Witness, if you will, a man armed with nothing but his wits and a keyboard. He sits at a blank computer screen, eyes straining, back tightening, trying to pare down 156 episodes of a beloved and classic sci-fi, fantasy, horror, unclassifiable anthology show into a seemingly unnecessary ranking of his Top 5. Is he an intrepid champion unafraid of the difficult task that lies ahead, or is he a smug numbskull who lacks judgment and good sense? Let's find out as we journey into the Twilight Zone.
I've been a fan of "The Twilight Zone" since I was a kid. The stories, themes, writing, and acting still resonate today, even though the final episode of the original run aired in 1964. Of course, every fan of the show has their favorites, and I'm going to present mine. I realize lists are inherently provocative. Some of you may stroke your chins and nod your heads in agreement at my choices, while others may cluck your tongues and roll your eyes at the heavens. That's OK. There are no right or wrong answers. It's all about celebrating a ground-breaking TV show! So, without any further delay, I submit for your approval (or disapproval) my list:
5. "A Nice Place to Visit" (Season 1, Episode 28)
Two-bit criminal Rocky Valentine (Larry Blyden) is shot dead by police during an attempted robbery. A portly old gentleman named Pip (Sebastian Cabot) wakes him up and says he's been sent to grant Rocky whatever his heart desires in the afterlife: money, swanky apartment, fancy car, women, etc. Rocky questions why he's made it to heaven, but he doesn't let that stop him from living high on the hog. But Rocky eventually tires of his good fortune. Things are just too easy, and it's driving him crazy. Rocky tells Pip he doesn't belong in heaven and wants out. And therein lies the kicker. The denouement is a prime example of the twist ending that made "The Twilight Zone" so irresistible. This episode was written by Charles Beaumont, whose brilliant career was tragically cut short, and directed by John Brahm.
4. "The Howling Man" (Season 2, Episode 5)
David Ellington (H.M. Wynant) gets lost in a storm while on a walking trip in post-WWI Europe. He comes upon a castle and asks the monks dwelling within for shelter. Once inside, Ellington hears howling in the monastery. The monks contend it's only the wind. Eventually, Ellington finds the source of the howling. It's a man (Robin Hughes) who claims the fanatical monks have locked him up for no good reason. The leader of the order, Brother Jerome (John Carradine), fearing Ellington's threats to inform the police of a man falsely imprisoned, finally tells Ellington the terrifying truth about the man in the cell: He's the devil and only the "Staff of Truth" can restrain him. Brother Jerome also tells Ellington to steer clear and pay the devil no mind. Oh, if only it were that easy! The special effects still hold up well, and director Douglas Heyes does a masterful job behind the camera, setting a dark, foreboding tone throughout the episode. Charles Beaumont wrote the teleplay, which was adapted from his short story.
"Ancient folk saying: 'You can catch the Devil, but you can't hold him long.' Ask Brother Jerome. Ask David Ellington. They know, and they'll go on knowing to the end of their days and beyond—in the Twilight Zone."
3. "To Serve Man" (Season 3, Episode 24)
The Kanamits, 9-feet-tall aliens, land on Earth promising to eliminate warfare, famine, and energy woes for the benefit of all humanity. Is there a catch? Of course! This is "The Twilight Zone," remember? At a United Nations news conference, one of the Kanamits (Richard Kiel) tries to assuage the skeptical world leaders and leaves behind a book that is written in the alien language. Enter Michael Chambers (Lloyd Bochner), a US cryptographer, who is tasked with deciphering the mysterious tome. The Kanamits are true to their word, and soon mankind enters what's thought of as a new Golden Age. Meanwhile, Patty (Susan Cummings), a member of the cryptography team, translates the title of the book: "To Serve Man." By this time, humans are booking vacations to the Kanamits' home planet. Chambers is climbing aboard one of the departing spaceships when an unnerved Patty comes running and reveals the horrible truth behind the book's title. A deliciously fiendish ending! This classic was written by Rod Serling, based on a short story by the incomparable Damon Knight, and directed by Richard L. Bare.
2. "The Hunt" (Season 3, Episode 19)
Hyder Simpson (Arthur Hunnicutt) and his wife, Rachel (Jeanette Nolan), are living out their autumn years in rural America with Rip, their trusty hound dog. After dinner, Hyder tells Rachel he's going raccoon hunting with Rip. While on the hunt, Rip spots a wily omnivore and chases it into a pond. When Rip doesn't resurface, Hyder dives in after him. Hyder and Rip wake up in the woods the following day. When they return home, Hyder discovers that no one can see or hear them. Both he and Rip are dead, and Rachel, dressed in black, is heading to their burial. Hyder and Rip follow the funeral procession and discover an unfamiliar fence. While walking along the fence, they encounter a gatekeeper (Robert Foulk). He tells Hyder that he's welcome to enter the Elysian Fields, but Rip, growling and protesting, isn't allowed inside. Hyder, irate and defiant, refuses to enter without his faithful companion. Hyder continues down the road and meets another man (Dexter Dupont), who informs Hyder of the gatekeeper's true motive. I have a soft spot for dogs, and there are moments in this episode (if the stars are right) where I could shed a tear. It probably has one of the more hopeful endings in "The Twilight Zone" catalog, and that's usually not my style, but I never tire of watching this one. This heartening installment was written by Earl Hamner Jr. and directed by Harold D. Schuster.
1. "A Game of Pool" (Season 3, Episode 5)
Jessie Cardiff (Jack Klugman) is playing pool alone at Lister's Pool Room in Chicago, honing his skills and lamenting the fact that he could never match his prowess against the late, great "Fats" Brown (Jonathan Winters). If only there were a way to play against Fats. Jessie would give anything for that chance. Then he'd show 'em who's the king of the pool sharks! Well, Jessie, "The Twilight Zone" is here to make all your wishes come true! Fats returns from the great beyond to grant Jessie's request. But the stakes are high. If Jessie wins, he'll be considered the greatest of all time. If he loses, he dies. Thus begins the ultimate pool game. During the match, Fats admonishes Jessie, telling him that life isn't all about Nine-ball. Jessie dismisses Fats, convinced it's just chatter to distract him from the game. Will Jessie pull it out, or will Fats continue to be the best? One thing is for certain: "Uneasy is the head that wears the crown." This episode contains some of the snappiest dialogue in the series, the acting is top-notch, and I always get a kick out of watching world-class pool playing. This gem was written by George Clayton Johnson and directed by Buzz Kulik.
There's my list, deficiencies and all. It pained me to leave other episodes on the cutting room floor, such as "Time Enough at Last" (Season 1, Episode 8), "Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up?" (Season 2, Episode 28), "The Masks" (Season 5, Episode 25) and "The Obsolete Man" (Season 2, Episode 29) to name a few. I could probably switch the order of my Top 5 depending on the day of the week, but I'm riding with this list (for now). But I do prattle on. What say you?
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