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The Addams Family Reruns Airing on WBBZ-TV

The original Addams Family is now on WBBZ

Vic Mizzy at his home in Bel Air. "Two finger snaps and you live in Bel-Air," Mizzy once said, referring to his success with the "Addams Family" song.

John Astin teaches acting now.

John Astin standing on his head.

Felix Silla played Cousin Itt.

WBBZ-TV (Channel 5) announced last week that episodes of the original television series "The Addams Family" are now airing weeknights at 11 p.m. from now through Sept. 6.

The Addams Family aired from 1964 to 1966.

While not entirely successful in its original run, it became popular in syndication.

Of the original four lead actors, Carolyn Jones (Morticia), 1930 - 1983; Jackie Coogan (Uncle Fester), 1914- 1984; Ted Cassidy (Lurch), 1932 - 1979; and John Astin (Gomez); only Astin, born in 1930, is alive and currently teaches acting at Johns Hopkins University.

Felix Silla, who played Cousin Itt, made a recent appearance at the Marilla Car Show, where Silla filmed a spot promoting the show on WBBZ.

Among the enduring elements of the show is its theme song. Written and arranged by Hollywood composer Vic Mizzy (1916 - 2009), who sang the quirky lyrics and played harpsichord while finger-snaps were used as percussion, the song has been licensed for other television shows, used in merchandise, commercials and at U.S. sporting events.

Mizzy was one of the first composers to retain publishing rights to a TV theme.

The season after "The Addams Family" made its debut, Mizzy composed the title song for “Green Acres,” a rural comedy starring Eddie Albert and Eva Gabor that ran from 1965-1971.

“Green Acres” is also seen regularly on WBBZ.

 

 

Niagara Falls Reporter - Publisher Frank Parlato Jr. www.niagarafallsreporter.com

AUG 06, 2013