Semi Off Topic: The Munsters and Rob Zombie

[Uncle Roger]

The Munsters and Rob Zombie? Sounds like the ultimate psychotronic mix, doesn't it? Well, it may be headed to movie theaters soon. Zombie is supposed to be directing a contemporary remake of the 1960's series. I'm not overly familiar with Zombie's movies. They are apparently much gorier than my usual taste. But he claims to be a big fan and has the blessing of Butch Patrick. No word yet from Pat Priest.
No casting has been announced for the major parts but Elvira/Cassandra Peterson may be playing a supporting role, possibly as Elvira. I would not be surprised if Zombie's wife, Sheri Moon Zombie, ends up as Lily.
Zombie is about the last person that I would expect to be involved in a (hopefully) family friendly project. But this will definitely be interesting.

[Mysterious Benefactor]

I'm more of an Addams Family fan (as one of my recent posts probably revealed) but t could certainly prove interesting to see Rob Zombie's take on The Munsters. I'd watch...

Thanks for sharing the news, Uncle Roger...

[Mysterious Benefactor]

Rob Zombie Shares First Look at The Munsters Remake: 'Newly Completed 1313 Mockingbird Lane'

[Mysterious Benefactor]

First look at Cassandra 'Elvira' Peterson in Rob Zombie's reboot of The Munsters
Actress joins Jeff Daniel Phillips, Sheri Moon Zombie, and Dan Roebuck in cast of reboot.

[Mysterious Benefactor]

Rob Zombie is disinterring horror host character Zombo for his Munsters movie
The director announced that "The man... the myth... the legend" will return in his adaptation of the '60s show.

[Uncle Roger]

Pat Priest, who played niece Marilyn in the original series, will be in the new film. Probably just a cameo. Priest hasn't acted in decades so that could be interesting. No word if Butch Patrick will join her.

[Bob_the_Bartender]

Uncle Roger,

When I was a kid, I had a crush on BOTH of the Marilyn Munsters, first, Beverley Owen, and, then Pat Priest, as the “homely” member of the Munster family.

As with DS, most of the cast of “The Munsters’” cast is now gone, with only Pat Priest (age 85) and the irrepressible Butch “Eddie Munster” Patrick, who is now 68-years-old. (Man, does that make me feel old!)

You know, it’s too bad that Carolyn did not think to provide Adam with a portable tv, while he was hiding out in the West Wing of Collinwood. I can just see Adam chilling out, and almost in a euphoric state as he watched “The Addams Family,” but especially, the beloved series, “The Munsters.”

I bet Adam would have been brought to tears, watching the loving relationships between Grandpa, Marilyn, Eddie and particularly between Herman and Lily Munster, the wonderful parents Adam WOULD have wanted if he had not been sewn together by the brilliant, but cold-hearted Dr. Eric Lang. Talk about a tear-inducing episode of “Dark Shadows”! 

[Uncle Roger]

I was quite surprised to see Beverley Owen pop up on Another World as Dr. Paula McRae in the early 1970's. She was on the show for a couple of years. Beverley wasn't a blonde any more; I'm sure that she wore a wig as Marilyn. But her voice was instantly recognizable.

And Pat Priest still looked beautiful when she showed up on The Mary Tyler Moore Show as Sue Ann's sister Lila.

[Bob_the_Bartender]

Pat Priest was in the film, “Easy Come, Easy Go,” with Elvis Presley. I remember reading in Bruce Dern’s autobiography (an actor, who, incidentally, would have been great as a guest star on DS), that he dated the lovely Ms. Priest for some time.

It was odd that the producers cast another actress as Marilyn Munster in the film, “Munster Ho Home.” Apparently, they somehow thought that Pat Priest was too old to portray Marilyn  Munster in the film. 

[Uncle Roger]

Universal Studios apparently felt that Pat Priest was too old to play Marilyn in Munster, Go Home, as the character was still supposed to be a college student. So they recast the part with Debbie Watson, one of their contract players. Watson, who had previously starred in two Universal TV shows, Karen and Tammy, married not long afterwards and left show business completely.
Interesting bit of trivia related to Pat Priest: her mom was Ivy Baker Priest, former United States Treasurer. Her signature appeared on all US currency for several years.

[Bob_the_Bartender]

The late Al Lewis, who was played Count Dracula on “The Munsters,” was a wonderful comedic actor. Grandpa was my favorite character on the show.

Some guy I went to school with lived out on Staten Island; he told me that Mr. Lewis had a disco there, named, “Grandpa’s,” what else? Mr. Lewis was often there to greet and schmooze with his customers.

Mr. Lewis also had a restaurant in Manhattan. My brother-in-law and his wife ate there one night. He said that Mr. Lewis would come over to each table, asking if his customers enjoyed their meals, and telling everyone to call him, “Grandpa.” Mr. Lewis couldn’t’t have been more gracious and affable.

Al Lewis was also a semi-regular on “The Howard Stern Show.” He was as funny and irreverent on Stern’s tv and radio shows as the late, great Dennis Patrick was at the old Dark Shadows Festivals.

[Uncle Roger]

I ate at Grandpa's once. Al Lewis escorted everyone to their table and was an extremely gracious host.

I didn't care all that much for the restaurant itself. It was extremely cramped. You couldn't pull your chair back very far or you'd collide with people at the next table. The menu was pretty minimal, basic Italian food that you could get at your local bistro for a lot less money.

I'm glad that I went, just for the experience. But I never had any interest in going back.

[Mysterious Benefactor]

The Munsters make a very colorful return in teaser trailer for Rob Zombie's movie
Herman, Lily, and Grandpa Munster return in big screen version of beloved sitcom.

[Mysterious Benefactor]

The Munsters: Rob Zombie's Movie Prequel Releases Full Trailer

Looks like fun. And it's good that it's a prequel...

[Uncle Roger]

I guess that explains why the Marilyn and Eddie characters aren't appearing.