The Munsters - Complete Second Season

The Munsters - Complete Second Season
by Charles R. Rondeau, Don Richardson, Earl Bellamy, Ezra Stone, Gene Reynolds

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DVD details

Actor: Al Lewis, Butch Patrick, Fred Gwynne, Pat Priest, Yvonne De Carlo
Director: Charles R. Rondeau, Don Richardson, Earl Bellamy, Ezra Stone, Gene Reynolds
Brand: Universal
Writer: Bob Mosher
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled)
Format: Black & White, Box set, Dolby, Full Screen
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 825 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2005-10-25
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Universal Studios

DVD Reviews of The Munsters - Complete Second Season

DVD Review: excellent
Summary: 4 Stars

great show - herman was the best
great video quality
i like the packaging but it will get damaged easily

DVD Review: More vintage classic TV, as originally filmed
Summary: 5 Stars

PAR EXCELLENCE!

Although there is a little to be desired in comparison to "The Munsters, Season One," the same can be said here of "Season Two." But still, the two volumes offer this meteoric series in its entirety, and looking at the whole body of work, it's hard to believe this series only ran for two seasons! Usually, when a pilot episode is offered, the network gives it up to 13 episodes to see if it catches on. Then, if they feel good about it, it gets 13 more episodes, for a total of six months of air time. There is an off-season where reruns are shown, as the writers brainstorm another season, which is twenty-six more weekly half-hour shows. From the Fall of 1964 to the Spring of 1966, "The Munsters" ran for a total of 70 shows! Putting it in context, I think this is astonishing.

But it quickly ran its course, and the show gave way to "Batman" in 1966, leaving the air with its dignity intact. When a popular show overstays its welcome, that is fatal, to the show, and the actors. A good example is Fox's "Married...With Children." From 1987 to 1990, this was one of the funniest shows on TV, but changes in the writing, premise, and cast, made a once genuinely good program into a parody of itself, and over the next seven years, it degenerated into a shambles. And the ghost of Al Bundy has haunted Ed O'Neil ever since. A good, talented actor now has extreme difficulty being taken seriously, because he is forever stigmatized with shoe salesman Al Bundy. This same problem affected the careers of Fred Gwynne and Al Lewis from "The Munsters." The only reason Yvonne DeCarlo wasn't permanently saddled with her Lily Munster role, was she was already an established actress with a long successful career before being cast as Lily.

What I don't particularly like about the second season (not really "don't like," but am slightly averse to), are some small differences but differences nonetheless. The opening sequence, once dark and sinister, with a light touch of whimsy, is now, in-your-face slapstick; Herman crashing through the front door as the theme music, now transposed to a higher key and played as fast surf music, though genuinely funny, betrays the original idea. He is now far more impulsive and child-like, and even though he is now more comical, he is more frenetic, and his voice sounds somewhat pinched. This isn't bad I guess, but it is a reversal of the first season. But, the change is gradual, and maybe it's just the evolution of the character, but seeing the two facets in a back-to-back context, it becomes apparent he was written to evolve this way, to garner a few more laughs.

And not as pronounced, there is a similar change in Lily; once very cool and collected despite the occaisional snit, she's now the overprotective worry-wart henpecker of a wife and mother who needs to cut the apron strings. Don't get me wrong, the show is consistently funny and well-written throughout, but the changes were too pronounced for me. Too picky? Maybe, but these are just honest criticisms.

Still, I have always seen "The Munsters" as a very funny, well-made show; an excellent parody of the 1950's TV shows mixed with the classic horror films of the 1930's and 1940's, an odd combination that surprisingly works on every level.

Also in the "Season Two" set, there are four featurettes included, one on the story of the TV show, and one each of the careers of Fred Gwynne, Yvonne DeCarlo, and Al Lewis. This is very informative material for the hard-core fan of the show, and the casual fan alike. It tells of the hard life Gwynne had, including the death of his son, his divorce, the physical demands of wearing the "Herman" costume for 70 shows, two movies, and all the promotional appearances, and his trying to live down his role in history as Herman Munster, which was more a weight around his neck than an asset.

You have the life of Yvonne Decarlo, from being raised by an unstable mother, to her high and low points in the spotlight, physical problems later in life, and the drive to excel at all times. (On a personal note, I found her, up until, and especially during her time as "Lily," jaw-droppingly beautiful.)

The life of Al Lewis is chronicled, from his youth as a persecuted minority, to a small-time actor, on to bigger roles, and his other pursuits, including the restaurant business, to a career in liberal politics and radio. But he rolled with his "Grandpa" image, and put it to good use.

Gwynne died in 1993, of pancreatic cancer, and the others, still living at the time of this release, have since died, and this cements the fact, that they were irreplacable. A new TV series and movie, with all-new actors were attempted; "attempted" denoting the possibility of failure, and fail they did. This is something you don't mess with, a truism many Hollywood movie makers don't seem to comprehend. Leave the classics alone!

My short-term plans involve a "Munsters" marathon, and I recommend others do this.

"Mwa-hahaha!"

DVD Review: The Munsters-Complete Second Season
Summary: 5 Stars

Recieved it in a timely manner. It will make a Great Christmas Gift.
Am still waiting though on another DVD ordered at the same time.

DVD Review: Munsters Season 2
Summary: 5 Stars

Just got Season 2 in the mail today.
First thing is the outer plastic cover was broken apart at the folds already and the front was a bit distorted, almost like what would happen if you left plastic in the sun too long.
After pulling the cover off, however the inner disc holder is in fine shape, a bit out of shape at the corners because of the plastic shell being warped some, but nothing to toss a fit about.

The DVDs were perfect in appearance, not a single blemish.
However the 5th episode on side 2 of DVD 1 has some problems playing on both of my DVD players. So far its only the one show so I guess Im not too bent out of shape about it...could be worse and the price wasnt too bad so I guess its a trade off.
I will be looking into seeing I they offer a replacement disc and if I can purchase another outer sleeve, but overall Im very happy with both Seasons 1 and 2 and the money spent. No regrets.

DVD Review: Great!
Summary: 5 Stars

I love the Munsters and I wasn't even born when they were popular. I think that the show is funnier than any show today. I don't even mind that it's black and white! This season has some pretty good shows and some funny ones. If you're thinking about buying it stop thinking and buy it!

Description of The Munsters - Complete Second Season

America's first family of fright is back on DVD with all 32 outrageous second-season episodes and hilarious new bonus features in The Munsters: The Complete Second Season! Reunite with the wacky and weird Munster clan: Herman, devoted dad and "working stiff;" Lily, the homemaker with sass; Grandpa, a former Count who still loves to take a bite out of life; Marilyn, the "black sheep" of the family; and Eddie, a little boy who always loves to have a howling good time. It's spooky fun that everyone will be screaming about in the Golden Globe-nominated adventures of the frighteningly funny family from Mockingbird Lane.

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