Τwilight Zone (1959-1964) |OT|

[Velasco]

From Wikipedia:

The Twilight Zone is an American television anthology series created by Rod Serling. The episodes are in various genres, including psychological horror, fantasy, science fiction, suspense, and psychological thriller, often concluding with a macabre or unexpected twist, and usually with a moral. A popular and critical success, it introduced many Americans to common science fiction and fantasy tropes. The original series, shot entirely in black and white, ran on CBS for five seasons from 1959 to 1964.

The creator

The series

Season 1 (1959-1960): 36 episodes
Season 2 (1960-1961): 29 episodes
Season 3 (1961-1962): 37 episodes
Season 4 (1962-1963): 18 episodes
Season 5 (1963-1964): 36 episodes

Feature film (1983), Revivals (1985-1989, 2002-2003, 2019 (rumored air date))

Recommended reading: The Twilight Zone Companion by Marc Scott Zicree

I recently started rewatching some of my favorite Twilight Zone episodes, which is one my favorite series, if not the favorite.
I have to mention that i haven't watched the revivals.So, which are your favorite episodes?

Recently rewatched episodes

The Sixteen-Millimeter Shrine (S01E04)

The Passerby (S03E04)

Music from "The Passerby"



Music from "The Sixteen-Millimeter Shrine"



"The Sixteen-Millimeter Shrine" Opening narration

"Picture of a woman looking at a picture. Movie great of another time, once-brilliant star in a firmament no longer a part of the sky, eclipsed by the movement of earth and time. Barbara Jean Trenton, whose world is a projection room, whose dreams are made out of celluloid. Barbara Jean Trenton, struck down by hit-and-run years and lying on the unhappy pavement, trying desperately to get the license number of fleeting fame".


Closing narration

Spoiler

"To the wishes that come true, to the strange, mystic strength of the human animal, who can take a wishful dream and give it a dimension of its own. To Barbara Jean Trenton, movie queen of another era, who has changed the blank tomb of an empty projection screen into a private world. It can happen in the Twilight Zone."

"The Passerby" Opening narration

"This road is the afterwards of the Civil War. It began at Fort Sumter, South Carolina, and ended at a place called Appomattox. It's littered with the residue of broken battles and shattered dreams."

"In just a moment, you will enter a strange province that knows neither North nor South, a place we call—The Twilight Zone."

Closing narration

"Incident on a dirt road during the month of April, the year 1865. As we've already pointed out, it's a road that won't be found on a map, but it's one of many that lead in and out of the Twilight Zone."

 

[CaptainNuevo]

One of my favorite episodes that nobody seems to like is Miniatures from season 4. I know s4 is pretty overlooked or disliked as a whole due to the worse pacing on them, but something about miniatures is just so great to me. Maybe it's how well DeNiro plays the lead, but it's definitely my favorite from that season.


Also, anyone have any good Twilight Zone podcasts? I used to listen to one called The Fifth Dimension which was 2 guys who just watched and reviewed a different episode each week from a random set (so some stinkers included!) which was great, but they only did 30 episodes. Would love any recommendations on any other either analysis based ones, or ones which emulate the feel of it (like The Truth)

 

[Velasco]

One of my favorite episodes that nobody seems to like is Miniatures from season 4. I know s4 is pretty overlooked or disliked as a whole due to the worse pacing on them, but something about miniatures is just so great to me. Maybe it's how well DeNiro plays the lead, but it's definitely my favorite from that season.


Also, anyone have any good Twilight Zone podcasts? I used to listen to one called The Fifth Dimension which was 2 guys who just watched and reviewed a different episode each week from a random set (so some stinkers included!) which was great, but they only did 30 episodes. Would love any recommendations on any other either analysis based ones, or ones which emulate the feel of it (like The Truth)

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Season four isn't the strongest TZ season, but it has some good episodes.I don't remember a lot about the episode you mention, maybe i should watch it again.Did you mean Robert Duvall, because he's the lead actor in the episode.I would also love podcast recommendations.

 

[CaptainNuevo]

So Jordan Peele is supposedly working on rebooting The Twilight Zone?

http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/258823/jordan-peele-reboot-twilight-zone/

 

[ElectricBlanketFire]

The best.

 

[Daria]

One of my favorite episodes is A Penny for Your Thoughts.

Opening:

Mr. Hector B. Poole, resident of the Twilight Zone. Flip a coin and keep flipping it. What are the odds? Half the time it will come up heads, half the time tails. But in one freakish chance in a million, it'll land on its edge. Mr. Hector B. Poole, a bright human coin - on his way to the bank.

Click to shrink...

If ever in the shoes of Mr. Poole, I don't know how I would react. Just like him in the beginning, you're confused on whether the things you're hearing are real or not. Does everybody think this about me, them, and the other thing? Well, maybe this will do me some good, right? In case somebody is thinking about doing something bad, I can hear them. But what if somebody has thoughts that they have no intentions of ever acting on? This ability may seem like a double-edged sword.

Closing:

One time in a million, a coin will land on its edge, but all it takes to knock it over is a vagrant breeze, a vibration, or a slight blow. Hector B. Poole, a human coin, on edge for a brief time - in the Twilight Zone.

Click to shrink...

 

[Trekkie]

this series never gets old

 

[B.K.]

Just two and a half weeks to go until Syfy's July 4th marathon!

 

[Daria]

started over from the beginning. So far I'm through e3 and what a treat it has been. Trying to put these in the perspective of when they were released, they must have shook the entire family

 

[Daria]

I knew my brain wasn't playing tricks on me earlier when I saw Sunset Boulevard scattered all throughout The Sixteen-Millimeter Shrine (s1e4). I wasn't sure of the exact release years offhand but a quick search tells me e4 was eight years later than SB. In addition to that, I found out that Franz Waxman was the conductor behind both pieces of work.

I also did not realize that Lupino also directed The Masks (s5e25)! The scene below is one that always unnerves me.

edit thanks B.K. For the correction. blth have great makeup artists

 

[B.K.]

I knew my brain wasn't playing tricks on me earlier when I saw Sunset Boulevard scattered all throughout The Sixteen-Millimeter Shrine (s1e4). I wasn't sure of the exact release years offhand but a quick search tells me e4 was eight years later than SB. In addition to that, I found out that Franz Waxman was the conductor behind both pieces of work.

I also did not realize that Lupino also directed The Masks (s5e25)! The scene below is one that always unnerves me.

Click to shrink...

That's not The Masks. That's Eye of the Beholder.

 

[Velasco]

Recently rewatched episode

The Silence (S02E25)

Opening narration

The note that this man is carrying across a club room is in the form of a proposed wager, but it's the kind of wager that comes without precedent. It stands alone in the annals of bet making as the strangest game of chance ever offered by one man to another. In just a moment we'll see the terms of the wager and what young Mr. Tennyson does about it, and in the process we'll witness all parties spin a wheel of chance, in a very bizarre casino called The Twilight Zone.

Click to shrink...

Closing narration

Spoiler

Mr. Jamie Tennyson, who almost won a bet, but who discovered somewhat belatedly that gambling can be a most unproductive pursuit, even with loaded dice, marked cards, or, as in his case, some severed vocal cords. For somewhere beyond him, a wheel was turned, and his number came up black thirteen. If you don't believe it, ask the croupier, the very special one who handles roulette—in The Twilight Zone.

 

[B.K.]

What the hell, Syfy? There's no July 4 marathon this year.

http://www.syfy.com/schedule/1530676800

 

[Daria]

Escape Clause (s1e6)

I remembered this pretty well when I watched it last night. I never did like Walter. At first I didn't really care for the episode as whole but then it grew on me once I understood the importance of his character. Death came in to give this man what he truly wanted and Walter never understood the downsides. His only interest was his ultimate demise.

Opening

You're about to meet a hypochondriac. Witness Mr. Walter Bedeker age forty-four. Afraid of the following: death, disease, other people, germs, draft, and everything else. He has one interest in life and that's Walter Bedeker. One preoccupation, the life and well-being of Walter Bedeker. One abiding concern about society, that if Walter Bedeker should die how will it survive without him?

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Closing

There's a saying, "Every man is put on Earth condemned to die, time and method of execution unknown." Perhaps this is as it should be. Case in point: Walter Bedeker, lately deceased. A little man with such a yen to live. Beaten by the devil, by his own boredom, and by the scheme of things in this, the Twilight Zone.

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Fun fact

"Escape Clause" was one of the three episodes-in-production mentioned by Rod Serling in his 1959 promotional film pitching the series to potential sponsors, the others being "The Lonely" and "Mr. Denton on Doomsday" (referred to as "Death, Destry, and Mr. Dingle").

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[DirtyLarry]

Best Television Show ever made. Not even a debate. The fact it still holds up over 5 decades later is just a testament to this fact.

 

[Velasco]

Best Television Show ever made. Not even a debate. The fact it still holds up over 5 centuries later is just a testament to this fact.

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I think that you mean five decades later.

 

[DirtyLarry]

I think that you mean five decades later.

Click to shrink...

What are you talking about? Haha indeed I did. Long day.

 

[B.K.]

July 4 is boring with no Twilight Zone. They better not cancel the New Year's marathon, too.

 

[-shadow-]

Never watched this, but nearly bought the entire series on DVD last year until I saw they had the individual seasons for sale on blu-ray as well. Unfortunately they didn't have the first two seasons, so I skipped it for that time, but still haven't gone around to it. I really should do so...

 

[Velasco]

Never watched this, but nearly bought the entire series on DVD last year until I saw they had the individual seasons for sale on blu-ray as well. Unfortunately they didn't have the first two seasons, so I skipped it for that time, but still haven't gone around to it. I really should do so...

Click to shrink...

If you're interested in this series, you should buy it on Blu-ray.TZ looks great in HD (with the exception of six (season two) episodes, which were shot on tape).The cinematography certainly helps.Apart from the technical aspects, you should watch this series, because it's great and timeless.

 

[Velasco]

Twilight Zone (produced by Jordan Peele) debuts in Q1 2019 on CBS All Access (TCA 2018 update).

 

[Velasco]

Although this thread is about the original series, the host of the revival has been revealed: Jordan Peele.

 

[B.K.]

Meh. He's no Rod Serling. I don't have any faith in the reboot. No Twlight Zone reboot has been good.

 

[B.K.]

Syfy cancelled the July 4 marathon, but they're still doing the one on New Year's. Here's the schedule:

https://www.syfy.com/syfy-twilight-zone-marathon-2019-schedule

12/30/2018 SUN 11:00PM STATIC
12/30/2018 SUN 11:30PM THE PRIME MOVERS
12/31/2018 MON 12:00 AM LONG DISTANCE CALL
12/31/2018 MON 12:30 AM A HUNDRED YARDS OVER THE RIM
12/31/2018 MON 01:00 AM THE RIP VAN WINKLE CAPER
12/31/2018 MON 01:30 AM THE SILENCE
12/31/2018 MON 02:00 AM SHADOW PLAY
12/31/2018 MON 02:30 AM THE MIND AND THE MATTER
12/31/2018 MON 03:00 AM THE OBSOLETE MAN
12/31/2018 MON 03:30 AM TWO
12/31/2018 MON 04:00 AM THE ARRIVAL
12/31/2018 MON 04:30 AM THE SHELTER
12/31/2018 MON 05:00 AM THE PASSERSBY
12/31/2018 MON 05:30 AM THE MIRROR
12/31/2018 MON 06:00 AM THE GRAVE
12/31/2018 MON 06:30 AM DEATH'S HEAD REVISITED
12/31/2018 MON 07:00 AM THE MIDNIGHT SUN
12/31/2018 MON 07:30 AM STILL VALLEY
12/31/2018 MON 08:00 AM THE JUNGLE
12/31/2018 MON 08:30 AM ONCE UPON A TIME
12/31/2018 MON 09:00 AM A QUALITY OF MERCY
12/31/2018 MON 09:30 AM NOTHING IN THE DARK
12/31/2018 MON 10:00 AM ONE MORE PALLBEARER
12/31/2018 MON 10:30 AM DEAD MAN'S SHOES
12/31/2018 MON 11:00 AM THE HUNT
12/31/2018 MON 11:30 AM SHOWDOWN WITH RANCE MCGREW
12/31/2018 MON 12:00 PM KICK THE CAN
12/31/2018 MON 12:30 PM A PIANO IN THE HOUSE
12/31/2018 MON 01:00 PM THE LAST RIGHTS OF JEFF MYRTLEBANK
12/31/2018 MON 01:30 PM THE FUGITIVE
12/31/2018 MON 02:00 PM LITTLE GIRL LOST
12/31/2018 MON 02:30 PM PERSON OR PERSONS UNKNOWN
12/31/2018 MON 03:00 PM THE GIFT
12/31/2018 MON 03:30 PM THE LITTLE PEOPLE
12/31/2018 MON 04:00 PM FOUR O'CLOCK
12/31/2018 MON 04:30 PM THE TRADE-INS
12/31/2018 MON 05:00 PM HOCUS-POCUS AND FRISBY
12/31/2018 MON 05:30 PM THE DUMMY
12/31/2018 MON 06:00 PM WHERE IS EVERYBODY
12/31/2018 MON 06:30 PM TWENTY-TWO
12/31/2018 MON 07:00 PM THE ODYSSEY OF FLIGHT 33
12/31/2018 MON 07:30 PM IT'S A GOOD LIFE
12/31/2018 MON 08:00 PM THE INVADERS
12/31/2018 MON 08:30 PM THE MONSTERS ARE DUE ON MAPLE STREET
12/31/2018 MON 09:00 PM NIGHTMARE AT 20,000 FEET
12/31/2018 MON 09:30 PM TIME ENOUGH AT LAST
12/31/2018 MON 10:00 PM PEOPLE ARE ALIKE ALL OVER
12/31/2018 MON 10:30 PM WALKING DISTANCE
12/31/2018 MON 11:00 PM THE HITCH-HIKER
12/31/2018 MON 11:30 PM THE BEWITCHIN' POOL
12/31/2018 MON 12:00 AM THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD
12/31/2018 MON 12:30 AM YOUNG MAN'S FANCY
12/31/2018 MON 01:00 AM CAVENDAR IS COMING
12/31/2018 MON 01:30 AM IN PRAISE OF PIP
12/31/2018 MON 02:00 AM STEEL
12/31/2018 MON 02:30 AM A KIND OF STOPWATCH
12/31/2018 MON 03:00 AM THE LAST NIGHT OF A JOCKEY
12/31/2018 MON 03:30 AM THE OLD MAN IN THE CAVE
12/31/2018 MON 04:00 AM UNCLE SIMON
12/31/2018 MON 04:30 AM NIGHT CALL
12/31/2018 MON 05:00 AM PROBE 7 OVER AND OUT
12/31/2018 MON 05:30 AM THE 7TH IS MADE UP OF PHANTOMS
01/01/2019 TUE 06:00 AM A SHORT DRINK FROM A CERTAIN FOUNTAIN
01/01/2019 TUE 06:30 AM NINETY YEARS WITHOUT SLUMBERING
01/01/2019 TUE 07:00 AM RING-A-DING GIRL
01/01/2019 TUE 07:30 AM YOU DRIVE
01/01/2019 TUE 08:00 AM NUMBER TWELVE LOOKS JUST LIKE YOU
01/01/2019 TUE 08:30 AM THE LONG MORROW
01/01/2019 TUE 09:00 AM THE SELF-IMPROVEMENT OF SALVADORE ROSS
01/01/2019 TUE 09:30 AM BLACK LEATHER JACKETS
01/01/2019 TUE 10:00 AM FROM AGNES WITH LOVE
01/01/2019 TUE 10:30 AM SPUR OF THE MOMENT
01/01/2019 TUE 11:00 AM STOPOVER IN A QUIET TOWN
01/01/2019 TUE 11:30 AM AN OCCURRENCE AT OWL CREEK BRIDGE
01/01/2019 TUE 12:00 PM QUEEN OF THE NILE
01/01/2019 TUE 12:30 PM WHAT'S IN THE BOX
01/01/2019 TUE 01:00 PM I AM THE NIGHT - COLOR ME BLACK
01/01/2019 TUE 01:30 PM SOUNDS AND SILENCES
01/01/2019 TUE 02:00 PM CAESAR AND ME
01/01/2019 TUE 02:30 PM THE JEOPARDY ROOM
01/01/2019 TUE 03:00 PM THE ENCOUNTER
01/01/2019 TUE 03:30 PM MR. GARRITY AND THE GRAVES
01/01/2019 TUE 04:00 PM THE BRAIN CENTER AT MR. WHIPPLE'S
01/01/2019 TUE 04:30 PM COME WANDER WITH ME
01/01/2019 TUE 05:00 PM THE FEAR
01/01/2019 TUE 05:30 PM ONE FOR THE ANGELS
01/01/2019 TUE 06:00 PM A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE
01/01/2019 TUE 06:30 PM WILL THE REAL MARTIAN PLEASE STAND UP
01/01/2019 TUE 07:00 PM A STOP AT WILLOUGHBY
01/01/2019 TUE 07:30 PM THE MASKS
01/01/2019 TUE 08:00 PM FIVE CHARACTERS IN SEARCH OF AN EXIT
01/01/2019 TUE 08:30 PM EYE OF THE BEHOLDER
01/01/2019 TUE 09:00 PM TO SERVE MAN
01/01/2019 TUE 09:30 PM LIVING DOLL
01/01/2019 TUE 10:00 PM NICK OF TIME
01/01/2019 TUE 10:30 PM THE AFTER HOURS
01/01/2019 TUE 11:00 PM A GAME OF POOL
01/01/2019 TUE 11:30 PM I SING THE BODY ELECTRIC
01/02/2019 WED 12:00 AM MR. DENTON ON DOOMSDAY
01/02/2019 WED 12:30 AM THE SIXTEEN-MILLIMETER SHRINE
01/02/2019 WED 01:00 AM ESCAPE CLAUSE
01/02/2019 WED 01:30 AM THE LONELY
01/02/2019 WED 02:00 AM PERCHANCE TO DREAM
01/02/2019 WED 02:30 AM JUDGEMENT NIGHT
01/02/2019 WED 03:00 AM AND WHEN THE SKY WAS OPENED
01/02/2019 WED 03:30 AM WHAT YOU NEED
01/02/2019 WED 04:00 AM THE FOUR OF US ARE DYING
01/02/2019 WED 04:30 AM THIRD FROM THE SUN
01/02/2019 WED 05:00 AM I SHOT AN ARROW INTO THE AIR
01/02/2019 WED 05:30 AM THE FEVER
01/02/2019 WED 06:00 AM LONG LIVE WALTER JAMESON
01/02/2019 WED 06:30 AM NOTHING IN THE DARK

 

[B.K.]

The New Year's marathon has started!

 

[B.K.]

There's no July 4 marathon this year, either. Fucking Syfy.

 

[AoM]

I've seen many of the most famous episodes, but have been making my way through each episode recently (currently on S2).

Favorite episodes from S2 so far:

- Eye of the Beholder
- Nick of Time
- The Trouble with Templeton
- Back There
- The Invaders
- A Penny for Your Thoughts
- Static
- Long Distance Call
- A Hundred Yards Over the Rim
- Shadow Play

 

[PersonAndStuff]

I tried to get into the series a couple times but I think it's finally stuck. I'm on 115. One thing that real gets missed is how often an episode is really an acting off for it's main character.