For a bit of a change from my usual Horror viewing this October I’m checking out a Horror adjacent comedy in the 1966 movie “Munster, Go Home!” As the name suggests this is the original Munsters movie and It’s going to be hard not run comparisons here with the Rob Zombie movie “The Munsters” from 2022. Like Zombie’s disastrous attempt at a reboot, this is also in colour but unlike that film this features the vast majority of the original TV cast. The only exception is for the character “Marilyn” who is played here by Debbie Watson. Most importantly Fred Gwynne reprises his role as Herman, The movie is directed by Earl Bellamy, who also directed several episodes of the TV show.
The movie was produced after the series ended, partially to help introduce foreign audiences to the series which had just entered syndication. It was the first of three movies produced with the original cast. There have been three additional movies featuring a new cast since (All basically reboots) and a TV series in the 80’s. Of that lot, I’ve only seen the Rob Zombie film and of course the original series. Growing up in England in the 1980’s the original show was constantly being rerun on TV (I don’t think we ever got the reboot series). At some point I will check out the two remaining original cast films.
Lord Munster
This story begins with the Munsters’ learning that Herman has inherited an estate and title of “Lord Munster” of a relative in England. This sets the family to travel to England (Via boat, which is effectively the films first act). The surviving English Munsters’ are basically an inversion of the American family, normal(ish) on the outside and deeply monsterous inside. Naturally this makes for a good contrast in the story as the local community basically learn not to judge a book by it’s cover. However, the main story is the English families attempts to git rid of the American Munsters and hide their dark secrets from them.
The story naturally involves a lot of zany stuff, culminating in a final act motor race where Herman drives DRAG-U-LA (A coffin based racing car originally featured in the series but given a new origin in the movie). Grandpa spends a lot of the time getting into trouble as a wolf and Marilyn finds love with the son of the English Munsters’ local rivals. We are also treated to an appearance by eccentric English comedian Terry-Thomas who gets to thoroughly overact as the childish psychopath Freddie Munster.
Wacky Racing
This is actually a pretty solid family comedy. The charm of the TV series remains despite the new setting and change to colour. The quirkiness comes across naturally from a group of actors that are more than comfortable in their roles at this point. There’s no gimmicky visuals like in the Rob Zombie film, just a straight forward comedy movie. It is very much a 60’s comedy and that dates it a little, but doesn’t make it any less enjoyable. Terry-Thomas is a good fit with the Munsters and while he’s not the mastermind of the operation, he is definitely the centerpiece of the movies villains.
The first two acts drag a little bit, but the final act makes up for this. DRAG-U-LA just looks great in colour. The villainous and mysterious “Griffin” (The identity of which is revealed at the end, but honestly isn’t important) tries every dirty trick in the book to knock off poor Herman (Who continues to be oblivious to this), while Lilly and Grandpa have to escape from Freddie Munster and try and reach Herman to warn him. Grandpa ending up in wolf form and chased by fox hunters (Not quite sure how someone can mistake a wolf for a fox, but nevermind).
Conclusion
Overall this is a charming family comedy that stays true to the characters and show, utilizing it’s best aspects while adding in just enough to make it feel unique. It is dated (It’s extremely 60’s) and not the funniest comedy of the era, but the Munsters’ charm is timeless and from this cast it always seems to manifest effortlessly. I’m going to give this a 6/10. Your millage may vary though. If you are a fan of the show and never watched the movies, it is worth checking out. If we weren’t a fan of the show and don’t like 60’s quirky comedies, this is almost certainly not for you.
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