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A Halloween Trick? No. It’s True, The Addams Family Gets the MGM Treatment!

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest) and James Robert Shaw (The Windup Geek)

300px-Addams_Family

The Addams Family has been animated before in 1972 on NBC and 1992 on ABC, but it has never seen an animated feature film. Originally printed as one-panel comic gags in the New Yorker Magazine, the concept of bringing these characters under a family name did not come until much later. At least, not until the first television series was developed. This strip had a life of its own because it has a brilliant satirical look at the American homestead.

And if you can snap your fingers twice, MGM may well have magic in their hands. A decade has passed by since the last feature film, Addams Family Reunion (1998), was released. As for what will be done in this new iteration, Variety reported that Pamela Pettler, whose credits include Corpse Bride and Monster House, has been signed to write the screenplay. The film will be executive produced by Andrew Mittman and Kevin Miserocchi.

Negotiations are well underway with BermanBraun’s Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun to produce what may likely be a CGI film. Originally, Chris Meledandri’s Illumination Entertainment company had been developing a Tim Burton-helmed, stop-motion “The Addams Family” movie, but this company revealed that earlier this year it had ditched the project. Thankfully Berman and Braun are picking up the pieces to deliver what should hopefully be a fun romp through the Addams family household.

Source(s): Variety.

Follow the Yellow Brick Road To the IMAX

I’ll state right now that I’m not a huge fan of 3-D. There are few films that have truly impressed me with such technology. But there are films I will pay large ticket prices to see in the IMAX theatre, the original uncut Star Wars is one of those but for the other it’s the Wizard of Oz.

The 1939 film directed by Victor Fleming and starring Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, Bert Lahr, Margaret Hamilton and Frank Morgan was a family favourite during my childhood years. It was one of the few films the family unit would make the time for.

But now the MGM colour classic will be screened in North American Imax theatres in honour of the film approaching its 75th anniversary. For only one week starting on Sept 20, 2013, audiences will be able to travel with Dorothy to the Emerald City on the big screen in 3-D no less. Following at the heels of the ruby-red slippers is a Blu-ray 3-D release for October 1st.

On a side note, I know there are many who enjoy the hit song from the film titled “Over the Rainbow”. The Academy Award winning song with music and lyrics by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg has seen many versions over the decades. There are fans who prefer the original movie recording by Judy Garland but there is also over 84 million people who have listened to Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s reinterpretation. But when it comes to which Over the Rainbow I enjoy listening to the most, I would have to say Al Bowlly is the top.