character was written just got on my nerves.
I totally agree. Yvonne was so good as Lily. So believable as the mother. The writing was so good too-they were a loving family who just happened to be monstrous.
I'm a little late to this party, but there was a little more to it than that. From what I read, Beverly Owen only signed on to do the show because she never thought it would take off, and she had signed a 7-year contract. When the show became a hit, it required her to move to LA from NY, and she was constantly sad and homesick. She wanted out of her contract and of course wanted to get married but they wouldn't let her, so the rest of the cast apparently marched into the office and said ”if you don't let her out we're all walking and you won't have a show". So they released Owen from her contract, but she was blackballed after that.
@@danieljackson1272 It was actually all part of a conspiracy, believe it or not. She and her boyfriend/eventual husband concocted this whole act that she would be so miserable on the set all of the time to make her impossible to work with, and let her out of her contract so she could relocate to NY and they could marry. Her husband was Jon Stone, who was the original producer, director, and one of the many original writers on SESAME STREET.
Very interesting early take on "The Munsters". The changes made between this and the 2nd pilot (same plot, but with Yvonne DeCarlo and Butch Patrick) were definite improvements, and in retrospect now seem obvious. Joan Marshall was rather colorless, playing it like Vampira, where in a comedy the role needed a certain flourish. Marshall herself seemed better suited to more "normal" parts, such as Capt Kirk's "old flame" in the Star Trek episode "Court Martial". Yvonne DeCarlo not only brought a greater professionalism, but the ability to handle comedy. Eddie, as portrayed here, was simply annoying -- and would have "worn thin" REAL fast. The constant "wolfman" arm swipes are distracting, and the spoiled brat routine was insipid. Can't necessarily blame the actor, however, as I'm sure he was just playing it as they wanted him to. Don't remember this kid in anything else, so don't know if he was any good as an actor. Grampa's part was pretty much set, but Herman still needed some development into the fun-loving, big-hearted hulk who always forgot his own strength. In both pilots, he plays it much too subdued, and doesn't give his comic ability any chance to shine. Glad to see that by the beginning of the show's regular run, they'd worked out all the "kinks" and created a true TV classic!
Good critique MKIVWWI. I agree that Yvonne DeCarlo was better for the role of Lily -- partly because of her better handling of comedy and also she seemed seemed more like the matriarch of the family. The early Eddie was awful -- Butch Patrick's role as a regular every day kid was much better.
it was rare, but back in those days, some pilots were made in color; then with the decision to go to series, one of the cost-cutting options was b/w..the original pilot to ''Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea'' was in color, while the fist season was in b/w...later, it was the opposite: some pilots were in b/w and aired as first episodes, with the rest of the series being in color..''Hogan's Heroes'' and ''Get Smart'' (both 1965) are examples of that.....
Grandpa's hijinx in his dungeon lab is superb! But I agree, I'm happy they recast and reimaged Lily and Eddie! I liked the Eddie here, but that character would never have sustained very long in terms of plotlines (i.e., I can't possibly see this version of Eddie going to school, etc.).
My mother worked with an Aunt of Butch Patrick who kept a picture of him in his Eddie Munster costume on her desk. It was very cute! Though Joan Marshall didn't go on to play Pheobe Munster she did make a cult classic movie called Homicidal. In it she played both male and female roles.
Notice that the character of Hermann is different as well. In the series they made him more of a loveable goofball. That allowed Fred Gwynn to really bring out the best in his acting skills. He is so good in the series that he often upstages the other members of the cast.
***** Cool that you knew Fred Gwynne! (Loved the episode where Herman freaked out and yelled, "Car 54, where aaaaaaarrrrrrrre yoooooooooooou!") His makeup here is nearly identical to one of the test makeups for Boris Karloff from the first Frankenstein film.
dumbbo1 Fred Gyinn went on to play many parts on the radio show CBS Radio Mystery Theatre from the mid '70's to around 1990. You can google or click this link. archive.org/details/cbs_radio_mystery_theater He wasn't in all of them.
When I first saw this on the DVD box set, it struck me as amazing they picked it up for production.There are some quick glimpses of the brilliance it promised, but overall, it STUNK, (and the title song was a giant zero)!!! I'm glad they kept trying and finally got the right recipe! ;)
Wow...am I ever glad they recast this show! Herman doesn't look quite right...Phoebe is no Lily!...and what the heck were they thinking with that version of Eddy?! I LOVE the Munsters...one of my all time favorites! If they had stuck with this pilot cast...I think it would have flopped!
It was filmed in color in case NBC picked it up. which was the only full color network at the time. Since it ended up going to CBS, and had to be reshot with the new cast members, all the broadcast episodes were shot in black and white. In this pilot, they followed the classic Universal Pictures Frankenstein Monster face TOO WELL on Herman. Since the show was produced by Universal, they owned these copyrighted makeup designs, but modified it for the regular series to make Herman look more family-friendly. After all, the series was was produced by the creators of Leave It to Beaver. (now you know why Grampa's crystal ball could only receive Beaver reruns)
Frank Provasek Wow. I did not know that. I saw the show in syndication reruns in the 1970s and died laughing. This pilot is amusing bot the series was amazing.
Wow....I was quite surprised to see Grandpa light his cigar using the "Jacob's' Ladder" (nothing more than a neon light transformer in this case...and a good sized one at that!). I'm guessing they told him that his cigar was enough "insulation" to keep him safe?? Those transformers are in the thousands of volts (8 - 13 ish thousand volts??) and have enough current available to cause real damage, if not sudden death. A little bit of moisture on his stogie and it would have been lights out! 9:32
Yes Gothtec it's Joan Marshall she did a good job as Phoebe, I like this one as I saw the same with Yvonne in the 60s, I like them both but I'm very happy to see this one for the first time recently, it's a very different flavor ! :)
Bonjour Emma i was waiting for your comment ! :) Yvonne is big on the screen, Joan being a little kind of a less a character make the others bigger than life, this is why I think Joan will have been good as Mama Munster !
The series cast was awesome. I though this was the funniest show on TV when I was a kid watching reruns in the 1070s. It is cool to see the sets in color because the b/w recordings in syndication were so fuzzy. The video quality of this pilot is amazing, like a film rather than TV. They made the right choices in re-casting for sure.
This is the 15min unaired pilot made to sell the show to the networks. It's extremely interesting for a couple of reasons...one it's in color! and the other is that they had different actors for the part of "Lily" and "Eddie"! Joan Marshall played "Phoebe" (it was later changed to Lily when Yvonne DeCarlo came on board) and Nate 'Happy' Derman played "Eddie". Now while Joan did an interesting take on 'Lily' (as "Phoebe') she had the Vampira look. Vampira was inspired by the books of Charles Addams which was the basis of the sitcom "The Addams Family" was aired the same year as The Munsters in 1964. Morticia on The Addams Family had the Vampira look, so it probably was a good idea on part of the networks to change the look on Lily" to the Bride of Frankenstein look, given the fact that Herman was the Frankenstein Monster! Nate 'happy' Derman as 'Eddie' was very different than Butch Patrick's interpretation. Derman play Eddie very obnoxious and very intense at the same time, while Butch played him more subdued and not that intense. To some extent it was good that they did change the actors in the end, but it would have been interesting to have Joan Marshall and Nate Derman come back as guest stars as Lily's sister and nephew per say. Oh well..... alas we will never know.....
This "demo reel" was probably intended for NBC, who was virtually the ONLY network to schedule a handful of color shows in prime-time during that period [CBS had NONE; ABC- about two or three filmed shows]. When the SECOND "demo reel" was produced {with changes in cast and make-up}, that was for CBS' consideration. They "bought" the idea, and a full half-hour pilot was filmed for the series.
Thanks for posting this! Wow the Munsters might never ghave been broadcast if it hadn't been retooled! Yvonne deCarlo's chemistry with Herman /Fred Gwynn made the show. Of course the decision to broadcast iin black and white while the networks were scrambling to air shows in color was counter intuitively genius!
this is brutal, lucky for us it showed that hermans wife needed a personality............. yvonne decarlo was amazing......, the heart of the family.....and that snarling kid, omg lol, no one wants to hate a child, butch patrick was a child you loved to see
nah, black and white was much more appropriate. it was, after all, a spoof of all the old Dracula and Frankenstein movies which were all B&W. Besides, B&W is just plain creepier.
+Kevin Enos I have to agree with you. There are things that are just better in black and white. I can't understand the bias so many people have against B & W. Personally, I like The Twilight Zone, the classic monster movies (Universal and the Geman horror expressionist/silent movies), film noir, and a lot of classic comedies better in B & W. Colorization of movies and TV series that were originally done in B & W has never looked right to me.
There were technically color broadcasts being done before the mid-1960s -- The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson WAS a full-color show from its inception in 1962 -- BUT the TV standards hadn't been nailed down and there were at least 2-3 competing color broadcast/TV standards before they began being set. The vast majority of people still had "only" B & W TV. It took a very long time for the color standards to be established. They HAD color sets in the 1950s but standard TV series/color production wasn't a thing until the late 1960s because of the extra film processing costs for color and the situation with the TV set manufacturers. That kind of situation (and the length of time it took to ESTABLISH a standard) is why the electronics industry does NOT like to set competing video standards. The last major format war we had was Blu ray versus HD DVD which pushed back the adoption of hi-def home video standards by the buying public for at least 3 years. Before that, there was the Beta/VHS situation in the late 1970s and early 1980s which kept videotape rentals and buys of movies on tape from being a big thing until the mid-1980s/late 1980s. It's just confusing for the average consumer and people will delay buying until they know a "standard" is going to last more than the next year! Star Trek (1966) was one of the first dramatic/comedic TV series specifically designed to be shot in color from the start and was marketed to sell color TV sets (RCA?). It's true that there were earlier full-color TV series like Adam West's Batman. 1966 seems to be a critical year for mass-acceptance of color TV. A lot of series began in color from their start that year. Other TV series transitioned to color around the same time but had earlier seasons shot in B & W (I Dream of Jeannie, The Beverly Hillbillies, Gilligan's Island). The mentality about "color-only" broadcasts was as much about the TV executives justifying the switch to full-color as the fact that a home video market didn't exist to resell old movies and TV shows until the 1980s. Sure, there were sales of 8mm film dupes of TV shows and movies but those were never as big as VHS sales later became but VHS itself took a long time to establish its presence. In the meantime, a lot of TV shows and anything in B & W other than established classics were junked and thrown away. That happened in both the US and the UK. A lot of classic TV series are incomplete (Doctor Who) or completely gone because of the practice of throwing away large parts of film libraries to make room for newer projects. There was never any thought these shows would be rebroadcast or eventually sold on home video in the future! Disney was one of the few companies that kept most of its TV and film projects with the thought of marketing these things again in the future. It's only recently that Disney abandoned its practice of recirculating certain classic movies about every 7 years. Before that, they used to rebroadcast episodes of older TV productions like the original Mickey Mouse Club and their version of Zorro on the Disney Channel.
Good point, ant dude. I believe it was made on film, not video tape (which did exist at the time, but looked awful) so where are those rolls of film now, and are any more of them in color? I think it's likely that they used black and white film stock, partly to give it that Victorian Gothic look, and partly to save money; but they must have considered making it in color, otherwise there would be little value in making the pilot in color in the first place. Incidentally, it would not be too difficult a task to accurately restore the color to all the episodes. Black and white images contain all the tonal information needed to recreate the original colors. In fact, the early (classic) Technicolor 3-strip process used only black and white film stock, exposed through three color filters. Also on the subject of color, it's interesting to see that Herman is, in fact, a blue-ish grey color, and not bright green as many people assume when they have only seen the black and white shows.
You're both on point. It suffers from a multitude of problems including makeup and the selection of the actors. Did Happy Newman (or Newton) or 'Phoebe' ever get an acting gig again? 👁️ I Am The Walrus 👁️
@@KC______ Phoebe was later on Star Trek.. I wonder if Happy was really that bad or if it was the direction. He really was animal-like in that. For a TV movie it might have worked, but for a TV show, that act would have gotten old real fast. Butch Patrick acted more like a normal little boy with some quirks. It would be interesting to know whether Happy could have been directed differently, or if Butch Patrick would have been directed like Happy if he was in the pilot instead. Coo coo ca choo..
Maybe they should release the dvd version of the 1990's made-for-tv movie entitled "Here Come the Munsters!". It starred Edward Hermann (as Herman Munster) from the 1975 mini-series "Franklin & Eleanor," with Veronica Hamel (as his vampire wife Lilly) from the 1981 TV show "The Hill Street Blues," Robert (Bobby) Morse (as Lilly's dad & Herman's father-in-law Grandpa) from the Broadway musical show and theatrical-based movie "How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying," Christine Taylor (as Herman & Lilly Munster's ever-loving & normal-looking niece named Marilyn) from "The Brady Bunch's Movie Trilogy" and what's-his-name as Eddie Munster who's Herman & Lilly's werewolf sonny-boy.
Back in around 1977 or 78 I met grandpa also he was in charge of a Big halloween haunted house in cincinnati I think he was the head of the makeup people .
I am SO freaking happy the Eddie they used in the actual show wasn't like this one. Oh man I would freaking have hated him. Plus, i am happy they had Lily instead. She was a lot more fun to watch.
It seems that many people don't realosae that Yvonne DeCarlo was an established actor by then. One of her most famous roles had been beside Charlton Heston in The Ten Commandments. Take a look at it to see how her beauty naturally flowed in her movements, and not just her face. She was perfect as Lily Munster.
Since was child back 1970 use watch on tv box was on floor. Back old day start was not born 1963 until 1964 was born so too little until later. I watch more. Later.but when get older kind bring back great memories of old classic tv show or film movie. A plus. All classic tv show back 1964 still watch 1970. At age 6. And still bring lots memories ones get old. Any ages. The Munster Forever fans like me enjoy this film show. 100.%.
That was pretty good. I like this version of Lily. I actually like both versions of Lily. I'm happy that they recasted the kid. I actually like the show in color more.
It would be cool if the whole series was actually filmed in color. Blu-ray would be amazing. I like this eddie better, and herman's wife looks like she's 20. Grampa is perfectly funny from the start and he never loses his edge throughout the series. Herman becomes less bored and finds hobbies.
Fascinating stuff, and such changes the studio made to the project. I think this is available as a bonus treat on Universal's DVD set of the show. It is not a complete episode, more like a pitch reel. The show was developed by the gents who made Leave it to Beaver. Trivia: The actress playing Mrs. Munster here in the pilot footage starred in the William Castle schlock pic "Homicidal" (a real b-movie hoot), playing the icy blonde wackadoo. Don't ask anyone about that flick if you plan to watch it! Easily spoiled. I preferred the original Marilyn Munster, Beverly Owen, to her replacement Pat Priest. Nothing against the latter lady, just a matter of taste. It always seemed fantastic and cool to me that Grandpa was a combo of vampire, wizard and mad scientist.
They made the correct choice by recasting Lily and the Eddie Joan Marshall and Happy Derman Just did not fit it they were terrible thank god they found Yvonne De Carlo and Butch Patrick.
50 plus years later and people running away from the Munsters in fast motion and jumping fences is still funny as hell. LMAO!
Think I' would , wouldn't you if u saw someone like that ? 😂😂😂
The film quality of this pilot is unbelievable! Hard to believe it’s 54 years-old.
That's the magic of film, That's also why it transfers so well the 4K
58 now
59 now.
It was shot on movie film. Movie film has greater resolution than the latest digital technology. That's why old movies look so great on 4K tvs.
Curious that the pilot was filmed in color but the series was filmed in black and white.
Al Lewis was just incredible! What a great actor. He just killed it!
I can't blame Happy Derman for the character. That's on the writers and the director for wanting him to be that way. I'm glad they changed his demeanor for the real show.
MEEEEE TO I WAS LIKE WTF IS THIS DAMN SO CORNYTHANK GOD THEYVE CHANGED IT
@TH-cam asylum butch something
I think they let Happy do his own rendition of the character, whereas Butch Patrick decided to do it differently, which of course worked out much better.
They changed the kid, not just the demeanor.
His acting was really bad
It's now 59 years since this pilot episode was last aired! Quality at its best, like it was just made!
My favorite show.R.I.P. Beverly,Fred,Al,and Yvonne.👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
It also helped being in black and white. Gave it more a feel of the old movies.
I am sooooooo glad they changed the cast. I also think it was more enjoyable in black and white.
I’m glad they changed the cast but wish they’d kept the color.
Color? No way. The show was supposed to be a spoof of all those old B&W Frankenstein and Dracula movies. B&W gave it a much more authentic noir feel.
Yvonne De Carlo as Lily was a much better choice, but Joan Marshall sure does have some big, beautiful eyes.
Joan Marshall was incredibly hot looking here, but also miscast. Yvonne Dd Carlo was the better choice for the matriarch of the family.
This chick's way hotter
JBJ JONES and she was a terrible actress
@@jbjjones767, as Beautiful as Lily was, Phoebe did have the "Hot" factor.
@@davidmerlin3344 SHE WASN'T A TERRIBLE ACTRESS, SHE WAS JUST THE WRONG CHARACTER FOR THAT PART. THAT BOY WAS A TERRIBLE ACTOR
So glad they recasted the roles, otherwise it would have sucked big time.
LOL... You would have no idea... You just like the beloved characters who were in the series.
BIG TIME!
If left alone the actors of Grandpa, Herman, and Marilyn would never have been able to have gotten more acting roles in other shows and movies. Many times your performance is what gets you a better carrer.
In the case of AMG the worse you are the bigger the laugh and you might move on just fo the laughs.
@@chrisowen2925 👋 Happy New Year Chris; what is the AMG if you don't mind?
👁️ I Am The EggMan 👁️
@@KC______ American Move Gallery I think was what I located. Your reply is too old so I do not remember the source.
I dont care what anyone says I still love these kinds of shows. I miss them very much
Good news, Rob Zombie is doing a reboot for this shows into movie
@@sidvicious4760 I heard that too.
I remember watching this with my parents when I was younger (reruns during the 80's and 90's). Was one of my favorites and watching tv now is just a bummer.
@@sidvicious4760 Heck ya!! That will be awesome!
Yea same here I love this show so much. Such a terrible shame that Rob Zombie has to ruin the reboot already. Using his wife as lily smh. His wife isn’t a good actor at all.
Idk why they let Rob zombie do a reboot of this awesome so.
But good thing I have the originals and I’ll just watch those instead
Glad to see they didn't recast Igor
😊😀😂🤣🤣👍🏽👍🏽!
Loved this show its crazy how Beverly Owen and Pat Priest were almost twins practically and them not being related is crazy how much they look alike
Their facial features may have been similar but Pat Priest was a true blonde unlike Beverly Owen. She had to wear a blonde wig the first season. The headband that is visible was the edge of the wig.
Thank you so much for sharing this! Most changes made by the producers for the aired version were for the better, IMO. "Phoebe" is a very nice looking goth chick, but that Vampira outfit also makes her less motherly and sympathetic. Also, let's face it, De Carlo was a better actress. Thankfully they made Herman into a perkier character. Marilyn is pretty much the same here. I hated this version of Eddie, but I think the problem was the concept of "angry beast child", not the actual actor (even though Butch Patrick *had* more charisma). One positive thing I have to say about this pilot is that I liked that Grandpa was more of a magician and less of a mad scientist
The problem with Eddie (and by an extension "Phoebe") is that there's _no twist_ on the archetypes they play. Great comedy usually comes from subverting audience's expectations. "Phoebe" was just another cold, unloving Gothic female we've seen in other horror movies. People have seen _thousands of uncontrollable, savage werewolves_ in media before this pilot and Eddie was just another one of those cliches, the only difference is he was a child. The actual show proper kept the archetypes of Lily and Eddie, but played around more with them. Lily was still a vampire (or zombie), but she was _more importantly and frequently portrayed_ as a _kind-hearted, good-humored and loving_ wife, mother and person in general, so to see her do things like sleep like a corpse, cook monster-type food and mention horror-themed things like graveyards, blood, etc. while being the kind and loving character we've come to know is funnier than if they just had her do the stereotypical monster stuff while still behaving like a monster. Likewise, Eddie is still a werewolf, but they made him more of a playful, energetic and sweet All-American Boy, whose werewolf tendencies like howling at the moon, sleeping in a coffin with a stuffed werewolf doll, etc. make him seem more like a lovable puppy instead of a bratty, pugnacious kid who has monster tendencies.
this is a very clean copy. I've had this on a VHS tape since the '80's.
wow this looks amazing. I've seen many of the original episodes and they look so old and grainy. somebody did a great job remastering this old show. it almost looks to good to be real.
HI mike.How do can I see the full episodes and I mean not on TH-cam.Pls help!!!😖
+Umme Humayra By buying the DVD's...
Victorian Sculptures Thank you
Yeah, thanks a lot!!!
Strange to see it in color, the actors later on were much better
Al Lewis (Grandpa) was a very good actor. Notice the last scene, from the insert shot of the magic potion book to the end, is almost 3 minutes uncut, with camera moves and zooms, while Grandpa makes the potion & delivers a ton of dialog.
The music during the opening credits was from the Doris Day movie, 'The Thrill Of It All.' The next music under the production credits was also from that movie - the scene where the car is pulled up from the bottom of the swimming pool. Both the film and this program were produced by Universal.
I love this show. I grew up watching this, the Addams family, Gilligan's Island!
Al Lewis really added a lot to this with his dialogue and his interesting lab. Also a well-known actor, I’m sure he drew an anticipatory happy crowd to the premiere of the show, and he didn’t Disappoint. Though he seemed a bit nervous as would be expected he added great deal to the show, and perhaps may have been the thumbs up for the continuation of the show after the pilot. The replacement of the other actors and actresses and the wardrobe changes and modifications certainly helped as well. I remember it was a favorite at our house when I was a child and I’m sure people all over the world remember it fondly. 😁
One difference that no one has mentioned is how both Fred Gwynne and Al Lewis are just playing their CAR 54 WHERE ARE YOU roles, Muldoon and Schnauzer, in monster drag. Too toned down.
Very often it happens that characters develop there 'personalities' through the run of a show. In this very early pilot, they were fleshing out the concept. Many standards of the show had been thought up and put in place. The pilot was used mostly as a showpiece for set, make-up, and the idea that they people thought of themselves as normal, while everyone else was weird. Thankfully, all three components made it to the series.
no no no no no noo ...Only Yvonne De Carlo could play the part of Lily, no one else
SO TRUE.
Steven Patrick Stone nīce Jdt
Too true!!! Too true!!!
Que lindo!
Well she's not playing Lily. She's playing Phoebe. So technically she's a different character.
That laughter....gets to you after awhile
B&W looks so much better for the Munsters!
I don't know why they never aired it? One of my favorite shows growing up!! I still like watching the reruns!!
Phoebe was pretty hot, but Yvonne DeCarlo was attractive and a better actress. Her lines seemed more natural and less forced. I agree with most of the other posts regarding the original Eddie. The way this character was written just got on my nerves.
I totally agree. Yvonne was so good as Lily. So believable as the mother. The writing was so good too-they were a loving family who just happened to be monstrous.
Phoebe was too much like Mortisha from The Addams Family and I think that’s why they recast her.
The only reason Pat Priest joined the cast, is that Beverly Owen left the show half way thru the first season to get married.
I'm a little late to this party, but there was a little more to it than that. From what I read, Beverly Owen only signed on to do the show because she never thought it would take off, and she had signed a 7-year contract. When the show became a hit, it required her to move to LA from NY, and she was constantly sad and homesick. She wanted out of her contract and of course wanted to get married but they wouldn't let her, so the rest of the cast apparently marched into the office and said ”if you don't let her out we're all walking and you won't have a show". So they released Owen from her contract, but she was blackballed after that.
@@danieljackson1272 It was actually all part of a conspiracy, believe it or not. She and her boyfriend/eventual husband concocted this whole act that she would be so miserable on the set all of the time to make her impossible to work with, and let her out of her contract so she could relocate to NY and they could marry. Her husband was Jon Stone, who was the original producer, director, and one of the many original writers on SESAME STREET.
Digitally remastered it was released i seen it on Nick at night years ago, still love it thanks for putting it up
So glad that they changed actors to Butch Patrick, Pat Priest and Yvonne DeCarlo.
Beverley Owen actually stayed for 13 episodes.
Beverley Owen only left because she went to get married.
Very interesting early take on "The Munsters". The changes made between this and the 2nd pilot (same plot, but with Yvonne DeCarlo and Butch Patrick) were definite improvements, and in retrospect now seem obvious. Joan Marshall was rather colorless, playing it like Vampira, where in a comedy the role needed a certain flourish. Marshall herself seemed better suited to more "normal" parts, such as Capt Kirk's "old flame" in the Star Trek episode "Court Martial". Yvonne DeCarlo not only brought a greater professionalism, but the ability to handle comedy. Eddie, as portrayed here, was simply annoying -- and would have "worn thin" REAL fast. The constant "wolfman" arm swipes are distracting, and the spoiled brat routine was insipid. Can't necessarily blame the actor, however, as I'm sure he was just playing it as they wanted him to. Don't remember this kid in anything else, so don't know if he was any good as an actor. Grampa's part was pretty much set, but Herman still needed some development into the fun-loving, big-hearted hulk who always forgot his own strength. In both pilots, he plays it much too subdued, and doesn't give his comic ability any chance to shine. Glad to see that by the beginning of the show's regular run, they'd worked out all the "kinks" and created a true TV classic!
Good critique MKIVWWI. I agree that Yvonne DeCarlo was better for the role of Lily -- partly because of her better handling of comedy and also she seemed seemed more like the matriarch of the family. The early Eddie was awful -- Butch Patrick's role as a regular every day kid was much better.
MKIVWWI why is it in colour when the original series started in black and white? Or am i getting mixed up with that.
www.change.org/p/i-want-universal-to-make-a-new-munsters-property
it was rare, but back in those days, some pilots were made in color; then with the decision to go to series, one of the cost-cutting options was b/w..the original pilot to ''Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea'' was in color, while the fist season was in b/w...later, it was the opposite: some pilots were in b/w and aired as first episodes, with the rest of the series being in color..''Hogan's Heroes'' and ''Get Smart'' (both 1965) are examples of that.....
MKIVWWI !
Grandpa's hijinx in his dungeon lab is superb! But I agree, I'm happy they recast and reimaged Lily and Eddie! I liked the Eddie here, but that character would never have sustained very long in terms of plotlines (i.e., I can't possibly see this version of Eddie going to school, etc.).
My mother worked with an Aunt of Butch Patrick who kept a picture of him in his Eddie Munster costume on her desk. It was very cute! Though Joan Marshall didn't go on to play Pheobe Munster she did make a cult classic movie called Homicidal. In it she played both male and female roles.
That was awful. Lily and Eddie were awful. I'm glad they made the changes.
Notice that the character of Hermann is different as well. In the series they made him more of a loveable goofball. That allowed Fred Gwynn to really bring out the best in his acting skills. He is so good in the series that he often upstages the other members of the cast.
***** Cool that you knew Fred Gwynne! (Loved the episode where Herman freaked out and yelled, "Car 54, where aaaaaaarrrrrrrre yoooooooooooou!") His makeup here is nearly identical to one of the test makeups for Boris Karloff from the first Frankenstein film.
dumbbo1 Fred Gyinn went on to play many parts on the radio show CBS Radio Mystery Theatre from the mid '70's to around 1990. You can google or click this link. archive.org/details/cbs_radio_mystery_theater He wasn't in all of them.
No argument about the kid!
Allen Woodall Lilly was very pretty
Wow I am so glad Yvonne De Carlo did it - and they changed Eddie. What a difference...... O_o
Thank GOD they recasted
Happy Derman as Eddie is terribly painful to watch.
***** LOL - One has to agree!
Brian Wilson same
Brian Wilson same
+Brian Wilson (hueyfann) I disagree I think it A tough contest between the two.
Greatly done wish there were more of these great sitcom.
When I first saw this on the DVD box set, it struck me as amazing they picked it up for production.There are some quick glimpses of the brilliance it promised, but overall, it STUNK, (and the title song was a giant zero)!!! I'm glad they kept trying and finally got the right recipe! ;)
Wow...am I ever glad they recast this show! Herman doesn't look quite right...Phoebe is no Lily!...and what the heck were they thinking with that version of Eddy?! I LOVE the Munsters...one of my all time favorites! If they had stuck with this pilot cast...I think it would have flopped!
When he gets marilyn out of the car, I believe you can see the side of the Beverly hillbilly mansion set on the lot.
Too bad the old Munster shows aren't on YT anymore. Interesting to see this pilot again.
It was filmed in color in case NBC picked it up. which was the only full color network at the time. Since it ended up going to CBS, and had to be reshot with the new cast members, all the broadcast episodes were shot in black and white. In this pilot, they followed the classic Universal Pictures Frankenstein Monster face TOO WELL on Herman. Since the show was produced by Universal, they owned these copyrighted makeup designs, but modified it for the regular series to make Herman look more family-friendly. After all, the series was was produced by the creators of Leave It to Beaver. (now you know why Grampa's crystal ball could only receive Beaver reruns)
Yeah.
Frank Provasek
Ah. That explains a lot.
Frank Provasek Wow. I did not know that. I saw the show in syndication reruns in the 1970s and died laughing. This pilot is amusing bot the series was amazing.
Beaver was so boring and the Munsters were hilarious. The prototype for the Bundy’s, the Simpson’s and Family Guy. Comedy gold.
I've a memory when was black-and-white
Wow....I was quite surprised to see Grandpa light his cigar using the "Jacob's' Ladder" (nothing more than a neon light transformer in this case...and a good sized one at that!). I'm guessing they told him that his cigar was enough "insulation" to keep him safe?? Those transformers are in the thousands of volts (8 - 13 ish thousand volts??) and have enough current available to cause real damage, if not sudden death. A little bit of moisture on his stogie and it would have been lights out! 9:32
Thanks for shearing , I grow up watching this ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Yes Gothtec it's Joan Marshall she did a good job as Phoebe, I like this one as I saw the same with Yvonne in the 60s, I like them both but I'm very happy to see this one for the first time recently, it's a very different flavor ! :)
Bonjour Emma i was waiting for your comment ! :)
Yvonne is big on the screen, Joan being a little kind of a less a character make the others bigger than life, this is why I think Joan will have been good as Mama Munster !
Man I miss this show
It's not just different actors for Lilly, Marylin & Eddie. The music and the makeup were considerably upgraded.
The series cast was awesome. I though this was the funniest show on TV when I was a kid watching reruns in the 1070s. It is cool to see the sets in color because the b/w recordings in syndication were so fuzzy.
The video quality of this pilot is amazing, like a film rather than TV.
They made the right choices in re-casting for sure.
Butch Patrick as Eddie and Yvonne de Carlo as lily the perfect re cast!!!! Fred& al did car54 preciously;!!
This is far better then any sitcom today...the 60's were the best for tv shows....
Thanks for educating me on that. I have not seen an episode in years and never knew (oer did not remember) that Pat priest was not the original
This show wouldn't have lasted two episodes if they had kept the same cast, music and intro. It was dry, humorless and boring.
This was just a pilot which is often little more than a proof of concept.
@@ricardocantoral7672 I know that Cap[tain Obvious, lol.
@@heru-deshet359 Sure you did.
@@ricardocantoral7672 Yes, Captain Obvious and seemingly lonely as well, lol.
@@heru-deshet359 I see we are projecting.
Whatever happened to Happy Derman?
holy mother of god, joan marshall is beautiful as phoebe!
The monsters are much funnier I don't like Adam family too creepy
Glad they did some re-casting
I guess it's no wonder that it didn't air because the Eddie in this is overdone.
Al Lewis once hosted late night horror movies after he left the MUNSTERS
This is the 15min unaired pilot made to sell the show to the networks. It's extremely interesting for a couple of reasons...one it's in color! and the other is that they had different actors for the part of "Lily" and "Eddie"! Joan Marshall played "Phoebe" (it was later changed to Lily when Yvonne DeCarlo came on board) and Nate 'Happy' Derman played "Eddie". Now while Joan did an interesting take on 'Lily' (as "Phoebe') she had the Vampira look. Vampira was inspired by the books of Charles Addams which was the basis of the sitcom "The Addams Family" was aired the same year as The Munsters in 1964. Morticia on The Addams Family had the Vampira look, so it probably was a good idea on part of the networks to change the look on Lily" to the Bride of Frankenstein look, given the fact that Herman was the Frankenstein Monster! Nate 'happy' Derman as 'Eddie' was very different than Butch Patrick's interpretation. Derman play Eddie very obnoxious and very intense at the same time, while Butch played him more subdued and not that intense. To some extent it was good that they did change the actors in the end, but it would have been interesting to have Joan Marshall and Nate Derman come back as guest stars as Lily's sister and nephew per say. Oh well..... alas we will never know.....
This "demo reel" was probably intended for NBC, who was virtually the ONLY network to schedule a handful of color shows in prime-time during that period [CBS had NONE; ABC- about two or three filmed shows]. When the SECOND "demo reel" was produced {with changes in cast and make-up}, that was for CBS' consideration. They "bought" the idea, and a full half-hour pilot was filmed for the series.
You never can tell.
I actually really liked the subtlety of the remake.
If this had aired, the show would have flopped.
Am I the only one amazed at the quality of the video? It looks like it could've been shot last year
Thanks for posting this! Wow the Munsters might never ghave been broadcast if it hadn't been retooled! Yvonne deCarlo's chemistry with Herman /Fred Gwynn made the show. Of course the decision to broadcast iin black and white while the networks were scrambling to air shows in color was counter intuitively genius!
or counter intuitively cheaper!
this is brutal, lucky for us it showed that hermans wife needed a personality............. yvonne decarlo was amazing......, the heart of the family.....and that snarling kid, omg lol, no one wants to hate a child, butch patrick was a child you loved to see
Bless the beasts and the children.
This ‘Eddie’ was the most frightening one in the family.
lin reynolds lol @ “that snarling kid”
Wow, I didn’t know that The Munsters had a pilot episode before it aired
Yvonne, Fred & AL had great Chemistry together. So happy they recast the rolls.
Can't wait for the remake of this classic hope it's just as good
Where'd you hear that?
I wish they would have made The Munsters in color.
CBS wasn't telecasting ANY color programs when they "bought" the series in 1964, so filming it in color would have been pointless that season.
nah, black and white was much more appropriate. it was, after all, a spoof of all the old Dracula and Frankenstein movies which were all B&W. Besides, B&W is just plain creepier.
+YesYou123333 I agree because you couldn't tell what they really looked like in black and white.
+Kevin Enos I have to agree with you. There are things that are just better in black and white.
I can't understand the bias so many people have against B & W.
Personally, I like The Twilight Zone, the classic monster movies (Universal and the Geman horror expressionist/silent movies), film noir, and a lot of classic comedies better in B & W.
Colorization of movies and TV series that were originally done in B & W has never looked right to me.
There were technically color broadcasts being done before the mid-1960s -- The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson WAS a full-color show from its inception in 1962 -- BUT the TV standards hadn't been nailed down and there were at least 2-3 competing color broadcast/TV standards before they began being set. The vast majority of people still had "only" B & W TV.
It took a very long time for the color standards to be established. They HAD color sets in the 1950s but standard TV series/color production wasn't a thing until the late 1960s because of the extra film processing costs for color and the situation with the TV set manufacturers. That kind of situation (and the length of time it took to ESTABLISH a standard) is why the electronics industry does NOT like to set competing video standards. The last major format war we had was Blu ray versus HD DVD which pushed back the adoption of hi-def home video standards by the buying public for at least 3 years. Before that, there was the Beta/VHS situation in the late 1970s and early 1980s which kept videotape rentals and buys of movies on tape from being a big thing until the mid-1980s/late 1980s. It's just confusing for the average consumer and people will delay buying until they know a "standard" is going to last more than the next year!
Star Trek (1966) was one of the first dramatic/comedic TV series specifically designed to be shot in color from the start and was marketed to sell color TV sets (RCA?). It's true that there were earlier full-color TV series like Adam West's Batman. 1966 seems to be a critical year for mass-acceptance of color TV. A lot of series began in color from their start that year. Other TV series transitioned to color around the same time but had earlier seasons shot in B & W (I Dream of Jeannie, The Beverly Hillbillies, Gilligan's Island).
The mentality about "color-only" broadcasts was as much about the TV executives justifying the switch to full-color as the fact that a home video market didn't exist to resell old movies and TV shows until the 1980s.
Sure, there were sales of 8mm film dupes of TV shows and movies but those were never as big as VHS sales later became but VHS itself took a long time to establish its presence.
In the meantime, a lot of TV shows and anything in B & W other than established classics were junked and thrown away. That happened in both the US and the UK. A lot of classic TV series are incomplete (Doctor Who) or completely gone because of the practice of throwing away large parts of film libraries to make room for newer projects. There was never any thought these shows would be rebroadcast or eventually sold on home video in the future!
Disney was one of the few companies that kept most of its TV and film projects with the thought of marketing these things again in the future. It's only recently that Disney abandoned its practice of recirculating certain classic movies about every 7 years. Before that, they used to rebroadcast episodes of older TV productions like the original Mickey Mouse Club and their version of Zorro on the Disney Channel.
Joan Marshall really rockd the vampires look, didn't she?
I DO like it being in color though...
+fool4singing colored tv was too expensive, that's why the show was in black & white
So, they never had the original colored tapes? :(
Good point, ant dude. I believe it was made on film, not video tape (which did exist at the time, but looked awful) so where are those rolls of film now, and are any more of them in color? I think it's likely that they used black and white film stock, partly to give it that Victorian Gothic look, and partly to save money; but they must have considered making it in color, otherwise there would be little value in making the pilot in color in the first place.
Incidentally, it would not be too difficult a task to accurately restore the color to all the episodes. Black and white images contain all the tonal information needed to recreate the original colors. In fact, the early (classic) Technicolor 3-strip process used only black and white film stock, exposed through three color filters.
Also on the subject of color, it's interesting to see that Herman is, in fact, a blue-ish grey color, and not bright green as many people assume when they have only seen the black and white shows.
Clark Kant Hey, you're not Superman. :P
I'm not? Then why do I keep getting undressed in phone booths?!
Such wonderful memories, and now I want to see what Marilyn turned into, wish I could see that, Grandpa is AWESOME!
4:58 I like the displays of family affection
This suffers from very bad direction. The pacing is slow, the timing off.
I thought the same thing.
You're both on point.
It suffers from a multitude of problems including makeup and the selection of the actors.
Did Happy Newman (or Newton) or 'Phoebe' ever get an acting gig again?
👁️ I Am The Walrus 👁️
@@KC______ Phoebe was later on Star Trek.. I wonder if Happy was really that bad or if it was the direction. He really was animal-like in that. For a TV movie it might have worked, but for a TV show, that act would have gotten old real fast. Butch Patrick acted more like a normal little boy with some quirks. It would be interesting to know whether Happy could have been directed differently, or if Butch Patrick would have been directed like Happy if he was in the pilot instead. Coo coo ca choo..
Maybe they should release the dvd version of the 1990's made-for-tv movie entitled "Here Come the Munsters!". It starred Edward Hermann (as Herman Munster) from the 1975 mini-series "Franklin & Eleanor," with Veronica Hamel (as his vampire wife Lilly) from the 1981 TV show "The Hill Street Blues," Robert (Bobby) Morse (as Lilly's dad & Herman's father-in-law Grandpa) from the Broadway musical show and theatrical-based movie "How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying," Christine Taylor (as Herman & Lilly Munster's ever-loving & normal-looking niece named Marilyn) from "The Brady Bunch's Movie Trilogy" and what's-his-name as Eddie Munster who's Herman & Lilly's werewolf sonny-boy.
I got to meet and speak to Grandpa as him and Herman and his real family came for dinner at the Benihana of Tokyo in Encino, CA back in 1982.
Back in around 1977 or 78 I met grandpa also he was in charge of a Big halloween haunted house in cincinnati I think he was the head of the makeup people .
That was before they put padding in front of Herman's chest inside his shirt and padded his arms. An anorexic looking Herman is not cool or neato !
Randy Cable 😬😃😃♐
Great show. I liked it the very the very first time I watched it.J.W....
I am SO freaking happy the Eddie they used in the actual show wasn't like this one. Oh man I would freaking have hated him. Plus, i am happy they had Lily instead. She was a lot more fun to watch.
It seems that many people don't realosae that Yvonne DeCarlo was an established actor by then. One of her most famous roles had been beside Charlton Heston in The Ten Commandments. Take a look at it to see how her beauty naturally flowed in her movements, and not just her face. She was perfect as Lily Munster.
She had been in "McClintock!" with John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara the year before.
Yup. Back when there were only three television networks, THIS got approved.
Lol nowadays worse crap is produced.
If you was to just listen to the music score you would think it was just a normal everyday family
Wow!!! I never knew about this episode.And 2 think I used 2 watch 'The Munsters' as a kid. This seems all brand new to me. LOL
Since was child back 1970 use watch on tv box was on floor. Back old day start was not born 1963 until 1964 was born so too little until later. I watch more. Later.but when get older kind bring back great memories of old classic tv show or film movie. A plus. All classic tv show back 1964 still watch 1970. At age 6. And still bring lots memories ones get old. Any ages. The Munster Forever fans like me enjoy this film show. 100.%.
Grandpa is still my fave Munster!
Always cracks me up that he's so scared that he goes over the gatepost rather than through the gate at 1:44
That was pretty good. I like this version of Lily. I actually like both versions of Lily. I'm happy that they recasted the kid. I actually like the show in color more.
I love all they're shows
2:39 I can see how a portrayal like that does not give one much range, nor does earn the character any sympathy; still, gruesomely cool.
Note at 8:32; stagehand in the lower-right corner of the frame! Classic!!!!!!
*D See*
Well, it was only a pilot. Maybe it was never meant to air, even if approved as is?
That's Eddie
Amazing!!!
You are a bitich
@@pt2310 wtf is a bitich??
It would be cool if the whole series was actually filmed in color. Blu-ray would be amazing. I like this eddie better, and herman's wife looks like she's 20. Grampa is perfectly funny from the start and he never loses his edge throughout the series. Herman becomes less bored and finds hobbies.
Fascinating stuff, and such changes the studio made to the project. I think this is available as a bonus treat on Universal's DVD set of the show. It is not a complete episode, more like a pitch reel. The show was developed by the gents who made Leave it to Beaver.
Trivia: The actress playing Mrs. Munster here in the pilot footage starred in the William Castle schlock pic "Homicidal" (a real b-movie hoot), playing the icy blonde wackadoo. Don't ask anyone about that flick if you plan to watch it! Easily spoiled.
I preferred the original Marilyn Munster, Beverly Owen, to her replacement Pat Priest. Nothing against the latter lady, just a matter of taste.
It always seemed fantastic and cool to me that Grandpa was a combo of vampire, wizard and mad scientist.
Joan Marshall and Happy Derman were the Pete Bests of The Munsters !
They made the correct choice by recasting Lily and the Eddie Joan Marshall and Happy Derman Just did not fit it they were terrible thank god they found Yvonne De Carlo and Butch Patrick.
+dee sousa i agree
And they also made the correct choice by changing the opening theme song... Lol :) :) :)
some reason its on boomerang
though it may have happened over 50-60 years ago its far more entertaining then most of the crap on tv today
This was gross glad they changed it.
I agree. It's a good thing that the pilot got the kinks out. It reminds me of other shows where everything was out of character in their pilots.
LOVE , THE MONSTERS !!. FUNNY STLL AFTER SO MANY DECADES !!. PLAYING ON , COZI TV , 600 PM AND 630 PM WEEKDAYS .THE ORIGINAL EPISODES !!.👍.
This was a 13 minute (in Color) pilot for "The Munsters", before it was retooled for broadcast in 1964.
The actor for the part of eddie was great in this particular episode with the hissing and hand movements
Wtf joan was perfect! 😭
Great, Good , really enjoy the Munsters.
I grew up to this show, I never seen this and I was born in 61, it's really funny, thank you!!!!