THE ADDAMS FAMILY Volume 2

DVD Review by David Blackwell

DETAILS:  541 minutes (21 episodes on three double sided discs, audio commentary, scene specific commentaries, featurette, interactive featurette, Tombstone Trivia

VIDEO:  1.33:1 (Full Frame)

AUDIO: English Mono, French and Spanish Mono on select episodes

Subtitles:  English, Spanish

STUDIO:  MGM/ 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

RELEASE DATE:  3-27-2007

DISC 1, SIDE A-  THING IS MISSING, CRISIS IN THE ADDAMS FAMILY, LURCH AND THE HARPSICHORD, and MORTICIA, THE BREADWINNER

DISC 1, SIDE B- THE ADDAMS FAMILY AND THE SPACEMAN/ MY SON, THE CHIMP/ MORTICIA'S FAVORITE CHARITY/ PROGRESS AND THE ADDAMS FAMILY

DISC 2, SIDE A-  UNCLE FESTER'S TOUPEE/ COUSIN ITT AND THE VOCATIONAL COUNSELOR/ LURCH, THE TEENAGE IDOL/ THE WINNING OF MORTICIA ADDAMS

DISC 2, SIDE B-   MY FAIR COUSIN ITT, MORTICIA'S ROMANCE Part 1 and 2, MORTICIA MEETS ROYALTY

DISC 3, SIDE A-  GOMEZ, THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE/ COUSIN ITT'S PROBLEM/ HALLOWEEN- ADDAMS STYLE/ MORTICIA, THE WRITER

DISC 3, SIDE B-  MORTICIA, THE SCULPTRESS

THE ADDAMS FAMILY is one of the most wacky and bizarre comedies on TV along with THE MUNSTERS.   The next 21 episodes are presented on three double sided discs.  I think it would have been classier to have them on 3 dual layer DVD-9s with disc art.  It is odd than some episodes don't have French and/or Spanish audio options.  Onto the episodes, it is a mix of various stories with each character getting the spotlight Lurch has at least two while Cousin Itt has fun in at least three and Morticia is involved in a variety of stories.  I just love this show.  It's a mystery why it didn't last longer.  I would love to meet a family like this one of even The Munsters.

SPECIAL FEATURES:  The Addams Family Chronicles author Stephen Cox (unfortunately) repeats info he has said in audio commentaries and featurettes for his audio commentary on MORTICIA MEETS ROYALY while the tongue in cheek scene specific commentaries by Cousin Itt and thing for MY SON, THE CIMP and MY FAIR COUSIN ITT are just for fun and pointless.  A Tombstone Trivia option is available for Part 1 of MORTICIA'S ROMANCE.  Two featurettes on side B of disc 3 amount to one piece of entertainment trivia fluff (the GUEST STAR SEANCE interactive featurette on 10 select guest stars) and MAD ABOUT THE ADDAMS where experts, John Astin, and a fan discuss the history and impact of the show.  Astin said to Stephen Cox the show had to be lighter in tone from the cartoons while everyone agrees that the unique culture of The Addams Family spoke to all different types of cultures.

FINAL ANALYSIS:  Despite the use of double sides discs again, It is great to see the show being released on DVD and THE ADDAMS FAMILY is only one volume away from being finished.  Let's hope the extras are more worthwhile like volume 1 and not so fluffy like volume 2.

this review is (c)4-16-2007 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission (except for excerpts and a link to the review). Look for additional content at http://enterlinemedia.livejournal.com and send all comments to lord_pragmagtic@hotmail.com