★★★★ July 1, 1960 Season 1 Episode 36
If you want to see where we are…HERE is a list of the episodes.
We have some to the last episode of the first season!
This episode features Rod Serling briefly interacting into the episode…not just giving a narration. It’s a clever story and it’s wrapped up in a light hearted episode and it’s one of the better ones. This episode has grown on me through the years. There is a small cast in this one. Keenan Wynn portrays playwright Gregory West who can do something extraordinary with his Dictaphone.
Phyllis Kirk plays his unlikable wife to perfection. This is an interesting episode because the power that Gregory West has… could have been quite dangerous in the hands of another person. The show closes season 1 on a lighter note.
Years later Stephen King would write a story similar to this one called Word Processor of the Gods that would be turned into a Tales From The Darkside.
Rod Serling’s cameo at the end of the episode marked his first onscreen appearance in the show. Although Serling appeared on-screen at the end of most first season Twilight Zone episodes to plug the following week’s show, this is the only episode in the first season in which Rod Serling appears on-screen within the episode itself and not in a separate “coming next week” segment. This is also one of only two episodes of the entire series where Serling appears on camera at the conclusion of the episode.
This show was written by Richard Matheson
Rod Serling’s Opening Narration:
The home of Mr. Gregory West, one of America’s most noted playwrights. The office of Mr. Gregory West. Mr. Gregory West—shy, quiet, and at the moment, very happy. Mary—warm, affectionate…And the final ingredient: Mrs. Gregory West.
Summary
Peeking into the window of her husband Gregory’s study, Victoria West sees him with a beautiful woman. When she finally gets into the room however, the woman is nowhere to be found. His explanation is preposterous – he claims that when he speaks into his dictation machine, the characters for his play come to life before his eyes. Victoria’s first reaction is that her husband should be committed and a demonstration still doesn’t quite convince her. Gregory has something else to show her.
Rod Serling’s Closing Narration:
Leaving Mr. Gregory West—still shy, quiet, very happy… and apparently in complete control of The Twilight Zone.
CAST
Rod Serling … Narrator / Self – Host (uncredited)
Keenan Wynn … Gregory West
Phyllis Kirk … Victoria West
Mary LaRoche … Mary (as Mary La Roche)
Modoc … Elephant (uncredited)
…
Agree an enjoyable episode with a pretty good twist that I didn’t see coming at first. The ending with Serling was an added humorous bonus. You’re right about the power the playwright’s ability would have in the wrong hands – haven’t read the Stephen King story but is that the direction he took it?
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This is the only time Serling interacted in a story.
Suprisingly no…the writer made a better life for himself in Kings story.
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this one sounds intriguing… moving near the top of my “to watch” list.
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A lovely ending.
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Cute clip! Will make sure to see this one before the end of the month.
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It is a fun one with Rod in it for a little while.
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I watched the episode last night. Was not expecting that at all!
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Another one I’ve missed.
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Rod becomes part of the story… a little
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I’d never seen him in one of his own episodes.
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It’s the only one you do besides narrating.
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Wow.
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I just watched this one again last week, and it’s a pretty decent episode, with a clever twist. Mrs. West was a nasty witch, so it was nice seeing her get what she deserved.
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I thought the same about her. If the elephant didn’t convince her nothing would have.
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Keenen Wynn was another one of those great character actors.
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