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by Rosemary Benton
Roll 'em!
Television this year has been a dry well in terms of new programming. With the exception of Jeopardy on NBC and the extremely fun variety show Hollywood Palace there haven't been any new programs to really dig into. Granted, most networks don't add new material until September and October roll around, but ever since the finale of The Twilight Zone and with the impending finale of Outer Limits next year, September could not get here fast enough. Given the wealth of new science fiction and horror programs scheduled to debut this month one can only hope that one of these new series will fill the void of these two departing titans of science-fiction/horror TV.
Since the beginning of the year when TV Guide's first January 1964 issue came out there has been significant buzz circulating about this year's September lineup. In particular five shows premiering this month promise to be a real thrill: the action-adventure cartoon Jonny Quest, undersea science fiction adventure series Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, the charming and fantastical Bewitched, and the kooky horror-themed family sitcoms The Addams Family and The Munsters.
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, premiering Monday 9/14
This might not be the best example of quality science fiction television coming out this Fall, given its direct connection to the poorly written 1961 nautical science-fiction movie of the same name. But Irwin Allen (writer, director and producer of the 1961 film) is convinced that this is a worthwhile premise for an ongoing adventure series on ABC, and since most of the sets from the movie were apparently still in storage I'm sure that saved the production companies (Cambridge Productions, Inc. and 20th Century Fox Television) a ton of money. The fact that the show will be in black and white certainly can't hurt the budget either.
As Irwin is a director infamous for his liberal use of stock footage, and given that the movie sets are going to be reused for the TV show, I am hesitant to put much faith in the further low-budget adventures of the S.S.R.N. Seaview and her crew. I wouldn't say that Irwin Allen is a stellar talent as a writer, either, the abysmal plot and bizarre science of the 1961 movie being the most concerning threats to the success of this show. But I can at least rest easy knowing that Voyage is just one of this Fall's science fiction, fantasy and horror show lineup.
Bewitched, premiering Thursday 9/17
Bewitched is a lighthearted sitcom centered around the misadventures of newly married witch Samantha (played by Elizabeth Montgomery) to well meaning but insecure Darrin Stephens (played by Dick York). Situational comedy will abound as Samantha tries to adapt to living in the mortal world, and we will surely get a good laugh out of Darrin's attempt to reconcile with a wife who is not only more powerful than him, but whose mother is determined to make his life miserable.
As if the versatile, powerful acting of Agnes Moorehead as the nosy and witchy mother of Montomery's character wasn't reason enough to tune into this show on the 17th, Bewitched's executive producer is the highly successful network executive and program developer Harry Ackerman. His time as the executive producer on the wildly popular family shows Dennis the Menace and Leave it to Beaver has surely given him invaluable experience managing sitcoms. And with his legion of connections within the entertainment industry I would be shocked if the best and brightest talents weren't brought on board for Bewitched. This show, although advertised as rather fluffy, will undoubtedly become a family favorite.
Jonny Quest, premiering Friday 9/18
Jonny Quest is the next science-fiction themed show of note set to premier this month. Upon its 9/18 release on ABC at 7:30 PM EST Jonny Quest will be the 11th animated television series (closely preceded by their 10th series debut The Peter Potamus Show on September 16th) from the powerhouse duo William Hanna and Joseph Barbera of Hanna-Barbera Productions, Inc. From the look of the artwork provided to advertise for the show, this is going to be a very different series in tone and direction compared to earlier Hanna-Barbera creations.
It isn't unfair to characterize the vast majority of Hanna-Barbera shows as goofy looking and brimming with slap-stick humor. Their characters are usually bulbous and colorful with expressive, over the top movements clearly designed to be amusing to young children. Jonny Quest, on the other hand, looks like a comic book come to life!
If one is familiar with science fiction-fantasy anthologies like Alarming Tales from Harvey Comics and DC Comics' Tales of the Unexpected, or any number of western titles from Atlas Comics, then you might recognize the tell tale heavy shadowing and strong jawlines signature to veteran comic book artist and writer Douglas Wildey. To develop the cast and tone for the series Hanna-Barbera brought in this perfectly suited talent to work some artistic magic. It is my sincere hope that this series, with its crisp art and larger budget, will be to Hanna-Barbera what Superman was to Fleischer Studios.
Since writers in comic books are unfortunately not often credited, it's not really feasible to point to a significant number of Wildey's writing assignments in order to predict what type of voice he will bring to the scripts for the show. However, given William Hanna and Joseph Barbera's comments on the upcoming series in their TV Guide interview with Dwight Whitney, I imagine it's safe to say that the signature wacky antics of Hanna-Barbera Productions' earlier works will be tamped down in favor of more gripping story telling. Barbera did say, “If a kid leaves his seat, I'll eat the chair”, after all.
The Addams Family, premiering Friday 9/18
The 18th is going to be a red letter day. Not only do we get Jonny Quest at 7:30 EST on ABC, but at 8:30 EST we get the show I am personally the most excited for – The Addams Family! At long last Charles Addams' New Yorker cartoon about an eccentric and socially clueless gothic family is going to make the jump to film!
Charles Addams did not flesh out his individual characters too much following their initial appearance in 1938. The single panel comics instead focused on the odd juxtaposition of the grandiose macabre behavior of the Addams clan and the astonishment expressed by their wholly average neighbors. Despite the chaos or discomfort that follows in their wake, the Addams' always proceed with unconcerned or oblivious confidence. If the writers can maintain this aloof quality to the central cast of the Addams household then they will have done their job well.
In terms of casting I couldn't think of anyone more fitting to play Morticia Addams than the slim, angularly beautiful Carolyn Jones. John Astin, with his similarly angular face, large eyes and overly enthusiastic smile, is the perfect choice for Gomez Addams. Visually the black and white filming of the show will be right at home with both the macabre fashion sense of the titular family, but it will allow for possible satire of the horror genre as it is now – with Victorian motifs coming off as cliché, and a nostalgic pining for the Universal Studios monsters of the early-mid 20th century.
The Munsters, premiering Thursday 9/24
“Science-Fiction Times” issue 418 sneeringly describes the simultaneous September release of The Addams Family and The Munsters as proof of “just how derivative things can get on TV”. Undeniably, The Munsters is CBS' rival programming to The Addams Family. The main characters in The Munsters are also an extended family of morbid weirdoes living in a crumbling towering manor that is out of place in the nice suburban neighborhood surrounding it. And true, there is a witchy mother figure, along with an eccentric uncle and a Frankenstein's monster-type character.
What immediately stands out between the two shows is one glaringly different character. While the Addams family is unanimous in their attire and foreboding nature, the Munsters' household includes a young conventionally attractive woman. Marilyn Munster (played by Beverly Owen) is a white sheep among dark horses. In sitcoms such a character serves the role of showing contrast and causing plot conflicts. I predict that the main way that this show will stand on its own against The Addams Family by readily acknowledging what the Addams do not – that they are different and that not all of society can coexist harmoniously with theirs.
In some ways this could be viewed as a more mature route to take a sitcom, but I don't think TV audiences need to be worried about The Munsters getting too heavy. After all, the makeup on Herman Munster (played by Fred Gwynne) more closely resembles layered blocks of acrylic paint than makeup designed to look gaunt and sickly. Gwynne's constant dopey grin and hooded eyes also lend a comedic air to his character. Al Lewis' grandfather character is likewise hilariously designed to look like an elderly Dracula ala Bela Lugosi who has really let himself go in the last hundred or so years. Yes, it is superficially similar to The Addams Family, but unless the evidence proves otherwise I think we can safely assume that the two shows will be distinct enough to warrant recognition for their own individual strengths.
Final Thoughts
It seems that for now science-fiction and horror on television will be predominantly paired with a heavy helping of comedy. The use of these genres to critique social concepts will continue unhindered in Bewitched, The Addams Family, and The Munsters, but if the most “serious” science-fiction we can expect this fall is coming from Irwin Allen then it seems like we will need to wait a little longer for the spiritual successor to Twilight Zone and Outer Limits. In the meantime young viewers can enjoy the adventures of the Quest family, and the whole family can tune in to the antics of three new paranormal families trying to make their way in American suburbia. It may be a campy, kooky, and spooky year of TV, but at least it will be fun.
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Since the only other film from Irwin Allen with which I am familiar is "Five Weeks in a Balloon," which wasn't very good, I don't have high hopes for this underwater adventure.
"Jonny Quest" looks like quite a departure for Saturday morning cartoons. I may have to act like a kid and sit in front of the TV eating cereal when it comes on.
It's interesting to note that all three of the fantasy sitcoms feature a real movie star in the cast. Agnes Moorehead, of course, goes back at least as far as "Citizen Kane," and should add some class to the series. Carolyn Jones, besides being very striking in appearance, is quite a fine actress, as anybody who saw her Academy Award nominated performance as "the existentialist" in "The Bachelor Party" can attest. Glamour girl Yvonne De Carlo should add a touch of spice to her new series.
As far as the premises of the shows go . . .
"Bewitched" reminds me a lot of the novel "The Passionate Witch" by Thorne Smith, author of "Topper" and other mildly bawdy fantasy comedies. The movie made from the book, "I Married a Witch," was quite good, so I have hopes for this one. I might detect a touch of the stage play/film "Bell, Book, and Candle" as well, which would be a good thing.
The macabre drawings of Charles Addams are unique. I only hope the series can capture some of his dark wit, which might be a little too gruesome for American television.
"The Munsters" looks to capitalize on the craze in recent years for the classic Universal horror films, thanks to "Shock Theater." Might be fun for those of us who are fond of these old-fashioned fright flicks.
It will be ages before I have an opportunity to see any of these, of course. But I certainly won't go looking for "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea". The movie was dreadful, and so was everything else I've seen from Irwin Allen, like "The Lost World".
Jonny Quest looks like it could be a fun throwback to the old adventure serials combined with some James Bond stuff. I'm not a big Hanna-Barbera fan, but maybe they can pull this off.
As Victoria said, Bewitched looks like it was heavily inspired by "Bell, Book and Candle". That's more accurate than my first thought of "Conjure Wife". I would expect a lot of mother-in-law jokes.
The Munsters looks like standard situation comedy dressed up for Halloween. Dad will be a dope (a change of pace for Fred Gwynne), the kids will be precocious, and mom will secretly run everything while making Dad think he's in charge. It's an old formula that works.
The Addams Family looks like the one I'll make an effort to get to see. If they can get even halfway to Charles Addams's sense of humor, it should be great. And I do believe that bald fellow is Jackie Coogan all growed up.
I finished this article and was immediately struck by the question: What changed? We have, after all, been absolutely drowning in Westerns and War-themed shows, and such sitcoms as we have seen have been mostly of ordinary family type: My Three Sons, Leave it to Beaver, Ozzie and Harriet, Dennis the Menace, for example. Why this sudden fascination with the supernatural? Obviously, there is the argument that one studio had an idea and others jumped on the bandwagon, but the idea has to be appealing enough to be copied for anyone to copy it. And while the "wacky family" with sff element idea isn't entirely new (My Favorite Martian is going into its second season this year, after all) this strongly supernatural/magical grounding is something I don't remember seeing before in an ongoing family show. I wonder what caused the sudden surge in this new genre?
It may not be that much of a surge. Bewitched may not have much DNA in common with the other two shows. As for Munsters and Addams Family, maybe it was like what happened with X-Men and The Doom Patrol, both of them arising from the same pitch.
Or maybe the Addams announcement went out last year and Munsters is a race to compete.
I very likely won't get to see any of these shows anytime soon, but that does look like an interesting line-up and makes a welcome change from the glut of westerns and cop shows.
The Jonny Quest cartoon looks great. And since I actually liked the Voyage to the Bottom to the Sea movie for what it was, the show might be interesting. I'm not much of a sitcom person, though Bewitched looks fun. Not sure about The Munsters and The Addams Family. I suspect they're too similar for both shows to thrive. I suspect the established characters may give The Addams Family the edge over the competition. That said, I'm glad to see both Yvonne de Carlo and Carolyn Jones still active and working.
Of course, it will probably be years until I get to see any of these shows, so I'll settle down and watch Hafenpolizei and Stahlnetz instead.