The Munsters want to meet the family of Marilyn’s newest boyfriend. And so they invite them to a party that they’re throwing. A Munster Masquerade party!
Munster Masquerade – The Munsters season 1 Originally aired September 23, 1964.
The Munsters invite Marilyn’s boyfriend to visit the house. But he’s shy to enter the scary-looking house. So, he convinces his parents to invite the Munsters to their upcoming masquerade party. The first (aired) episode.
Herman Munster: If there’s anything that’s disturbs me, Lily, it’s the idea of grown people, like us, dressing up in costume and looking ridiculous.
But, for the sake of his “homely” niece Marilyn, he agrees to do just that. He’ll attend as King Arthur (with his face mask covering his face until the end), Lily as Little Bo Peep, Marilyn as Priscilla to her boyfriend’s John Alden, and Grandpa (after multiple attempts) as Napoleon Bonarte. Eddie’s going to stay home with the babysitter, who never quite sees him since he’s been sent to his room for bedtime. But she hears the howling …
Lily Munster: [to the babysitter] Well, goodnight Mrs. Morton, make yourself at home. Oh, and if Eddie’s pet Spotty comes scratching at the backdoor, don’t let him in. Last time he ate the sofa.
At the party, Grandpa’s flirting with the hostess — who thinks that he’s already tipsy, since he’s talking about his 167 previous wives. Lily’s having a good time, dancing with someone, who thinks that she’s so light on her feet, it’s as though she’s dancing on air. Which she is!
Herman accidentally insults the host, who’s dressed up as Frankenstein’s Monster:
Herman Munster: Uhm, I can’t quite place you, Mr. Daly, but you remind me of someone I know.
Tom Daly: Really?
Herman Munster: It’s a shame, Mr. Daly, you couldn’t get a costume for your own masquerade party.
Despite that, Hermann actually wins the masquerade contest, when he removes the helmet, to reveal his actual face. Which the other guests think is another mask! But Lily’s offended, and everyone heads home. There, Marilyn’s date takes her home, and goes inside for a moment — and sees Herman and Lily without their costumes. And exits screaming!
Herman Munster: [Marilyn’s date, Albert has just run off with his hair standing up in fright] I must say there was something strange about that boy. He had the weirdest hairdo I’ve ever seen.
Review
In all, the very first episode of The Munsters is very fun, and a good introduction to the series. It’s interesting to see how the makeup changes slightly over time. And Herman becomes more childlike as well.
Cast of characters
- Yvonne De Carlo (Band of Angels) … Lily Munster
- Al Lewis (Munster, Go Home!) … Grandpa
- Beverley Owen … Marilyn Munster
- Butch Patrick (Here Come the Munsters) … Eddie Munster
- Fred Gwynne (Car 54 Where Are You? Season 1) … Herman Munster
- Linden Chiles … Tom Daly
- Mabel Albertson … Agnes Daly
- Frank Wilcox (The Greatest Show on Earth; The Beverly Hillbillies) … Albert Daly
- Lurene Tuttle (The Ghost and Mr. Chicken; Never Wave at a WAC) … Mrs. Morton
- Walter Woolf King (Swiss Miss; Go West) … George Washington
Additional cast
- Mel Blanc (The Man called Flintstone; Neptune’s Daughter) … The Raven (voice) (uncredited)
- Arthur Tovey … Waiter (uncredited)