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After establishing his signature style with such moody classics as Cat People and I Walked with a Zombie, Jacques Tourneur returned to peak form with the first-rate supernatural thriller Curse of the Demon. It's a horror-noir set in England, adapted from the M.R. James story "Casting the Runes" and built around the ominous notion that black arts--particularly the use of ancient runic symbols--can summon a deadly beast from hell. Dana Andrews is the stubborn American skeptic, determined to debunk a genteel occultist (Niall MacGinnis) whose evil powers are ultimately incontestable. The briefly seen demon may be cheesy by latter-day standards, but its nightmarish appearance--and Tourneur's masterful use of subtle suggestion, threatening atmosphere, and eerie special effects--make Curse of the Demon one of the best horror films of the 1950s. This splendid DVD offers the longer British version Night of the Demon for film-buff comparison; it's essentially the same film with a few extended scenes. Both are highly recommended. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (61)

By the Pricking of my Thumbs Something Wicked this Way Comes
I am a sucker for old B&W horror films, and Jacques Tourneur was the best, rivalled only by maybe Mario Bava. Both men understood that shadow and light and the grey/silver play in between could set the mood as no colour film movie could. The black and white film could be lensed at such lower light settings, they achieve spooky shadows and the looming sense that something could be hiding in them as no modern colour film ever could.

And Night/Curse of the Demon is the genre at its best. This movie takes a premise that demons can be called forth and 'sicked' upon a person by the mere passing of a slip of paper of runic symbols - and proceeds to make believers of the audience. The only sour note in the wonderful production is the monotone perform by Dana Andrews who seems determined not to take the role serious. It is quite a shame it could not have had an actor with the deftness of Ian McShane give breath to the doubting thomas professor. Still, even Andrews lack luster performance cannot sink this marvellous film.

Andrews plays a parapsychologist who has come to England to debunk a witch-cult. Once he arrives, he finds the man who asked him to come has been killed under very mysterious circumstances. His niece is convinced he was killed by Carlson, the head of the witch, for she finds a reference in her uncle's diary saying Carlson passed him the slip of paper with runic symbols and then he found his diary had all the pages torn from them after a certain date - the date Carlson said something would come for him. Andrews is a confirmed doubter, but even his faith in logic is rattled has he comes face to face with people of the Auld Ways. He also have been passed a slip with the symbols and Carlson has informed him his time allotted nears - and his diary is found with all the pages torn from it.

It is horror films at their best, Jacques Tourneur the master showing how it was done. Be sure to keep an eye out for his I Walked with A Zombie - another masterpiece despite it stupid title.

One the great turning points in horror films
The distributor advertising this DVD as a "Double Feature" stretches the truth a bit. "Curse of the Demon" is merely the shortened American version of the British film "Night of the Demon." The American version runs thirteen minutes shorter and is by far the weaker cut of the film, if still a fine piece of work. It's a nice feature to have the complete American cut on this disk for the sake of comparison with the original, but this is hardly a "double feature." And there's no reason to watch the edited, shorter version when you have the superior British original of one of the seminal horror movies of all time on the same DVD.

"Night of the Demon" hit theaters in 1957 and marked a turning point in macabre cinema. Director Jacques Tourneur had made some important 1940s horror films ("Cat People," "Leopard Man," and "I Walked with a Zombie," as well as the film noir classic "Out of the Past") that moved against the grain of the gothic fantasies that Universal produced during the 1930s. With "Night of the Demon," Tourneur cemented the idea of the modern horror film, where the terrors of the gothic, demonic, and supernatural appear within the realm of the modern, everyday world -- the essentially rational setting of the contemporary times. The success of this film would eventually lead to such movies in the following decades as "Rosemary's Baby" and "The Exorcist," which took place in the recognizable contemporary world, where the invasion of supernatural forces seemed all the more ghastly.

The screenplay comes from the short story "Casting the Runes" by master Victorian ghost story writer M. R. James. (You can find this story in an excellent and currently in-print volume of the same name.) In the story, a professor and practitioner of the black arts, Karswell, has found a way to send demonic forces against his academic foes by passing them a slip of paper covered with magical runes. The movie expands the premise: Karswell (Niall MacGinnis, who played Zeus in "Jason and the Argonauts") leads a witchcraft circle and uses his rune-tracker to send a demon after his opponent, professor Harrington. After Harrington's death, his American friend, psychologist Holden (Dana Andrews), comes to America to learn more, but scoffs at the idea that anything supernatural could lurk behind Harrington's death. Unfortunately for Holden, Karswell feels threatened enough to decide to send his murdering monster after the American.

Tourneur brilliantly films the movie in a split style, dividing between realistic, bland daytime scenes, meant to have an almost documentary feel, and increasingly warped and bizarre nighttime scenes as the curse of the demon moves closer and closer to Holden and it becomes harder for him to deny the truth of what is occurring. The demon itself is a point of controversy among film students. Tourneur was famous for keeping his horrors hidden, and some people believe that he never planned to show the demon at all, but the producer forced him to shove it up front. The appearance early in the film of the full demon might have been an error (it would have worked better to save it for the finale), but its materialization at the end is pretty incredible and it's hard to believe that Tourneur wouldn't have wanted the ending any other way. This is (excuse the pun) one hell of a demon. Designed by Ken Adam (who would later create the sets for most of the James Bond films, as well as "Dr. Strangelove"), the monster looks like it leaped from the freakiest medieval woodcut representation of Hell. The special effects and sounds accompanying it are also eerie and disturbing.

Andrews is a bit stodgy in his part, but Niall MacGinnis makes up for it with his scene-stealing role as Karswell. MacGinnis is both a bumbling, whimsical British professor (complete with a doting and scolding mother), and a cold-blooded sorcerer -- often both in one scene. The ending of the film, involving the passing of the runes, is both funny and incredibly tense, leading to one of the most stunning climaxes in horror films. Peggy Cummins as the love interest is delightfully perky and intelligent, much more so than female leads in most horror films.

The only extra on the disk is the inclusion of the American cut. However, the film is in perfect condition, and is finally shown in the original aspect ration of 1:1.66 (a typical European screen format infrequently seen in the U.S.; it's halfway between the shape of a TV screen and the typical 1:1.85 that most American movies are shot in today). "Night of the Demon" is essential horror film viewing for anyone who wants to understand the development of the genre into its current form. (And I have to repeat it, that's one helluva demon!)

Good for the Era
I enjoyed this movie not because it was such a good horror film but because it was representative of the era, the time it was made. Predictable and not horrifying. It is a good addition to my film library. I'm glad these oldies are making it to DVD.

Why did I Laugh during a Horror Film?
I read some of the previous reviews of this film right here on Amazon. I read the reviews and I was excited about seeing the film. I had not seen the film before I read the reviews. I was very excited to see the film, I was.
My first comment is this matey, I think it was wise to show the demon at the beginning of the film, as so many of you have objected to. It was wise because otherwise I may not have made it to the end of the film when they showed the demon again. Yes, it looked fake, but it was effective.
The film starts out waaaaay too sloooow. So at least by showing the demon you know you may get more action.
My second comment goes a little something like this, I laughed my little clover leaves off during the seance. When the "medium" starts speaking in tongues and moaning like he is going downhill on a bike on a bumpy road. I don't mean to offend the fans of this movie, but that scene was too much camp, too funny, when the little child's voice started, I almost choked.

I got a bigger laugh though when the central character, Dana Andrews goes to Stonehenge, and my friend said "Oh he's at Stone hedge."
I had such a good time watching this film.
Let me see, I do have a good point of the film. During the doctor convention, it was kind of spooky, you know? There is a bunch of students sitting watching a doctor and his patient. The patient is comatose because he had once seen the demon. The doctor shoots the patient up with "amphetamines" (um hum we know what he pimping in that needle). The patient jumps up and runs into the audience, then runs and jumps out of a window to his death. Well it takes him 2 times to get out of the window, the first time he just runs into it and falls down.
Oh I did laugh again during the big finale, when the demon shows up again, picks up the "satanic cult leader" and starts smacking him around. Whew.
Do I recommend this movie? I don't know. I do know I had a good time watching it though.

One of the best
Without a doubt this is one of the best movies of all time.
I was on the edge through the whole movie. Great camera work,
great scenery with that dreary English landscape. Rent it, but it, you'll be glad you did. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

"Build my gallows high, baby"--just one of the quintessentially noir sentiments expressed by Robert Mitchum in this classic of the genre. Mitchum, in absolute prime, sleepy-eyed form, relates a complicated flashback about getting hired by gangster Kirk Douglas to find femme fatale Jane Greer. The chain of film noir elements--love, money, lies--drags Mitchum into the lower depths. Director Jacques Tourneur gets the edgy negotiations between men and women as exactly right as he gets the inky shadows of the noir landscape (even the sunlit exteriors are fraught with doubt). This is Mitchum in excelsis, with his usual laid-back cool laced with great dialogue and tragic foreshadowing. As for his co-star, James Agee immortally opined that Jane Greer "can best be described, in an ancient idiom, as a hot number." Remade in 1984, unhappily, as Against All Odds (with Greer in a supporting role). --Robert Horton ... Read more

Reviews (31)

Classic Film Noir
This classic film noir, featuring the twin cleft-chinned presences of
Robert Mitchum and Kirk Douglas, has got to be one of the most
enjoyable ever made. It's not the somewhat confusing plot, but the
snappy dialogue -- and the confident acting -- which makes it work so
well. The repartee ("A woman with a rod is like a man with a
knitting needle") is worthy of some of the best screwball
comedies and yet it's just as dark as a noir should be in terms of the
desperate things the characters do and the terrible things that happen
to them as a consequence. Jacques Tourneur ("Cat People",
"I Walked With a Zombie") directs with finesse, but the
importance of an ace writer like James M. Cain ("The Postman
Always Rings Twice") -- uncredited for some reason -- can't be
stressed enough. He deserves as much credit for the success of the
film as Tourneur, Mitchum, Douglas, and shapely femme fatale Jane
Greer, the woman who seduces both Mitchum and Douglas -- rod in hand.

OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF FILM NOIR
OUT OF THE PAST IS NOT ONLY AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF FILM NOIR IT'S A GREAT FILM! THE DIALOGUE IS SUPERB. LINES LIKE "I THINK I'M IN A FRAME" "DOESN'T SOUND LIKE YOU" "I DON'T KNOW, I'M GOING UPSTAIRS TO LOOK AT THE PICTURE." THAT STUFF STAYS WITH YOU! LET'S TALK ABOUT THE ACTING. ROBERT MITCHUM IS PERFECT IN THE LEAD ROLE. JANE GREER ALTHOUGH YOUNG, MAKES THE IDEAL EVIL WOMAN. AND OF COURSE KIRK DOUGLAS MORE THAN HOLDS HIS OWN. MOST FILM NOIR IS SHOT IN SHARP BLACK AND WHITE CONTRAST WITH MOSTLY INSIDE SCENES. WHILE THERE IS MUCH OF THIS IN OUT OF THE PAST, YOU WILL ALSO NOTICE A LOT OF OUTSIDE SHOTS...I THINK THAT'S INTERESTING. THIS IS TRULY A CLASSIC FILM YOU CAN WATCH AGAIN AND AGAIN. IT'S WITHOUT A DOUBT, MY FAVORITE FILM. P.S. IF ANYONE KNOWS WHERE I CAN GET AN ORIGINAL LOBBY POSTER OR EVEN A GOOD REPRODUCTION...PLEASE LET ME KNOW.

Out Of the Past , a Great Movie a Must to Watch.
The movie " Out of the Past " relates to the classic Film Nior in the purest of forms. The story centres around three central characters played by Robert Mitchum, Jane Greer & Kirk Douglas interestedly appearing in his second movie role . The supporting characters also add to the movie allowing the creation of a film classic rated 5 STAR all the way. The direction, cinematography, script, and acting are professionally brought together into a scheming mass of cross and double cross. The result a classic.

The outstanding character has to go to Kathie Moffit's [ Jane Greer] role as the feme fatele. Ms Greer without doubt acted her way through this picture taking command in all scenes making the others look ordinary even Robert Mitchum and Kirk Douglas in this picture fall into second and third place behind this remarkable actress and brillant performance. Literally changing persons in each scene, soft beautiful mistress to a take control woman who simply manipulates the men in her life without thought or mercy. Mitchum is as always superb as the private detective who takes on a job [ told through flashback ] travels through Mexico and falls in love with the very subject he has set out to return to crime boss Whit Sterling played by Kirk Douglas. They escape from Acapulco to San Francisco hoping not to be discovered however, they are by Mitchum's former partner who follows the "Dame" to a small cabin where he is killed through a punch it out fist fight with Mitchum, only to be gunned down and murdered by Kathie Moffit. Mitchum is left to "Dump the Body " and assumes a new role in life one of a owner of a small town filling station. Once again he is discovered by Whit's connections and brought into the greatest double whammy of all time with murder and double cross cumulating in a surprising ending on a country road not unlike the Bonnie and Clyde movie some 15 years later.

Supporting roles add to the movie's success.

Virginia Houston playing Ann the country town girl dominated by her parents but falling for Robert Mitchum, the secretive "Jeff Bailey" alas Jeff Markam the guy who's wrong for her all the way.

Rhonda Fleming portrays a dishonest secretary who double deals, with her boss paying the price with his life and the "Set Up" to frame Robert Mitchum, her goal is to only get some fast cash not caring who she messes up along the way. Well played.

Dickie Moore plays the "KID" a deaf mute filling station attendant who has a strong loyalty to Mitchum that no words can describe. The kid shown in the opening scenes with gunmen Joe Stephanos[played by Paul Valentine] is being treated with disdain and arrogance. In the final scenes Joe tracks Robert Mitchum to an isolated fishing spot by following the KID and climbs to a high vantage point above the river to take aim with a his 45 automatic, he is pulled suddenly by the kid from the high ledge falling to his death in the river. The kid simply used his fishing line and hook to do the job saving Robert Mitchum.

Greatstuff.

This movie is wonderful in every aspect a great piece of Hollywood, great acting, suburb dialogue and the use of a simple story with plot and counter plot, hidden agenda's and the use of lighting and shadows to their fullest.

SUPERB NOIR CLASSIC.....
Among the spate of b&w noir films recently released by Universal and Warner's is this classic. Directed on a somewhat higher budget than most noirs of the 40's, Jacques Tourneur used his considerable skill honed on his 40's noir horror films with Val Lewton to fashion a first class thriller of deceit, lies, double crosses, murder, blackmail etc. all wrapped up with a first rate cast. One time gum shoe Robert Mitchum (now running a small town gas station) is tracked down and hired by Kirk Douglas to find his runaway mistress (Jane Greer) who shot him and ran off with $40,000. He finds her in Acapulco and immediately falls for her deceptive charms. She's a femme fatale with more traps in her web than a black widow spider. Of course, things get complicated (there's a murder and Mitchum disposes of the body) and soon Greer is back with Douglas and Mitchum is up to his neck again with another "job"...from Douglas. Mitchum is torn between his love for a good girl (Virginia Huston) and the wily machinations of Greer. And this time, he suspects he's being set up as a fall guy by Greer and Douglas. But Greer has her hooks in him good and it looks as if no one will win. Rhonda Fleming is another bad girl Mitchum contends with and there's more murder and mayhem to be dealt with as the walls close in on everyone. "Out of the Past" is an incredibly entertaining film that pulls you in and doesn't let up. Mitchum narrates the first part of the story (telling how he got involved to Huston) in typical fatalistic deadpan style. This is one of the all-time greats and the DVD print is really crisp and clean. A definite collector's item.

"Build my gallows high, baby!"
This is without a doubt one of the best film noirs ever made, & with a very impressive cast. The director brilliantly cast Mitchum & Douglas as rivals & of course the beautiful yet deadly Jane Greer as the femme fatale. Mitchum is perfect as the private detective who loses control of his life after falling for Douglas' "girlfriend", played by Jane Greer. Douglas, although virtually unknown in Hollywood at the time of this film, also gives an incredible performance as a ruthless mobster determined to own Greer at all cost. I've seen dozens of film noirs but I can't think of one with as much snappy dialogue as this one. The screenwriter, Geoffrey Homes was truly gifted & made this film timeless. And of course, the talented Jacques Tourneur flawlessly directed this great classic & created one of the most memorable film noirs ever. The picture quality of the dvd is excellent & there's very informative commentary that helped me fully understand the complicated plot. This masterpiece is a must-have for any fan of film noirs. In fact, it'd be hard for anyone to not like this movie! ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Two Great Horror Spoofs
This DVD contains two movies with similar casts and similar black humor.

In Comedy Of Terrors, Vincent Price, Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre and Basil Rathbone team up in a tragi-comedy of an undertaker who decides to increase business through murder. Many wonderful scenes and plenty of Shakespearian references (not just the title), my favorite being Karloff enacting the poison scene from Romeo and Juliet with Price. Well done.

In the Raven, Price, Karloff and Lorre are joined by Jack Nicholson. The film opens with Price reading a tome of forgotten lore when there is a rapping at his chamber door. The rapping is a raven at the window. It enters and lands on a bust. Price asks it if he shall ever again see Lenore (his dead wife) and the raven responds, "How the hell should I know!" And thus the tone is set.

Price is a wizard and must confront an evil wizard (Karloff) which, after many plot turns, results in one of the finest magic battles ever filmed.

Dark comedy and excellent acting abound in both of these films. A wonderful disk.

You'll scream... with laughter!!
THE RAVEN (USA 1963): During the 15th century, an evil sorceror (Boris Karloff) lures his arch rival (Vincent Price) to a lonely castle where they fight a magical duel to the death...

Handsomely mounted on some of the most lavish sets ever created for AIP's Poe series, THE RAVEN toplines Price, Karloff and Peter Lorre for the first time in their careers, alongside a very young Jack Nicholson (making the most of a juvenile supporting role). Richard Matheson's clever script turns the faux seriousness of earlier Poe pictures on its head, countering Price's overwrought histrionics with a series of rude rejoinders from Lorre, who relishes his role as a cowardly magician whose divided loyalties place everyone around him in danger. The movie's visual impact is inevitably diminished on TV, but Price and Karloff are worthy adversaries, and their climactic duel is one of the most celebrated set-pieces in horror movie history, despite some fairly obvious trick-work. Floyd Crosby's expansive cinematography and Daniel Haller's 'olde worlde' set designs conspire to render a suitably Gothic atmosphere, though the movie derives most of its strength from the quality of its dialogue and performances. Directed by Roger Corman.

THE COMEDY OF TERRORS (USA 1963): The proprietor of a debt-ridden funeral parlor (Price) seeks to drum up a little business by resorting to murder, but one of his 'victims' (Basil Rathbone) turns out to be cataleptic and refuses to lie down and die...

Eager to re-team their 'triumverate of terror' following the unexpected commercial success of THE RAVEN, AIP assembled Price, Lorre and Karloff for this second helping of macabre black comedy, adding Rathbone to an already potent brew and hiring much of the same creative personnel behind the camera, including Crosby and future director Haller (THE DUNWICH HORROR). In fact, Rathbone - who must have been insulted by his 'also starring' credit way down the cast list (behind even fleeting guest star Joe E. Brown and 'Rhubarb' the cat!) in the opening titles - steals the picture from his high-profile co-stars, playing the dotty, Shakespeare-spouting owner of Price's funeral parlor whose verbal gymnastics alone are worth the price of admission (he warns Price and his cohorts they "face the incommodious prospect of taking up residence in the street" if they don't pay their hefty rent arrears!). In fact, Richard Matheson's tongue-in-cheek script is a marvel of wordplay, though the comedy is fairly bleak in places: Price plays a sarcastic, bad-tempered drunk who lords it over his hapless assistant (Lorre) and treats his untalented, opera-loving wife (Joyce Jameson) with open contempt, whilst also relishing the various murders he's committed over the years in order to sustain his fortunes. Karloff sits on the sidelines for the most part, consigned to a chair due to ill health, but he makes the most of what he's given, and he plays a crucial role in the climactic sequence, which closes proceedings on a note of pitch black humor. Fans of lowbrow comedy will be especially amused by the devastation wrought whenever Jameson launches into one of her operatic arias! An ultra-professional production team - under the direction of Val Lewton protege Jacques Tourneur - performs minor miracles on a clearly impoverished budget, and Crosby's gleaming cinematography makes a virtue of Haller's minimalist production design. Watch out for Rathbone's scene-stealing catch-phrase: "What place... is this?!"

The movies are placed on either side of MGM's double-sided DVD, a region 1 release. Both were filmed in widescreen Panavision, and they're letterboxed at approx. 2.35:1 (anamorphically enhanced), which will be a revelation to anyone who's only ever seen the pan-scan TV versions. However, there appears to be some evidence of cropping on both films, with tops of heads constantly cut off by the upper matte, and a disclaimer on the packaging also suggests THE RAVEN has been 'musically edited', though this appears to be untrue (MGM has made similar claims on several other discs which have been completely intact, such as DR. PHIBES RISES AGAIN). However, part of THE RAVEN's soundtrack is muffled by an audible hissing sound, beginning about fifteen minutes into the picture and lasting for some time afterward. Also, THE COMEDY OF TERRORS has lost a crucial shot at 49:17 - accidentally omitted during the DVD mastering process - which spoils the climax of a gag involving Price, Lorre and the indignant occupant of a coffin! Sound format on both movies is 2.0 mono, and English captions and subtitles have been provided. Extras include brief interviews with Matheson and Corman (both of which go a long way toward explaining some of the artistic decisions which made these films what they are), lighthearted trailers, and a promotional recording - originally issued on vinyl - for THE RAVEN, featuring fresh material recorded by Lorre and Karloff. THE COMEDY OF TERRORS runs 82m 41s on disc, and THE RAVEN runs 85m 43s, not including the MGM logos which open and close the video prints and weren't part of the original films.

A pair of Richard Matheson written comedy thrillers
Director Roger Corman figured that the Poe adaptations he had been making at American International starting with "House of Usher" had pretty much run its course, so in a final masterstroke he decided to start playing up the humor. The result might be more like "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein" than "The Pit and the Pendulum," but you have to admit "The Raven" is one of the best comedy-thrillers ever made. Even though Corman did not do "The Comedy of Terrors," it is a fitting counterpart to "The Raven" because not only do you have the same veteran horror actors in both films, but because writer Richard Matheson wrote both scripts. Matheson wrote the best of the AI films and deserves to be considered one of the best scripters of horror films of all time.

"The Comedy of Terrors" has a very simple premise. Vincent Price plays Waldo Trumbull, an undertaker who has not been getting any business so he decides to make some for himself by bumping off rich people. Also along for the fun are Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre, and Basil Rathbone, who tend to throw in a lot of Shakespeare quotes in the proceedings (Matheson wrote the whole script in blank verse). Lorre is Price's assistant and Karloff plays the senile father of Price's wife (Joyce Jameson). Joe E. Brown shows up to play the cemetery keeper as well (anybody remember when he played Shakespeare in 1935's "A Midsummer Night's Dream"?).

The film, also known as "The Graveyard Story," is directed by Jacques Tourneur, who first made a name for himself with "Cat People" when he headed the horror unit at RKO. Still, many viewers will be surprised that this was not a Corman film and, indeed, he seems to be the only one of the usual cast of suspects not involved in the film. The end result is pretty funny, especially when the boys are trying to keep Rathbone's "MacBeth" quoting John F. Black in his coffin. Some people will be grossly offended by these comic hijinxs, but those people should already know that going in and can just avoid this DVD.

"The Raven" begins "straight" with Dr. Erasmus Craven (Vincent Price) intoning Poe's poem, to an actual raven. But then the raven responds on cue...with Peter Lorre's voice! It turns out the raven is really another magician, Dr. Bedlo, who has been victimized by Dr. Scarabus (Boris Karloff). Craven turns Bedlo back into a human, and Bedlo agrees to help Craven find his beloved Lenore (Hazel Court). Going along on the journey are Craven's daughter (Olive Sturgess) and Bedlo's son (Jack Nicholson--this explains a lot, huh?). The film's climax is an epic magical duel between Price and Karloff (why even bother with the characters' names anymore?), where the two sorcerers keep trying to top each other.

Ultimately the credit for this one goes mainly to the script from Matheson. This is another one of those early films with Nicholson that must have been a great source of embarrassment to him once upon a time, but Price, Karloff and Lorre are having so much fun hamming it up in this one that you have little choice but to enjoy the indignities heaped upon the future Oscar winner. This 1963 film, which came out a year before "The Comedy of Terrors," should not be confused with the film with the same name Karloff made in 1935, although they would certainly make a rather obvious double-bill for a Saturday night.

Horror veterans show their campy style!
I once knew an undertaker, and he was the funniest guy (he said his way of handling the pressures of the job was through humour). Maybe the same can be said of actors playing undertakers. In this case some of the horror legends, getting a chance to step out of their usual persona and campy their way through riotous fun. This movie had such a powerhouse of talent, Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, Basil Rathbone, and Boris Karloff, each a true film legend, but also with horror great director Jacques Tourneur and screenplay from Richard Matheson. They gang together to make one of the funniest tales.

Price is Waldo Trumbull, husband to buxom Amaryllis (Joyce Jameson) and son-in-law to Amos Hinchley (Karloff). Waldo married Amaryllis to get his hands on the family undertaking business - but business has been pretty thin. The owner of the building John F. Black (Rathbone) is planning on evicting him. So Waldo decides to kill two birds with one stone, so to speak - do in Rathbone and collect for his funeral. Only, the Shakespeare quoting, cataleptic Rathbone is not so easily killed. Father in-law is losing it, and Waldo goes around trying to get him to take his "medicine" which is poison. Lorre is Felix Gillie, Waldo's sidekick - and Waldo the grouch really takes the term too literal. Poor Felix is really in love with Amaryllis, who wanted to be an opera singer (maybe in another life?) but married Waldo. Waldo cannot stand her singing, but then no one except Felix likes her singing.

It is great to see the Horror Legends having such great fun. Toss in Joe E. Brown as the graveyard attendant and one nutty cat, it is a black comedy at it's best.

Karloff eulogy is a howl!

A must for any fan of these great actors!

_________________________

The second romp has Karloff and Price playing rival wizards that are headed for a showdown. Directed by horror quickie Roger Corman and once again scripted by Richard Matheson, it is a riot as the two wizards play a game of one upmanship. This film was so funny, because Price and Corman had been working their way through Poe's tales, so it was great to see one done with tongue firmly through cheek. What for a very young Jack Nicholson in the cast.

A great double feature!

PRICE IS RIGHT
Vincent Price is one of the most underappreciated actors of our time. The late horror superstar used his wonderful voice, his chameleonic face, and fluid body movements to grace so many of our favorite "thrillers." As many fans of Carol Burnett remember, Price is also a wonderful comedic actor and in "Comedy of Terrors", he is marvelous. Joining him are the equally excellent Peter Lorre, Basil Rathbone, and Boris Karloff. This movie seems to have been made with such love and affection for the genre they were spoofing. The inimitable Richard Matheson wrote the great script; "Curse of the Demon's" Jacque Tourneur directs superbly. Long before AIRPLANE, NAKED GUN and SCARY MOVIE started spoofing and cracking our funny bones, this movie set a standard for that physical "punny" comedy. Joyce Jameson is wonderful as the buxom opera wannabe Amaryllis, and her singing scenes are priceless. (No pun intended). Lorre plays against type as the hero and his scenes with Jameson are just perfect. My favorite line: "ooo..what did you step in?" and of course, when Lorre complains about Jameson singing "He is not dead but sleeping" at the funeral of the catileptic Rathbone. A minor gem, and well worth viewing again and again. ( I didn't get this as a dual package, so I'll save Raven for later!) ... Read more

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.