The Munsters: A Trip Down Mockingbird Lane [Paperback]

Stephen Cox (Author), Butch Patrick (Afterword)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2006

If you recognise the famous Mockingbird Lane address, you probably grew up in the 1960's and never missed a chance to see the Munsters. Now, it's time to rediscover Herman and Lily, Grandpa, Eddie and Marilyn in this entertaining, comprehensive look at the first family of fright. A complete episode guide makes "The Munsters" the must-have companion to watching the series on DVD, while hundreds of rare photographs from the archives of Universal Studios plus interviews with cast and crew reveal the deepest, darkest secrets of the Munster family. Foreword by Yvonne DeCarlo (who played the wife, Lily Munster) and Afterword by Butch Patrick (who played the son, Eddie Munster) are included.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Steve Cox has devoted his life to chronicling classic TV. A frequent contributor to the Los Angeles Times and TV Guide, he has written books on The Addams Family (the old-money ghouls), .Gilligan’s Island, Green Acres, The Tonight Show, and many other great shows. He lives in California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Back Stage Books; 1st edition (October 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823078949
• ISBN-13: 978-0823078943
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 0.6 x 10 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #740,536 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fun look behind the scenes of the classic show, December 14, 2006

By 

WRG "Webstercat" (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Munsters: A Trip Down Mockingbird Lane (Paperback)

I thoroughly enjoyed this lavishly illustrated book about everybody's favorite family of ghouls. Author Steve Cox was able to touch base with each of the cast members and many of the behind-the-scenes folks who worked on the show (and the movies), and he weaves the many perspectives into a cohesive and delightful look at the people who made the Munsters what it was (and still is). What becomes clear to me is that although there was some friction and conflict on the set (I leave the details to the devoted reader), these people were professionals who knew how to do their jobs and did them better than anyone else could. Subsequent re-incarnations of the family of 1313 Mockingbird Lane have proved that such show-business lightning doesn't strike twice. I gained great respect for Fred Gwynne in particular, who suffered physically and emotionally during the show...a brilliant performer and a great human being! And Al Lewis-though it's somewhat disturbing to think that I am now older than Mister Lewis was when he portrayed Grandpa, I am dazzled by what he brought to the role. Not content with traipsing out the old Lugosi "I want to suck your blood...blah!" stuff, Mr. Lewis created a unique and loveable character from the ground up. Although he may not have been given carte blanche, he certainly took it and ran with it. Butch Patrick, Yvonne DeCarlo and Pat Priest all knew what would work and surprised you with their brilliant work on the show. In short, a wonderful book about a classic of television history...The Munsters!

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It Ain't Easy Being Green, September 23, 2006

By 

Serious Critic (1313 Mockingbird Lane) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Munsters: A Trip Down Mockingbird Lane (Paperback)

...unless you're "The Munsters", that is.

Steve Cox has done an incredible job updating, redesigning and totally transforming his earlier (and very much sought after) Munsters book from 1989 ("America's First Family of Fright"). With the benefit of new information, even more inside cast info, up-to-date interviews and -- most notably -- hundreds of incredible color and never-before-seen photographs, this book makes the the earlier effort look like a dry run by comparasion. Even the quality and clarity of the images is astounding. And the art direction is flawless.

It's fun and informative. Too bad Fred Gwynne and Al Lewis aren't around. I'm sure even they would have been impressed.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hanging out on Mockingbird Lane, September 3, 2009

By 

Brad F "Catsafterme" (Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Munsters: A Trip Down Mockingbird Lane (Paperback)

I never thought that I had much in common with Howard Stern until I heard that his favorite TV show was "The Munsters". And when I heard that he loved this book by Stephen Cox, I immediately picked it up. What a great volume to have alongside you while you watch these episodes. It is absolutely packed with great photos (many in color and almost all of them rare), behind the scenes stories, and information about the creation of the series. If you have even the slightest interest in The Munsters, you will love this book!