The Munsters - Lessons In Race Relations

Growing up, I loved the Munsters. A simple television show that was comically based on the Universal Monsters of the 1930s and 40s.  Curiously, as many shows in the 60s, the Munsters blended social commentary cleverly into the show without many realizing it at the time.

The producers of the show decided to have the Munsters be a family similar to the Beavers and many typical sitcom families of this era. However the show had a subtle difference. The neighbors and community  marginalized the Munsters because they "looked" different. Somehow, the Munsters would never realize the intolerance towards them in the show. However the viewers were subjected to the insecurities of people meeting the Munsters for the first time.

Every week, the Munsters provided examples for children that being different was ok. The show reflected the time period it was created. In the 1960's, neighborhoods were becoming integrated, and people were sharply mistrustful of the "new" family on the block if they were different. Schools were being integrated along with neighborhoods. The United States was going through a transition that was both difficult and violent.

I included a documentary of the film with this review. It provides insight into the show and how groundbreaking it was back in the 60s. As a child, little did I know the show was such a treasure.