Product ReviewsThe Addams Family: Volume 1 (DVD)

Social Justice in the Addams Family

Imagine being able to buy a tiny part of your childhood and relive it whenever you want. That's what I did when I bought The Addams Family TV show on DVD. And I wasn't disappointed.

The first episode is brilliant. John Astin as wild-eyed patriarch Gomez steals the show with his 1920s silent film villain looks. No one grimaces (or dressses) like Jackie Cooper as Uncle Fester. Lurch, the 7-foot groaning butler is unforgettable. Carolyn Jones as matriarch Morticia is curva-licious and delightfully understated. (After seeing "Thing," the helpful, disembodied hand who brings the mail, takes hats, and picks up the phone, my own children grabbed a Kleenex box and played "Thing" for the rest of the evening!)

Shot in black and white, the Addams Family makes good use of the gradations, contrasts, and shadows that only black and white film can give you.

The Addamses were true 1960s non-conformists ... with beautiful manners. Always impeccably hospitable, they never judged their neighbors or guests, no matter how "strange" these gawking visitors were.

In the first episode, a truant officer orders the Addamses to send their children to school. At first, Gomez and Morticia resist. "Why have children just to send them away?" argues Gomez. But they relent.

Their very first day at school, the children come home in tears about a fairy tale they'd been told about a knight in shining armor who slays a dragon. "The poor defenseless dragon!" exclaims mother Morticia, dismayed at the disturbing values her children have just been exposed to.

Gomez pledges to pull their children from school immediately. "That's fine for our children, dear, but what about the others?" says Morticia. So they march up to the school to have a chat with the principal. I'd forgotten the social justice issues that found their way even into the Addams Family show!

Another thing I noticed for the first time was the lustiness between Gomez and his wife, Morticia. Now I know why my mom would giggle that way when my dad would grab her hand and say, "Speak French to me, 'Tish!" and kiss up her arm as if it were a corn on the cob dressed in black. But not in front of the children.

One thing I didn't like about this collection is that I can't be sure whether I have all the episodes. Do I have only "the best of"? Do I have one full season and part of the next? I don't know. But I still enjoyed every bit of it, and I'm gonna relive it -- I mean, watch it, again.Read full review...

Not brand new!

This is clearly a used set.it came dirty with minor scratches and finger prints on the discs.all it had was a sticker holding the case shut.more like good condition not brand new! It's still a good set for the price,but the description should say good condition!Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: 01241990

Predictable Repetitive Episodes

The show was cancelled after two seasons which tells the tail, the show wasn't very good. As a kid I loved the Addams family but as an adult I found myself bored after watching the first three or four episodes. Each episode is pretty much the same, a visitor is met by Lurch who grabs their hat in his big paws, Thing opens up his trap door for various reasons, the bear rug growls, Grandma hangs out in the dungeon or brings a smoking cup of something, Fester lights up, the kids play with various critters, an Gomez chews on Morticia's arm or neck, and we never get to far from the living room with its variety of oddities. I did buy both seasons for nostalgic reasons but doubt that I watch them much.Read full review...

Zany and stlll wonderful

I used to watch The Addams Family when I was a kid and my Dad still talks about it (we were a strange family, what can I say) so I bought this set for him. I had such a great time watching all the old episodes. It was just as good, just as twisted, and just as funny as I remember it, but it was more fun than ever because of all the little innuendos and play between Morticia and Gomez. Classic fun for the weird!Read full review...

Humorous family entertainment

No monsters or magic, just eccentric humor in an old gothic house. Wonderfully subtle humor and acting. In my opinion, it is head and shoulders above The Munsters.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: thegraysun

good value....so far

problem with rating something like this is I just started watching the episodes . So far excellent (but you never know)

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: moviemars

adams family volume 1

picture is quality,very very clear.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: goodwill_colora...

Addams family

Very happy with product I now have the complete series thank you

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: importcds-ca

Great

Fast and great product

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: decluttr_store

The Addams Family Season 1

Arrived on time great price

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: decluttr_store