Why did they have two actresses play the part? Was there some sort of controversy back in the day?

Beverly Owen left the series to get married to Jon Stone who later became a writer and executive on the "Sesame Street" series

I heard Beverly Owen left the show to get married.
Beverly Owen moved from New York City to L.A. to be in The Munsters. She left her fiance behind in New York and it didn't take her long to get homesick and miss her fiance. She begged the producers to release her from her contract and let her return to New York. But the refused to do so until Fred Gwynne and Al Lewis threatened to walk out of the show. Only then did the producers relent and allow Bev to leave and replace her with Pat Priest. (In case your wondering this info. comes from the book "The Munsters, A Trip Down Mockingbird Lane" by Stephen Cox)

Beverly Owen left the series to get married to Jon Stone who later became a writer and executive on the "Sesame Street" series
That's what I heard too. Do you know why Pat Priest was replaced by Debbie Watson in the big screen movie? I always thought that was strange. They filmed it the year they went off the air.

Beverly Owen moved from New York City to L.A. to be in The Munsters. She left her fiance behind in New York and it didn't take her long to get homesick and miss her fiance. She begged the producers to release her from her contract and let her return to New York. But the refused to do so until Fred Gwynne and Al Lewis threatened to walk out of the show. Only then did the producers relent and allow Bev to leave and replace her with Pat Priest. (In case your wondering this info. comes from the book "The Munsters, A Trip Down Mockingbird Lane" by Stephen Cox)
Wow that's interesting Marv. I could never really tell the difference betwen Beverly Owen and Pat Priest. they looked so much alike.

That's what I heard too. Do you know why Pat Priest was replaced by Debbie Watson in the big screen movie? I always thought that was strange. They filmed it the year they went off the air.
It was because of her age. Pat Priest was 30 in 1966 and producers decided she was to old to play Herman and Lily's niece so they replaced her with Debbie Watson who was 17 at the time.

Wow that's interesting Marv. I could never really tell the difference betwen Beverly Owen and Pat Priest. they looked so much alike.
The biggest difference is that Pat Priest was a natural blonde while Beverly Owen wore a blonde wig to play Marilyn.

It was because of her age. Pat Priest was 30 in 1966 and producers decided she was to old to play Herman and Lily's niece so they replaced her with Debbie Watson who was 17 at the time.
Thanks Marv. :) I might be able to understand that if the movie took place 10 years later but it took place the same year The Munsters were on tv so the audience was used to her. I've never actually seen that movie either. The only thing I know about it was that it was in color. :lol:

Beverly Owen left the series to get married to Jon Stone who later became a writer and executive on the "Sesame Street" series
They eventually got divorced, didn't they?

They eventually got divorced, didn't they?
They were divorced in 1974 after being married for ten years.

They eventually got divorced, didn't they?

Yes, in 1974

Thanks, guys. Did they have kids? Did she remarry?

Thanks, guys. Did they have kids? Did she remarry?
They had 2 children. Daughters named Polly and Kate. She has not remarried.

For the record, Beverly Owen is my favorite Marilyn. I had a crush on her - not so much Pat Priest.

It's funny, some people aren't even aware there were two Marilyns during the show.

They had 2 children. Daughters named Polly and Kate. She has not remarried.
Thanks!!

For the record, Beverly Owen is my favorite Marilyn. I had a crush on her - not so much Pat Priest.

It's funny, some people aren't even aware there were two Marilyns during the show.
Pat Priest did a great job in a guest spot on The Mary Tyler Moore Show as Sue Ann's (Betty White) sister. I think that was from S7.

Pat Priest did a great job in a guest spot on The Mary Tyler Moore Show as Sue Ann's (Betty White) sister. I think that was from S7.

Yes, she did. Wasn't she involved with Lou in some way?

It's funny, some people aren't even aware there were two Marilyns during the show.[/QUOTE]

As a kid, I only knew it because of the opening credits. I think the switch of the Marilyn character worked out the smoothest replacement of all character changes in sitcom history.

It also states in that book that Pat Priest was very upset that she was replaced by Debbie Watson the next year. :(

Yes, she did. Wasn't she involved with Lou in some way?
I'm not sure - but I do recall that the character was offered a rival homemaker show and that made Sue Ann jealous. The episode did indeed air in S7 - which comes out on DVD in October, so we shall find out more fairly soon!! :cool:

Pat Priest did a great job in a guest spot on The Mary Tyler Moore Show as Sue Ann's (Betty White) sister. I think that was from S7.
I also enjoyed seeing Pat Priest showing up on TMTMS, but I always wondered why they didn't cast someone closer to Betty White's age to portray Sue Ann's sister. There's about a fifteen year difference between Pat and Betty. Its not completely unrealistic for there to be that much of an age gap between two siblings, but unusual.

I also enjoyed seeing Pat Priest showing up on TMTMS, but I always wondered why they didn't cast someone closer to Betty White's age to portray Sue Ann's sister. There's about a fifteen year difference between Pat and Betty. Its not completely unrealistic for there to be that much of an age gap between two siblings, but unusual.
Your guess is as good as mine! :confused: