The Addams Family Tree

This episode proves that by engaging the imagination rather than using special effects, the TV Addams Family was so much funnier than film version. Wednesday has punched Harold Pomeroy in the eye for calling her family kooks. Mr. Pomeroy claims that it must have been when Harold's back was turned. Gomez questions how this could happen when Morticia reminds him of Cousin Curdle and Gomez nods his understanding of the possibility. Aunt Blemish is mistaken for a barn and Grandpa Slurp for two people when the Addams goes through their family's photo album. Gomez comments on Slurp's buckteeth and receding chin, "He always was a handsome devil!" We don't need to see the images; it would ruin the effect. Thing appears mysteriously from his trapdoor and we can only wonder at what if anything lies beneath. In the film version, thing is a disembodied hand and scuttles across floors. There is nothing left to the imagination and the humour is lost.Lastly, humour is in the delivery of a line. When Cecil Pomeroy hears the angry snarl from above and wonders what it is, Morticia informs him that it is Fang, Pugsley's jaguar who Pugsley has taken Harold to ride. Cecil cannot believe his ears having thought that Pugsley had taken Harold to have a ride in a model car toy Jag.

"Pugsley's jag...?" he gets it and imagines what might be happening upstairs. "You mean that your child is having my son ride a wild animal?" Morticia reassures him,"Don't worry. When Fang makes that noise, nobody rides him." Morticia emphasises the THAT with a delicious sense of malevolence.