Description

Episodes: "Time Enough at Last" (Ep. 8, November 20, 1959) - A bookworm (Burgess Meredith) yearns for more time to read--then a nuclear holocaust leaves him alone in the world with lots of time, plenty to read, and one ironic twist! "The Monsters are Due on Maple Street" (Ep. 22, March 4, 1960) - Inexplicable events cause the residents of quiet Maple Street to erupt into rioting. The residents suspect an alien invasion has occurred. If so, where are the alien monsters? "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" (Ep. 123, October 11, 1963) - A salesman (William Shatner) recovering from a nervous breakdown spots a gremlin on the wing of his plane. When he attempts to alert the others, his nightmare truly begins! "The Odyssey of Flight 33" (Ep. 54, February 24, 1961) - Flight 33 picks up a peculiar tailwind and is blown off course. After apparently correcting the problem, the flight arrives at its destination--a billion years ahead of schedule! ... Read more

Reviews (17)

This is definitely the BEST volume in the DVD collection
No matter how many DVDs they put out with episodes of "The Twilight Zone," they cannot put out one with better episodes that Volume 2. "Time Enougth at Last" is THE quintessential Zone episode, adapted by Rod Serling from Lynn Venable's short story. Burgess Meredith, in what was surely his most recognizable role, plays Henry Bemis, a mild-mannered, myopic bank teller who only wants to read, but can never get away from this shrewish wife and demanding boss. But then Henry has the fortune of being in the bank vault reading a book when the world is destroyed by a nuclear war. Directed by John Brahm, no "Twilight Zone" episode ever backed a more unforgettable ending. "The Monsters are Due on Maple Street" finds neighbors turning on each other as unexplained events fuel their fear that human-looking aliens have infiltrated Maple Street (filed on MGM's "Andy Hardy" street). Claude Atkins and Jack Weston head a strong cast in this classic written by Rod Serling and directed by Ron Winston. "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" stars William Shatner as poor Bob Wilson, who has left a sanatorium only to take a plane flight where a gremlin keeps trying to sabotage the engine. Written by Richard Matheson, who wrote the original short story, "Nightmare" was directed by Richard Donner, who went on to be a film director of some note. "The Odyssey of Flight 33" is the only sub-classic episode on this disc. The story by Serling, directed by Justus Addiss, is of a plane that picks up a freak tail wind that sends it back in time. John Anderson as Captain Farver leads the excellent cast that makes this rather far-fetched idea utterly believable.

There's a man on the wing!
This is a superb compilation of some of the best Twilight Zone episodes ever made.

This DVD includes the following episodes: "Time Enough at Last", "The Monsters are Due on Maple Street", "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet", and "The Odyssey of Flight 33".

"Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" is my favorite episode. William Shatner is a passenger on an airplane who sees an alien on the plane's wing every time he looks out the window. However, he's the only one who sees the alien - every time he yells to the stewardess or other people, the alien disappears. Everytime he sees the alien, he yells "there's a man on the wing! " It is such a great episode - it made William Shatner the star he is today!

Also, be sure to look for Burgess Meredith in "Time Enough At Last" before he was known as "Mickey" from the Rocky movies.

My only complaint is that there are not more episodes on this disk. I don't understand why CBS didn't release the episodes on a season-by-season basis.

One of the Best Twilight Zone DVDs
This second volume of Collection One might be the best of the entire Collection. "Time Enough at Last" and "Oddyssey of Flight 33" features two excellent stories with amazing and unforgettable endings. Another classic is "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet," featuring William Shatner, who plays a man recovering from a nervous break down. His flight with his wife proves to be horrific. "The Monsters are Due on Maple Street" is a classic exploration into social psychology and mob mentality when a gang of residents on a quiet street are convinced that an alien invasion has occurred.

This second volume is well written with wonderful acting by Burgess Meredith and William Shatner. Highly recommended!

another great DVD
Vol 2 had even better episodes that Vol 1.

Time Enough At Last- Loved it! One of my favorite episodes actually. I felt very sorry for the guy. (*****)

Monsters are Due on Maple Street- Another great episode. Very surprising on who the monsters were. (****)

Terror at 20,000 feet- Uh, didn't care too much for this one. I got a little bored watching it actually. A lot of people seem to like this one though. (**)

The Odessy of Flight 33- another great and entertaining one. (***)

Your Next Stop is¿
Besides the TV Plays that you will buy this for, there are some DVD goodies (extras.):
Special "Inside the Twilight Zone" Section Written by Marc Scott Zicree
Biographical info on Rod Sterling
History of the Twilight Zone
Cast information
A season-by Season commentary
They claim to be digitally re-mastered yet there are still a few glitches and snow.
Episode 8 "Time Enough at Last" November 20, 1960

Henry Bemis (Burgess Meredith) has a healthy interest in reading; he is surrounded by people that underestimate its worth. He is conspired against by the bank president and even his wife. He works in a bank and spends his afternoons in the vault catching up on his reading. I will say no more as you and Mr. Bemis are about to enter the Twilight Zone.

Burgess Meredith will be found in several of the Twilight Zone episodes and again as the narrator of the 1983 Twilight Zone movie.

Episode 22 "The Monsters are Due on Maple Street" March 4, 1960

The typical neighbors, like Claude Atkins and Jack Weston, are out doing neighbor things like mowing their lawn. They stop to hear a weird sound and see a strange light. It is assumed to be a weird meteor. All of a sudden the power goes out and nothing works no phones, no cars, nothing. This is the last moment before the real monsters came out.

Episode 123 "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" October 11, 1963

Mr. Wilson (William Shatner) is a salesman that is recovering from a nervous breakdown he had in an airplane. He is on his way down in a propeller commuter plane. You know something is amiss with him as he realizes he is next to the emergency window, over the wing. Of course his psychiatrist, Dr. Martin, would not let him fly home unless he was well. In the middle of an electrical storm, he looks out the window and I will say no more as you are about to enter the darkest part of the Twilight Zone.

This episode will be included in the 1983 movie with John Lithgow playing Mr. Wilson.

Episode 54 "The Odyssey of Flight 33" February 24, 1961

An international Jet flight, Global 33, is heading for Idawiled airport. On the way they get a sensation of great speed and go through some unknown barrier. Captain Farver (John Anderson) looses all external electronic guidance. He goes down for a closer look. I will not say anything more as you have now entered the Twilight Zone.

I wonder if we have a current remake, would Global 33 lose global positioning. ... Read more

Description

Episodes: "Night of the Meek" (Ep. 47, December 23, 1960) - Christmas in the Twilight Zone. Art Carney is a forlorn department store Santa who takes to drinking--only to find himself experiencing the nicest Christmas ever! "The Invaders" (Ep. 51, January 27, 1961) - A flying saucer lands in the attic of an isolated house inhabited by an impoverished woman--who soon becomes panic-stricken as tiny spacemen begin to stalk her! "Nothing in the Dark" (Ep. 81, January 5, 1962) - An old woman has fought with death a thousand times and has always won. But now she finds herself afraid to let a wounded policeman (Robert Redford) in her door for fear he is Mr. Death. Is he? ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Superb performances from great actors in "The Twilight Zone"
Volume 1 of "The Twilight Zone" presents a trio of classic episodes where the performances by the actors are as memorable as the stories with their infamous Twilight Zone twists. "The Invaders" is a tour de force performance by Agnes Moorhead in an episode written by Richard Matheson. Moorhead plays a woman living alone in a farmhouse who finds that a miniature flying saucer has landed on her roof. The woman has to fight against the strange tiny invaders with their advanced technology. But then remember, this is the Twilight Zone. "Night of the Meek," written by Rod Serling, finds poor Henry Corwin (Art Carney), a department store Santa who shows up drunk on Christmas Eve and is fired. Wandering the streets, he discovers a magic bag that can dispense any gift he asks for. Definitely a seasonal message from Serling and directed by Jack Smight, with John Fielder and Burt Mustin in the cast. "Nothing in the Dark," written by George Clayton Johnson, offers Gladys Cooper as Wanda Dunn as an old woman who has barricaded herself in her basement apartment for years, fearing that Mr. Death with kill her with a touch. Wanda knows that Death can take many disguises. But despite her fears, when Harold Beldon, a young policeman is shot outside her door, she drags him inside. Of course, the fact Beldon is played by Robert Redford might have something to do with her letting her guard down. This DVD includes "Inside The Twilight Zone", with information on Rod Serling, a history of the series, reviews of each episode, cast information and a season-by-season commentary. Not a bad first disc, but there is much better to come. However, you will not find a better trio of performances than you find here with Moorhead, Carney and Cooper.

Santa, Twist Endings and more are Just the Beginning
Indelible episodes, NOTHING IN THE DARK and THE INVADERS have to be two of the most viewed stories from "The Twilight Zone." Gladys Cooper and Robert Redford give very credible performances in this story of 'Mister Death' knocking at the door penned by George Clayton Johnson. THE INVADERS is a classic episode in the true sense of "The Twilight Zone." Richard Matheson wrote a memorable story and Agnes Moorehead gave one of the greatest visual acting jobs of all time. Alfred Hitchcock would probably call this episode an example of 'pure cinema.' NIGHT OF THE MEEK is a great Christmas holiday episode. Art Carney plays a drunken department store Santa who comes across a magical Santa's sack that generates gifts for those that are needy. Filmed directly to videotape and written with great warmth by Rod Serling this is one of the best and loved episodes. This is a good cross-section of shows from this series.

Awsome series!
Wow, I just watched these episodes and I was impressed. Very entertaining. I'll do a review for each episode.

Night of the Meek- This is a great Christmas episode, even though it was october when I saw it. (***)

The Invaders- When I first saw this, it really creeped me out. I was even screaming! There was a wonderful twist at the end. (***)

Nothing in the Dark- This is another one that gave me the creeps. Death comes walking up to your door. Probably the best one on the disk. (****)

The first and best of Science Fiction Television
First collection of shows from the 1959 to 1964 TV anthology by Rod Serling, which showcases both great acting and outstanding writing done by both Serling and frequent writer contributors like Richard Matheson and Charles Beaumont. Show put acting and writing ahead of any fancy special effect shots or cheap creature make-up work done (which is so commen on certain shows and films shown on a cable network today that shall remain nameless). Great first edition for anyone who likes the best of what television can offer.

Enter the 5th dimension....
Besides the TV Plays that you will buy this for, there are some DVD goodies (extras.):
Special "Inside the Twilight Zone" Section Written by Marc Scott Zicree
Biographical info on Rod Sterling
History of the Twilight Zone
Cast information
A season-by Season commentary

They claim to be digitally re-mastered yet there are still a few glitches and snow.

Episode 47 "Night of the Meek" December 23, 1961

As with short TV plays there is not real time for a buildup. Art Carney is an out of work person that plays Santa Claus. Because of his disappointment in life he indulges in libations. This leads to his dismissal as a store Santa. I will say not more as you are about to enter the twilight Zone.
Things had to move fast as there was only a half hour to complete the story.

Episode 51 "The Invaders" January 5, 1961

Agnes Moorhead is a woman living alone in an old farmhouse without any conveniences such as electricity. She is preparing supper when she hears a mysterious sound. Something appears to have hit the roof. She goes to investigate. I will say not more as you are about to enter the twilight Zone.
This episode thought well played seems to drag a bit as the woman is spending a lot of time searching around and licking her wounds. She says little (ok nothing) but conveys her part well. See Agnes Moorhead again when she has a lot to say in the movie "Dark Passage."

Episode 81"Nothing in the Dark" January 5, 1962

Long After the movie "Death takes a Holiday", in this episode death (Robert Redford) takes on the appearance of a wounded police officer.
Gladys Cooper plays an old woman afraid of Death. More than the scenario, of which we all know the eventual outcome, is the interaction between the two characters. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Both of the "Treasures" DVD's are great.....
but this one is the very best of the entire collection!

Most often the Twilight Zone DVD's have a "mix" of episodes. One really great one, one or two good ones, and a clunker thrown in for good measure (even Serling himself said there were many TZ episodes that didn't quite make the grade). This one is nothing but pure gold! All three of the episodes on this disc are the most memorable of the series.

A tip to the masses - be aware that the 45 individual TZ dvd's have recently been packaged into "collections" (which are NOT by season as they should have been - but just simply repackaged previously released volumes 1-9 in collection #1, 10-18 in collection #2, etc) that is really the way to go if you are the completist and will be getting them all.

However, if you want to try just a single Twilight Zone DVD, give this one a try and you won't be disappointed.

More Treasures of the Twilight Zone
What Twilight Zone fan wouldn't leap upon the opportunity to own three classic Twilight Zone episodes in their original condition with DVD quality? More Treasures of the Twilight Zone surprisingly managed to surpass the first Treasures in quality and extra features. I was overjoyed to see that included before each of the three episodes (The Masks, The Howling Man, Eye of the Beholder) the original teaser for the episode given at the end of the previous week's episode were included. The only disappointment that came from this DVD is the mistake in credits and reviews for the episodes. In this section they (apparently by accident) show the credits and reviews for the three episodes in the first Treasures of the Twilight Zone and include nothing about the three that are actually on the DVD! ... Read more

Description

Episodes: "Steel" (Ep. 122, October 4, 1963) - In the future, only androids are allowed to box. Desperate to raise money, penniless manager Steel Kelly (Lee Marvin) must fight disguised as his own broken-down robot. "A Game of Pool" (Ep. 70, October 13, 1961) - Jesse (Jack Klugman) is a brilliant pool player whose dream of a showdown with the legendary (and dead) Fats Brown (Jonathan Winters) comes true. The stakes: his life. "Walking Distance" (Ep. 5, October 30, 1959) - Martin Sloan (Gig Young) is a frazzled executive who learns that you can't go home again after he steps back in time and meets his mom, his dad--and himself! "Kick the Can" (Ep. 86, February 9, 1962) - Has an old man at Sunnyvale Rest Home discovered a secret to regaining youth? After playing a simple child's game, he and the other residents are rewarded with rejuvenating powers! ... Read more

Reviews (10)

One Good Episode, Three Classic Ones
Vol. 3 of the Twilight Zone DVD series is one in which every episode is a winner. The worst of the four, "Steel," is a very good tale of what men think they can do themselves to bring themselves out of a difficult situation. "Kick the Can" is a touching episode that makes us reflect on fleeting youth and the idea that you are only as old as you feel. "A Game of Pool" is an example of superb acting. Jack Klugman and Jonathan Winters deliver more tension and excitement than any current television drama. Finally, "Walking Distance" is a brilliant look at trying to recapture youth and going home again.

On most other Zone DVDs, buyers are forced to stomach at least one lousy episode along with their favorites. This disc is an exception. Sure, the extras are not very "extra," but for your money, Vol. 3 contains some of the best Twilight Zone episodes on one disc.

Good acting but Volume 2 is better
This third volume of Collection One is not as impressive as Volume 2, but still features great writing and acting. "Steel" is a futuristic episode where humans are not permitted to box, but androids are. In "A Game of Pool," a poolplayer gets his wish to play the best pool player he knows. In "Walking Distance," an executive decides to walk to his old neighborhood where he learns that nothing has changed. "Kick the Can" is the final episode and features a group of residents at a seniors' home. One of them goes on a quest to regain his youth.

While Volume 3 has some fine acting and writing, the stories themselves are not Rod Serling's best work. Nonetheless, this DVD is still a good buy for any Twilight Zone fan.

Great DVD
I liked most of the episodes on this DVD.

Steel- Didn't like this one too much. I found it kind of boring. Maybe it's because I'm a girl and not really into boxing. (*)

Game of Pool- This was a good one. It kept my interest. (****)

Kick the Can- Another good one. I found it to be very sweet. (***)

Walking Distance- Wow, this was a good episode. Something about it nearly brought tears to my eyes. (*****)

If you can only buy one.....
then make it this one!

"Walking Distance" is probably one of the best 30 minutes of television ever filmed. Truly one of the very best episodes - and on most any TZ fans top 5 list.

The other episodes are not really great ones, but are also very entertaining.

'Walking Distance' and 'Kick the Can'
[a] 'Walking Distance' [Rod Serling's personal favourite episode - and mine too!] is an emotionally devastating and engrossing story of a disillusioned man who wanted to go back to his 'wonderful' childhood. Own it at any cost and watch it every few months for the rest of your life!!! The music was composed by Bernard Hermann who also did such fantastic scores for the films 'Vertigo' and 'Taxi Driver.'
[url] viewer rating 8.09/10

[b] 'Kick the Can' great performances and a beautiful story.

The remaining two episodes are not too bad and you may watch them once a year or so:
[c] 'A Game of Pool'
[d] 'Steel'

'Next stop, the Twilight Zone!' ... Read more

Description

Episodes: "The Dummy" (Ep. 98, May 4, 1962) - A ventriloquist (Cliff Robertson) is convinced that his dummy, Willie, is alive and evil. He makes plans for a new act with a new dummy. Plans that Willie does not support! "The Fever" (Ep. 17, January 29, 1960) - Tight-fisted Franklin Gibbs is not pleased when his wife wins a trip for two to Las Vegas. But things change when he falls under the spell of a slot machine that calls his name. "Living Doll" (Ep. 126, November 1, 1963) - Erich (Telly Savalas) is displeased when his wife buys an expensive doll for his step-daughter. He becomes even more displeased when the doll tells him it doesn't like him! "The After Hours" (Ep. 34, June 10, 1960) - A woman (Anne Francis) discovers that the floor of a department store, on which she bought a gold thimble, doesn't exist--and that her "saleslady" is really a mannequin! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

One of the very best Volumes in "The Twilight Zone" series!
When I looked at the lengthy list of "Twilight Zone" DVD volumes this one stuck out more than any of the others. In my opion, it has three of the most outrageously entertaining(yet still quite frightening)episodes "The Twilight Zone" has ever made. "The After Hours" is about Marsha White(Anne Francis), a simple woman who is merely looking for a gold thimble in a department store. However, when she steps into the elevator, she is guided to the 9th floor of the the 8 story building! On this supposed floor she meets odd people who turn out to be even odder when(on one of the regular floors)she sees on of them..........in manicane form! This is one of my favorite episodes of "The Twilight Zone"! Partly because of the completely unexpected ending. "Living Doll" is another shocker! Erich Sleater is a man who feels that his step-daughter is spoiled with too many dolls. So, you can imagine how he feels when his wife and daughter come home with an extremly expensive doll! You can also only imagine how he feels when(after everyone leaves the room)the doll starts saying things like "I hate you!" & "I'm going to kill you!". This is another classic that had me biting my nails to the very end of the show. I also enjoy Rod Sterling's ending words that seem to make the story feel a little too realistic. "The Dummy" is about a ventrilogoust that has an evil Dummy named Willie! Everyone thinks he's crazy but somehow he knows he's not. The only way to stop the crazieness is to get a new dummy, which the man does. However, Willie does not accept the replacement! This is a great one too but the ending doesn't really make sense. "The Fever" is by far the worst episode on the disk. It's about a man who doesn't enjoy gambling at all but while in Las Vegas a slot machine calls his name and then it seems he can never stop! The story was a little too limited for my liking and too unreal. After all, it's weird than the guy just started gambling after he hated it. Again, this is one of the best Volumes in the entire "Twilight Zone" set!

Three good, one bad episode
I did not care for "The Fever", as I found it to have bad acting, and it was implausible - the husband was so anti-gambling, yet, agrees to go with his wife to Las Vegas for a short vacation. Why else go there?

The other eps were good, with well-done TZ material.

In "Dummy", ventriloquist Cliff Robertson and his side-kick change places.

In "The After Hours", Anne Francis has a hard time finding good assistance in a department store.

In "Living Doll", Telly Savalas argues with a back-talking doll.

This is the best of all the Twilight Zone Volumes
For those of you who are being selective in which Twilight Zone volumes you're buying; and, you plan on watching this DVD more than once, this is the best. This volume includes (1) Living Doll (Talking Tina) with Telly Savales, (2) The Fever (a taunting slot machine), (3) The After Hours, with Anne Francis, who is left in a department store after the store closes and all the people have left. (4) The Dummy (a ventriloquist). The first 3 are great, the Dummy is OK, but again the first 3 are worth the cost alone. Also, the fact that you don't have those annoying commercials anymore makes watching Twilight Zone that much better.

Some of the very Best Episodes
THE FEVER from the First season aired on January 29, 1960 and was written by Rod Serling. Everett Sloane is brilliant as a married man who continually lectures his wife on the pitfalls of gambling after winning a trip to Las Vegas. Goaded into it Sloane puts a coin into a slot machine, wins and the cycle begins. This is an interesting episode, not necessarily against gambling but one that addresses the nature of obsession and the lengths of self-destruction that it can lead to. It also addresses a familiar TWILIGHT ZONE theme about man and his confrontation with the machines that he creates. THE DUMMY from the Third season aired on May 4, 1962 and was written by Rod Serling. Cliff Robertson plays a down-and-out ventriloquist who has dilutions that his mannequin may be getting the better of him. This is an interesting study into the mind of man and the manmade with a denouement that is riveting. THE AFTER HOURS remains just as fresh and effective as when it was first aired on June 10, 1960 and its lingering haunting imagery remains engraved into one's subconscious. Who can ever forget Anne Francis as Marsha. Her impeccable performance and exquisite face are indelible. "Marsha" that very name and the way it was repeated over and over was so eerily unsettling sending chills down one's spine. This episode when compared to WALKING DISTANCE demonstrates the great versatility of Rod Serling as a writer. WALKING DISTANCE is probably the best prose that Serling ever penned where every bit of dialogue was so heartfelt and moving. In THE AFTER HOURS Serling gives us a more visual tale where the storytelling is more dependent on the images. Serling gives us a story of two strikingly opposite worlds that co-exist within a department store. The vivid contrast and the realistic depiction of those two worlds is at the core of this story that has a strange tinge of melancholy about it. Thanks to effective lighting, production design, photography, Douglas Heyes' Direction and impeccable acting it succeeds on all levels and is one of the definitive episodes of the series. Your heart kind of goes out for Telly Savalas in LIVING DOLL. As much of a no-good creep of a stepfather Savalas is, you just gotta feel bad for this guy as he gets outdone by a doll, Talky Tina. The doll is almost as evil as he is and this becomes very evident in the final scene at the bottom of the living room staircase. A lot of the viewers' ambiguous feelings are the result of Bermard Herrmann's innovative score. It has a childlike quality that taunts and teases both Telly Savalas and the viewer. This is an excellent episode written by Charles Beaumont from the Fifth season and is one of the best and most memorable from the entire series. This is an excellent volume.

!!DOLLS GONE WILD!!
To the best of my knowledge there's no specific theme to any of the Twilight Zone DVD's, but this one does, and it's --DOLLS GONE WILD!
The first episode contains the classic ventriloquist corrupted by his dummy tale ("Magic", "Dead of Night"). It stars Cliff Robertson, who looks like a puppet to begin with.
The third episode is the legendary Talking Tina story where she tells Telly "Kojak" Savalas how she's going to kill him, and accomplishes the deed.
The final episode stars Anne "Honey West" Francis as a girl trapped in a department store who gets an earful from a bunch of creepy, chatty mannequins.
The animated menu with the TZ title eyeball is classic TZ mind-bending psycho-delia. The episodes themselves are as clean as early 60's televideo can get. The sound quality ranges from good to muddy, but overall the content of these shows make up for their technical shortcomings.
Tell 'em Jerry Mahoney sent you. ... Read more

Description

Episodes: "Nick of Time" (Ep. 43, November 18, 1960) - A superstitious newlywed (William Shatner) becomes obsessed by a penny fortune-telling machine. But are his pennies revealing his future--or determining it? "The Prime Mover" (Ep. 57, March 24, 1961) - Ace Larsen has discovered that his business partner (Buddy Ebsen) can move things with his mind! They set out for Las Vegas and win--for a while anyway. "It's a Good Life" (Ep. 73, November 3, 1961) - He knows your every thought, can feel your every emotion. He can eliminate all you hold dear. Who is he? A 6 year old boy (Billy Mumy) from Peaksville, Ohio! "The Mind and the Matter" (Ep. 63, May 12, 1961) - A book on the power of thought enables an irritable worker (Shelley Berman) to re-create the world exactly as he wants it. But what he wants and what he gets are two different things! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

An Excellently Conceived Volume
THE PRIME MOVER from the Second season aired on March 24, 1961 and was written by Charles Beaumont and is an episode that deserves repeated viewing. Dane Clark and Buddy Ebsen operate a small diner. When Clark discovers that Ebsen has telekinetic powers he drags him off to Vegas to make a killing at the casinos. This is a good-natured episode as opposed to THE FEVER on the allure and pitfalls of gambling. What really makes this episode so repeatedly viewable are the performances of Dane Clark and Buddy Ebsen. It's like water and oil. Clark is the "fly by the seat of your pants - happy go lucky guy" who will try anything for a dime. Ebsen stands for reason and patients. Ultimately we learn to use the tools we are given with a sense of responsibility tempered with passion. This is an excellently conceived and delivered episode. IT'S A GOOD LIFE from the Third season aired on November 3, 1961. It was written by Rod Serling and is one of the most famous episodes of the series. Serling's introduction, which leads up to Billy Mumy's wide-eyed stare into the camera, is an indelible and disturbing image. The jack-in-the-box scene is also unforgettable and equally disturbing. Even Serling's dialogue is so memorable and conjures up images of fear. Just the mention of "the cornfield" sends chills down the back. Anyone who has seen this episodes knows what I am referring to. Anyone who has not must see it! The excellent cast includes John Larch, Cloris Leachman, Tom Hatcher and we must not forget Billy Mumy. Director Jim Sheldon really captured the fear and terror of the captive inhabitants of this rural community. NICK OF TIME from the Second season aired on November 18, 1960 and was written by Richard Matheson. Traveling newlyweds William Shatner and Patricia Breslin stop in a luncheonette while their car is being repaired. While in a booth an ever-confident Shatner puts a coin into a fortune-telling machine adorned with the bobbling head of a smiling plastic devil. Each question and answer begins to make Shatner question his fate to the point that he becomes unraveled about his future. Thematically this is similar to THE FEVER where just one more coin in the machine may give you solace. This is a fascinating episode that bears repeated viewing just to observe the ease at which one can be drawn in. However, the denouement makes the morality of the story clear. THE MIND AND THE MATTER directed by Buzz Kulik from the Second season aired on May 12, 1961 and was written by Rod Serling. Clerk, Shelly Berman eliminates people from the face of the earth by using the power of thought that he mastered from a book given to him. He soon repopulates the planet with people who look exactly like him with disconcerting results. Though lighthearted in nature this episode attempts to reveal life as others view each of us. Be careful of what you wish for. Volume 9 is a good well-balanced representation of THE TWILIGHT ZONE.

The power of the human mind unleashed in the Twilight Zone
The power of the human mind comes into play in the four episodes included on Vlume 9 of "The Twilight Zone" DVD Series. First up is Richard Matheson's "Nick of Time," which stars William Shatner and Patricia Breslin as newly weds Don and Pat Carter. The honeymooners are waiting for their car to be repaired in Ridgeview, Ohio when the superstitious Don becomes obsessed with a tabel top fortune-telling machine that dispense little cards answering yes or no questions. A classic "Twilight Zone" episode with a wonderful performance from a rather restrained Shatner. Buddy Ebsen stars as Jimbo Cobb in "The Prime Mover," written by Charles Beaumont and based on an unpublished story by George Clayton Johnson. Jimbo has psychokinetic power and when his friend compulsive gambler Ace Larsen (Dane Clark) learns about this, he takes Jimbo to Las Vegas to make big bucks. But while Ace is getting Jimbo to manipulate the dice in the craps game, he is blowing off his girlfriend Kitty (Christine White). That is when Jimbo blows a fuse. A nice little story, one of the few to actually show some heart in the Zone. "It's a Good Life," adapted by Rod Serling from Jerome Bixy's short story, is one of the most horrifying Zone episodes and features Billy Mumy as Anthony Fremont, the monster who is terrorizing Peaksvillle, Ohio. You see, Anthony can not only read minds, he has enormous power and no restraints. That is why all the adults in town always tell him, whether he turns someone into a huge jack-in-the-box or kills the crops by making it snow, "That's a good thing you did." "It's a Good Life" is an absolute classic that was unnecessarily redone in "Twilight Zone--the Movie," which only proved that imagination is more terrifying than special effects. Finally, in "The Mind and the Matter," also written by Serling, Archibald Beechcroft (Shelley Berman), reads a book on mind power that allows him to do whatever he wants just by concentrating hard enough. Unfortunately, what Archibald wants to do is make every person on Earth disappear. While it has some nice moments, this is an average episode at best. But this volume clearly has two of the greatest Zone episodes ever, so it is a must have for your collection.

Behold the power of the mind¿ only at the Twilight Zone.
This is one of the few DVD's in the collection that you could actually consider conceptual: somehow all episodes deal with the powers of the mind. Who wants to know the future? William Shatner's character does, but does he realizes the price? Find out in "Nick of Time" (Season 2). "The Prime Mover" (Season 2), is about telekinesis at the service of a gambler... and that equals risky business. "It's a Good Life" (Season 3), stars a very young Billy Mummy with incredible and dangerous powers. Finally "The Mind and the Matter" (Season 2) shows a guy how the power of thought can create his perfect world. ... Read more

Description

Episodes: "Third from the Sun" (Ep. 14, January 8, 1960) - With all-out nuclear war about to ignite, William Sturka (Fritz Weaver) and a friend steal an experimental spaceship, load their families, and set out for an unknown planet. "The Shelter" (Ep. 68, September 29, 1961) - When a UFO invasion appears imminent, several suburban friends and neighbors are reduced to selfish, conniving animals in a fight over one family's bomb shelter. "To Serve Man" (Ep. 89, March 2, 1962) - The Kanamits, 9 foot tall aliens, arrive on Earth with one lofty goal: To Serve Man. They end war. They end famine. Theymake the military wonder: What's the catch? "The Fugitive" (Ep. 90, March 9, 1962) - Old Ben is a fugitive from outer space with a heart of gold. He risks it all to help a crippled little girl--without fear that alien pursuers from his home planet will find him! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Great DVD
Third From the Sun- I really wanted to like this episode... but my dad just had to blab the ending! Oh well it was good. (****)

The Shelter- I liked it, but it kind of reminded me of Monsters are Due on Maple Street. (***)

To Serve Man- Wow, a great episode. The end really freaked me out. Probably my favorite episode. There are only a few episodes I'll give five stars, the others being "Time Enough at Last" and "Walking Distance" (I've only watched so far to this volume.) (*****)

The Fugitive- many people seem to not like this episode. I thought it was cute. It calmed me down after watching "To Serve Man" (***)

Mostly so-so
"To Serve Man" is a favorite of mine, though it is kind of funny to see Richard Kiel in costume with the big head - and he never speaks.

"Third From the Sun" has a neat twist, but is otherwise not special. I like Fritz Weaver in almost everything, especially the movie "Fail Safe".

"The Shelter" is a formulaic plot that seems well-used. This was probably much better when it was first shown, because of the political time-frame.

"The Fugitive" is pretty light and a little fluffy for my taste, almost like Disney wrote it.

I think there are better collections. I like #7.

Amazing!!!
Volume 8 of the twilight zone dvd series is one of the best. Four great episodes, cool special features, and it's not that expensive. Let's start with Third From the Sun. William Sturka, played by Fritz Weaver, is a scientist. A fellow scientist, Carling, tells him that th large nucular war that is about to happen will happen in 48 hours. So, William and a friend get ther familes steal a spacecraft and fly into space. A nice twist of an ending but I shouldn't tell you it. Next, The Shelter. When it seems there is going to be a alien invasion a neighborhood of friends get crazy over one family's bomb shelter. Next, To Serve Man. This is one of the Twilight Zone shows that are great, chilling, and have a shocking twist at the end. It all starts with aliens landing on earth. One of the aliens, played by my faviorite actor Richard Kiel tells everyone thre purpose on earth is to serve man. The twist comes when they find out that they misinterpretated the phrase to serve man. Finally, The Fugitive. This one is very awesome but very confusing and you have to see it for your self. ...

"It's a Cookbook!"
This eighth installment in the Twilight Zone DVD collection is all about To Serve Man, as far as I'm concerned. That is the episode that I most remember from when I watched this series as a kid (not in the sixties, I saw the repeats and the annual marathon on the Sci-Fi Channel). I remember that those tall aliens scared the cr*p out of me! I used to "see" them in my room while lying in bed at night (which sucked if I had to go to the bathroom, seeing as I was too scared to move). And yet, this was always my favorite episode. The plot is just so cool! Aliens come to Earth to "help" humans, they teach us to efficient ways to farm and things like that. They even take some of us back to their home planet (as dinner guests perhaps?-ha ha). A couple of U.S. code breakers get a hold of one of the aliens' books and try to crack the code. They figure out the title "To Serve Man" (which they naturally assume means to help man, since that's what the aliens appear to be doing), but can't figure out the rest. Until one of them decides to go on one of the many trips to the aliens' home planet. Just as he's getting on the spaceship, his partner figures out the meaning of the book... God! Now that is television!
Oh yeah, the rest of the episodes are great(as Twilight Zones episodes all tend to be). "Shelter" is another one that I can remember watching as a kid. It's about this family who obviously has a bomb shelter, and when a UFO invasion seems eminent, the whole neighborhood is fighting to get in. (This was also spoofed by the Simpson's.) The other two are also very good and definitely deserve a place in this collection, but aren't "classics".
The DVD is great, too. The picture is of course great, but it also has a cool extra. It has commentary on each season, information on the brilliant Rod Serling, and reviews of each episode.
If you like these Twilight Zone collections, I suggest that you also get the movie Requiem for a Heavyweight. It was written by Rod Serling and stars TZ regular Jack Klugman and Jackie Gleason, and is about a washed up boxer.

Aliens and the end of the world are offered up from the Zone
Aliens abound in the first pair of episodes of "The Twilight Zone" on Volume 8 in this DVD series. "The Fugitive," written by Charles Beaumont, features J. Pat O'Malley as Old Ben, an alien who befriends a lovely little girl named Jenny (Susan Gordon). "To Serve Man," adapted by Rod Serling from Damon Knight's short story, is one of the most famous Zone episodes with its "Solyvent Green" ending. A Kanamit (Richard Kiel) has come to earth to create a golden age with the advanced technology of his race. Michael Chambers (Lloyd Bochner), a government decoding expert, learns to learn the true meaning of the title of the book left by the Kanamit. In both of this episodes we learn appearances can be deceptive.

The second set of episodes focuses on the end of the world (almost). "Third from the Sun." adapted by Serling from Richard Matheson's short story, tells of scientist William Sturka (Fritz Weaver), who is convinced the world is about to end in a nuclear war. Along with test pilot Jerry Riden (Joe Maross), they escape with their families to a new planet. My favorite, and the best episode on the disc, is "The Shelter." This is one of Serling's "preachy" scripts where he hits the mark perfectly. The neighborhood is gathering for a surprise party for Doc Stockton (Larry Gates), when the radio announces radar has detected what appears to be incoming missiles. Doc, his wife and young son go to the shelter he has built in his basement. His unprepared neighbors beg to be let it, but there is not enough room or supplies. That is when things get ugly. Some people consider "The Shelter" to be melodramatic, but I always found it rather chilling. So three of the episode included her are well above average, making this one of the better volumes in "The Twilight Zone" DVD series. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Three episodes dealing with dreams, with two excellent forays into Zone-ishness and one clunker. Also on the disc are special hidden zonesthat contain the isolated music score for each program and a few of the show's original ads.

"A Stop at Willoughby"
"A Stop at Willoughby" is Rod Serling in top form, using one of his favorite themes of escaping to a simpler time. James Daly is a businessman frazzled to the breaking point by an insensitive, demanding wife and a blubbery plutocrat of a boss who importunes him to "Push! Push! Push!" On the train ride home, he begins to dream of an idyllic town called Willoughby, not on the map or train schedule, but perhaps more than just thestuff of imaginings. Ah, Willoughby! Still relevant after all these years.

"Twenty-Two"
"Twenty-Two" is one of the show's six episodes shot on videotape, but still achieves a rare degree of eeriness due to its strong concept and acting. Barbara Nichols stars as a stripper who's checked into a hospital with nervous exhaustion, where she begins having precognitive dreams aboutdeadly doings in the hospital's basement, an exotic nurse leading her there with the foreboding phrase, "Room for one more, honey."

"I Dream of Genie"
"I Dream of Genie" shows the strain of TZ's change from half-hour tofull-hour format. A nebbish accountant (Howard Morris) acquires a magical lamp whose genie grants him one wish. The only highlight of this not-too-funny humoresque is the genie, played by veteran character actor Jack Albertson in a brief cameo, smoking a fat cigar and cracking wise. All else is drawn-out Walter Mitty-style fantasy sequences of said nebbish imagining the results of his prospective wish. Oh, and that signpost up ahead? Boredom. --Jim Gay ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Five stars for "stop at willoughby" and "twenty - two"
Although I think that the first installment on this dvd is an absolutely fabulous episode, "twenty-two" is without a doubt my all time favorite episode of twilight zone. The line "room for one more, honey" has become a family catch phrase. This episode really achieves that eerie quality and the suspense that you come to enjoy from the better examples of the twilight zone, rivaled only by such episodes as "the after hours" and "to serve man". And the repetitive actions that the stripper goes through still don't prepare you for the final amazing twist at the end. I recommend that everyone see this, or you're not a real TZ fan!

Five stars for Willoughby alone
Maybe it's because I AM in the advertising business. Maybe it's because I'm a nostalgic romantic who yearns for the "simpler days" of a hundred years ago (which is why I enjoyed Jack Finney's "Time and Again" novel so much). Maybe it's just because I enjoy Rod Serling's writing so much.

Don't know. All I know is that "A Stop at Willoughby" is one of my all-time three favorite TZ episodes ("Time Enough at Last" and "Walking Distance" being the other two).

Sharing a theme similar to "Walking Distance" (another episode about a burned out advertising executive who gets to step back in time), "A Stop at Willoughby" is the story of a harried, "average" man caught up in a lifestyle that pushes him to ulcers and dreams of days gone by. While on board a train returning home one evening, he dozes off only to be awakened by the conductor calling out the stop -- "Willoughby" -- a place not even found on the map. Of course, it's summer in Willoughby. And the townspeople are happy, slow-paced and friendly...a life the ulcerated ad-man wishes he could step into.

Of course, he does. And there's a typical TZ twist at the end.

I bought this DVD just for "A Stop at Willoughby." And it's a good thing, too. Althought the episode "Twenty-Two" is interesting (especially watching Lost in Space's Jonathan Harris in the role of a doctor), it's not even close to Willoughby's finesse.

The third episode -- "I Dream of Genie" -- is interesting only because Andy Griffth Show's Howard Morris stars. Other than that, it's nothing worth remembering.

If you're a middle-aged advertising executive, you need to see "A Stop at Willoughby." Or, then again, maybe not. That first step is a doozy.

The classic "A Stop at Willoughby" and two lesser Zones
People unhappy with their lives look for something better in the three episodes on Volume 34 of "The Twilight Zone" DVD series. First up is Rod Serling's wistful story, "A Stop at Willoughby." James Daly plays ad exuctive Gart Williams, who loses an important account. Riding the train home he has a dream of a restful little town called Willoughby. Williams believes that Willoughby is where he really belongs, but his wife ridicules the idea, forcing him to go back to the job he hates. This is Serling at his lyrical best. "Twenty-Two," was also written by Serling, based on an anecdote in Bennett Cerf's "Famous Ghost Stories." Barbara Nichols plays Liz Powell, a professional dancer who has recurring nightmares that make her associate the number 22 with death. Again, everybody she tells this to thinks she is crazy. This is a below average episode of the Zone. Finally, we have "I Dream of Genie," written by John Furia, Jr. Howard Morris plays bookkeeper George P. Hanley, who buys a tarnished Arabian lamp for Ann (Patricia Barry), the attractive secretary at his office. Too embarrassed to give it to her, he takes the lamp home, rubs it up and a genie appears! The deal, the genie informs George, is that he gets just ONE wish. But every thing George comes up with is not going to give him the happiness he wants. A great idea, especially given all the stories we have scene where the genie's wishes are traps, but the execution suffers somewhat, especially since it gets stretched out to an hour long episode. So what we end up with on this episode is one Twilight Zone classic and a couple of sub-par excursions.

Focussing attention on the episode entitled "Twenty-Two"
As a longtime fan of the Sci-Fi & especially the Twilight Zone, I was very disappointed that the episode called "Twenty-Two" from the second season had not been released on DVD.

Here it is --- & you wont want to miss it.

A dancer recovering from from a nervous breakdown is plagued by a recurring nightmare. When her plight enters the Twilight Zone, things become very interesting.

One of the eiriest and most memorable episodes of the Twilight Zone, it may have served as source material for the horror movie Final Destination. After watching this episode, I doubt you'll ever forget the words "There's room for one more". ... Read more

Reviews (16)

The Classic "Eye of the Beholder" and the Zone pilot
"Where Is Everybody?", written by Rod Serling, was the premier episode of "The Twilight Zone," so it makes perfect sense that it is on the last volume in the DVD series. Earl Holliman plays Mike Ferris, who finds himself wearing an Air Force jumpsuit in a deserted town and no clue who he is or why he is there. While this episode was obviously good enough to get the series on the air, it ends up being a lesser effort given what is to come. Compare it, for example, to the classic "The Eye Of The Beholder," also written by Serling, where we have the story of Janet Tyler, a woman whose hideously deformed face has made her an outcast all of her life. Now she faces her eleventh and final operation in a last chance to look normal. Maxine Stuart plays Janet under the bandages, and Donna Douglas plays her as revealed. This is one of the show's finest episodes and it is nice to see they saved a gem for this late in the DVD series. "A World of His Own" was the final episode of the first season, which was actually written by Richard Matheson despite the fact Serling makes an appearance IN the episode! Keenan Wynn is Gregory West, a writer who has a wonderful dictation machine: whatever he describes, from beautiful women to elephants, materializes. A cute little episode for which Serling's appearance is a fitting punch line. Finally, "A Thing About Machines" is a nice coutnerpart to the previous episode. Writtten by Serling it tells of Barlett Finchley (Richard Haydn), a man who really, really hates machines. What he fails to realize, however, is that they hate him back. However, there is really nothing special to this episode beyond that idea. So when all is said and done this is an above average volume in the DVD series, which probably deserves a 4.5, but gets rounded up because even if two of the episodes are average, one of them is historically important.

What's on #43?, and 2 "lost" episodes...
I don't own this DVD yet, but I wanted to find out what are the Episodes included on it -- NONE of the previous reviews, despite lengthy numerical analyses of how many episodes are included in the series, mention the simple fact of "what's on #43"!! Secondly, I browsed thru all the Amazon descriptions, and could not find on ANY Volume the following 2 Episodes: "The Masks", and "The Howling Man". Where are these two?? -- HELP!! (thanks...)

Wish they were in order
Got all 43 DVDs (45 if you include the 2 "Treasures"). They are great and ALL 156 episodes are represented. The last reviewer somehow miscounted and thought two were missing. They are not missing. The "Passersby" is on DVD #6 while "Come Wander With Me" is on #41. Its terrific to finally have this great series on DVD, I just wish they appeared in order of release.

Repetitive, but still one of the best....
This is the last volume in the series. For those of you still looking for episodes not in the numerical series, they may be on "More Treasures of the TZ" or "Tresures of the TZ" which were produced prior to Vol. 1.
While two of the episodes on this DVD are found elsewhere in the series, the other two are not. However, there are a couple of surprises on this disc which make it important to history buffs and die-hard fans. "A World of His Own" is one of my personal favorites. It has the most "unique" ending of any episode, as it should -- it was the final episode of the first season.

Does Anybody Know What Episodes Are On This DVD?
Am I the only person who knows what episodes are on this DVD. All the reviews I have read doesn't mention the episode that are on this volume. Well I guess I will have to give them. Below are the episodes of this volume: 1)"Where Is Everybody?" (Episode 1- Oct. 2, 1959) 2)"The Eye Of The Beholder" (Episode 42- Nov. 11, 1960) 3)"A World Of His Own" (Episode 36- July 1, 1960) 4)"A Thing About Machines" (Episode 40- Oct. 28, 1960) Those are the episodes in this volume. This is a great volume of the Twilight Zone. It is so great that we should at least let people know what episodes are on this volume. ... Read more

Description

Episodes: "Mr. Dingle, the Strong" (Ep. 55, March 3, 1959) - A timid salesman (Burgess Meredith) is given super strength by a Martian experimenter. He eventually returns to normal--briefly. For the experiments have just begun! "Two" (Ep. 66, September 15, 1961) - Two lone survivors (Elizabeth Montgomery, Charles Bronson) of a nuclear holocaust must start the world anew--a difficult prospect since they are from opposing sides in the war! "A Passage for Trumpet" (Ep. 32, May 20, 1960) - After committing suicide, an unsuccessful trumpet player (Jack Klugman) is given a second chance at life. But first he must learn what it means to be dead in a world full of life. "The Four of Us are Dying" (Ep. 13, January 1, 1960) - Gifted with the ability to change his face, Arch Hammer devises a plan to elevate himself. The plan works perfectly until he's caught with the wrong face at the wrong time! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Great DVD!
More great episodes!

Passage for the Trumpet- Best on the disk. great episode. (****)

Mr. Dingle the Strong- This was a fun episode. It was kind of funny. (***)

Two- Didn't care for this one too much. It was ok I guess, but I kept wondering when it would be over. (**)

The Four of Us are Dying- Didn't like this one too much either. It probably would have been better if it were longer. (**)

Good but not Compelling
Volume 4 features the various twists and turns that made the Twlight Zone famous, but this DVD does not impress as much as others will. In "Mr. Dingle, the Strong," a saleman played by Burgess Meredith, realizes that he has been blessed with awesome strength (from Martians). The story fails, however, when the Martians take back the powers they gave only to give Dingle new powers that will lead to predictable results. "Two" is very interesting dramtically. Two survivors of a nuclear holocaust, Elizabeth Montgomery and Charles Bronson, find themselves alone in a barren town. Unfortunately, there is little conflict here, and while the Bronson and Montgomery do a fine bit of acting, there is not much story for them to perform; the ending is rather anti-climatic. In "A Passage for Trumpet," Jack Klugman plays a trupet player who learns what it is like to be dead. This is possibly the best episode of Vol. 4. Possibly the most disappointing episode is "The Four of Us are Dying." Arch Hammer is able to change his face at a moment's notice, but in the Twilight Zone, such "talent" brings unexpected consequences. The ending is somewhat predictable and there is little to care for in the characters.

Overall the stories on this DVD have potential, but one suspects that given more time, they could have been polished further.

Burgess Meredith and Jack Klugman revisit the Twilight Zone
When all of the reviews for several DVDs of "The Twilight Zone" disappear, should we be surprised? In "Mr. Dingle, the Strong," written by Rod Serling, Burgess Meredith returns to the Zone as a mousy little salesman who is given the strength of 300 men by a double-headed Martian as an experiment. When his super strength goes to Dingle's head the Martians abandon the experiment, which is not the end of the story. "Two," written by Montgomery Pittman, stars Charles Bronson and Elizabeth Montgomery as the last survivors from the two sides of a nuclear war. Bronson gets all of the dialogue except for a single word in Russian by Montgomery in this surprisingly realistic and gritty little tale of survival. There is also the wonderful reversal of stereotypes: the rugged Bronson is the pacifist and the lovely Montgomery who turns to violence. The first episode of the show's third season, this is a top-rate tale.

Another familiar face in the Zone, Jack Klugman, plays Joey Crown, a down on his luck musician who decides to commit suicide in "A Passage for Trumpet," written by Serling. However, after throwing himself in front of a truck, Joey discovers he has a second chance to choose which way to go. This episode features a nice turn by John Anderson as "Gabe." Finally, we have "The Four of Us Are Dying," written by Serling from an unpublished story by George Clayton Johnson. Arch Hammer (Harry Townes) can make his face change into a trumpet player (Ross Martin), a murdered gangster (Phillip Pine) and a boxer (Don Gordon), all in order to take advantage of people. But this is the Zone and Fate conspires against Hammer in a most satisfactory manner. Volume 4 of "The Twilight Zone" DVD series has at least one outright classic episode with "Two," while "Mr. Dingle, The Strong" and "A Passage for Trumpet" are well-above average and even that last episode has some nice moments, as when Hammer's face changes while he is shaving. As a rule of thumb anything in the series with Meredith or Klugman is worth having and this disc has them both. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Great DVD
More great episodes!

Long Distance Call- This one freaked me out. It was a great episode though. (****)

I Sing the Body Electric- Didn't like it too much. Felt like one of those 50's family sitcom's and not Twilight Zone. (**)

The Lonely- great episode. better that the previous. (****)

Probe 7 Over and Out- Great episode with a great and surprising ending. (****)

Grandmothers, Robots and War
Volume 5 of Collection One features four good episodes. "Long Distance Call" is somewhat predictable, but the acting makes it entertaining. "I Sing the Body Electric" was written by Ray Bradbury and is about the newest member of the family: Grandmother/Robot. The story focuses on family as its theme, however, not science fiction. "The Lonely" is the best episode of Volume 5 and involves a convict in years of solitary confinement. "Probe 7" is initially suspenseful, and ends with an interesting twist. Overall this collection is quite good and recommended.

Grandmothers, Androids and Love in "The Twilight Zone"
There are some interesting links between each set of episodes in Volume 5 of "The Twilight Zone" DVD series. Billy Mumy makes his first appearance on the Zone in "Long Distance Call," written by William Idelson and Charles Beaumont. Billy gets a toy telephone for his birthday from Grandma Bayles (Lili Darvas), who promptly gets ill and dies. Sad for a while, Billy suddenly spends all his time on the toy telephone, claiming Grandma is on the other end. When Billy tries to kill himself because the voice on the phone told him to, his father (Philip Abbott) grabs the phone and begs his dead mother to let Billy stay in the land of the living. Josephine Hutchinson plays a kinder, gentler but android Grandmother in "I Sing the Body Electric," written by Ray Bradbury from his short story. David White plays a widower who buys Grandma to take care of his three children and the focus of the story is on Anne (Veronica Cartwright), who refuses to accept the substitute for her dead mother. Hutchinson's performance is on target from start to finish.

Androids are also featured in "The Lonely," where Jack Warden plays Corry, a convicted murderer sentenced to fifty years on an asteroid in this story by Rod Serling. Captain Allenby (John Dehner) of the supply ship that stops by leaves him a present: an android named Alicia (Jean Marsh). But when Corry is pardoned, he is told he must leave the "woman" he loves behind. The idea of being in love while stranded out in space is also found in Serling's "Probe 7, Over & Out." Colonel Cook (Richard Basehart) learns that a nuclear war has destroyed his planet. Exploring the new world on which he is stranded, he discovers a footprint that leads him to Norda (Antoinette Bower), the sole survivor of her own planet, which went out of orbit. Together they will start over. And you will never guess what their first names happen to be. The linkage of these episodes is certainly creative and these are four solid episodes even if none rise to the status of certifiable classics (i.e., 4.5 stars to be completely accurate).

Richard Basehart is the best actor you will see !
No matter what anyone says about this volume, watch it for the benefit of seeing the actor Richard Basehart in "Probe 7-Over and Out". He went on to star in Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea and that was the most sucessful action series on television in the 1960's. David Headson did the series entirely because of him. Another note worthy episode is "I Sing the Body Electric" starring Veronica Cartwright. On her webpage she says it was the most successful episode of her appearance on the series.

Watch it !

The Meaning of Love and Attachment
I SING THE BODY ELECTRIC was Ray Bradbury's sole contribution to the "Twilight Zone." One of the more subtle episodes, this story is strong on characterization and reaches out on an emotional level rather than to any notion of scientific curiosity of the introduction of a robot grandmother, beautifully played by Josephine Hutchinson, into a family (including Veronica Cartwright). This is a very good episode and is one of my favorites. THE LONELY is one of Rod Serling's classics from the series. Jack Warden convincingly plays a convict sentenced to forty years alone on a distant asteroid. A periodic supply ship commanded by John Dehner one day leaves him a companion, a robot played flawlessly by Jean Marsh. Bernard Herrmann's poignant score evokes the enigmatic inner feeling of Jack Warden's love for his companion. And subsequently Herrmann's score captures the human quality of this female robot as she reciprocates that love. The combination of scripting, acting and scoring realistically captures our perceptions of loneliness, love, loss and reality. PROBE 7 - OVER AND OUT leisurely written by Rod Serling for the 5th Season examines the relationship of two beings, Richard Basehart and Antoinette Bower, the sole survivors of their respective annihilated planets. Basehart and the much underrated and forgotten Bower give good performances. LONG DISTANCE CALL written by Charles Beaumont and William Idelson is one of the six episodes recorded directly to videotape instead of being photographed on film. The story concerns a little boy played by Billy Mumy who communicates with his dead grandmother over his toy phone. Thematically it rounds out this volume as it examines our attachment to those we love. ... Read more

Amazon.com

"Static"
Dean Jagger turns in a finely tuned performance as an aging curmudgeon who eschews the picture tube for the old-time radio. But the radio in question tunes in only to the past, where Jagger might make amends for lost opportunities. The fact that Rod Serling repeatedly revisited this subject matter in episodes like this one and "A Stop at Willoughby" suggests a deep-seated penchant for romanticism--or that he was greatly overworked. One of only six episodes shot on videotape, the downgrade in visual quality lends a chamber-drama quality to theepisode's return-to-simpler-times theme.

"Four O'Clock"
A lone bigot holed up in his little apartment with a vast card catalog of "subversives" has come up with the answer to all the "evil" people in the world: At four o'clock he will make them all two feet tall! Only--as so often happens on TZ--the biter gets bitten and comes upa little short himself. Theodore Bikel plays the paranoiac with relish.

"The Parallel"
Bearing a striking resemblance to the classic 1969 film Journey to the FarSide of the Sun this is one TZ episode that deals strictly with science fiction, in this case the possibility of parallel universes. Steve Forrest plays an astronaut returning from a space mission only to find himself in a world askew, where everything looks the same but small differences keep cropping up (JFK isn't president, for example). Space exploration and the depths of the unknown make familiar bedfellows in this hour-long piece from the fourth season that earns every minute of screen time. --Jim Gay ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Dean Jagger in the classic Twilight Zone episode "Static"
One classic episode of "The Twilight Zone" is included on Volume 35 of the DVD series. Dean Jagger turns in a wonderful performance as Ed Lindsay in "Static," written by Charles Beaumont and based on an unpublished story by OCee Ritch. Lindsay cannot stand television and retrieves his old radio set from the basement of his boarding house. He discovers that he can receive radio programs from the past--but only when he is alone. Vinnie Broun, an old maid who was once engaged to Lindsay, thinks he is losing his mind. "Static" represents nostagia with a Twilight Zone twist. "Four O'Clock," written by Rod Serling and based on Price Day's short story, stars Theodore Bikel as Oliver Crangle, a hateful little man who keeps files on people that he considers evil. Somehow, Crangle has decided that at Four O'Clock he will shrink every evil person in the world down to two inches tall. Want to guess how this one ends? Bikel's performance is wasted on Crangle, an over simplified caricature who gets his just deserts. Finally we have "The Parallel," an hour-long Zone written by Serling. Robert Gaines (Steve Forrest) is orbiting the Earth when his space capsule suddenly disappears. Gaines wakes up in the hospital, told his capsule landed 46-miles from where it lifted off for space. Although it looks like he has returned home, Gaines discovers that things are not the same and becomes convinced something is terribly wrong. An interesting premise, but like most of the Zones from the fourth season, "The Parallel" simply drags on too long. So what we end with is one classic episode of "The Twilight Zone" and a couple of lesser efforts. Sure looks like a marketing ploy to me.

STATIC Deserved Better
Six episodes of the "Twilight Zone" were recorded directly onto videotape instead of film. STATIC is one of those episodes. It was written by Charles Beaumont and directed by Buzz Kulik. It starred veteran character actor Dean Jagger as a cantankerous old man tired of the mundane quality of television. Confined to a boarding house full of idly comfortable couch potatoes, he longed for the simplistic days of his beloved radio broadcasts and for a fellow boarder whom he once loved but was never able to express his feelings for. This is one of the best episodes of the "Twilight Zone" and is a companion piece to KICK THE CAN. Because it was recorded direct to videotape it suffers from the technical shortcomings from that era and loses all its dramatic impact. I never realized how good this episode was until I watched this DVD. STATIC should have been the classic episode it was meant to be right up there with WALKING DISTANCE. I recommend this one from the heart.

FOUR O'CLOCK is a tour de force for actor Theodore Bikel as a man bent on exposing all evil at 4 o'clock. I believe that this is Rod Serling's commentary on the McCarthy era. This is a very memorable and important episode.

THE PARALLEL is a fourth season hour episode written by Rod Serling. Steve Forrest gives a very good performance as a returning astronaut whose life seems to contain very subtle changes. I read some criticism about Steve Forrest's "wooden performance." On the contrary, Steve Forrest is the professional United States Marine pilot who remains cool headed and objective while trying to analyze the dilemma he is now in. This is a good episode. ... Read more

Description

Episodes: "Miniature" (Ep. 110, February 21, 1963, 50 min.) - Robert Duvall is a shy bachelor who discovers a miniature doll apparently alive inside a 19th century dollhouse. Fascinated, he whiles away the hours peering into this little world and wishing he were part of it. "The Jeopardy Room" (Ep. 149, April 17, 1964) - In a deadly game of cat and mouse, Soviet defector Major Ivan Kuchenko (Martin Landau) has three hours to escape from a room with a ticking bomb and a gun pointing at his head. "Stopover in a Quiet Town" (Ep. 150, April 24, 1964) - Bob and Millie Frazier wake to find themselves in a strange town where everything appears to be fake. There are no other people, though they can hear the giggling of a little girl... ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Robert Duvall in Charles Beaumont's classic "Miniature"
A charming little fantasy with Robert Duvall is the highlight of Volume 31 in "The Twilight Zone" DVD series. Duvall stars as Charley Parkes in "Miniature," an hour-long episode written by Charles Beaumont. Charley is a shy bachelor who still lives with his mother (Pert Kelton). In a museum he discovers a 19th-century dollhouse with a tiny mechanical doll (Claire Griswold) playing the harpsichord, only to be told the doll is carved from a single piece of wood and does not move. Charley does not fit in the real world and becomes obsessed with life in the dollhouse. "Miniature" is a beautiful love story by Beaumont with a touching performance by Duvall. "The Jeopardy Room," written by Rod Serling, features Martin Landau as Major Ivan Kuchenko, a defector from the Soviet Union, who is tracked down by an assassin, Commissar Vassiloff (John vanKreelan). Vassiloff has planted a bomb in Kuchenko's room: if her finds it within three hours he is free to go; if he triggers the bomb it will explode; if he stops looking for it or tries to leave the room he will be shot. No fantasy elements here, just good old fashion suspense. "Stopover in a Quiet Town," written by Earl Hamner, Jr., tells the story of Bob and Millie Frazier (Barry Nelson and Nancy Malone), an unhappy couple who get drunk at a party and wake up in a strange house where everything is fake. The "2001" twist on this one has little impact because these are such unpleasant people that you cannot identify with their plight. Actually, until you get to the very end of the second episode, this is a very good disc. On-balance this one ends up being slight better than average.