Autumn Croakus

Very daring dark humor. More daring than actually funny. Funniest parts were villainous Linda Watkins as Lydia Gardner preparing her traps for Grandpa. Then, Lydia falling down the stairs and actually surviving such a violent tumble. A treat to see Neil Hamilton (Commissioner Gordon in "the true" Batman) as Malcolm.

Very daring dark humor. More daring than actually funny. Funniest parts were villainous Linda Watkins as Lydia Gardner preparing her traps for Grandpa. Then, Lydia falling down the stairs and actually surviving such a violent tumble. A treat to see Neil Hamilton (Commissioner Gordon in "the true" Batman) as Malcolm.

After Herman and Lily leave for the beach, Marilyn goes out with her boyfriend and Eddie leaves to play in the neighborhood, Grandpa is left alone and is brooding about it. "Nobody cares about a sick old man," he moans. Even Igor, the bat, won't play checkers with him. "You're nothing but a rat with wings," Grandpa yells.

Coincidentally, moments later he then sees an advertisement in the newspaper that reads, "Are you lonely? Do you seek affection, companionship and matrimony in the sunset years? Let the Kindred Spirits Matrimonial Agency make your 'September Song' a duet." Wow, that sounds great to a lonely man, so he answers the ad.

In a few days, a woman from the agency comes to the house ("Lydia Gardner," played by Linda Watkins). She's obviously a crook, preying on old men to get their money. In fact, we find that out shortly when we see her and her real husband (longtime actor Neil Hamilton) back at the office, bragging about how they've fleeced (and killed) five husbands in three months.

Lydia (a.k.a. The Black Widow) is going to be in a for few surprises in this latest scam, especially when she tries to execute Grandpa's death!

Grandpa writes to a "matrimonial service" - 1964's equivalent to online dating sites -- so he can get a wife and cure his loneliness. A middle-aged lady who looks like Donna Reed's hardboiled twin shows up and tries to charm everyone, but Marilyn is suspicious and Herman refuses to meet the woman and sulks in his room.

Before the end of Act I, we learn Grandpa's intended is the Black Widow, a cold-blooded murderess who preys on lonely men of a certain age with money she can inherit.

For a 60s sitcom with big kid appeal, this episode is actually quite dark, what with a guest character literally plotting and setting Grandpa up for murder in the Munster's home. It's all done comically of course, but still....