Mia, Rod Serling wrote this episode for Ed Wynn.Ed could'nt do the fast talker pitch. So to get around that problem Mr. Wynn used his skills as an actor to get us passed these problems. From the first day of filming to the last Ed Wynn was on set, even in scenes he was not needed for.This episode was warmly remembered by all involved Cheers, Chris Perry.
I think what makes this one so satisfying is that, in the end, both Death and Lou are pretty much in agreement that he fulfilled that dream of a pitch for the angels. Lou feels satisfied, Death is pretty much CONGRATULATING him on it, and Lou at that point is more then willing to go, with only a little shaky worry about which way he’s going. Actually, I imagine had Lou asked Death if he was going to heaven at any time before that point, Death would have just given him some emotionless “I’m afraid I’m not permitted to reveal that, on the grounds that knowing would ruin your last moments.” line or something, but here he’s pretty much “yeah, you made it.”
Such wonderful writing by Rod Sterling. Very few writers even come close to his talent. I was just a kid when I saw the first episode, and I was rarely disappointed. If I catch a rerun of one TV's greatest shows, never mind seeing again.
This episode always brings tears to my eyes as Lou truly gives his life for the little girl. In the episode Wynn does such a great job of showing us the many facets of Lou - his kindness, his humor, his determination and, most importantly, his love of the children. I've always thought you could view Death's reaction to the pitch two-fold - 1. Death really does get into the sales pitch and cannot help himself in buying all of Lou's products or 2. is acting the part so that he can help Lou with his contract because Death himself doesn't want to take the little girl before her time. Either way, it is a wonderful episode filled with so many great moments in under 30 minutes and an all-time fave of mine!
@@stevenwoodward5923 I like to think it might have started as one, and then became the other. Like either Death is like “wait, he’s trying to make a pitch to ME… ok, I’ll play along…” and then really gets into it, or if he’s genuinely taken in at first and then realizes this is fulfilling Lou’s dream.
Best part, the first option sees death as being reasonable with giving Lou a chance, but genuinely surprised that it got to him, and the second option sees Death as realizing what Lou’s doing partway and, knowing that Lou is trying to save the girl, accepting that this is a way things can be solved for everyone.
I like to think this was Death's way of testing Lou's soul. Like a weighing of the hearts, but only after Lou does something selfish. Death is there to give Lou fair warning of his passing, and when Lou asks for an extension to his life and Death obliges, Lou tries to cheat him. This act of selfishness put Lou's soul into jeopardy and Death wasn't too keen on being cheated. When he arrived to collect the girl's soul, he was there to do the job, but I imagine he was hoping Lou would do the right thing. Lou had cashed in his ability to talk Death out of this arrangement when he asked for more time. The only think Lou could do now would be to follow through on the new agreement they'd settled on; his greatest pitch. If Lou fails/does nothing, he'll take the girls soul and later come back for Lou, only Lou won't be going up, but down. But if Lou succeeds, the girl lives, and his soul is rewarded. The stress of having to pull through it is punishment enough; knowing his selfishness lead to this in the first place.
Now if by some miracle you don’t know who Ed Wynn is here is some films with him I recommend you watch if you haven’t seen them: Alice in Wonderland (1953) Mary Poppins, That Darn Cat (1965), Babes in Toyland (1961), The Diary of Anne Frank, The Gnome Mobile, The Absent Minded Professor and it’s sequel Son of Flubber, Walt loved to always have Ed Wynn in something. There is another episode of Twilight Zone where Ed Wynn is also in it and the season one final episode has his son Keenan Wynnn star in it.
Keenan Wynn was also in: Ziegfeld Follies Song of the Thin Man The Three Musketeers Annie Get Your Gun Kiss Me Kate The Long, Long Trailer The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit Touch of Evil The Absent Minded Professor Dr. Strangelove The Americanization of Emily The Great Race Finian's Rainbow Mackenna's Gold Nashville The Goonies
Commenting before watching, just had to say this is easily one of my favourite episodes in the show, despite being only the second one they made. I love the ending and the general message of the story, hope you wind up enjoying it too.
You beat me to it. Also my favorite episode. Ed Wynn was a great talent. He was also the The Mad Hatter in Alice In Wonderland. This episode had heart, love, and above all humanity in the way we wish humanity could be.
For another heart-tugger, watch "The Changing Of The Guard" episode with Donald Pleasance as a retiring school teacher who feels he's a failure. Christmas themed too!
The question is, did he really trick Mister Death into buying all those things and being late for the child, or did Mister Death grant him his wish by playing along?
“Up there?” “Yes Mr. Bookman, you made it” No matter how many times I’ve seen that scene, it makes me burst into tears. Isn’t that what we all want? To lead a a good life and in the end, know that we’ll be rewarded? Serling wrote things that transcends culture, status and time.
The TZ’s about death or the devil are the most interesting from the standpoint of beefing up the show’s own mythology. These are the episodes that most feel like they hint at a vaster connection between everything than it just taking place in the Twilight Zone, already this vague place shrouded in mystery. But death and devil characters come the closest to being on the same plane as Serling’s representative figure and you get a better sense of this world-within-world. That’s what I’ve always loved most about this one, on top of being wholly unexpected after Where Is Everybody. This establishes early on you can’t know what to expect.
Ed Wynn, who played Lou, was one of the best actors and comedians of his time. He was also in the episode "Ninety Years Without Slumbering ".. Murray Hamilton was Mr.Death and he was a really good character actor, whose own dictum was to be always 'true to the part as it is written', which he showcased here.
Mia, you just had an introduction to a miniature Robby the Robot @ 1:06. For the full sized screen debut of Robby see the scifi classic someday, "Forbidden Planet" (1956). So, "Time Enough At Last" is next eh? What a good one!! Talk about an awesome cold-war era episode. ✌️😎
Ed Wynn gives one hell of a performance in this. His journey from fear of his own mortality to willingness to give his own life to save the girl, to his final resolution and acceptance of his death. That’s a lot of nuance for the actor to emotionally go through. Props to Rod Sterling’s fantastic writing. Also Ed Wynn voiced The Mad Hatter in Disney’s Alice in Wonderland, and Mr. Death is the Mayor from Jaws.
I wish the young people I see watching these had the background to realize WHO you're watching... in this episode the actor playing Death is the same actor who played the Mayor of Amity in the film JAWS and the actor who plays the salesman is the actor who played The Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz... the two of those actors on the same screen makes this episode so much more magical and amazing.
Not seen many versions of Death personified, but I like this one a lot. He's removed from human emotion, "it's nothing personal, it's just business" and yet isn't entirely unfair. Mr Death gives Lou the chance to arrange an extension on his life that sounds fair enough but under the condition he fullfill it in a timely manner. No cheating, no loop holes. but when Lou does cheat, Death punishes him by taking the life of another. But he is willing to play along with Lou as he makes his pitch, seeing Lou in the end was a good man. He had a selfish reaction at first but he did the right thing in the end. His selfishness put the child at risk, but his complete unselfishness (and also fulfilling their adjusted agreement) put things right.
I used to watch this one and think that Lou had actually fooled Mr. Death by distracting him but later I’d come to feel that Death had planned it all along and what he really did was to fulfill Lou’s wish for making that “big pitch” he’d always wanted. This would mean that the little girls life wasn’t actually in danger. Some people may not see it this way. It’s all open to interpretation.
One of the most staggering notions is how RICH these 25-min episodes are - rich in story, rich in the character development. There are occasional stars (Lee Marvin) but mostly it's supporting actors - like Ed Wynn - who were heralded for 30 years in films before this show.
Ed Wynn was excellent in everything he performed in. For myself, this is the essential episode of the 'Twilight Zone'. It tackles the metaphysical, philosophical & psychological tenets of what we understand to be life (& death) - for some, the latter is a terrifying prospect - however, it is the one thing in life we know to be a certainty, & with that knowledge, there should be no fear; an inexorable denouement. Relative to this video, I would highly recommend, 'Meet Joe Black', & my personal number one film of all time, the 1946 rendition of, 'A Matter Of Life & Death' - Powell & pressburger at their best. Thank you for this presentation, Mia ! Do take care.
I highly recommend the 1946 Michael Powell movie “A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH”, starring David Niven and Kim Hunter. Similar involvement with The Grim Reaper (‘Mr Death’). Classic post-war movie. Listed in one of the all-time best movies.
Another awesome Zone episode. There are so many great episodes to choose from that I'm hoping us commenters can convince you to do the entire series. Thanks again for another TZ reaction. 📺
Ed Wynn played Mary Poppin's floating Uncle in the movie Mary Poppin's. He sang " I love to laugh". He was an old performer whose career began in vaudeville and lasted well into radio, tv and movies.
REALLY good episode that comments on the nature of humanity is, "Monsters are due on Maple Street". it reminds me of,"the Mist,". This town suddenly cut off from the world and turns on one another through sheer fear and paranoia.
up there ? ...........................up there,you made it............absolutely brilliant and then the walk off as the camera cranes up...........wow.
"Time enough at last" is next? Oooo, one of my favorite episodes...with the great Burgess Meredith, who was in a number of episodes (and all were excellent).
Seen "Eye of the Beholder" yet? There's so many good ones. I like the ones involving nostalgia and time displacement, like "A Stop at Willoughby", among others. Serling was definitely a guy who was wistful about his childhood (before the demands of adult life stressed the hell out of him) - you can tell by a lot of these TZ stories.
@@hanoc101 "The Grave" is also really atmospheric and scary, but also a really good episode. I think "Monsters" is important to watch - always culturally relevant and an important episode in the history of TV.
@@hanoc101 I haaaated 22! 😭. Refused to watch it again for years. Just too creepy. That it was filmed in video instead of film added to the creep factor.
Love Murray Hamilton in this. Always love to see him. He's fantastic in "Jaws" and fantastic in "The Graduate"! I think I always took him for granted. He's good in "Seconds", too, which is a Rod Serling script. / Time Enough At Last is next?!!!! Oh my god, that one I'm excited for! Definitely in my top ten episodes; it was actually the third episode I ever saw. (I actually remember the first four TZ episodes I ever saw! Ha! They were all great episodes, I'm happy to report) PS: Love the background of the Twilight Zone stars you've got going there! You're IN the Twilight Zone!
Ed Wynn is best known for his role in Mary Poppins. Mr Death was played by Murray Hamilton, best known as the mayor in Jaws. Thanks for all the hard work you put into these reactions.
A great TV series in which Sean Bean does not die is _Sharpe._ Based on the novels by Richard Cornwall and set during the Napoleonic Wars, Bean plays Richard Sharpe, a sergeant in the 95th Rifles of the British army. Fourteen made for TV movies were made from 1993 to 1997, with a further two episodes in 2006 and 2008. If you like a good adventure costume drama you should check out _Sharpe._
Best role Sean Bean ever had, a fun well written series with both drama and witty humor, plus guest appearances by a lot of other well known faces. The first episode, "Sharpe's Rifles", is a bit rough in places, but after that they're off to the races. Best watched in broadcast order, it's episodic but also has broader character arcs. Highly recommended, as is the prior book series by Bernard Cornwell, whose work was also adapted more recently as "The Last Kingdom", a series about the conflict between Alfred the Great and the Danes.
PLEASE react to: -Living Doll -Eye of the Beholder -To Serve Man -Number 12 Looks Just Like You -Midnight Sun -It's a Good Life -Nightmare at 20,000 Feet -Nick of Time -The Invaders -The Dummy -Nothing in the Dark -The Monsters are Due on Maple Street -Masks -The Lonely -Two -Thanks!!!!
I am surprised you left out "The Obsolete Man" starring Burgess Meredith. I think it contains some of the best dialog in the whole run of The Twilight Zone.
Jack Klugman was a phenomenal actor. The episodes I still remember today are A Passage For Trumpet (01x32) and A Game of Pool (03x05) though you can't go wrong with any of his performances.
Little astronauts??? Bite your tongue! That's a toy version of Robby the Robot, probably one of the most famous movie robots of all time. He started in the movie Forbidden Planet, then had the movie The Invisible Boy written for him, then went on to guest star in numerous TV shows including The Twilight Zone (two episodes), The Adams Family, Columbo, Lost in Space, Mork and Mindy, Ark II, as well as appearing in TV commercials and even making an appearance in the movie Gremlins. There have been many toys of him made over the years, model kits, you can even buy full sized replicas (if you have a spare $20,000+). People even built their own life-sized replicas. He has almost as many fans as living actors. :)
Love your reactions! Please, for Christmastime, watch TZ "The Night of the Meek." It was one of the very few TZ episodes that was filmed on the relatively new process of videotape rather than 35mm film. It gives the story an odd immediacy and realism. And it's a truly magnificent, tear inducing episode!
This is my favorite Christmas special of all time, it burrows itself deep in the heart. I actually agree about the videotape, this and Twenty Two are the ones I think this works for although most dismiss it. That’s why I was pleasantly surprised to hear you pay it this compliment.
@@MoviesWithMia Season two. Episode eleven. It stars Art Carney who is most famous for his role as "Ed Norton" in the classic comedy series "The Honeymooners". He got a chance to show what a great dramatic actor he could be in the episode. A great episode!
This show ain't playing around. This one is easily in my top 5, Ed Wynn's character outwits death but a little girl is forced to pay the penalty. Of course he won't let that happen, it wouldn't even occur to him. Today some people won't take a needle in the arm to protect their own family, that's how low we've sunk. Anyway Wynn comes through, outwitting Death a 2nd time in 1 day. I truly miss such character actors, today they're all pretty boys and stunning women. People still imitate the likes of Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff and Peter Lorre for a reason, they were distinct, they made an impression of viewers and it stuck with them.
I do hope everyone's aware that getting stuck protects nobody but yourself. The meds in question are non-sterilizing and do not prevent one from either catching or passing on the bug. Nobody knowledgeable disputes this, despite the impression that is being given. Don't take my word for it, do your own homework. The broad assortment of memorable character actors is definitely one of the pleasures of watching old films.
An obscure little gem you might like is One Two Three (1961), with James Cagney and Horst Buchholz. My dad introduced me to it a few years ago and I was howling with laughter!
Hi Mia. Two more TZ's you should do. One is very well known and the other isn't. The first is Nightmare at 20,000 Feet (1963) with William Shatner (in real life, he just took a flight to the edge of space). The other is The Jeopardy Room (1964) with Martin Landau (you just saw him as "Leonard" in North by Northwest). Be there or be square.
My dad showed me this episode for the first time when i was in yr7 (i had just started getting into the Twilight Zone; first one i ever saw was 'Time Enough at Last') and the ending was so sweet, which means a lot cause back then my biggest fear was dying and it just made me look at it with so much hope and optimism.
You have GOT to watch the episodes Walking Distance, The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street, Time Enough At Last, and Nightmare At 20, 000 Feet. Almost every episode is a classic, just like the original Star Trek!
If you like "The Twilight Zone" may I suggest "The 7 Faces of Dr. Lao" written by one of the writers of "The Twilight Zone" Buck Hounton and Starring Barbara Eden, Author O'Conner and Tony Randall in multiple roles
Please check out the 5th episode of the first season of The Twilight Zone "Walking Distance". It's an incredible episode. One of my favorites. A memorable performance by Gig Young. With a great musical score by Bernard Herrmann who wrote a lot of great film scores.
Hi Mia. Nothing in the Dark (Robert Redford) Hundred Yards Over the Rim (Cliff Robinson) The Lonely (Jack Warden) Monsters Are On Maple Street Little Girl Lost
@@MoviesWithMia Spielberg always loved Murray Hamilton, and wanted nobody else as the mayor in Jaws. There's a director who has good taste in character actors.
Have you ever heard of an obscure BBC series called "Mulberry"? It only had 13 episodes because the stupid BBC canceled it for no good reason. It starred Geraldine McEwan as Miss Farnaby. I think you would enjoy it.
Mr Death had a small but important role in the film The Hustler, playing a Louisville dandy billiard player. The Hustler starring Paul Newman is a far superior film than the Martin Socresce sequel The Color of Money costarring Paul Newman and Tom Cruise
Check our the British TV series Sharpe. Sean Bean was the star and he was in dozens of battles snd duels and never died, but came close several times. I think it was his best work.
What a strange coincidence! I just finished watching a film with Ed Wynn and the one and only Natalie Wood! The movie is titled Marjorie Morningstar I've never heard of that film before and it was actually quite good! I know I've gotten off topic, but the coincidence blew me away! Kind of like The Twilight Zone itself!
This is good and very charming, but there are much better episodes, for instance, "Walking Distance" or "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" or "A Hundred Yards Over the Rim."
@@MoviesWithMia oh okay. I kind of got that, but I thought that Death had rejected his offer, so he came up with some other kind of pitch so that his time would be up before midnight. But what does that have to do with the silk thread? I guess I need to watch the show!
Ed Wynn had the loveliest epitaph:
"Dear God,
Thanks,
Ed Wynn (signature)
(His dates of birth and death)"
Mia, Rod Serling wrote this episode for Ed Wynn.Ed could'nt do the fast talker pitch. So to get around that problem Mr. Wynn used his skills as an actor to get us passed these problems. From the first day of filming to the last Ed Wynn was on set, even in scenes he was not needed for.This episode was warmly remembered by all involved Cheers, Chris Perry.
I think what makes this one so satisfying is that, in the end, both Death and Lou are pretty much in agreement that he fulfilled that dream of a pitch for the angels. Lou feels satisfied, Death is pretty much CONGRATULATING him on it, and Lou at that point is more then willing to go, with only a little shaky worry about which way he’s going.
Actually, I imagine had Lou asked Death if he was going to heaven at any time before that point, Death would have just given him some emotionless “I’m afraid I’m not permitted to reveal that, on the grounds that knowing would ruin your last moments.” line or something, but here he’s pretty much “yeah, you made it.”
Mr. Death was played by Murray Hamilton, perhaps best known as the mayor who refuses to close the beaches in Jaws.
Wow. I didn't recognize him at all, but I can see it now.
Hamilton also played Mr. Robinson in The Graduate.
He was also in the hustler with paul newman as the wealthy guy who loses to paul newman in billiards at his home.
Such wonderful writing by Rod Sterling. Very few writers even come close to his talent. I was just a kid when I saw the first episode, and I was rarely disappointed. If I catch a rerun of one TV's greatest shows, never mind seeing again.
This episode always brings tears to my eyes as Lou truly gives his life for the little girl. In the episode Wynn does such a great job of showing us the many facets of Lou - his kindness, his humor, his determination and, most importantly, his love of the children. I've always thought you could view Death's reaction to the pitch two-fold - 1. Death really does get into the sales pitch and cannot help himself in buying all of Lou's products or 2. is acting the part so that he can help Lou with his contract because Death himself doesn't want to take the little girl before her time. Either way, it is a wonderful episode filled with so many great moments in under 30 minutes and an all-time fave of mine!
Just maybe me, but I think Death was helping Lou.
@@stevenwoodward5923 I like to think it might have started as one, and then became the other.
Like either Death is like “wait, he’s trying to make a pitch to ME… ok, I’ll play along…” and then really gets into it, or if he’s genuinely taken in at first and then realizes this is fulfilling Lou’s dream.
Best part, the first option sees death as being reasonable with giving Lou a chance, but genuinely surprised that it got to him, and the second option sees Death as realizing what Lou’s doing partway and, knowing that Lou is trying to save the girl, accepting that this is a way things can be solved for everyone.
I like to think this was Death's way of testing Lou's soul. Like a weighing of the hearts, but only after Lou does something selfish. Death is there to give Lou fair warning of his passing, and when Lou asks for an extension to his life and Death obliges, Lou tries to cheat him.
This act of selfishness put Lou's soul into jeopardy and Death wasn't too keen on being cheated. When he arrived to collect the girl's soul, he was there to do the job, but I imagine he was hoping Lou would do the right thing.
Lou had cashed in his ability to talk Death out of this arrangement when he asked for more time. The only think Lou could do now would be to follow through on the new agreement they'd settled on; his greatest pitch. If Lou fails/does nothing, he'll take the girls soul and later come back for Lou, only Lou won't be going up, but down. But if Lou succeeds, the girl lives, and his soul is rewarded. The stress of having to pull through it is punishment enough; knowing his selfishness lead to this in the first place.
FYI the actor playing death also played the mayor in Jaws!
Robert Redford played also Mr. Death in (Nothing in the Dark) he was superb
One of the best.
If I could only select one episode to expose someone to *The Twilight Zone,* it would be this one.
Hey I’m number 1! Death was the mayor in jaws btw
Now if by some miracle you don’t know who Ed Wynn is here is some films with him I recommend you watch if you haven’t seen them:
Alice in Wonderland (1953)
Mary Poppins,
That Darn Cat (1965),
Babes in Toyland (1961),
The Diary of Anne Frank,
The Gnome Mobile,
The Absent Minded Professor and it’s sequel Son of Flubber,
Walt loved to always have Ed Wynn in something.
There is another episode of Twilight Zone where Ed Wynn is also in it and the season one final episode has his son Keenan Wynnn star in it.
Ed & Keenan also starred in Playwright 90s "Requiem for a Heavyweight" which was scripted by Serling.
Keenan Wynn was also in:
Ziegfeld Follies
Song of the Thin Man
The Three Musketeers
Annie Get Your Gun
Kiss Me Kate
The Long, Long Trailer
The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit
Touch of Evil
The Absent Minded Professor
Dr. Strangelove
The Americanization of Emily
The Great Race
Finian's Rainbow
Mackenna's Gold
Nashville
The Goonies
@@Jeff_Lichtman I was referring to mainly just Disney for Ed wynn and I have seen a majority of those with a few exceptions.
Commenting before watching, just had to say this is easily one of my favourite episodes in the show, despite being only the second one they made. I love the ending and the general message of the story, hope you wind up enjoying it too.
Same here.
You beat me to it. Also my favorite episode. Ed Wynn was a great talent. He was also the The Mad Hatter in Alice In Wonderland. This episode had heart, love, and above all humanity in the way we wish humanity could be.
For another heart-tugger, watch "The Changing Of The Guard" episode with Donald Pleasance as a retiring school teacher who feels he's a failure. Christmas themed too!
The question is, did he really trick Mister Death into buying all those things and being late for the child, or did Mister Death grant him his wish by playing along?
“Up there?”
“Yes Mr. Bookman, you made it”
No matter how many times I’ve seen that scene, it makes me burst into tears.
Isn’t that what we all want? To lead a a good life and in the end, know that we’ll be rewarded?
Serling wrote things that transcends culture, status and time.
This one is one of my favorite Twilight Zone episodes. So good, so wholesome.
The TZ’s about death or the devil are the most interesting from the standpoint of beefing up the show’s own mythology. These are the episodes that most feel like they hint at a vaster connection between everything than it just taking place in the Twilight Zone, already this vague place shrouded in mystery. But death and devil characters come the closest to being on the same plane as Serling’s representative figure and you get a better sense of this world-within-world. That’s what I’ve always loved most about this one, on top of being wholly unexpected after Where Is Everybody. This establishes early on you can’t know what to expect.
Ed Wynn, who played Lou, was one of the best actors and comedians of his time. He was also in the episode "Ninety Years Without Slumbering "..
Murray Hamilton was Mr.Death and he was a really good character actor, whose own dictum was to be always 'true to the part as it is written', which he showcased here.
Mr. Death was the neglected husband in the movie THE GRADUATE. Ed's son was comic/drama actor Keenan Wynn.
Mia, you just had an introduction to a miniature Robby the Robot @ 1:06. For the full sized screen debut of Robby see the scifi classic someday, "Forbidden Planet" (1956). So, "Time Enough At Last" is next eh? What a good one!! Talk about an awesome cold-war era episode. ✌️😎
Ed Wynn gives one hell of a performance in this. His journey from fear of his own mortality to willingness to give his own life to save the girl, to his final resolution and acceptance of his death. That’s a lot of nuance for the actor to emotionally go through. Props to Rod Sterling’s fantastic writing. Also Ed Wynn voiced The Mad Hatter in Disney’s Alice in Wonderland, and Mr. Death is the Mayor from Jaws.
I wish the young people I see watching these had the background to realize WHO you're watching... in this episode the actor playing Death is the same actor who played the Mayor of Amity in the film JAWS and the actor who plays the salesman is the actor who played The Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz... the two of those actors on the same screen makes this episode so much more magical and amazing.
One of my four favorite "Twilight Zone" episodes ever!
Not seen many versions of Death personified, but I like this one a lot. He's removed from human emotion, "it's nothing personal, it's just business" and yet isn't entirely unfair. Mr Death gives Lou the chance to arrange an extension on his life that sounds fair enough but under the condition he fullfill it in a timely manner. No cheating, no loop holes. but when Lou does cheat, Death punishes him by taking the life of another. But he is willing to play along with Lou as he makes his pitch, seeing Lou in the end was a good man. He had a selfish reaction at first but he did the right thing in the end. His selfishness put the child at risk, but his complete unselfishness (and also fulfilling their adjusted agreement) put things right.
I used to watch this one and think that Lou had actually fooled Mr. Death by distracting him but later I’d come to feel that Death had planned it all along and what he really did was to fulfill Lou’s wish for making that “big pitch” he’d always wanted. This would mean that the little girls life wasn’t actually in danger. Some people may not see it this way. It’s all open to interpretation.
The old man was in Mary Poppins! He also did the voice of the mad hatter for the Disney cartoon.
Excited for another TZ reaction!
Death knew that he’d come around and was playing along with the pitch to make his transition easier
One of the most staggering notions is how RICH these 25-min episodes are - rich in story, rich in the character development. There are occasional stars (Lee Marvin) but mostly it's supporting actors - like Ed Wynn - who were heralded for 30 years in films before this show.
Time Enough at Last is one of the all time best Twilight Zone episodes.
A perfect example of the quality of the series.
My favorite Murray Hamilton role was in The FBI Story with James Stewart. He played an excellent FBI Agent.
Ooooh,, my favorie, Time Enough At Last.
So underrated, it was my father's favorite 🥰. I bet most people don't get the reference to it in Family Guy (Peter's last brain cell)
Ed Wynn was excellent in everything he performed in. For myself, this is the essential episode of the 'Twilight Zone'. It tackles the metaphysical, philosophical & psychological tenets of what we understand to be life (& death) - for some, the latter is a terrifying prospect - however, it is the one thing in life we know to be a certainty, & with that knowledge, there should be no fear; an inexorable denouement. Relative to this video, I would highly recommend, 'Meet Joe Black', & my personal number one film of all time, the 1946 rendition of, 'A Matter Of Life & Death' - Powell & pressburger at their best. Thank you for this presentation, Mia ! Do take care.
I highly recommend the 1946 Michael Powell movie “A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH”, starring David Niven and Kim Hunter. Similar involvement with The Grim Reaper (‘Mr Death’). Classic post-war movie. Listed in one of the all-time best movies.
Another awesome Zone episode. There are so many great episodes to choose from that I'm hoping us commenters can convince you to do the entire series. Thanks again for another TZ reaction. 📺
Ed Wynn played Mary Poppin's floating Uncle in the movie Mary Poppin's. He sang " I love to laugh". He was an old performer whose career began in vaudeville and lasted well into radio, tv and movies.
REALLY good episode that comments on the nature of humanity is, "Monsters are due on Maple Street". it reminds me of,"the Mist,".
This town suddenly cut off from the world and turns on one another through sheer fear and paranoia.
up there ? ...........................up there,you made it............absolutely brilliant and then the walk off as the camera cranes up...........wow.
They had quite a few about Death, or cheating death, or coming back from the dead... all fascinating.
"Time enough at last" is next? Oooo, one of my favorite episodes...with the great Burgess Meredith, who was in a number of episodes (and all were excellent).
Great episode. You cracked me up with that voice change!
Seen "Eye of the Beholder" yet? There's so many good ones. I like the ones involving nostalgia and time displacement, like "A Stop at Willoughby", among others. Serling was definitely a guy who was wistful about his childhood (before the demands of adult life stressed the hell out of him) - you can tell by a lot of these TZ stories.
Those are good ones especially A Stop at Willoughby. The episode 22 just might be too scary for her though. lol
@@hanoc101 "The Grave" is also really atmospheric and scary, but also a really good episode. I think "Monsters" is important to watch - always culturally relevant and an important episode in the history of TV.
@@hanoc101 I haaaated 22! 😭. Refused to watch it again for years. Just too creepy. That it was filmed in video instead of film added to the creep factor.
Love Murray Hamilton in this. Always love to see him. He's fantastic in "Jaws" and fantastic in "The Graduate"! I think I always took him for granted. He's good in "Seconds", too, which is a Rod Serling script. / Time Enough At Last is next?!!!! Oh my god, that one I'm excited for! Definitely in my top ten episodes; it was actually the third episode I ever saw. (I actually remember the first four TZ episodes I ever saw! Ha! They were all great episodes, I'm happy to report) PS: Love the background of the Twilight Zone stars you've got going there! You're IN the Twilight Zone!
He's also hilarious in If It's Tuesday it Must Be Belgium. He played cynical, cowardly characters better than anyone.
Robert Redford played the best Mr. Death, in Nothing In The Dark. That is considered the #1 episode, of all Twilight Zone episodes.
Ed Wynn is best known for his role in Mary Poppins. Mr Death was played by Murray Hamilton, best known as the mayor in Jaws. Thanks for all the hard work you put into these reactions.
Ed Wynn, was he also the voice of the Mad Hatter in the OG Alice in Wonderland? And thank you so much for your support, James 😊
Murray was also known for being Mr. Robinson, Mrs. Robinson's husband in the 1967 movie "The Graduate."
Death was the mayor in jaws
He was in the graduate too as mr Robinson
I am so excited for you to watch Time Enough At Last….
The one re-occurring character in THE TWILIGHT ZONE (next to Rod, himself) is Mr. Death.
I loved watching this tv show as a kid , very entertaining , one step beyond is another great show ….😉
Love your comments.What I liked about this was, if this is the end, then do it once more, but the best you have ever done. Thanks.
Oh just wait honey you’re gonna be tearing up when you get to Walking Distance
A great TV series in which Sean Bean does not die is _Sharpe._ Based on the novels by Richard Cornwall and set during the Napoleonic Wars, Bean plays Richard Sharpe, a sergeant in the 95th Rifles of the British army. Fourteen made for TV movies were made from 1993 to 1997, with a further two episodes in 2006 and 2008. If you like a good adventure costume drama you should check out _Sharpe._
A realm where Sean Bean doesn't die? Sounds like The Twilight Zone to me.
Best role Sean Bean ever had, a fun well written series with both drama and witty humor, plus guest appearances by a lot of other well known faces. The first episode, "Sharpe's Rifles", is a bit rough in places, but after that they're off to the races. Best watched in broadcast order, it's episodic but also has broader character arcs. Highly recommended, as is the prior book series by Bernard Cornwell, whose work was also adapted more recently as "The Last Kingdom", a series about the conflict between Alfred the Great and the Danes.
Such a great episode.
PLEASE react to: -Living Doll -Eye of the Beholder -To Serve Man -Number 12 Looks Just Like You -Midnight Sun -It's a Good Life -Nightmare at 20,000 Feet -Nick of Time -The Invaders -The Dummy -Nothing in the Dark -The Monsters are Due on Maple Street -Masks -The Lonely -Two -Thanks!!!!
I am surprised you left out "The Obsolete Man" starring Burgess Meredith. I think it contains some of the best dialog in the whole run of The Twilight Zone.
@@TheScavenger71 I agree 👍💯
Jack Klugman was a phenomenal actor. The episodes I still remember today are A Passage For Trumpet (01x32) and A Game of Pool (03x05) though you can't go wrong with any of his performances.
He was in four episodes. The Trumpet episode I did not see. A Game of Pool, Death Ship and In Praise of Pip I have seen and all are good.
Little astronauts??? Bite your tongue! That's a toy version of Robby the Robot, probably one of the most famous movie robots of all time. He started in the movie Forbidden Planet, then had the movie The Invisible Boy written for him, then went on to guest star in numerous TV shows including The Twilight Zone (two episodes), The Adams Family, Columbo, Lost in Space, Mork and Mindy, Ark II, as well as appearing in TV commercials and even making an appearance in the movie Gremlins. There have been many toys of him made over the years, model kits, you can even buy full sized replicas (if you have a spare $20,000+). People even built their own life-sized replicas. He has almost as many fans as living actors. :)
Love your reactions! Please, for Christmastime, watch TZ "The Night of the Meek." It was one of the very few TZ episodes that was filmed on the relatively new process of videotape rather than 35mm film. It gives the story an odd immediacy and realism. And it's a truly magnificent, tear inducing episode!
Which season is it?
Yes please please! 🥺
If you do, see if you recognize the voice of the department store clerk/manager ;). It's pretty distinct.
This is my favorite Christmas special of all time, it burrows itself deep in the heart. I actually agree about the videotape, this and Twenty Two are the ones I think this works for although most dismiss it. That’s why I was pleasantly surprised to hear you pay it this compliment.
@@MoviesWithMia Season two. Episode eleven. It stars Art Carney who is most famous for his role as "Ed Norton" in the classic comedy series "The Honeymooners". He got a chance to show what a great dramatic actor he could be in the episode. A great episode!
@@MoviesWithMia Season 2. First aired December 23, 1960. Oh God, when TV was so simple and so magical.
This show ain't playing around. This one is easily in my top 5, Ed Wynn's character outwits death but a little girl is forced to pay the penalty. Of course he won't let that happen, it wouldn't even occur to him. Today some people won't take a needle in the arm to protect their own family, that's how low we've sunk. Anyway Wynn comes through, outwitting Death a 2nd time in 1 day.
I truly miss such character actors, today they're all pretty boys and stunning women. People still imitate the likes of Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff and Peter Lorre for a reason, they were distinct, they made an impression of viewers and it stuck with them.
I do hope everyone's aware that getting stuck protects nobody but yourself. The meds in question are non-sterilizing and do not prevent one from either catching or passing on the bug. Nobody knowledgeable disputes this, despite the impression that is being given. Don't take my word for it, do your own homework.
The broad assortment of memorable character actors is definitely one of the pleasures of watching old films.
Love this episode! Makes me cry every time!
I used to wait all week to see what they would come up with when I was a kid. Now I'm waiting to see what you will come up with. Lots of fun.
An obscure little gem you might like is One Two Three (1961), with James Cagney and Horst Buchholz. My dad introduced me to it a few years ago and I was howling with laughter!
Hi Mia. Two more TZ's you should do. One is very well known and the other isn't. The first is Nightmare at 20,000 Feet (1963) with William Shatner (in real life, he just took a flight to the edge of space). The other is The Jeopardy Room (1964) with Martin Landau (you just saw him as "Leonard" in North by Northwest). Be there or be square.
Funny, I thought Mr. Death looked like the fellow who played 'the dad' on "Say Anything..." and "Frasier." I'm nearly convinced it's the same actor.
Not really. But the actor portraying Mr. Death did play the mayor in the movie Jaws.
2 episodes that are always popular with fans are The Invaders and The Monsters Are Due On Maple Street.
He made a pitch for the angles, specifically _the angel of death_
I'm so excited the one you are doing next is my absolute favorite episode.
My dad showed me this episode for the first time when i was in yr7 (i had just started getting into the Twilight Zone; first one i ever saw was 'Time Enough at Last') and the ending was so sweet, which means a lot cause back then my biggest fear was dying and it just made me look at it with so much hope and optimism.
This is one of my favorite Twilight Zone episodes. It always gets me in the feels, and I love Ed Wynn.
You have GOT to watch the episodes Walking Distance, The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street, Time Enough At Last, and Nightmare At 20, 000 Feet. Almost every episode is a classic, just like the original Star Trek!
If you like "The Twilight Zone" may I suggest "The 7 Faces of Dr. Lao" written by one of the writers of "The Twilight Zone" Buck Hounton and Starring Barbara Eden, Author O'Conner and Tony Randall in multiple roles
Second that. "Dr. Lao" could really be a longer, color TZ epsode for sure.
may I suggest one episode? "Five Characters in Search of an Exit" left a huge impression on me and it's such an underrated episode
Great Channel! I would love to see your reaction the TZ's "The Purple Testament".
I like National Treasure and Sean Bean doesn't die in that one. He goes to prison, but they don't kill him.
Please check out the 5th episode of the first season of The Twilight Zone "Walking Distance". It's an incredible episode. One of my favorites. A memorable performance by Gig Young. With a great musical score by Bernard Herrmann who wrote a lot of great film scores.
Mr Death was in Jaws as the cinema’s worst mayor.
So glad to see you are back at it and viewing/reviewing one of the best TV series of all time.
Hi Mia.
Nothing in the Dark (Robert Redford)
Hundred Yards Over the Rim (Cliff Robinson)
The Lonely (Jack Warden)
Monsters Are On Maple Street
Little Girl Lost
REALLY looking forward to the next twilight zone. My absolute favorite.
Great reaction. You should do the Twilight Zone's "Walking Distance" episode.
Always loved Ed Wynn.
Mr Death is an "I'm just doing my job" kinda guy.
Yeah I really like his character
@@MoviesWithMia Spielberg always loved Murray Hamilton, and wanted nobody else as the mayor in Jaws. There's a director who has good taste in character actors.
@@peteg475 And casting Ed Wynn as the shark was a stroke of genius.
Have you ever heard of an obscure BBC series called "Mulberry"? It only had 13 episodes because the stupid BBC canceled it for no good reason. It starred Geraldine McEwan as Miss Farnaby. I think you would enjoy it.
The polar opposite if "Time Enough At Last" . . .
If you haven't checked out McClintock with John Wayne. It is one of my favorites next to Rio Bravo, which you have already reacted to.
Mr Death had a small but important role in the film The Hustler, playing a Louisville dandy billiard player. The Hustler starring Paul Newman is a far superior film than the Martin Socresce sequel The Color of Money costarring Paul Newman and Tom Cruise
The Martian is a good movie where Sean Bean lives.
Check our the British TV series Sharpe. Sean Bean was the star and he was in dozens of battles snd duels and never died, but came close several times. I think it was his best work.
If you want to see a young Mr Death please react to No Time For Sergeants with Andy Griffith and Don Knotts.....great movie!
The Grimm Reaper played by actor Murray Hamilton.. Recognize him from Jaws, He player Mayor Vaughn.. Always looking for the summer dollars...
I disagree. I love The Martian and Sean Bean survives, also The Sharpe series. But I get your overall point.
What a strange coincidence! I just finished watching a film with Ed Wynn and the one and only Natalie Wood! The movie is titled Marjorie Morningstar I've never heard of that film before and it was actually quite good! I know I've gotten off topic, but the coincidence blew me away! Kind of like The Twilight Zone itself!
You watched it.
Mr. Death or Mr. Mayor of Amity, same character
Can you react to the twighlight zone episode called the obsolete man
and also the musical called Lili it has Leslie Caron
Love your reactions to T Zone. My favorite TV series. Please check out : "Time Enough at Last" Also, from the first season. Thanks
You should check out the episode the masks. It’s very creepy
Bela Lugosi died in his movies even more often than Sean Bean. Sean Bean isn’t even in the top 10 in terms of most deaths in a career.
I have yet to see a Bella Lugosi film 😅 gotta check him out!
@@MoviesWithMia I think he holds the record percentage-wise.
@@MoviesWithMia When you do one, do the one that made "Bela Lugosi" a household name... "Dracula" (1931)!
@@MoviesWithMia If you start to watch Bella Lugosi films, then you should next watch Éd Wood.
btw I just found this channel, does she watch episodes in random order or the other episodes got yoinked by youtube?
One of my sentimental favorites, along with “Changing Of The Guard” and “I Sing The Body Electric “.
This is good and very charming, but there are much better episodes, for instance, "Walking Distance" or "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" or "A Hundred Yards Over the Rim."
That was a great episode and what are you gonna watch our film noir mouth?
"Film Noir Mouth". That bitter aftertaste one gets after watching certain great old b&w films.
But what was the pitch? You edited it out!
The pitch was that he offered himself instead of the little girl.
@@MoviesWithMia oh okay. I kind of got that, but I thought that Death had rejected his offer, so he came up with some other kind of pitch so that his time would be up before midnight. But what does that have to do with the silk thread? I guess I need to watch the show!
Yeah he pitched him a bunch of different things, like ties, silks, and in the last minute, he pitched him himself