Munster, Go Home!
 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (June 2015) |
| Munster, Go Home! | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Earl Bellamy |
| Written by | Joe Connelly Bob Mosher George Tibbles Earl Bellamy |
| Produced by | Joe Connelly Bob Mosher |
| Starring | Fred Gwynne Yvonne De Carlo Al Lewis Butch Patrick Debbie Watson Robert Pine Terry-Thomas Hermione Gingold Jeanne Arnold John Carradine |
| Music by | Jack Marshall |
| Distributed by | Universal Studios |
Release date |
|
Running time | 96 mins |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $600,000 |
Munster, Go Home! is a 1966 American film based on the hit 1960s family television sitcom The Munsters. It was directed by Earl Bellamy, who also directed a number of episodes in the series. The film was produced immediately after the television series completed filming for its original run, and included the original cast with the exception of Marilyn, who was played by Debbie Watson.
This film offered audiences an opportunity to see the Munsters in Technicolor rather than the black-and-white format of the television series, but was not a commercial success upon its original theatrical release. It was produced and released at least partly in order to introduce the characters and concept to foreign audiences, seeing as how it came in advance of international syndication for the film's source material (the television series 70-episodes). The film also featured the DRAG-U-LA custom dragster designed by George Barris.[1]
Although most of the film is set in "Shroudshire, England" the automobile racing scenes were shot at the Universal Studios Ranch in Agoura, California.
Plot
Herman Munster (Fred Gwynne) and his wife, Lily (Yvonne De Carlo) learn from Cavanaugh Munster's will that they have inherited an English manor known as Munster Hall in Shroudshire, England, and that Herman has inherited the designation Lord Munster. The family boards the SS United States to England. Herman gets seasick, Marilyn (Debbie Watson) encounters Roger Moresby (Robert Pine), and Grandpa (Al Lewis) gets turned into a wolf upon accidentally consuming a wolf pill. Grandpa is sneaked through customs.
Cousin Grace (Jeanne Arnold) and Freddie (Terry-Thomas) are furious that the American Munsters are getting the house, and that Herman will be Lord Munster instead of Freddie. Grace and Freddie, with the help of Lady Effigie (Hermione Gingold), try to get rid of the Munsters, so the estate can be theirs. The American Munster couple feels right at home when Herman's relatives try to scare them. Freddie disguises himself as a ghost, but screams and runs away when he encounters Herman. Grandpa sneaks out of bed to find out the secret of Munster Hall: a counterfeiting operation is at work in the basement.
Later, Herman enters a race, driving Grandpa's custom dragster, Drag-u-la. Grace and Freddie attempt to interfere with him winning the race, by setting up a plot to kill him. Herman wins the race with the help of Lily. The British Munsters, including their butler, Cruikshank (John Carradine) are all exposed and apprehended by the authorities. Herman captures Freddie and Grace by tossing tires on them. Lady Effigie is sent to Shroudshire's police station with her butler by Lily and Eddie (Butch Patrick). Herman and his family donate the land and Munster Hall to the city. Roger and Marilyn get together and hope to see each other again. Herman and his family head for their American home.
Cast
- Fred Gwynne – Herman
- Yvonne De Carlo – Lily
- Al Lewis – Grandpa
- Butch Patrick – Eddie
- Debbie Watson – Marilyn
- Hermione Gingold – Lady Effigie Munster
- Robert Pine – Roger Moresby
- Terry-Thomas – Cousin Freddie Munster
- Jeanne Arnold – Cousin Grace Munster
- John Carradine – Cruikshank
- Ben Wright – Hennesy
- Richard Dawson – Joey
- Arthur Malet – Alfie
- Maria Lennard – Millie
- Cliff Norton – Herbert
- Diana Chesney – Mrs. Moresby
- Dick Crockett – (uncredited)
- Jack Dodson – Shipmate (uncredited)
- Helen Kleeb – Emily (uncredited)
- Don Knight – (uncredited)
- Laurie Main – (uncredited)
VHS and DVD releases
In 1997, GoodTimes Entertainment released Munster, Go Home! on VHS alongside the 1981 made-for-TV reunion movie The Munsters' Revenge. The VHS version of Munster, Go Home! is presented in an open matte 1:33:1 aspect ratio. In 2001, GoodTimes Entertainment released a DVD version of the film using the same transfer. In 2006, Universal Home Entertainment released a two-feature DVD featuring Munster, Go Home! and The Munsters' Revenge. The Universal transfer is sourced from an original print and presented in its original theatrical 1.85:1 aspect ratio.[1]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Munsters: Two Movie Fright Fest : DVD Talk Review of the DVD Video". Dvdtalk.com. Retrieved 2015-06-12.