Addams Chronicles: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Addams Family

by Stephen Cox

Takes a behind-the scenes look at the "Addams Family," explores the show's beginning, the characters and actors that brought it to life, and cartoonist Charles Addams, it's creator

Genres: Nonfiction, Tv, Humor

205 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[Michael P. · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is half a book. There is much more of this story to be told that the author does not bother telling. Instead, he settles for superficially dipping into the story here and there, making TV Guide-like lists, and otherwise not giving readers what they ought to get from a book that claims to reveal what happened behind the scenes of this TV show. Whole subjects are not covered, such as the publicity for the show and how the actors participated in that, network censorship, and the reason for a change in direction during the casting process. Addams products are listed without explanations. You see on the list "Addams Family Cartoon Kit," but author Cox does not explain what this is and the name of the product does not indicate what it is, so we do not know. An Addams special that did not in include the original cast barely gets two sentences.

This is half a book so half the stars, right? You cannot give two and a half, so error on the side of generosity? I usually do, but there is a rather bad error, so I must go in the other direction. Composer Vic Mizzy claims to have invented the word "ookie" for the theme music, when, if fact, the word was used in a Dorris Day film the year before when her character's daughter says she does not like her shampoo because it "feels ookie." Carl Reiner wrote that script, so I presume that Carl Reiner should be credited with inventing that word, unless it is even older. I have to wonder what else is wrong in this book that I don't know about? I hope somebody writes a great book about the Addams Family someday. This isn't it.

[Andrew · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've had this book for a long time and often glanced through it, but never sat down and read it from cover to cover. Having now done so I would suggest that it is a very lightweight book that really only has niche interest (i.e. for fans of 'The Addams Family, of course, and TV cultists).

Cox has had to pad out the book with a lot of content that borders on the inane or the vacuous. For example, there was no real need to include references to 'The Munsters' or to the extensive listing of memorabilia available at one time.

The author's prose is also often over the top, with some ridiculously overwrought passages and links. I'm still unsure what he was thinking when he somehow juxtaposed a classic 1960s sitcom with the French playwright Moliere, but there it is, in the pages of this book.

Where the book excels is that it does serve to provide much of the history and associated biographies of the stars of TV sitcom, and there are some occasional nuggets. The exploration of how 'The Addams Family' had links to the old Marx Brothers comedies through its writing is of interest. Then there is the review of Charles Addams own life and work, and how it inspired the program.

The prose is highly readable and due to its format, including numerous illustrations, this book will not tax anyone. I was able to read it in a couple of hours, and aside from the critical points I've raised and its shallowness it is a very acceptable book for fans.

In summary, this is not a classic TV-tie in book, but it will satisfy the curiosity of anyone who enjoyed the television program.

[Carson hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is solid 3.5. I really liked this book, it was basic, but quite enjoyable.

[Valerio Pastore · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the great nostalgic person that I am, I was looking forward to being able to read this book about one of my favorite shows.
Although more than forty years have passed since its last broadcast in Italy, it remains unforgettable and still very fresh.
This book is a collection of interviews, biographies, trivia, backstories, summaries and whatnot to answer everything we wanted to know about the Addams. Well written, with panache, without overdoing it and with lots of love.

[Dan Ream · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book quite a bit, as it’s the first I have read about this 1960’s TV series. Lots of interesting information about the actors and the creators, as well as about cartoonist Charles Addams, whose cartoons inspired the show.

[Mark Moxley-Knapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of facts, fun, interviews, lists, photos, and more. Very enjoyable read. Touches on the Munsters, covers cast before and after, gives lots of behind the scenes tidbits. Many typos, almost all due to the transliteration from print to ebook.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no objectivity about this. I adore The Addams Family. I avidly absorb everything I can find.
I loved it.

[Michael P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Where is there is fun to read, but there isn't much there.

[Stefan guzman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Riveting read😊👍

So cool reading about The Addams Family

So much amazing history and nostalgia

I enjoyed it very very much 😊