October 30, 2023

Happy Herman Munster Halloween!

Fred Gwynne starred as the iconic Herman Munster 
in the classic 1960’s TV show, The Munsters 

Dear Readers,
Before sharing with you photos of my visit to Fred Gwynne’s final resting place,
I must preface this October 2023 blog post with a full disclosure…
The photos at the cemetery and church property, below, were taken on my visit one year ago, in October 2022. 
I had intended to revisit this cemetery again this month, prior to the writing of this post, and taking new photos. But… the time got away from me. That being the case, sit back and enjoy a little Herman Munster fun with this Halloween post.
Happy Trick-or-treating,
.

The Munsters
1964-1966
Two seasons
+ Two movies with the three original adult cast members

The original cast of The Munsters (1964)

Butch Patrick as Eddie, Beverly Owen as Marilyn,
Al Lewis as Grandpa,
Yvonne DeCarlo as Lily,  and Fred Gwynn as Herman Munster

The 1960’s was the decade of the classic TV sitcom.  One of the gems, of the comedy genre of those years, was The Munsters.  Originally inspired by the producer’s young son, who was into monster movies at the time, and with the producer having previously helped to create the popular family TV show Leave It To Beaver (1957-1963), The Munsters (1964-1966) was born.  The Munsters is a fun mash-up (mash-up being my pun-nod to the oft played song at Halloween, Monster Mash) of suburban family meets a spoofed and gentler version of Universal’s monster line-up.  The loving monster family of The Munsters includes Frankenstein/Herman, Vampire/Lily, Dracula/Grandpa, and Werewolf/Eddie.  There are times, it seems to me, that a script, or two, actually heavily borrows from a previous Leave it to Beaver script, being reworked to fit into The Munsters’ framework.

The popular family show Leave It To Beaver (1957-1963)

A light-hearted take on the family sitcom, that could often be found on television at the time, The Munsters even mirrors the opening credits of The Donna Reed Show’s (1958-1966), another popular TV show at the time.

The Donna Reed Show (1958-1966), another popular TV show at the time.

The First Marilyn, Beverly Owen

At this point, I must acknowledge actress Beverly Owen.  Not only does she have the distinction of portraying the first sweet Marilyn on The Munsters, but she is also a fellow alum of my high school in Iowa! ( No, unfortunately, I did not have the privilege of meeting her, as she graduated over twenty years ahead of me. ) 

Owen was only to star in the first 13 episodes of The Munsters, as she married and moved away halfway into the first season.  (Her husband, Jon Stone, was a writer for the children’s program Captain Kangaroo, and would go on to co-found another children’s program, that you may have heard of, Sesame Street.)  

In a sweet story, as told in the book The Munsters: A Trip Down Mockingbird Lane, by Stephen Cox, Owen’s employers were resistant to her leaving the show, holding her to her contract.  It was only through the support and persuasion of fellow co-stars Fred Gwynne and Al Lewis that the producers relented, allowing Owen to marry, move, and leave the show.  She was replaced by actress Pat Priest.

Beverly Owen poses for this Munsters publicity photo, between,
Al Lewis (left) and Fred Gwynne (right)

Fred Gwynne, the One and Only, Herman Munster

Fred Gwynne as Herman Munster
on the cover of my Season 2 DVD set

Fred Gwynne played the perfect Herman Munster. He struck just the right balance between a terrifying-looking Frankenstein and a devoted father and husband with a heart of gold, all wrapped up with a child-like innocence. Gwynne made you believe that he WAS Herman Munster, and doing it all while wearing about 40 pounds extra padding for his costume!

Playing this character so convincingly, often left Gwynne “type-cast” later on, however.  
On one occasion, Gwynne walked off a potential part (on Punky Brewster), when the casting director referred to him, not by name, but as “Herman Munster” on the set.
(Read about that here.)

Later on in his career, when asked about what roles were his favorites, he mentioned some, and then interjected,
“And I might as well tell you the truth. I love old Herman Munster,” he said.
“Much as I try not to, I can’t stop liking that fellow.”

We all love Herman!

For a couple of well- written and informative articles on Fred Gwynne, go here and here.

Fred Gwynne‘s Final Resting Place

Frederick Hubbard Gwynne
July 10, 1926 – July 2, 1993

It was last year, when I learned that Fred Gwynne is buried in my “neck of the woods”,
I had known that Fred Gwynne lived in Maryland, with his (second) wife, during his final years, but little more.  Thanks to the magic of the Internet, I learned that Gwynne is in an unmarked grave in Finksburg, Maryland.  Along with my son and daughter in-law, we set out to visit Gwynne’s final resting place one beautiful autumn afternoon.

The drive through the countryside was beautiful, as autumn was in full swing.
 October 2022.

The older part of the pretty Sandy Mount United Methodist Church
and the sign (below) that stands nearby.
The cemetery is behind here.

Sandy Mount
United Methodist Church
1827-1977

An original one acre was deeded in 1827 by
 Allen and Susannah Baker.  Civil War issues
divided the congregation in 1856 and Pleasant
Grove Church was founded.  A log meeting house
was replaced in 1867 by a stone structure
built of local field stones gathered by church
families.  Formal incorporation came in 1868.  
A bell and belfry were added in the 1890’s.
The congregation rejoined with Pleasant Grove
in 1943.  An education building was erected in
1958.  The present sanctuary was completed 
in 1974.  In the new church tower hangs the original bell.

Exploring the area of Fred Gwynne’s unmarked grave.

The cemetery is in a quiet and peaceful location.

My Munsters Recommendations

With Halloween right around the corner, The Munsters are a great choice for not-so scary holiday watching.  Here are a couple of my recommendations.

My Munster DVD Collection

Although, most any of The Munsters programs from its two seasons will not disappoint, my favorite is actually the Thanksgiving episode from the first season, Low-Cal Munster.  
We can all relate to Herman, as he attempts to curb his eating on Thanksgiving day.  
Paul Lynde guest stars as Herman’s family doctor.

Fred Gwynne and Paul Lynde star in the hilarious
Season 1, Episode 6 of
Low-Cal Munster

Every October, I dust off my copy of the 1966 full-length movie, Munster go Home!
I find it, just plain, fun and silly.  Several guest stars are seen throughout, including
Terry-Thomas (Disney’s animated Robin Hood), Richard Dawson (Family Feud), and Robert Pine ( Chip’s and actor Chris Pine’s father).

While I enjoy The Munster’s first movie, Munsters go Home!  I recommend bi-passing the second film made several years later in 1981, The Munster’s Revenge. The later, having lost the charm displayed in the earlier film and series.

Every October, I dust off my copy of the 1966 full-length movie, 
Munster go Home!

Previous Halloween Posts

Key Lime Pie, a New Halloween Tradition

Halloween, Not-too Scary, Movie Watching Fun

A Halloween Movie/TV Show Checklist

Autumn in October: Young Frankenstein, a Not-So-Scary Halloween, and Pumpkin Cake…

Happy Not -So- Very- Scary Halloween

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 The lesson I want you to learn is, it doesn’t matter what you look like.
You can be tall or short, or fat or thin, or ugly or handsome, like your father. Or you can be black or yellow or white… it doesn’t matter.
What does matter is the size of your heart and the strength of your character.

-Herman Munster to his son, Eddie

This quote is from Season 1, Episode 19,
Eddie’s Nickname

The photo is from Season 1, Episode 9
Knock Wood, Here Comes Charlie