Volume Two of this classic kids series gives us the last 12 episodes of Season One, and then taunts us with the first nine shows from Season Two. Personally, I would prefer to have the shows split into their respective seasons rather than in a "volume" manner. I'm not especially fond of the set up on this three disc volume either. I prefer to have as much as possible accesible as soon as your disc has loaded in the player, and this set seems rather spread out with each A and B side containing up to four episodes. However, these are only my preferences and others may enjoy the way this video offering has been presented to our viewers' altar. None of these things detracts from the value of the show, nor do they counteract the charm with which this set has been presented.****

Volume Two does contain some magical episodes so clever and charming that they continue to delightfully fascinate audiences over 30 years later. Spun from the devilish imagination of New Yorker cartoonist, Charles Addams, the Addams Family has been knockin' 'em dead for generations. In this seemingly ominous cauldron, you will find a bewitching stew of Addams Family tales, traditions, hauntings from the past, laughter, and memories in the making that would satisfy even a werewolf's ravenous appetite! ****

Who would knock on the Addams' family door on Halloween night? What would the family do in response to a financial crisis? Where has Thing disappeared to and when will he hold hands with Lady Fingers? Why would anyone start a fight between Gomez and Moriticia? The answer to these and many other Addams family mysteries can be found when you drink this classic concoction of American television. I particular enjoyed watching Morticia persuade the family into donating items for her favorite charity's auction, remeniscing about how 'Tish and Gomez met, and was inspired by Tish's endeavors to reform the literary world. Two snaps up for this wickedly entertaining classic!****

Image and Sound:

1.33:1 (full frame) aspect ratio. Sound is adequate, especially considering the age of this show! Classic family television at its best and I'm grateful for the full frame ratio which really compliments the show.

Mad About the Addams:

This is basically a general discussion on the Addams Family in general by an eclectic mix of people including, actor John Astin, Stephen Cox the author of "The Addams Family Chronicles", Bob Burns a film and tv archivist, Devin Tait a young fan, and Dianah Winter a professor. I enjoyed this quote from Mr. Astin opens this segment, "We were different people, but it was OK...because what really counted was what was inside and what we manifested in our relationships with one another." It so nicely sums up this important life lesson that I learned from watching the show. I also found it interesting that during the shows original airings, there were several psychologist who expressed the opinion that the Addams family may have been the most well balanced family on television at the time! I can't say I was surprised though. I found their unique together-ness fascinating, and they certainly had a sense of civic duty and fellowship, although their way of demonstrating these qualities may not always fit the average definition! Perhaps my favorite thing about this extra was hearing from others in their own words how the Addams' impacted on them personally, and how they saw Humanity reflected within the show. It fascinates me that looking at something familiar through someone else's eyes can make you see something new.

Guest Star Seance:

An entertaining little extra, here in the Addams' family crystal ball we can call forth a variety of people who interacted with the Addams' during the shows two seasons. With each we are given the actor's name, appearance on the show, other works, perhaps a bit of trivia, and of course...the date they crossed over. This extra held a few surprises for me. For example, I did not realize that character actor Parley Baer whom I recognized from his frequent appearances on this show also voiced Ernie the Keebler elf for 30 years! Other viewers may be surprised by some of the actors that appeared on The Addams Family. Perhaps you did not know that Margaret Hamilton, the infamous Wicked Witch of the East, originally appeared on the Addams' as Mrs. Frump, Morticia's mother! Can't you see the family resemblance? I wonder where they kept her blue monkeys? Enjoyable and amusingly presented.

Final Words: