Halloween with the New Addams Family

Halloween with the New Addams Family
Ted Cassidy, Carolyn Jones and John Astin in a publicity photo for the special
Genre	Halloween television movie
Written by	Charles Addams (characters; uncredited) George Tibbles
Directed by	Dennis Steinmetz
Starring	John Astin Carolyn Jones Jackie Coogan Ted Cassidy Lisa Loring Ken Weatherwax Henry Darrow Parley Baer
Theme music composer	Vic Mizzy
Country of origin	USA
Original language(s)	English
Production
Executive producer(s)	Charles M. Fries Charles W. Fries
Producer(s)	David Levy Paul Pieratt (associate producer)
Cinematography	Jacques R. Marquette
Editor(s)	Ken Baker
Running time	74 min.
Production company(s)	Charles Fries Productions
Release
Original network	NBC
Original release	October 30, 1977 (1977-10-30)
Chronology
Preceded by	The Addams Family (1973 series)
Followed by	The Addams Family (1992 series)

Halloween with the New Addams Family is a 1977 American made-for-television comedy horror film starring John Astin, Carolyn Jones, Jackie Coogan, Ted Cassidy, Lisa Loring, Ken Weatherwax and Felix Silla, and was a reunion of sorts with the actors reprising their roles from the original 1964–66 series The Addams Family. Blossom Rock who portrayed Grandmama was ill at the time of the production (she would die in early 1978, shortly after this special aired) causing her role of Grandmama to be portrayed by (1913-1979). Character actors Parley Baer and Vito Scotti, who both had recurring roles in the original series, also appeared in the movie, but as different characters then they had portrayed originally.

Gomez and Morticia have had two more children, Wednesday, Jr. and Pugsley, Jr., who strongly resemble their older siblings. Gomez's brother, Pancho, is staying with the family while Gomez attends a lodge meeting in Tombstone, Arizona. Gomez is jealous of his brother, who once courted Morticia. Halloween is near, and Pancho tells the children the legend of the Great Pumpkin-like character of Cousin Shy, who distributes gifts and carves pumpkins for good children on Halloween night. Wednesday (now called "Wednesday, Sr.") is home from music academy, where she is studying the piccolo (breaking glass with it). Pugsley (now "Pugsley, Sr.") is home from Nairobi medical school, where he is training to be a witch doctor. The family's home has been bugged by a gang of crooks who intend to steal the family fortune. Lafferty, the boss, sends a gang member named Mikey into the house to investigate. Mikey panics and flees after treading on the tail of Kitty Kat the lion. The crooks employ a fake Gomez and Morticia to help in their plans, along with two strong-arm goons, Hercules and Atlas. Gomez returns home for the Halloween party and trimming of the scarecrow. Lafferty poses as Quincy Addams (from Boston) to gain entrance to the house during the party. He has his men tie up Gomez and Morticia and his doubles take their places, confusing Pancho, who is still in love with Morticia, and Ophelia, who is still in love with Gomez. Gomez and Morticia escape (thanks to the "Old Piccolo Game"), and rejoin the party, only to have Lafferty use various methods to try to get rid of them. Lurch scares off the thugs and terrifies Lafferty's other assistant. Fester, trying to be nice, puts Lafferty on the rack. Lafferty tries to escape through the secret passage and steps on Kitty Kat's tail. When the police arrive, the crooks gladly surrender. The Addamses are then free to celebrate Halloween happily, ending the night by singing together in welcome for Cousin Shy.