LET'S TALK A LITTLE BOOB TUBE FOR HALLOWEEN.
A few years ago, my entire Countdown to Halloween consisted of Halloweeny episodes of TV shows. But somehow I missed talking about this one. Now, I always watched and liked THE MUNSTERS but they will always place second to THE ADDAMS FAMILY in my heart. THE MUNSTERS were a little too sweet while THE ADDAMS FAMILY had sharp wit and an acerbic edge. However, one of my favourite episodes of THE MUNSTERS was this second season show from February 17th, 1966 entitled "Zombo". Directed by Ezra Stone (famous for playing the cracked-voiced Henry Aldrich on radio), "Zombo" is about a TV horror host (you had me at TV horror host) named Zombo (played by the wonderful Louis Nye) whom Eddie Munster adopts as his new hero. Father Herman is a little put out that Eddie thinks more of Zombo than he does of his own father. Eddie wins a visit to the set of the Zombo show and you all probably know what happens next since you've probably ALL seen this episode.
The major reason I hold this episode in such high esteem (and always did even as a kid when the reruns were on) is owed to Louis Nye's fantastic portrayal of Zombo; in and out of make-up. In make-up . . . . I mean, just LOOK at him up there. The teeth and eyes!!!! Positively feral!!!! When I was really little watching this episode, Zombo's appearance was slightly terrifying to me. There's an obvious Lon Chaney "LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT" vibe with his teeth and all. But he's just a fantastic creation visually. Even when he's out of the Zombo make-up (and you know it if you've seen this episode), Louis Nye's portrayal is absolutely heartbreaking! I'm sure I saw this episode in reruns when I was very small -- in the early single digits -- and that image of Zombo has always lurked in the back of my skull. Seriously a wonderful creation!
3 comments:
See, I love The Munsters more. The Addams Family didn't air in reruns when I was a kid, but The Munsters did. So, I grew up with them. Classic fun. I haven't seen but a handful of Addams episodes. Would love to watch the whole run someday. And yes, Zombo is such a crazy good creation. Would have loved him as a true horror movie host!
Ah, that sucks. I was lucky to have both THE MUNSTERS and THE ADDAMS FAMILY constantly in reruns when I was a kid so I watched them both. And don't get me wrong, I liked THE MUNSTERS too; I always watched them both. And THE MUNSTERS also looked fantastic; the sets and costumes were unparalleled with that old Universal look. But I naturally gravitated to the more "wicked" humour of THE ADDAMS FAMILY since I've often described my own personality as like a squirt of lemon to the eye! LOL I just naturally felt more at home at the Addams' residence sharpening an axe on a whetting stone than at 1313 Mockingbird Lane trying to fit in with the straights out there who were no fun at all. Don't try to fit in with them, Munsters!!!! Let your freak flag fly!
I love this episode. I always remember at the end when when Zombo tells Eddie something along the lines of "grow up to be a nice, normal man like your father." I've always loved the Munsters and this episode definitely stands out to me.
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