Vic Mizzy

Vic Mizzy (1916-2009)was interviewed for two-and-a-half hours in Bel-Air, CA. Mizzy described composing two of the most recognizable television themes songs of all time, for the series The Addams Family and Green Acres. For The Addams Family, Mizzy talked about directing the main title sequence and writing motifs for the characters. He talked about meeting Charles Addams and working with the actors and producer David Levy. For Green Acres, Mizzy talked about the conception of the opening titles and working with the lead actors and creator Jay Sommers. Mizzy also talked about his early years as a songwriter with Irving Taylor and later Mann Curtis. He spoke about and sang some of the lyrics for several of his hits including “My Dreams Are Getting Better All the Time.” Mizzy also talked about his other work in television including the series Shirley Temple’s Storybook, Kentucky Jones, and The Pruitts of Southampton. Additionally, he talked about working on feature films such as the Don Knotts comedy vehicles of the ‘60s and 70s, and his work with William Castle. B-roll consisted of two photos (Mizzy at MGM and on the set of Green Acres) and a Charles Addams cartoon, as well as Mizzy in person playing his two well-known theme songs at his organ. The interview was conducted by Karen Herman on March 29, 2004.