I’m going to come right out and say it…when I was growing up; I was INFATUATED with Lily Munster! I mean, I liked Yvonne De Carlo as an actress and all she did, but I was IN LOVE with the Lily Munster Character she played!
It all started when the local channel here began re-broadcasting The Munsters on TV. The show was SO Witty and Funny! The stories were well scripted and the ACTING was top-notch! Fred Gwynne played lovable Herman Munster, Al Lewis played crotchety Grandpa, Beverly Owen played cute Marilyn and even Butch Patrick was a terrific kid actor...
Then there was Lily! Watching the show now, I can clearly see what made her so attractive to me. She was kind, giggly and tough as nails all at once, and Yvonne De Carlo played her character 100%. I don’t know, maybe it was the long draping hair or her flowing gown or even that BAT pendant she wore ‘round her neck.
I remember there was a time that I was SO obsessed with Lily, I would force my friend to stay up with me so I could catch Yvonne DeCarlo on the “Nite-Owl Theater” at 2:00 in the morning in shows like “Salome” and “Criss Cross” (the latter is still a movie I love watching!) I remember going to the library to Xerox stills of her in those BIG reference books! AHAHA! Heck, I’m STILL in love with her!
In any case, I loved watching the Munsters. The stories were usually great, and even when they were mediocre; I always still had lovely Lily Munster to keep me occupied!
Some of My Favorite Episodes:
“Tin Can Man”
Eddie creates a robot for the school fair. When the robot breaks down, Herman takes over. The audience is in awe because they think he’s a robot. HERMAN thinks they’re in awe because his jokes are so funny.
“Family Portrait”
A Magazine has chosen the Munsters as THE American Family, and has come to interview them and take pictures. Harvey Korman is hilarious in this one!
“Eddie’s Nickname”
Eddie is teased at school because he’s short. Grandpa gives him a milkshake to make him grow…instead, he grows a BEARD!
Fave Line:
Grandpa:” Eddie, with that beard, you look just like Mitch Miller!
“Eddie: “WAAAAHHHH!”
“Follow That Munster”
Herman has been taking a course in detective work, and has been going out at nights
doing footwork. Lily thinks he’s cheating on her. Her suspicions seem to be true when she confronts him with a girl he’s guarding.
Fave Line:
Herman” Lily, You may not believe this, but I’m Secret Agent 702!”
Lily “Herman, YOU may not believe THIS, but I’m SONNY LISTON!” POW!
“Just Another Pretty Face”
Herman gets struck by lightning, and his face gets horribly disfigured. That is, his face changes to a regular human face, or rather, Fred Gwynne without any makeup on! What a neat episode!
and my two faves of all time:
“Don’t Bank On Herman”
Herman and Grandpa are mistaken for bank robbers, and are given a cache of money. After an angry Lily tells them they cannot keep the money, the two break into the bank to put back the money.
Fave line:
Herman (counting)”18200, 18200, 18300 dollars!”
Lily: "Herman, I have some news for you.”
Herman: “Yes, Dear?”
Lily: “We only HAD $680 IN our tax account.”
Herman: “Really?”
Lily: “Really. You Know what this means now, don’t you?”
Herman “Yes I do, dear….It mean our bank gives a generous amount of interest!”
Lily: ‘It MEANS Herman, that you have GOOFED IT AGAIN!”
and
“Herman’s Rival”
Herman lets unreliable Uncle Lester borrow money for an investment. Lily thinks the bank account is short because they’re poor, so as not to embarrass Herman, she secretly goes out to work at a Tea House to make extra money. This is fine, but Herman thinks she’s seeing someone behind his back!
The ending confrontation between Lily, The tea House owner and Uncle Lester is TOO FUNNY!
Another one of my very favorite Sitcoms of the sixties!
