In this exceptional second episode of "The Twilight Zone", the beloved stage and film comic Ed Wynn delivers a performance that is certainly award worthy. He plays a much-beloved street vendor who entertains the children and gives much of his supply away simply because of his love for them, but his days are numbered due to the appearance of the mysterious Murray Hamilton. it seems that the Grim Reaper wears a suit and tie and has come to claim Wynn due to natural causes which will give him a peaceful and painless exit. But Wynn is not ready to go and I can certainly see why. The adults may pay no attention to him but the children adore him, one little girl in particular. Wynn utilizes great trickery into prolonging his stay, and even though he may have lost, that doesn't stop Hamilton from haunting him and even going out with him his way to claim someone else in a not so peaceful way. Because of his conscience and love for the children, Wynn must think very fast, and that means giving the greatest pitch of his life.
For the second episode of "The Twilight Zone" series comes one of my favorites, an episode I have not seen in many years but remember it in detail as if I had just watched it a few months ago. It is one so big with heart and bittersweet and possibly even tear inducing. Wynn has so many reasons to want to continue to live because even though he is alone, he certainly is not lonely and the children brighten up his life to the point where he is not ready to leave it. The theme is heartwarming, often funny and ironic both in humorous and serious ways. Hamilton, resembling Rod Serling to an extent, is outstanding in the supporting role and while he seems mildly amused by how Wynn schemes to remain alive, he knows it is his duty to either bring back when to his final destination or someone else and with the screech of tires, it is obvious who that someone is. So much detail in a short period of time makes this an excellent episode, with excellent pacing, a brilliant script and performances that will reach deep into your heart. This is what great TV is all about, just proving Fred Allen's claim that TV quality was simply a medium.
For the second episode of "The Twilight Zone" series comes one of my favorites, an episode I have not seen in many years but remember it in detail as if I had just watched it a few months ago. It is one so big with heart and bittersweet and possibly even tear inducing. Wynn has so many reasons to want to continue to live because even though he is alone, he certainly is not lonely and the children brighten up his life to the point where he is not ready to leave it. The theme is heartwarming, often funny and ironic both in humorous and serious ways. Hamilton, resembling Rod Serling to an extent, is outstanding in the supporting role and while he seems mildly amused by how Wynn schemes to remain alive, he knows it is his duty to either bring back when to his final destination or someone else and with the screech of tires, it is obvious who that someone is. So much detail in a short period of time makes this an excellent episode, with excellent pacing, a brilliant script and performances that will reach deep into your heart. This is what great TV is all about, just proving Fred Allen's claim that TV quality was simply a medium.