I might do some mini-reviews from time to time. Not full length reviews of a movie but short and sweet reviews, instead it will usually be of some TV episode I watched where there is not enough to fill a full-length review.
Twilight Zone - "Where is Everybody?"
Written by Rod Serling
Directed by Robert Stevens
Starring Earl Holliman as The Pilot
Air Date: 2 October 1959
This first episode of the classic anthology series The Twilight Zone involves a US Air Force pilot who walks into a small town with no memory of who he is. And to make matters worse, there is no one in the town, yet lights strangely flicker on or off and ovens start for no reason. What follows is a look into the effect of loneliness and isolation on the human mind.
The episode is incredibly well-written and well-shot, especially the night-time climax which brings to mind the noir-ish climax of It's a Wonderful Life. Its the kind of scene that would've been nowhere near as good if it was in color. Black and white is perfect for the scene.
The acting by Earl Holliman as the Pilot is quite good. He does a good job not only winning us over with a certain amount of Air Force pilot cocky charm but also, and this is important, subtly portraying the slow creeping madness caused by his isolation in the deserted town. So much so that by the time he finally does crack at the end, its perfectly believable.
So, what's the grade? A.
Especially good first episode. It and the rest of the classic Twilight Zone are available on Netflix Instant right now and I highly recommend viewing this episode.
I might review some more Twilight Zone episodes later, but I can't say when.
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