★★★ November 27, 1959 Season 1 Episode 9 (Episode 8 is Time Enough At Last which I covered in my top 10)
If you want to see where we are…HERE is a list of the episodes.
This one gets really creepy. Filmed in black and white works in the favor of this episode. It’s never been a favorite of mine but does have some scary scenes. I like the way they do the eerie dream scenes. A carnival at night with a cloudy atmosphere that is downright creepy. Suzanne Lloyd is stunning as Maya in Edward’s nightmares and as the secretary Miss Thomas.
The end has a nice twist but it’s not a classic episode but a good one.
This was the first Twilight Zone episode aired that was written by Charles Beaumont and also the first that was not written by Rod Serling. This episode was based upon a short story of the same name by Beaumont that was first published in the November 1958 issue of Playboy magazine.
This show was written by Charles Beaumont
Rod Serling’s Opening Narration:
Twelve o’clock noon. An ordinary scene, an ordinary city. Lunchtime for thousands of ordinary people. To most of them, this hour will be a rest, a pleasant break in a day’s routine. To most, but not all. To Edward Hall, time is an enemy, and the hour to come is a matter of life and death.
Summary
Edward Hall seeks the help of a psychiatrist, Dr. Rathman. He tells the doctor he hasn’t slept for days, and has been taking pills to stay awake, because he has a fear that if he does go sleep, he’ll die. He’s been having a series of dreams where each on’s part of a long story – like chapters in a book. The main character in his dream other than himself is a beautiful young woman, named Maya. He’s now reached the point of the story where he believes Maya will kill him and so he’s terrified to fall asleep.
Rod Serling’s Closing Narration:
They say a dream takes only a second or so, and yet in that second a man can live a lifetime. He can suffer and die, and who’s to say which is the greater reality: the one we know or the one in dreams, between heaven, the sky, the earth – in the Twilight Zone.
CAST
Richard Conte … Edward Hall
John Larch … Dr. Eliot Rathmann
Suzanne Lloyd … Maya / Miss Thomas
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I agree- a solid but average Twilight Zone.. 3 stars- yes and a 5 for Time Enough At Last- being a big reader all my life this one is my favorite.
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I was wondering about this one… it’s more of a slight horror episode.
Time Enough At Last oh yea…a 5 all the way.
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I can’t stop watching these episodes- even though I’ve seen them all before– finished season 1 this morning.
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That’s me… If there is not much on… I turn it on
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yes one after another- and they never get old.
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There’s something very special about black and white. It creates a unique atmosphere. I don’t believe these Twilight Zone episodes would nearly be as impactful if they were shot in color.
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Color can cheapen things…it can take some of the feeling away.
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Definitely agree. BTW, when you see an email with the subject line “Message from Christian’s Music Musings” it’s legit. Thought you might enjoy it! 🙂
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Thank you! I just got it!
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I am happy that Maya is not in any of my dreams.
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She was a good looking lady but yea…a touch on the evil side.
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Sounds interesting at least. Agree that the BW filming really suited the series well. For many things I used to prefer photographing in BW to color…1 time I was brought on to shoot a wedding in that to supplement main photogs color…it was fun. Back of course pre-digital when you chose one or the other type of film
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I do like the aura that black and white gives you. It changes the feeling of it.
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Since I wasn’t following your series when you did the top ten, went back and commented on Time Enough at last on the comment thread for that one. Re: this one, yes agree with others that the dream sequences are very creepy, esp in b&w. The scenes with Maya also a bit provocative for that era of TV I would think – great twist at the end as usual.
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The twist was great…Maya was about as creepy as you can get…making the secretary the same actress was a nice touch.
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The soundtrack adds so much to the creepiness of this episode. I like how they highlighted his eyes watching her.
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If felt like I was in the dream with him…and yes the soundtrack adds that extra to it.
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I like anything to do with a carnival.
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I’m there man…especially a carnival at night. It’s something about it.
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No kidding. Lots of forbidden fruit when you’re a kid. secret shit.
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I always thought that Richard Conte was one of those underrated actors…
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He was really good…After today we have a 5 star one…at least to me coming up.
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