![]() It’s also worth noting that Grandpa occasionally shapeshifts into a winged bat-like creature when he’s about to feed, resulting in a few instances of remarkably dated computer graphics. It’s a shame that the production didn’t allow for more practical effects, as complex elements like Eddie’s werewolf form and the pet dragon reveal are depicted through low-budget digital imagery. I particularly enjoyed Herman’s fake-out introduction, which frames his silhouette like a square-headed Frankenstein’s monster only to reveal a lightly-scarred father figure when he steps into the light. While a single 40-minute episode doesn’t allow for the kind of character development that made the original show a hit, Mockingbird Lane had plenty of potential for both traditional sitcom stories like dealing with prejudice and family drama as well as tongue-in-cheek homages to classic horror films. From his gaudy outfits to his nonchalant approach to bloodshed, Grandpa’s sarcastic remarks and vampiric outbursts are clearly the glue that hold this special together. Heavily implied to be Count Dracula himself (he even bakes D-shaped cookies for the neighbors), Izzard’s interpretation of the geriatric vampire simply takes Al Lewis’ sardonic personality traits and dials them up to 11, resulting in the most entertaining character of the lot. The family is also joined by the legendary Eddie Izzard, who turns in a highly memorable performance as the wise-cracking Grandpa. Ironically, these idiosyncrasies make her stand out alongside her misfit relatives, though it’s clear that the others are disappointed with her “condition” as a regular human. Lily’s niece Marilyn ( Charity Wakefield) is the only character that appears to have been directly transplanted from the original show, complete with 60s-styled mannerisms and a wardrobe to match. While Mockingbird Lane retains her characterization as a loving yet fiery-tempered housewife, this version of Lily leans heavily into the seductive Vampiress trope (though the costume design sadly ditches the goth-friendly outfits of Yvonne De Carlo). ![]() Played by Arrested Development favorite Portia de Rossi, Lily Munster also underwent a visual overhaul. ![]() While Jerry retains the character’s (quite literal) soft heart, this version of the show sees him struggling to come to terms with the family’s darker side. Jerry O’Connell ( Scream 2, Piranha 3D) takes over as a decidedly sexier Herman Munster, looking more like an undead model than a jolly Boris Karloff knock-off. Oblivious to his inherited bloodthirsty tendencies, Eddie isn’t the only one to undergo an edgy makeover. Taking inspiration from Fuller’s previous work on morbid comedies like Dead Like Me and Pushing Daisies, Mockingbird Lane attempted to apply an even darker coat of paint over the usually cheerful family, playing around with their monstrous qualities while also updating the characters for a new generation.įrom the opening scene, which reveals Eddie Munster ( Mason Cook) in a less-cuddly version of his werewolf form, it’s clear that Mockingbird Lane was willing to remix familiar characters in order to tell a more modern story. The basic setup remains the same, with the Munster family moving into their iconic mansion and dealing with nosy neighbors and supernatural hijinks, but the presentation is completely different. Originally airing as a Halloween Special back in 2012, Mockingbird Lane was actually the failed Pilot episode for a proposed revival of the iconic sitcom, this time re-imagined as a gothic drama with a humorous twist. Naturally, I’m referring to Bryan Fuller‘s Mockingbird Lane, a darkly humorous re-imagining of The Munsters produced by NBC. While the latest of these projects is Rob Zombie’s upcoming cinematic adaptation, there’s an often-overlooked incarnation of America’s spookiest neighbors that I think deserves more attention. That’s why it’s no surprise that they’ve also survived numerous attempts at reboots and remakes. ![]() Based on tropes and characters from the Universal Monster movies, this lovable family of misfits has been entertaining audiences for almost 60 years. When it comes to Gateway Horror, it’s hard to name a better example than The Munsters. ![]()
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