Halloween with the New Addams Family
Halloween with the New Addams Family | |
---|---|
Ted Cassidy, Carolyn Jones and John Astin in a publicity photo for the special | |
Genre | Halloween television movie |
Written by |
Charles Addams (characters; uncredited) George Tibbles |
Directed by | Dennis Steinmetz |
Starring |
John Astin Carolyn Jones Jackie Coogan Ted Cassidy Jane Rose Lisa Loring Ken Weatherwax Henry Darrow Parley Baer |
Theme music composer | Vic Mizzy |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language(s) | English |
Production | |
Executive producer(s) |
Charles M. Fries Charles W. Fries |
Producer(s) |
David Levy Paul Pieratt (associate producer) |
Cinematography | Jacques R. Marquette |
Editor(s) | Ken Baker |
Running time | 74 minutes |
Production company(s) | Charles Fries Productions |
Release | |
Original network | NBC |
Original release | October 30, 1977 |
Chronology | |
Preceded by | The Addams Family (1973 series) |
Followed by | The Addams Family (1992 series) |
Halloween with the New Addams Family is a 1977 American made-for-television comedy horror film based on the 1964–1966 sitcom The Addams Family which reunited original cast members John Astin, Carolyn Jones, Jackie Coogan, Ted Cassidy, Lisa Loring, Ken Weatherwax and Felix Silla.
Plot
Gomez and Morticia have had two more children, Wednesday Jr. and Pugsley Jr., who strongly resemble their older siblings. Gomez's brother, Pancho, is staying with the family while Gomez attends a lodge meeting in Tombstone, Arizona. Gomez is jealous of his brother, who once courted Morticia. Halloween is near, and Pancho tells the children the legend of the Great Pumpkin-like character of Cousin Shy, who distributes gifts and carves pumpkins for good children on Halloween night. Wednesday (now called "Wednesday Sr.") is home from music academy, where she is studying the piccolo (breaking glass with it). Pugsley (now "Pugsley Sr.") is home from Nairobi medical school, where he is training to be a witch doctor. The family's home has been bugged by a gang of crooks who intend to steal the family fortune. Lafferty, the boss, sends a gang member named Mikey into the house to investigate. Mikey panics and flees after treading on the tail of Kitty Kat the lion. The crooks employ a fake Gomez and Morticia to help in their plans, along with two strong-arm goons, Hercules and Atlas. Gomez returns home for the Halloween party and trimming of the scarecrow. Lafferty poses as Quincy Addams (from Boston) to gain entrance to the house during the party. He has his men tie up Gomez and Morticia and the doubles take their places, confusing Pancho, who is still in love with Morticia, and Ophelia, who is still in love with Gomez. Gomez and Morticia escape (thanks to the "Old Piccolo Game"), and rejoin the party, only to have Lafferty use various methods to try to get rid of them. Lurch scares off the thugs and terrifies Lafferty's other assistant. Fester, trying to be nice, puts Lafferty on the rack. Lafferty tries to escape through the secret passage and steps on Kitty Kat's tail. When the police arrive, the crooks gladly surrender. The Addamses are then free to celebrate Halloween happily, ending the night by singing together in welcome for Cousin Shy.
Cast
- Carolyn Jones – Morticia Addams/Ophelia Frump
- John Astin – Gomez Addams
- Ted Cassidy – Lurch
- Jackie Coogan – Uncle Fester
- Jane Rose – Grandmama
- Lisa Loring – Wednesday Addams Sr.
- Ken Weatherwax – Pugsley Addams Sr.
- Felix Silla – Cousin Itt
- Elvia Allman – Mother Frump
- Henry Darrow – Pancho Addams
- Jennifer Surprenant – Wednesday Jr.
- Ken Marquis – Pugsley Jr.
- Parley Baer – Bones Lafferty
- Patrick Campbell – Louie the Lord
- Vito Scotti – Mikey
- Dean Sothern – Fake Gomez
- Terry Miller – Fake Morticia
- David Johns – Hercules
- Clinton Beyerle – Atlas
- George Ranito Jordan – First cop
- Suzanne Krazna – Countess Dracula
Production
Casting
Blossom Rock who portrayed Grandmama was ill at the time of the production (she died in January 1978, nearly three months after this special aired) causing her role of Grandmama to be portrayed by actress Jane Rose. Character actors Parley Baer and Vito Scotti, who both had recurring roles in the original series, also appeared in the movie, but as different characters than they had portrayed originally.
Home media
In 1989 GoodTimes Home Video released Halloween with the New Addams Family to VHS.