The Addams Family is pure comedy gold, starring the gifted actress Carolyn Jones as Morticia, the aristocratic, sexy, comic witch
The Addams Family is pure comedy gold. There is a variety of amusing monstrous or wican props, as well as a menagerie of family oddballs. However, the success of the show depends entirely on the marvellous Morticia, the character created by former Hollywood film-star, Carolyn Jones.
First, there is the look. Morticia has a long black dress, and long black hair framing a chalk white face. This is supposed to look superficially evil, and she hints that she is a witch. However, Jones is only in her early 30s here, and with her clingy dress and subtle body language, she is able to convey an incredible amount of sexuality. This is aided by the fantastic chemistry with bright & breezy husband, Gomez. One episode ends with them both retiring steamily to the conservatory, where no decent camera may follow.
Next, there is the style. The family live in an old French-style town house, and have old world European manners, servants, a harpsichord, stuffed animal heads, sinister objets d'art, & old family portraits. As well as being a sexy witch, Morticia is every inch the lady.
Then, there is the story-telling. Each episode has a carefully-crafted script & structure. Due to their wealth, the Addams family is quite influential in their small town, despite their extreme quirkiness. This helps to generate a number of plot lines. Other stories arise from the abnormal behaviour of the children, Pugsley, who keeps wild beasts, and Wednesday, who is a precocious mini-Morticia.
Finally, there is the comedy. Morticia rarely makes an intentional joke, but delivers seemingly unintentionally ironic lines in deadpan fashion. Gomez is the more zany comic, with his Gaucho Marx mustache, grin, & cigar. Mad, bad monk, Uncle Fester, and old witch, Grandma, are the comic variety acts. Each episode lasts just over 20 minutes, which is the perfect length for comedy. There is rarely a dull or cliched moment, and the audience is always left wanting more.
The sexy comic witch idea was imitated in the 60s by The Munsters and Bewitched, with some success. However, The Addams Family is comfortably number one, and Morticia's iconic look is the one still copied by today's goths.
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Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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