December 22, 2008

Herman Munster Meets Santa Claus


The Munsters have been periodically revived through the years in TV specials and even a clone series that tallied as many episodes as the original 1964 sitcom. The latest incarnation — notwithstanding a recent Hustler Video Classics-Gone-Porn version — was the 1996 Holiday TV Movie, The Munsters’ Scary Little Christmas, in which Grandpa’s experiments transport Santa Claus to 1313 Mockingbird Lane.

Critics were unimpressed. The best thing said about the show was that very young children might be entertained. At least the casting was inspired, with Sam McMurray valiantly channelling Fred Gwynne’s genius, Sandy Baron — a Catskills-trained comic — picking up for Al Lewis, and the formidable Ann Magnuson a good pick to essay Yvonne De Carlo’s Lily. The 91-minute special survives on DVD.


Staying in a Christmas mood, here’s a real treat: The original Munsters appearing in Macy’s Santa Claus Parade!

Up on YouTube is a wonderful vintage movie newsreel from 1964, Santa’s in Town, subtitled “Munsters Escort Kris in Parade”. Gwynne and Lewis appear in character, riding the Munsters Koach down Broadway. There are nice shots of the novelty car’s detailing, such as a spider and its web in a corner of the windshield.

Not sure, but I think the first shot might have been doctored by Universal’s special effects department, the film marquees whited out so as not to promote competitors’ films.

It’s a wonderful time machine glimpse of Macy’s parade 44 years ago, and its fun seeing Al Lewis having a ball in the city he loved.


The Munsters in Santa's in Town on YouTube.

Screencaps from The Munster’s Scary Little Christmas on Marky Munster’s elaborate fan site.

The Munsters Scary Little Christmas on DVD.


Related
The Munsters's Color Pilot
Frankenstein Meets Santa Claus


1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Hello, My name is Ethan. I'm an Actor on the hit ABC/Warner Series "The Middle" as well as "Leverage" on TNT. Actor Butch Patrick is getting ready for a MONTH LONG train tour! "Butch Patrick's Halloween Whistle Stop Tour". I would LIKE to get you involved as you have a pretty cool Munsters web site. Please feel free to give me a ring at 310-406-5835. I have attached a copy of the press release as well as a LIST of city's Butch will be visiting. We think you could be a big help. Please give us a call or shoot me an E-Mail at ethantudorw@gmail.com if you would like to get involved. We're ALSO looking for Munsters Fans/Friends that live IN those city's, so if you are IN one of the city's listed, be sure to give us a call. Thanks in advance and I hope we might get the chance to meet you during this tour!

-Ethan Tudor W.
Actor/Host of "The Neverhood Show" www.blogtalkradio.com/ethantudorw
310-406-5835
ethantudorw@gmail.com
Also catch me on the ABC/Warner Series "The Middle" Wed. Night's at 8pm (PST) on ABC


It’s OFFICIAL! “Butch Patrick’s Whistle Stop Halloween Tour” Departs from the West Coast Oct. 2nd !

Actor Butch Patrick, perhaps best known for his role as “Eddie” Munster on the classic TV series, “The Munsters” is undertaking a month long nationwide tour. Not only will Butch be attending events along the way, but he will be doing a LIVE in person “Meet & Greets” at every station talking about the Munsters, his 9 months PLUS sobriety as well as Cancer and Diabetes awareness. Be sure to JOIN Butch on this interactive adventure ON-LINE. Butch will be Tweeting, Blogging,,Web-Casting LIVE from the train, and sharing the experience with the ON-LINE Community. Hop aboard, “Butch Patrick’s Whistle Stop Halloween Tour” is ready to depart!


“Butch Patrick’s Whistle Stop Halloween Tour!”



City List

1st Leg of the trip from Los Angeles to Chicago





1. Los Angeles CA.

2. Pamona CA.

3. Claremont CA.

4. Ontario CA.

5. San Bernardino Ca.

6. Victorville CA.

7. Barstow CA.

8. Needles CA.

9. Kingman AZ.

10. Williams AZ.

11. Flagstaff AZ.

12. Winslow AZ.

13. Gallup NM.

14. Albuquerque NM.

15. Lamy NM.

16. Las Vegas NM.

17. Raton NM.

18. Trinidad CO.

19. La Junta CO.

20. Lamar CO.

21. Garden City KS.

22. Dodge City KS.

23. Hutchinson KS.

24. Newton KS.

25. Topeka KS.

26. Lawrence KS.

27. Kansas City MO.

28. La Plata MO.

29. Galesburg IL.

30. Kewanee IL.

31. Naperville IL.

32. Chicago IL.



“Butch Patrick’s Whistle Stop Halloween Tour”

City List

2nd Leg, Chicago to Orlando Via. Wash DC.





1. Chicago IL.

2. South Bend IN.

3. Toledo OH.

4. Sandisky OH.

5. Cleveland OH.

6. Alliance OH.

7. Pittsburgh PA.

8. Connellsville PA.

9. Cumberland MD.

10. Harpers Ferry WV.

11. Washington DC.

12. Richmond VA.

13. Petersburg VA.

14. Rocky Mount NC.

15. Fayetteville NC.

16. Dillon SC.

17. Florence SC.

18. Kingstree SC.

19. North Charleston SC.

20. Yemassee SC

21. Savannah GA.

22. Jesup GA.

23. Jacksonville FL.

24. Palatka FL.

25. Deland FL.

26. Sanford FL.

27. Winter Park FL.

28. Orlando FL.