Description

Episodes: "The Bard" (Episode 120, May 23, 1963, 50 min.) - Jack Weston is an untalented would-be TV writer whose career takes off when the ghost of William Shakespeare writes his script. Shakespeare is appalled by the sponsor's changes, including the casting of a Marlon Brando-type actor (Burt Reynolds) to play the lead. "The Fear" (Episode 155, May 29, 1964) - An unknown creature hidden in the shadows--apparently monstrously large and immensely powerful--terrorizes a hysterical young woman and a state trooper who's arrived to help her. But is this gargantuan invader really what it seems to be? "The Bewitchin' Pool" (Episode 156, June 19, 1964) - For children distraught by feuding parents, a special swimming pool offers admittance to a happier, simpler place. Written by Earl Hamner Jr., the creator of "The Waltons." ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Evidence for why the Twilight Zone did not get renewed
There are two episodes from the final season included on Volume 42 of "The Twilight Zone" collection, which pretty much prove why the show was cancelled after its fifth season. In "The Bard," written by Rod Serling, Jack Weston plays Julius Moomer, a hack writer who stumbles upon a magic spell that brings forth William Shakespeare (John Williams) to be his ghost writer. There are a lot of in-jokes about television in this episode, but the most memorable part is that of "method actor" Rocky Rhodes, played by Burt Reynolds, who does a dead on impersonation of Marlon Brando. In another Serling episode, "The Fear," a State Trooper (Mark Richman) investigates strange lights in the sky out by the cabin of Charlotte Scott (Hazel Court). This is an extreme lame episode and provides evidence that Serling was scrapping the bottom of the barrel big time. Finally, we have "The Bewitchin' Pool," the final Zone wirten by Earl Hamner, Jr., in which a pair of children, Sport (Mary Badham) and Jeb (Tim Stafford) follow a strange pool into a swimming hole and emerge in a strange place where an old woman named Aunt T (Georgia Simmons), looks over the children of unworthy parents. Hamner is obviously trying to make some sort of point about preserving the family, but it gets lost in this sugary little tale. Only "The Bard" is worthy watching on this particular volume.

Uneven But Fun
The Bard*** 1/2 First of all I'd never heard of this ep outside of this dvd. I generally do NOT like the comedy Zones for when I watch the Zone I prefer serious Sci-Fi but all has been saved here with a tremendous performance of "Shakespeare". He is quite funny and ironic. The star of this ep is almost as endearing and about the first 5 min. of this ep you will hate it ... but let Serling do his magic and you too will see the magic of the Bard. The ending is silly though and adds little to the script ... I thought a nice touch would have been had he conjured up Serling himself! ... and the producers would have acted as though they'd never heard of him!

The Fear*** : This ep started out smashingly put alas was ruined by a terrible ending. An obvious 5 season ep. The two leads, in fact the only two people seen in this ep are actually very good actors, so good in fact they acount for all of the three stars because the story wasn't much either.

The Bewitchin Pool**** : I bought this dvd for this ep and was a bit let down (I thought this would be a 5 ringer). I marvel at why the beginning of the ep they actually show you the end! Aunt T is great the kids are good too, I watched this one several times in my youth and have since loved it. A surprisingly endearing ep which has a few too many overdubs with the voice work but in the end spins a story that I imagine is a dream of many, the simple life. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Despite Carol Burnett, a below-average set of Zones
Volume 40 in "The Twilight Zone" DVD collection certainly offers an assortment of episodes from the classic television series, although none of them comes close to qualifying as a classic Zone. Carol Burnett is klutzy usherette Agnes Grep in "Cavender Is Coming," written by Rod Serling, who loses her job and meets Cavender (Jesse White), a bungling angel. Cavender gives Agnes a fortune and a mansion, but the catch is that none of her old friends remember her and they no longer adore her. Serling wrote this episode specifically for Burnett, although the story is obviously borrowed from "Mr. Bevis," which was a failed attempt at a pilot. However, surprisingly, the script handicaps the comedienne way too much and this is just not as funny as it should be. "Passage on the Lady Anne," written by Charles Beaumont, finds ambitious Allan Ransome (Lee Philips) having to go to Europe on business. In a last-ditch effort to save their marriage, his wife Eileen (Joyce Van Patten), demands to go on the trip and to be allowed to pick the form of transportation. She picks the Lady Anne, the slowest ship afloat. However, the couple soon agree to divorce, which devastates Eileen. But the Lady Anne was one a ship reserved for lovers and all the other passengers are 75 years old taking a final cruise on the ship, and they decide to help the young couple. The supporting cast of elderly actors including Wilfrid Hyde-White, Cecil Kellaway, Gladys Cooper and Alan Napier are joys to see and make this one of the few tolerable hour-long Zone episodes. Finally, Serling's "The Brain Center at Whipple's" finds callous factory owner Wallace V. Whipple (Richard Deacon) has completely automated his factory, putting thousands out of work. Of course, since this is the Zone, irony will come calling on Whipple. A rather predictable outting. Although I like "Passage on the Lady Anne," this is a below average collection of Zone episodes.

A good Mixture of Episodes
CAVENDER IS COMING seems to have some inspiration from Frank Capra's "It's A Wonderful Life" as angel Jesse White must earn his wings by aiding a screwball human played by Carol Burnett. This is one of the few episodes that I saw for the first time ever on this DVD. My original expectations were low, but I was pleasantly surprised by some innovative photography, stunts and Burnett's excellent performance. Rod Serling actually wrote a very good comic episode from which the viewer can actually make parallels to real life situations thanks in part to Burnett's energetic approach to her part. Greatly underrated. PASSAGE ON THE LADY ANNE credited to writer Charles Beaumont from the 4th Season is an interesting story of a troubled couple's (Joyce Van Patten and Lee Phillips) attempt to rekindle their marriage aboard an antiquated ocean liner the Lady Anne. However, the antiquated ship's passengers consist solely of the elderly. The cast really makes this an enjoyable episode. It includes Wilfred Hyde-White, Gladys Cooper, Cecil Kellaway and Alan Napier. THE BRAIN CENTER AT WHIPPLE'S written by Rod Serling for the 5th Season seems to tread familiar territory which had been previously visited and done much better. It focuses on industry, man and machines. It features Richard Deacon, Paul Newlan, Ted DeCorsia and Burt Conroy. I never met an episode of the "Twilight Zone" that I didn't like. I just like some more than others. I am sure that for some people this episode holds some endearment. And that is the magic of the "Twilight Zone." ... Read more

Amazon.com

Volume 14 of The Twilight Zone on DVD is a wall-to-walltribute to series creator Rod Serling. All four TV episodes represented here are original ideas scripted by Serling himself, with his strengths--and some of his weaknesses--on display. "One for the Angels" was the second episode broadcast in the series and demonstrates Serling's sentimental streak:an aging street peddler (former vaudevillian Ed Wynn) is confronted by Death(Murray Hamilton, bearing a curious resemblance to Serling), butstrikes a clever deal to forestall his demise. Ah, but there's always acatch... "The Man in the Bottle" is a variation on the old genie-in-a-magic-lamp number, except that this time the elegant genie comes out of an ordinary wine bottle. Luther Adler plays a bitter antique store owner who learns his lesson in four short wishes. Not much of an episode, really, but the punch line to the third wish is one of those startling twists that stuck in the collective imagination of Zone fans everywhere. The eerie "Arrival" indulges Serling's fondness for aviation stories, as a DC-3 pulls into a hangar with not a soul aboard--not even the pilot. Like many of Serling's tales, itfollows the theme of regret, which also hangs heavy in "In Praise of Pip,"the opening episode of the series' fifth and final broadcast year, 1963. A two-bit bookie (Jack Klugman) reflects on his wasted life when he learns that his son is near death on a Vietnam battlefield. Although the episode isderivative of Serling's previous efforts on the same topic, this one doesprovide a glimpse of two actors who appeared frequently on the Zone, Klugmanand kid actor Billy Mumy. Klugman's anguished aside about Vietnam ("Thereisn't even supposed to be a war going on there, and my kid is dying") maywell be American popular culture's first, hesitant questioning of a war that would soon bloom into a national nightmare. --Robert Horton ... Read more

Reviews (6)

WISHES AND REQUESTS
The theme of this quartet of mostly lackluster episodes is "The Mind's Endless Dimensions". The first, "One For the Angels" is about a salesman (Ed Wynn) who outwits Death but too late realizes that a little girl will have to die in his place. The problem is that the performance by Wynn lacks any credibility in portraying the greatest pitch of all time. It would have put me to sleep, not made me eager to buy.

"The Man in the Bottle" is about a couple who own a curio shop who buy a piece of junk bottle from a woman desperate for money.
Unfortunately for them there's a genie inside whose wishes in the old cliched manner always end up having negative consequences. For example, when the husband wishes to have great power and rulership of a country he is turned into Adolf Hitler.

"The Arrival" concerns a plane landing at an airport and manuevering into docking position very normally. The problem is that when the luggage crew opens up the door there's noone on the plane, no pilots, crew, or passengers. So a veteran FAA investigator is called in to solve the mystery. It was a good premise but the resolution is oh so boring.

The best and only good episode on this DVD is "In Praise of Pip". It opens in a Vietnam War field hospital operating room where a young man named Pip has been severely wounded and is doubtful of surviving the night. Flash to the States where his father, played commandingly by Jack Klugman, is a man who collects debts for the mob. When he learns of his dying son he wants desperately to speak to him, to redeem his own life and seek forgiveness for his bad parenting. It just might come true in the Twilight Zone.

Great stories, wonderful performances!
"One for the Angels" and "In Praise of Pip" alone justify buying this DVD. The former is a charming folktale about an unremarkable street peddlar and the pitch of a lifetime which he makes to "Mr. Death". Enjoy an endearing, "Wynnsical" performance from everybody's favorite "uncle", Ed Wynn! "In Praise of Pip" stars Jack Klugman as a dissolute, boozed bookie who regrets not being a better father to his son, who is dying in Vietnam. Jack Klugman's performance is simply astounding, with a shattering climax! Horror, fear, shame, confusion, self-loathing, regret, despair, pain, fleeting joy - they all register on Klugman's remarkable face. Jack Klugman had to have been one of the greatest character actors of all time. I have only seen a few episodes of this classic TV series, but my appetite has definitely been whetted for more. All TWILIGHT ZONE fans must buy this release!

Four Wonderful Episodes that Demonstrate Serling's Talent
Any one of these episodes could serve to demonstrate the craft as well as the concern for humanity that always permeated Rod Serling's writing. "In Praise of Pip" is a particulary powerful script and is given a deeply moving performance by Jack Klugman. This and "One for the Angels" are my all-time favorite episodes of The Twilight Zone. The latter has a very touching story and a beautifully-written script. Its protagonist, Lew Bookman (Ed Wynn) is an aging, unsuccessful sidewalk salesman whose gentle yet fun-loving nature makes him popular with the neighborhood children, and in particular with Maggie, a little girl whose life he eventually saves by sacrificing himself to "Mr. Death." I love how Wynn (a former vaudeville comedian -- you may also remember him as the laughing Uncle Albert in MARY POPPINS and as the voice of the Mad Hatter in Disney's ALICE IN WONDERLAND -- and a surprisingly effective dramatic actor) interacts with Maggie; he is like her uncle or grandfather. Some have pointed out that, because Wynn was not a "fast talker," he is unconvincing in his "final sales pitch," in which he distracts Mr. Death and saves Maggie's life. I don't entirely agree with this view. The whole point of the story is that Bookman is NOT a great salesman but is loved by the children, and that this is what matters in the end. So it seems fitting that his delivery of the pitch does not sound smooth and practiced, but desperate, as though he is frantically improvising because he knows he must save Maggie. In other words, Bookman is too soft-spoken to have ever been a good salesman, but for the sake of a child he loves he can muster the energy for an effective pitch. I find Wynn's characterization entirely believable throughout the episode. Watch all four of the epidoes on this DVD. But especially watch "In Praise of Pip" and "One for the Angels" for their stories, their scripts, and their star performances by two remarkable actors, Jack Klugman and Ed Wynn.

Another four Rod Serling episodes from "The Twilight Zone"
Volume 14 of "The Twilight Zone" offers four episodes of the celebrated television series written by Rod Serling, most of which deal in some way with approaching death or the last days of your life. Serling scripted "One for the Angels" especially for Ed Wynn, who plays Lew Bookman, a sidewalk pitchman who learns from Mr. Death (Murray Hamilton), that he will die at midnight. Bookman convinces Death to not take him until he completes the Big Pitch, a masterpiece of salesmanship that would be "one of the angels." "The Man in the Bottle" is a rather lackluster story of a curio shop owner, Arthur Castle (Luther Adler) who gives an old woman a dollar for a worthless bottle that turns out to have a genie (Joseph Ruskin), who declares he will grant four wishes. After wasting a wish on having a cracked display case fixed and having his wish for million dollars in cash not work out the way he planned, Arthur comes up with something he thinks is foolproof for his next wish: to be the ruler of a foreign country in the 20th century who cannot be voted out of office.

"The Arrival" features Harold J. Stone as Grant Sheckly, a FAA investigator who tries to solve the mystery of Flight 107, which arrives from Buffalo with no one on board. Sheckly, very proud of his perfect record of having solved every incident he has investigated in 22-years on the job, refuses to let this mystery beat him. Jack Klugman and Billy Mumy return once again to the Zone for "In Praise of Pip." Klugman is Max Phillips, an alcoholic bookie who learns that his son Pip (Bob Diamond) has been seriously wounded in Vietnam. Remorseful, Max returns $300 to a bettor and for his good deed gets a bullet from one of his boss's gunmen. Making his way to a closed amusement park, Max encounters his son Pip (Mumy) as a boy. However, this happy reunion takes a fatal twist at the end. This 1963 episode opened the fifth season of "The Twilight Zone" and may well be the first television episode to deal with American soldiers dying in Vietnam. This is the best episode on this disc, with a very moving climax. Once gain, this volume does not offer any classic Zones, but certainly has three solid episodes.

Another Great twilight zone DVD
I won't waste space by describing the synopsis and content of the DVD and focus on the episodes itself. One for the Angels: 4 stars. The Man in the Bottle: 2 stars The arrival: 4 stars In Praise of Pip: 4 stars ... Read more

Reviews (18)

A Knockout Cast in a Knockout Story
'Requiem for a Heavyweight' is not only one of the great forgotten boxing pictures, it's also one of those movies that has almost vanished. Thankfully this DVD release will help keep this great film alive.

Anthony Quinn superbly plays Mountain Rivera, a 37 year old fighter who risks losing his eyesight if he continues to fight. His manager (Jackie Gleason), his trainer (Mickey Rooney), and a new-found lady friend (Julie Harris) all have different ideas about Mountain's future. Just what CAN a fighter do after 17 years in the ring?

While most of the drama takes place outside the ring, Rod Serling's script delivers tension, conflict and suspense in way you wouldn't expect from a 1962 film. You can almost see the characters thinking about where they are, where they're going, and how Mountain Rivera can and does affect their lives.

The brilliance of the film's cast is electrifying. Every actor is in absolutely tip-top form. These performances are a real pleasure to watch. This film contains no weak links.

Other reviewers have commented on the several different versions of the film. The film originally aired on television on a show called "Playhouse 90." This is the only version I have seen, so I have no other standard for comparison. I suppose it's possible, but I don't see how any version could top this one. Well worth your time and money.

Approx. 90 minutes in black and white

An acting tour de force!
I am reviewing the VHS version of this film because the DVD is edited and omits several key scenes. I was bitterly disappointed in the DVD and would not recommend it. However, I enthusiastically recommend the VHS version.

This film is one of the great forgotten masterpieces. Rarely do you see such depth of emotion as displayed by the three leading characters: Anthony Quinn, Mickey Rooney and Jackie Gleason. This is undoubtedly Quinn's greatest and most poignant performance, he delivers a knock out interpretation of the brain-damaged Mountain Rivera. Make-up and a false nose disguises Quinn's good looks and he resembles a drunken Victor MacLagen here. Mickey Rooney, always seriously underrated, is magnificent as Mountain's assistant. And Jackie Gleason is perfection as the greasy, sleazy manager. The scene of him on the stairwell with Julie Harris is one of the great moments in cinema history. What a movie!

I'm at a loss to explain why this brilliant film is not universally recognized as one of the great movies ever made. The acting is superb, the screenplay gripping and the ending will mesmerize you. A thinking man's flick, to be sure. This is definitely a keeper.

A Powerful Indictment
REQUIEM FOR A HEAVYWEIGHT serves as a powerful indictment of the sport of professional boxing. The film is marked by strong performances from some of the best actors available at that time. It is not a classic boxing movie in the traditional sense but instead it is a film which focuses on the personal and social damage associated with a sordid business.

Anthony Quinn as a punchy heavyweight at the end of a long career and Jackie Gleason as his greedy, conniving manager are superb. Mickey Rooney is the boxer's trainer and Julie Harris is the employment counselor who tries to help Quinn make the transition to a life after boxing. There are cameo appearances by Cassius Clay and Jack Dempsey.

Ralph Nelson also directed some other good movies such as LILIES OF THE FIELD and FATHER GOOSE. The Oscar competition in 1962 had several strong contenders. REQUIEM FOR A HEAVYWEIGHT did not receive a single nomination in any category.

requirem for a heavyweight and a neighborhood
This is a remarkable film. Remarkable because it is the death of a man's life style. It teaches that many people's lives are cut short without being killed. A person's life is more than their physical life. It is their way of life that attributes to their life. Cut a man's reason for living and you might as well kill him physically. Ironically, the film was filmed on location in the Washington Market Area of lower manhattan. Any area that was in it's own dying days which can be seen from the decay of the neighbor hood. And area that would be totally destroyed to make way for the World Trade Center some 5 years later, another tragitic story in it's own right.My father actually watched some of the filming of this fim on Murray Street. The film crew actually brought the old Susquehanna Hotel back to life for most of this film. The dreary sceens are real, filmed in the dead Susquehanna Hotel. Sadly, the most depressing thing about this film is the fact that the Jerks who put the movie on DVD used an edited version. Why? I will never know. Rod Serling must be spinning in his grave!!! The producers of this DVD owe each of us that purchased this film and updated UNEDITED VERSION!!!!!!!!!

A Great Movie assembled by a butcher !!
(DVD) I agree with Mr. Rapchak. In addition to the missing scenes he outlines, there are other missing scenes near the beginning of the movie. The bar scene after Gleason is worked over by mob muscle; Quinn wandering the street, meeting a down-and-out ex-fighter/boozer and tussling with his boss, broken up by Gleason and Rooney. Quinn trying to get a moving van job...etc. There's no warning on the DVD cover that it does NOT contain the movie Requiem For A Heavyweight but rather selected scenes from the real movie. On the back of the DVD case however there are two pictures from scenes in the movie...they are among the scenes that are NOT included on the DVD. That strikes me as deceptive. I have seen the entire movie on satellite TV and the Columbia/Tri-Star version is a rip off. If you want to see the real Requiem For A Heavyweight then you'll be very disappointed with this butchered version of the movie. Maybe the VHS version will have the complete movie; I don't know. ... Read more

Description

Episodes: "Perchance to Dream" (Ep. 9, November 27, 1959) - A man (Richard Conte) is terrified of falling asleep for fear he might die. His pursuer? A mysterious vixen he meets in his dreams! The first non-Rod Serling script of the series. "The Hitch-Hiker" (Ep. 16, January 22, 1960) - Alone on a cross-country trip, Nan Adams (Inger Stevens) has a blowout. Surviving the incident, she gets back on the road--only to see the same hitch-hiker everywhere she looks! "King Nine Will Not Return" (Ep. 37, September 20, 1960) - WWII Captain James Embry (Robert Cummings) finds himself next to a crashed plane in a vast desert. Where is his crew? And why are futuristic jet planes flying overhead? "Shadow Play" (Ep. 62, May 5, 1961) - Trapped in a recurring nightmare, a man (Dennis Weaver) tries to persuade those who are sentencing him to death that the whole scenario is not real. Will they ever listen? ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Three good episodes, one is fair
Perchance to Dream - Man has been awake for 4 days because he fears a dream-induced death. One of my favorite episodes.

The Hitch Hiker - Woman driving cross-country keeps passing the same hitch-hiker. Phones home and gets chilling message. So-so.

King Nine will not Return - Pilot Bob Cummings crash lands in the African desert in 1943 - but where is his crew? Wakes up in hospital 17 years later. Reminiscent of the TV-movie "Sole Survivor" which is not out on DVD :-( Good one.

Shadow Play - Dennis Weaver is trapped in his nightmare of repeatedly being put to death for murder. In each repetition, the supporting actors change roles. Neat.

Great DVD
Perchance to Dream- Good episode, it got a little tedious at some parts though. (***)

Hitch Hiker- Great episode! Very good ending. (****)

King Nine will not Return- I liked it. A lot of people seem to not. (***)

Shadow Play- Good episode. Made you think. (***)

Worth Purchasing For "The Hitch-Hiker" Alone!
This 7th volume of The Twilight Zone series on Digital Versatile (Video) Disc is another goodie.

Two of these four half-hour TZ episodes are a couple of the best in the Rod Serling series (in my view). Those being the fantastic "The Hitch-Hiker", starring the lovely Inger Stevens, and "Shadow Play" with Dennis Weaver.

This seventh disc in the series is a "can't miss" for me, along with volumes 2, 8, and 9 as well.

The illusion of reality that we find in "The Twilight Zone"
The illusion of reality is explored in Volume 7 of "The Twilight Zone." In "Perchance to Dream," written by Charles Beaumont from his own short story, Edward Hall (Richard Conte) tells his psychiatrist (John Larch) about nightmarish dreams in which Maya (Suzanne Lloyd), a carnival dancer, is trying to scare him to death. Because of a heart condition, if the dreams do not kill Hall, trying to stay awake will. Beaumont continues his exploration of dreams in "Shadow Play," which features a memorable performance by Dennis Weaver as Adam Grant, a condemned prisoner who will be executed. Grant insists he is having a recurring nightmare and that when he dies everyone else will cease to exist. In Rod Serling's "King Nine Will Not Return," Captain James Embry (Bob Cummings) wakes up besides the wreckage of his B-25 bomber, "King Nine," and frantically searches for his crew as odd visions persist. Inger Stevens and Leonard Strong turn in strong performances as Nan Adams and the title character in Serling's "The Hitch-Hiker," based on the radio play of that name by Lucille Fletcher. Following a blowout, Nan repeatedly sees the same hitch-hiker as she travels along the highway. Since this is, after all, the Twilight Zone, we all know the true identity of the hitch-hiker. The two Beaumont Zones are superior the pair of Serling efforts, although none of the four really qualify as outright classics. Still, this is an interesting "theme" volume in this DVD set.

Four of the best Twilight Zone episodes
Image is releasing these original Twilight Zone episodes NOT in the order of the original broadcast date (which I would've preferred), but rather in a way so that each volume contains episodes that have roughly similar themes. The result is often that the best episodes, mostly the earlier ones in the series' 5-season run, are scattered among different volumes.

Volume 7, however, is one of the better ones, since 3 of the 4 episodes selected are among the best in the series: "The Hitchhiker", "Perchance to Dream", "Shadow Play". The weakest of the 4 in my opinion is "King Nine will not Return" but many people like it and think it's one of the best also. All 4 episodes are about hallucinations or dreams that doom the protagonist.

Picture and sound qualities are superb throughout. The DVD also include extra material such as episode descriptions, biographical notes, and trivias.

It is hard to find TV stations that show TZ episodes these days, and even when they do, they sometimes don't show all the episodes (especially the 1-hour ones), and episodes are almost always edited for time. The TZ episodes on these volumes are uncut and uninterrupted; and for TZ fans they definitely worth collecting.

Programs like The Twilight Zone are a dead genre. Today's viewers aren't likely to watch a sci-fi show without expecting special effects and action scenes. TZ had no flashy effects and rapid actions, only IDEAS that provoke our thoughts and stimulate our imaginations. ... Read more

Amazon.com

At least one of the episodes collected on volume 15 of The Twilight Zone DVDofferings is an all-time classic--if by classic we mean the kind of showthat still produces a shudder of recognition years after viewing. This is"The Midnight Sun," an apocalyptic tale in which a cosmic event has hurledthe earth toward the sun, sending the thermometer to 120 degrees and thepopulation into despair. Aside from the twist ending and the attractivesweating of Lois Nettleton, what's likely to be remembered from this episode, is the haunting image of an oil painting melting with the heat. Other episodes in this collection, all scripted by series creator RodSerling, emphasize bravura acting. In "Escape Clause," gracefully directed by Hollywood pro Mitchell Leisen, the whimsical David Wayne plays ahypochondriac whose anxious life is changed by the arrival of Death (veteran heavy Thomas Gomez). Soon the indestructible hero is courting exotic ways ofdestroying himself, just to alleviate his boredom: "Let's give the electric chair a little whirl," drawls the blithely curious Wayne. The claustrophobic"Nervous Man in a Four Dollar Room" takes on technical challenges typical of The Twilight Zone. It never leaves the confines of a tiny, shabby hotel room andleading man Joe Mantell plays much of the dialogue with a mirror image ofhimself. The point of the episode is somewhat monotonous, but Mantell'sperformance, as a loser facing his last chance at decency, is fully juiced. "A Kind of Stopwatch" shows what happens when a loudmouth pest (RichardErdman, the annoying personification of the can-do man with ideas) comes into possession of a watch that can stop the whole world in mid-motion. Justice eventually is meted out, per the usual scales of The Twilight Zone. --Robert Horton ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Pretty Average DVD
Midnight Sun is the best Zone episode on this DVD. The rest are okay but not all that special.

Four stories of desperate people in "The Twilight Zone"
Desperate people in desperate situations abound in Rod Serling's four scripts presented in Volume 15 of "The Twilight Zone" DVD series. In "Escape Clause, " David Wayne stars at hypochondriac Walter Bedecker, who strikes a deal with Mr. Cadwallader (Thomas Gomez), a.k.a. the Devil, to receive immortality and indestructibility in exchange for his soul. Of course, Bedecker soon realizes he has gotten a raw deal. "Nervous Man in a Four Dollar Room" features Joe Mantell as Jackie Rhodes, who has been ordered by a gangster to murder the owner of bar. Knowing he does not have the guts to refuse the order and that he will be caught if he commits the crime, Jackie looks in the mirror and discovers looking back at him a DIFFERENT Jackie Rhodes, who is the better man he could have been and who now wants out into the real world. Lois Nettleton turns in a wonderful performance in "The Midnight Sun" as Norma, who is trying to survive in her New York City apartment as the Earth moves closer and closer to the sun. Of course, there is an ironic twist at the end of this tale as well. Finally, there is Patrick Thomas McNulty (Richard Erdman), a man who does not know when to shut up in "A Kind of a Stopwatch," based on an unpublished story by Michael D. Rosenthal. The whims of fate, in the presence of a strange little man named Potts (Leon Belasco), give McNulty a remarkable stopwatch. Press the button and time stops for everybody in the world except him. Unfortunately, the man is not the equal of the gift. One of the better theme discs in this series, these are all above average episodes of the Zone.

The "Superb Zone" Volume 15
This volume is by far one of the best available today. The episodes "Nervous Man in a Four Dollar Room" and "A Kind of Stopwatch" are worthy episode done in the typical Zonie fashion. While "Escape Clause," starring: David Wayne (well-known for playing the Mad Hatter on the 60's television comedy: "Batman") plays a hypochondriac, who sells his soul for immortality. The episode offers a bit of twisted humor that only "The Twilight Zone" could pull-off tastefully. However; it is episode "The Midnight Sun" that steals the show! Timeless situation about two women who are faced within a hopeless situation. The Earth has changed its orbit, and is drifting closer to the sun. Knowing the inevitable is soon at hand, the two depend on each other for survival. How long can they survive? How long can they remain sane? This episode makes you think: "what if this really happened? " Also: for you fans of Lois Nettleton, the scenes of her sweating in her under-garments is very sexy; it is worth buying the dvd just for that. Out of all the volumes I want to own, I bought this one first! ... Read more

Description

Episodes: "The Last Flight" (Ep. 18, February 5, 1960) - A World War I Flying Ace flies through a mysterious cloud--and lands at a modern U.S. air base in the year 1960! But the strange part is yet to come. "Once Upon a Time" (Ep. 78, December 15, 1961) - Woodrow (Buster Keaton), a janitor living in the year 1890, accidentally activates a time-travelling helmet which transports him to 1962--then promptly breaks down! "A Hundred Yards Over the Rim" (Ep. 59, April 7, 1961) - In 1847, a western settler (Cliff Robertson) sets out to find medicine for his dying son--and stumbles into modern-day New Mexico. He returns with much more than just medicine. "The Trouble with Templeton" (Ep. 45, December 9, 1960) - Booth Templeton (Brian Ahern) is an aging actor who longs for the old days when his wife was alive. Miraculously, he is given a sobering glimpse of the past he holds so dear. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Four Tales of Time Travelling in the Twilight Zone
There is an interesting pattern to the episodes collected on Volume 10 of "The Twilight Zone" DVD series since the third episode essentially merges the first two together. But the key element here is obviously Time Travel. "The Last Flight," written by Richard Matheson, was sold to "The Twilight Zone" on the strength of a simple idea: a World War I pilot lands at a modern airbase. The pilot is Flight Lt. Decker (Kenneth Haigh), who fled during a dogfight, leaving his best friend surrounded by enemy fighters, doomed to die. After flying through a strange white cloud, similar to the Matheson employed in "The Incredible Shrinking Man" one would assume, Decker lands at a modern day American air field in France (you have to pretend we had them). There Decker learns that he might have a chance to redeem himself and more importantly, a reason to do so. "Once Upon a Time," also written by Matheson is a rare opportunity for outright slapstick in the Zone. The show features the great silent comedian Buster Keaton as janitor Woodrow Mulligan. Disgusted with the fast paced and high priced society of 1890, Woodrow steals a "time helmet" from the inventor who employs him, and travels to 1962. Of course, he is in for quite a bit of future shock. The 1890 sequences are down in silent fashion, with cards instead of dialogue, but the humor is trite rather than funny. Keaton is fine, but the gags are second-rate at best, which is really a surprise since the episode was directed by Norman Z. McLeod, who directed the Marx Brothers films "Horse Feathers" and "Monkey Business." This is just one of those cases were major talents come together and produce a small pop instead of a big bang.

Cliff Robertson stars as Christian Horn, traveling to a new life in California in 1847 in "A Hundred Yards Over the Rim," written by Rod Serling. Similar to "The Last Flight," this episode hinges on a pivotal image: while searching for water and food for his dying son, Horn walks "over the rim" to discover a paved highway, telephone poles, trucks and a diner. However, the conclusion of this episode ends up paralleling "The Last Flight" way too much to avoid eye brow raising. Still, the performance of Robertson makes this one work on its own terms. Finally, "The Trouble With Templeton," written by E. Jack Neuman, features Brian Aherne as Booth Templeton, an aging actor who longs for the happy days in the Twenties when his wife as still alive. Late for a rehersal of a play he finds himself back in 1927. Finding his wife Laura (Pippa Scott) alive at a local speakeasy he is stunned to find that while she is as beautiful as he remembers her, she is a vulgar little flirt. His perfect memories destroyed, he returns to the present at which point he makes a rather stunning discovery. I have a special fondness for this episode because I did not see the twist coming. Sydney Pollack plays Willis, the young director who is not happy with Templeton's commitment to his craft. This was Neuman's only Zone script, although he did write/produce several notable television series including "Dr. Kildare," "Mr. Novak" and "Police Story." This is an above average collection of "Twilight Zone" episodes helped alone by the thematic unity of the quartet of stories. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Best laid plans go horribly astray in "The Twilight Zone"
The best laid plans of mice and men in invariably go astray in "The Twilight Zone" as evidenced by the trio of episodes collected on Volume 36 of the DVD series. Love potions do not work well in the Zone, as Roger Shackleforth (George Grizzard) learns in "The Chaser," written by Robert Presnell, Jr. and based on the short story by John Collier. Roger is desperately in love with Leila (Patricia Barry), and purchases a love potion from a professor named "A. Daemon." The potion works so well that after six months of marriage Roger is back looking for something a bit more deadly. In "The Rip Van Winkle Caper," written by Rod Serling, four men steal a million dollars worth of gold bars off of a train from Fort Knox. To get away with their crime, Farwell (Oscar Beregi) has created a gas that will put them in suspended animation. They awake 100 years later, but it seems one of them, DeCruz (Simon Oakland), is greedy enough not to want to share any of the stolen gold. "The New Exhibit," written by Jerry Sohl, is set in Ferugson's Wax Museum, where attendance has been poor. Ferguson has sold the place, which will be demolished and replaced by a supermarket. But Martin Lombard Senescu (Martin Balsam), who has worked there for 30 years, can not stand the idea since five of the figures, notorious murderers such as Jack the Ripper and Albert W. Hicks, have become almost like friends to him. Reluctantly, Ferguson agrees to let Martin take the figures to his own basement, in hopes that someday he can start his own museum. Martin's wife Emma does not like the fact that they are starving while the electricity runs all night to preserve the wax figures. But when she goes down there one night to pull the plug, Martin finds here dead the next morning with her blood on Jack the Ripper's knife. This is one of the better hour-long episodes from the Zone's sub-par fourth season. While none of these episodes are classics the last two are certainly well above average, so we will round up to 5 stars for this one. What stands out on this DVD are not so much the stories but the performances by Balsam, Oakland and Beregi. ... Read more

Description

Episodes: "The Mighty Casey" (Episode 35, June 17, 1960) - A broken-down baseball team soars when a new player, a human-looking robot, pitches shut-out after shut-out. He must be altered to become more human, but how will this affect his superhuman skills? "Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up" (Episode 64, May 26, 1961) - State troopers follow tracks from an unidentified flying object to a diner where they try to determine which of the seven bus passengers stranded inside is really a Martian. "The Changing of the Guard" (Episode 102, June 1, 1962) - Donald Pleasence is Professor Ellis Fowler, forced to retire after 51 years of teaching. Feeling his life was worthless, Fowler is startled by the ghostly appearance of former students. "Come Wander with Me" (Episode 154, May 22, 1964) - A singer (Gary Crosby) journeys to the backwoods to find authentic folk songs. He hears a great ballad...a timeless tune that will have a very personal meaning for him. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A mixed bag of episodes from "The Twilight Zone"
The performance of Donald Pleasance stands out in the four episodes from "The Twilight Zone" collected on Volume 41 of this DVD series. Robert Sorrells plays "The Mighty Casey," a robot that becomes the star pitcher of the last place Hoboken Zephyrs in this episode written by Rod Serling. However, when it is discovered Casey is a robot, it is ruled that he cannot play baseball unless he has a heart and it is up to his inventor, Dr. Stillman (Abraham Sofaer) to give him one. Jack Warden plays Manager Mouth McGarry, after Serling personally paid to have scenes reshot when the original actor died of a heart attack shortly after production. "The Might Casey" is a mildly amusing episode. "Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up" by Serling finds State Troopers following tracks from a U.F.O. to a diner. Now all they have to do is figure out which of the seven bus passengers inside is really a Martian. This is an above-average Zone with references to science fiction writers and cliches, as well as nice performances by John Hoyt, Barney Phillips and Jack Elam. Serling even throws in one of his better twists at the end. Donald Pleasance turns in a surprisingly different performance as Professor Ellis Fowler in Serling's "The Changing of the Guard." A saintly English professor, Fowler is being forcibly retired and contemplates suicide, thinking he has accomplished nothing in his teaching career. But in his classroom for the final time the ghosts of his former students try to convince him otherwise. On the written page the dialogue looks looks rather cliched, but not when Pleasance delivers it. Finally, "Come Wander With Me," written by Anthony Wilson, is the story of Floyd Burney (Gary Crosby), "the Rockabilly Boy," who travels the backwoods looking for authentic folk songs. When he hears a haunted ballad being hummed by the lovely Mary Rachel (Bonnie Beecher), he knows he has found what he was looking for, but he fails to notice the tombstone with his name on it. There are so many twists in this one that by the time it is over you will have no idea what was really going on. So the four episodes on Volume 41 would grade out, in order, as D, C, B, F, which grades out as a C overall (can you tell school is back in session?).

If only we could hand pick our episodes ...
The (not so) Mighty Casey: 1 star This is a first season ep. and is surprisingly lacking in many ways. The sound effects are campy (even for 1960), the humor is off, and Jack Wardens perfomance is plain poor and over blown. He turned in one of the best performances EVER for the Zone in "The Lonely" but here, I suppose, the material he had to work with was sub-par. "Casey" himself is not even likeable, none of the characters are. A Formality Episode.

Will The Real Martian Please Stand Up: 3 stars A decent ep. that seems to be a fan favorite but for me "the old giggling man" is pretty annoying. Most will recognise a Trek doctor here and he turns in a fine performance. The ending is classic, sans for the silly makeup.

The Changing Of The Guard: 3.5 stars Pleasance is great in this episode. Even greater is the meaning behind it all. Whether we know it or WE ALL MATTER. Whether you teach or not your existance at some point WILL influence another in a positive way. Thats the meaning I got from it. A touching episode.

Come Wander With Me: 4.5 stars This ep. is great because the song is haunting and it also has a rather strange ending and meaning. I really love how "Floyd Burney" kept running around this Zone proclaiming for God and Country, "I'M FLOYD BURNEY!" As though it mattered to these people. A Caution for you ego-maniacs: it doesn't matter who you are, but WHO KNOWS YOU!

Again, there is no paperwork (inserts, like every other dvd has!) for the Zones which is unusually cheap (though they are all this way). The navigation is abnormally slow, but the picture is terrific! Also, I found no isolated music tracks.

Come Wander with Me and find Hidden EASTER EGGS
Volume 41 of "The Twilight Zone" contains 'Easter Eggs.' 'Easter Eggs' are hidden extras on the DVD which are not listed on the cover or even mentioned in the main menu. They have their own menu page and you have to navigate around until you find them! 'COME WANDER WITH ME' for instance contains an isolated music track. Many people complained about the reissue of 'THE ENCOUNTER' on DVD in Vol. 33. However, it was reissued because it contains an 'Easter Egg.' 'THE ENCOUNTER' contains an isolated music track! Now, on to the main review!

'COME WANDER WITH ME' has been a long-overlooked episode which first aired on May 22, 1964. It is a very strange and enigmatic tale written by Anthony Wilson and directed by Richard Donner. It stars Gary Crosby as a folk singer who ventures into the backwoods in search of his next hit song. He's a con man who steals authentic folk ballads by using a tape recorder and Gary Crosby is brilliant in this role. Crosby brings a real facade of charisma that the role demanded and he makes this episode work. This is a very atmospheric episode that does not hit you right away. You may not even like it. But its haunting images and singular tune may linger with you and you may just revisit this one again and again (that's a little hint about the story). I have done so many times and this one of my favorite episodes right up there with 'WALKING DISTANCE' and 'NIGHTMARE AT 20,000 FEET.' I highly recommend 'COME WANDER WITH ME.' 'THE MIGHTY CASEY' is an enjoyable little episode written by Rod Serling about a down and out baseball team that gets a little help from a robot named Casey. The very dependable Jack Warden as usual turns in a good performance. 'A PIANO IN THE HOUSE' which first aired on February 16, 1962 shows the cruelty that lies beneath the surface of some people. Barry Morse is at his best as he uses a player piano to make his guests reveal their innermost feelings and desires in a most vicious fashion. The late Joan Hackett is very good as she underplays her role as his abused wife. Earl Hamner, Jr. wrote a brilliant and memorable script for this episode as he chose a different tune to reveal each character as it was played on the piano. As for being memorable, 'WILL THE REAL MARTIAN PLEASE STAND UP' is one of the most remembered and identified episodes. Written by Rod Serling with an original airdate of May 26, 1961 it is the story that takes place in a diner where passengers of a bus trip are stranded. There's only one problem: one of the passengers may be an alien in disguise! You get a good sampling of episodes on this disc showing the diversity of themes and stories which contain that one cohesive element for the viewer: YOU HAVE JUST ENTERED THE TWILIGHT ZONE. ... Read more

Description

Episodes: "The Trade-Ins" (Ep. 96, April 20, 1962) - An elderly couple visit the New Life Corporation, hoping to transplant their personalities into youthful artificial bodies. But they can only afford one. "Sixteen Millimeter Shrine" (Ep. 4, October 23, 1959) - An aging former movie star (Ida Lupino) lives and dreams in the past. Despite the efforts of her agent (Martin Balsam), she refuses to leave her screening room--until she disappears! "Mr. Denton on Doomsday" (Ep. 3, October 16, 1959) - A has-been, drunk of a gunslinger (Dan Duryea) finds that his fast-draw abilities can actually be restored by drinking a magic potion! "The Lateness of the Hour" (Ep. 44, December 2, 1960) - Dr. Loren enjoys the faultless robot servants he has invented. His daughter (Inger Stevens), however, feels imprisoned by them--and soon learns how right she is! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

A Star on Sunset Boulevard
The question of what is real and what is illusion is central to my favorite episode on this DVD, "The Sixteen-Millimeter Shrine." The story concerns a former movie queen who refuses to believe that she is no longer young and in demand, instead spending her days and nights alone with her old films. In an uncanny bit of wish-fulfillment, she finally leaves the "real world" and enters the world of make-believe for good. Ida Lupino gives a formidable "star performance" as the aging actress, and Martin Balsam brings emotional depth to the role of her sympathetic agent. Mention must also be made of the set - the star's Beverly Hills mansion - which is simply beautiful. In short, the script, the acting, and the production values all combine to make "The Sixteen-Millimeter Shrine" a thoroughly entertaining and thought-provoking episode of The Twilight Zone.

SECOND CHANCES OF DROOL
Except for the episode "Mr.Denton on Doomsday", these are some of the weakest Zone episodes I have ever seen. "Denton" concerns an ex-gunslinger (Dan Duryen)who has become the town drunk. Martin Landau portrays a leader of a gang that finds its primary entertainment in humiliating Denton, forcing him to sing "How Dry I Am" a couple of times. Then a travelling quack offers him a potion that will restore his former skills. Duryen gives an emotional performance that truly conveys the emotions of shame and learned helplessness of an alcoholic.

"The Trade-Ins" is a overly sentimental tale of an elderly couple who want to continue to live in the froo-froo of their love. So they visit a showroom where you can pick from an assortment of young bodies you can transfer yourself into. The problem is that they only have enough money for one! Joseph Schildkraut plays the old man and his real life wife died during filming of this episode. It didn't help the performance. This episode was weighted down by mush.

"16 Millimeter Shrine" is a blatant rip-off of Sunset Boulevard in which an aging movie star (Ida Lupino) just sets in her room drinking and showing her old films, unable to accept that all things must pass. Martin Balsam, just years away from his greatest performance in "Mitchell", plays her agent boyfriend who is trying to make her live in reality and trying to revive her career. Lupino gives an ugly overacted performance with sweeps of her arms and superficial breakdowns of emotion. It's all too much.

Lastly, we come to the only other half decent episode on the DVD, "The Lateness of the Hour". It's about parents and their suddenly no longer childlike daughter. It seems her father has perfected the safest and most isolated environment to live in. The family stays confined in their lavish mansion and are waited on by robots who look like humans. Except they never make mistakes. The problem is that the daughter, Inger Stevens, wants to see what the rest of the world looks like. She wants to meet a man, have some adventures. This episode felt like a play because it was filmed on videotape, and thereby all of it was shot on the same set. The actors do a decent job.

Overall, a subpar volume in this series

Four great journeys into the Twilight Zone
I'm a little partial to this dvd because it has "Mister Denton on Doomsday", which is one of the first TZ episodes I ever saw as a little boy and one I actually sat on the floor in front of the tv taping on a tape recorder with my own narration (well before the days of VCR's). Of the four stories on here, three have the telegraphed endings (if you don't see it coming by about ten minutes into the show, you're not watching hard enough). The other one (Mister Denton) is good about keeping you guessing until the end. Still, the fact that you can see the ending coming doesn't stop them from being exciting and worth watching. "The Lateness of the Hour" was filmed on video tape (one of only 6 episodes done that way) and like those others it was limited in the locations it could shoot from. Still, they manage to tell a gripping story in the expanse of two rooms and it's worth watching. "The Trade-ins" is a good sentimental story that has its moments. "The 16mm Shrine" is a creepy tale, but pays off well in the end. And finally, "Mister Denton..." is a good western tale that has an interesting premise and a cool twist at the end. Don't forget to go to the extras on the dvd and read the "Reviews and Credits" section for each episode after you watch it. "The Trade-ins" has an especially tragic side-note that will make you want to go back and watch the episode again to catch the emotion you didn't notice as well before. I give this dvd 4 stars because while the episodes were mostly strong, there were a couple of weak spots during the stories that kept them from being perfect. Still, it's a great one to add to your collection!

Four Serling Tales of Second Chances in the Twilight Zone
All four episodes of "The Twilight Zone" included on Volume 12 of the DVD series were written by Rod Serling and the common theme is one of Serling's favorites: people being given a second chance. "The Trade-Ins" features Joseph Schildkraut and Alma Platt as John and Marie Holt, who visit the New Life Corporation hoping to translate their personalities into young, artificial bodies. However, they only have enough money for ONE operation. This episode is my favorite Twilight Zone love story, made all the more effective by the performances of the two lead characters. Ida Lupino stars as aging movie star Barbara Jean Trenton in "The Sixteen-Millimeter Shrine," who secludes herself in her screening room watching her old films. Her agent (Martin Balsam) tries to coax her back to the real world, even getting her former leading man to visit her. However, this Twilight Zone version of "Sunset Blvd." finds that sometimes wishes come true. "Mr. Denton on Doomsday," also by Serling, stars Dan Duryea as the title character, a drunken gunslinger who is forced to fight the town bully (Martin Landau). However, Henry J. Fate (Malcolm Atterbury) rides into town and just by looking at Denton momentarily restores his shooting skills. But after winning the gunfight, Denton finds he has become the target for a young gunslinger (Doug McClure) wanting to make his reputation. Denton buys a magic potion from Fate that will give him ten seconds of deadly accuracy, which Denton must use to change his life forever. This episode provides one of the better Twilight Zone scripts, which I do not think you will find predictable. Finally, in "The Lateness of the Hour," we find Dr. Loren (John Hoyt) enjoying being served by his perfect robot. However, his daughter Jana (Inger Stevens), cannot stand this idyllic life. Unfortunately, the twist for this one is pretty predictable even though Serling does put a nice flip on the twist at the end. This was the first Zone episode to be taped rather than filmed, and Serling made the limitations of this format part of the story in terms of Jana's feelings of confinement. None of these are classic Zones, but except for the last one they are all certainly above average, which is pretty good for one of the volumes in this series.

mediocore
it isn't a scary movie at all. i saw it in class and i thought it was realy funny, because its kind of reflecting all the wrong things that happen today. i wouldnt really recomend watching it but seeing alot of them really gave me the creeps nate ... Read more

Amazon.com

The four episodes included on The Twilight Zone, Vol. 26focus on characters who inevitably pay a price for their tragic flaws. In "TheBig Tall Wish," an aging boxer (Ivan Dixon, later to costar in TV's Hogan'sHeroes) can't comprehend the influence of a little boy's magical wish thatbrought him a surprise victory--a victory that's sacrificed to the fighter's owncynicism. (The twist is nothing new for TZ fans, but the episode's mostlyblack cast was a noteworthy breakthrough for 1960 television.) "Showdown withRance McGrew" is an amusing send-up of pampered actors, in this case amilquetoast TV cowboy whose comeuppance arrives in the form of the real JesseJames--in a real Western town--whose attitude toward phony cowboys is anythingbut tolerant.

Fine performances by Barry Morse and Joan Hackett highlight "A Piano in theHouse," in which a sadistic critic uses a magical player piano to expose thehidden truths of several party guests, only to be himself revealed as morepathetic than any of his victims. "Night Call" is a classic episode combiningterror and human weakness in the story of an elderly woman (Gladys Cooper) whoreceives phone calls from beyond the grave, realizing too late that the callermight have brought happiness to her final days. When viewed together, these fourepisodes demonstrate how The Twilight Zone often recycled themes andbasic plots with admirable ingenuity, thus defining the series' overall missionas set forth by Rod Serling. Some episodes work better than others, but they allilluminate the complex faults, foibles, and grand ambitions that makeTwilight Zone characters so timelessly appealing. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (5)

The best of the Twilight Zone dvds.
I have most of the TZ dvds and plan on getting them all. This one marks the 30th I've bought and I have to say it's the best so far. All four episodes are strong and good, and there's something for everyone. For the fun-lovers, there's "Rance McGrew" - a light-hearted TZ episode that's really funny in certain parts. For the child in all of us, there's "The Big Tall Wish", which tells us to never stop believing in the magic. For the more serious-minded traditional TZ lovers, there's two excellent episodes in "Piano in the House" and "Night Call" - both excellent in every way! While most TZ dvds suffer from a slow episode or two thrown in with a few strong ones, this dvd has nothing but goodies on here. A great one to start your collection with!

Four tales on the ways of magic in "The Twilight Zone"
Magic makes its presence known in the four episodes from "The Twilight Zone" collected in Volume 26 of this DVD series. Ivan Dixon has a nice role as Bolie Jackson in "The Big Tall Wish," written by Rod Serling. Just about washed up as a prizefighter, Jackson wins his fight because little Henry (Steven Perry), used magic to help. But Jackson refuses to believe in the magic. In "Showdown with Rance McGrew," written by Serling and based on an idea by Frederic Louis Fox, temperamental television cowboy star McGrew (Larry Blyden) suddenly finds himself in the real Old West where the real Jesse James (Arch Johnson) has a complaint about the way he and his fellow outlaws are portrayed on television. "A Piano in the House," written by Earl Hamner, Jr., stars Barry Morse as Fitzgerald Fortune, a cynical theater critic who uses a magical piano player to get his party guests to reveal hidden truths about themselves. Fortune is an unpleasant man who meets a deservedly unpleasant fate. Gladys Cooper makes a return visit to the Zone as Miss Elva Keene in "Night Call," written by Richard Matheson and based on his short story "Long Distance Call." Miss Elva, who is crippled, keeps getting strange phone calls with a man's voice saying, "Where are you? I want to talk to you." She is already scared, but when she learns the phone calls are coming from a fallen wire lying atop the grave of her long-dead fiance Brian, who was killed in the car crash that crippled her. This episode is another minor masterpiece from Matheson. This is an above-average volume in the series, which just happens to have three of my favorite "non-classic" episodes of the Zone.

"Night Call" Makes it All Worthwhile!
"Night Call" is one of the top 2 or 3 creepiest Twilight Zone episodes ever!! Superbly written script with excellent plot development (it gets more than the allowable number of "stars")! A great acting performance, and gradually mounting tension throughout! The other episodes are much less effective although "Piano in the House" is actually a very good script-- Unfortunately, superficial character development diminishes some admirable acting performances--It gets "2 1/2 stars" but the remaining two episodes are below average (by Twilight Zone standards). By today's standards, they are above average!

One for the fans
Although I write this under one particular DVD in the series, these comments apply to each and every one of the DVD releases.

Twilight Zone? On DVD? In Black and White? What were they thinking of?

They were thinking of me and others just like me who loved this classic old science fiction program and longed to have the entire collection in a compact, guaranteed to last collection.

Although the entire set is not yet released (they are up to volume 31 at the moment), I'm sure it will be -- not many more episodes are left to do and the sales appear to be good.

This show is the 1950's anthology that started it all. Began as an experiment in the late 50's by Rod Serling, it has become a classic and is still enjoyable 40 years later.

The DVD collection is crisp and clear both for audio and video, and thankfully still in the original black and white. Each DVD features three or four of the original uncut television programs plus a history of the Twilight Zone and a short bio on Rod. Treasures and More Treasures of the TZ also include an interview by Mike Wallace (quality of this is only so-so due to technology of the time) and the orgininal marketing trailer made by Rod to sell his brain child to potential sponsers.

The series itself is being released in what seems to be no particular order (talking about the episodes here), with each DVD containing either four 1/2-hour shows or 2 1/2-hour episodes and one of the fourth season hour-long programs. This collection also includes the installments which were not syndicated and are almost impossible to find on broadcast television.

This is a 'must have' for anyone who enjoyed the program while growing up -- or for anyone of any age who appreciates a good SF show. Naturally some episodes are better than others, but most will agree that the overall quality of the series clearly stands out.

Take one for a test drive -- then order them all. You'll be glad you did.

~P~

Twilight Zone Rules!
This tape was excellent, especially "A Piano in the House." The whole tape was spooky and creepy, but it makes you think, too. These are certainly some of Rod Serling's Best. Volume 25 was super as well. Everybody should own the Twilight Zone! ... Read more

Description

Episodes: "The Passerby" (Ep. 69, October 6, 1961) - On the road home from the Civil War, a Confederate soldier stops at a house. He and the owner, a recent widow, soon realize that all who pass are dead. Including them! "The Grave" (Ep. 72, October 27, 1961) - Before he died, notorious badman Pinto Sykes put a curse on hired-gun Conny Miller (Lee Marvin). If Miller ever sets foot on his grave, he will kill him--a threat Sykes carries out! "Death's Head Revisited" (Ep. 74, November 10, 1961) - A former Nazi SS Captain returns to the ruins of a concentration camp to re-live the good old days--until his long-dead victims appear to deliver overdue justice! "The Last Rites of Jeff Myrtlebank" (Ep. 88, February 23, 1962) - Ever since he came back to life at his own funeral, Jeff hasn't been the same! The townspeople want him out of town, but Jeff says they have no reason to fear him. Or do they? ... Read more

Description

This volume includes: "The Whole Truth" (Episode 50, January 20, 1961) - A special Model A automobile propels used car dealer Harvey Hunnicut (Jack Carson) to tell only the truth. Consequently, he can't sell a single vehicle on his lot--until he comes up with an unusual marketing idea. "Mute" (Episode 107, January 31, 1963, 51 min.) - A 12-year-old girl (Ann Jillian) who loses her parents in a fire doesn't speak because she has grown up in a telepathic community. The couple (Frank Overton, Barbara Baxley) who takes her in and her teacher (Irene Dailey) are determined to help her adapt to their society, no matter the cost. "Queen of the Nile" (Episode 143, March 6, 1964) - A young, handsome columnist (Lee Philips) is startled to learn that famous movie star Pamela Morris (Ann Blyth) is just as lovely and young-looking as when she starred in the 1940 film "Queen of the Nile." Intrigued, he investigates--and soon learns a terrifying secret. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Richard Matheson's classic episode "Mute"
A classic episode from Richard Matheson stands out on Volume 28 of the DVD series of "The Twilight Zone." Used car salesman Harvey Hunnicut (Jack Carson), buys a haunted Model A that forces him to tell "The Whole Truth," written by Rod Serling. Of course, this means Harvey is never going to sell another car unless he comes up with some way of unloading this unique auto. This is one of the Zone episodes that was videotaped. Richard Matheson's classic episode "Mute" is one of the even rarer first-rate hour-long episodes, based on one of his short stories. Ann Jillian plays Ilse Nielsen, a 12-year-old girl who is raised in a telepathic community. When her parents are killed in a fire, Ilse is placed with a foster family who are appalled to find that she was never taught to speak, read or write. The element of horror in this tale is that Ilse's new community is going to make her conform, no matter what. Ann Blyth stars in "Queen of the Nile" as movie star Pamela Morris. In this script by Jerry Sohl, a young columnist named Jordan Herrick (Lee Philips), discovers that Pamela looks just as young and as beautiful as she did when she starred in the 1940 film "Queen of the Nile." Herrick uncovers her secret, which, of course, he does not live long to regret. The other two Zones are average episodes at best, but "Mute" is a real gem by a master storyteller.

Twilight zone fan right here
Very good video if your a fan of the series. I really enjoyed "Mute" it is one of the best epsidoes in my opinion. I dont want to give any plots away but this is a good video to get ... Read more

Description

This volume includes: "A Nice Place to Visit" (Episode 28, April 15, 1960) - After being shot to death, Rocky Valentine (Larry Blyden) encounters the amiable white-haired Pip (Sebastian Cabot), who gives Rocky everything he wishes. Heaven! Right? "A Penny for Your Thoughts" (Episode 52, February 3, 1961) - The lucky flip of a coin seems to give a mild-mannered bank clerk (Dick York) the power to read minds. But he soon learns that you can't believe everything you read. "Little Girl Lost" (Episode 91, March 16, 1962) - A six-year-old girl who can be clearly heard, but not seen, has vanished into a fourth dimension and is trapped there while a hole between two worlds rapidly closes. "I Am the Night--Color Me Black" (Episode 146, March 27, 1964) - On the day an unpopular idealist is to be executed for killing a racist bully, Sheriff Charlie Koch (Michael Constantine) and other townsfolk are shocked to see that the skies are pitch black. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Two above average, two below average "Twilight Zone" shows
Two first-rate episodes are sandwiched in between a couple of sub-part efforts on Volume 29 of "The Twilight Zone" DVD series. "A Nice Place to Visit," written by Charles Beaumont, stars Larry Blyden as Rocky Valentine, a petty thief who is apparently shot to death by a cop but who wakes up to find himself just fine. Not only that, he has a guide named Pip (Sebastian Cabot), who supplies him with everything he wishes for; could this be Heaven? A one-joke episode you can see coming a mile away. Dick York plays bank clerk Hector B. Poole in "A Penny for Your Thoughts," written by George Clayton Johnson. When he pays for his morning paper the coin he flips lands on its edge; as a result, Hector can now read people's minds. Now, if he can only find a way to use this new power to do good. A whimsical little story that hits the right notes because of York's performance. Richard Matheson adapts his short story "Little Girl Lost," in which little Tina Miller (Tracy Stratford), rolls under her bed and disappears. It soon turns out she has fallen through a hole into another dimension. A chilling little episode that will remind you of a sequence in the film "Poltergeist." Finally, Rod Serling gets on his soapbox for "I am the Night--Color Me Black." Sheriff Charlie Koch (Michael Constantine) is presiding over the execution of a man named Jagger. But the night does not end this morning and it becomes clear that Jagger is innocent, the victim of a corrupt justice system. The darkness is caused by hate and in this episode Serling gets unbearably preachy. Fortunately the Johnson and Matheson episodes are around to balance this volume out.

A samples from seasons 1, 2, 3, and 5
* "A Nice Place To Visit" (Eps. 28, aired 4/15/60) - When Gangster Rocky Valentine (Larry Blyden) gets shot to death, he is welcomed to a world where he gets everything he wants and wins at everything. But, when he gets bored, he finds out he is just getting his just deserts. Three Stars.

* "A Penny For Your Thoughts" (Eps. 52, aired 2/3/61) - With a lucky flip of a coin, bank clerk Hector Poole (Dirk York) gains the ability to read people's minds. But, as he soon discovers, you can't believe everything that people think. This is a more comedic than serious Twilight Zone episode, and gets four stars.

* "Little Girl Lost" (Eps. 91, aired 3/16/62) - Late one night, the Miller's six year old daughter, Bettina, can be heard throughout the house, but can't be found anywhere. With the help of a physicist friend, they discover a hole from Bettina's room to possibly the fourth dimension. Will the Millers be able to save their daughter in time? Although it has a X Files feel and it was a basis for a later Simpson's episode, the effects limitations of that time really shows. Two stars.

* "I Am The Night - Color Me Black" (Eps. 146, aired 3/27/64) On the morning of the execution of an idealist who murdered a racist bully, the sky has turned pitch black around the town. Emotions run high as the time of execution approaches. This story, penned by Rod Serling, gets somewhat preachy at times, but is still good. Three stars.

The prints used for these DVD are in excellent condition for their age, with only an occasional speck or mark. ... Read more