What Was The Deal With Two Marilyn Munsters??? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 09-01-2010, 10:46 PM

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

Zoneboy · 09-01-2010, 10:56 PM

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

Marvo301 · 09-01-2010, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

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)

Mr. Television · 09-01-2010, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

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.

Mr. Television · 09-01-2010, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

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.

Marvo301 · 09-01-2010, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

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.

Marvo301 · 09-01-2010, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

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.

Mr. Television · 09-01-2010, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

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.

catlover79 · 09-02-2010, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

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?

Marvo301 · 09-02-2010, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

They eventually got divorced, didn't they?

They were divorced in 1974 after being married for ten years.

Zoneboy · 09-02-2010, 01:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

They eventually got divorced, didn't they?

Yes, in 1974

catlover79 · 09-02-2010, 01:11 PM

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

Marvo301 · 09-02-2010, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

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

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

Adamantium · 09-02-2010, 06:27 PM

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.

catlover79 · 09-02-2010, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

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

Thanks!!

09-01-2010, 10:46 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	What Was The Deal With Two Marilyn Munsters??? Why did they have two actresses play the part? Was there some sort of controversy back in the day? Attached Images
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09-01-2010, 10:56 PM	#2
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,512	Beverly Owen left the series to get married to Jon Stone who later became a writer and executive on the "Sesame Street" series
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09-02-2010, 01:11 PM	#12
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Thanks, guys. Did they have kids? Did she remarry?

09-02-2010, 06:27 PM	#14
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,840	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.