The Twilight Zone "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" (1963)

“click on the image for bigger Gremlin ;)

Hello Pulp friends :)

The Twilight Zone is back! And William Shatner is back too!!
This time he is dealing with what I think is the fattest gremlin I have ever seen. I had some hard time to make this guy look scary, even if I would be indeed helluva scared like Shatner if I was sitting in the airplane and this guy is messing with one of the engines ;)

Fun facts:
1) I like that the overhead lugguge compartments are open (a shelf, practically): airplanes must have been really smooth at that time. :D
2) I like that the signal says to not smoke during take off and landing, instead of the modern "do not use electronic devices during take-off and landing": times have really changed ;)
3) Finally, I like that if you need a gun to shoot a gremlin, the guy behind you just happens to have one on his belt (while taking a nap ;))

Written by Richard Matheson and directed by Richard Donner.

Let's see if I manage to do 50 tributes to The Twilight Zone in the weeks/months ahead: that would be a nice way to celebrate the 50th year anniversary :)

Cheers,
Francesco

All images © 2009 Francesco Francavilla

The Twilight Zone "Nick of Time" (1960)

“Every answer seems to fit.” - Don (William Shatner)

Hello Pulp friends :)

Here's another little classic, from season 2, penned again by Matheson: "Nick of Time". It is also one of the two episodes featuring a very young William Shatner.
As mentioned elsewhere, these are fun so I am thinking to extend it to next week too.

Stay tuned tomorrow for THE VAULT OF FEAR!!!

Cheers,
Francesco

All images © 2009 Francesco Francavilla

The Twilight Zone "The Invaders" (1961)

These are the invaders, the tiny beings from the tiny place called Earth, who would take the giant step across the sky to the question marks that sparkle and beckon from the vastness of the universe only to be imagined. The invaders, who found out that a one-way ticket to the stars beyond has the ultimate price tag. And we have just seen it entered in a ledger that covers all the transactions of the universe, a bill stamped 'paid in full,' and to be found, on file, in the Twilight Zone

Hello Pulp friends :)

"The Invaders" (from season 2) is definitely a "CLASSIC" of the Twilight Zone for many reasons. First: it didn't have any dialogue at all: all was left to the amazing acting and cinematography of actors and crew. Second: it was penned by master Richard Matheson (who wrote several of the episodes of the first seasons). Third: it has a wonderful ending twist. Finally: it features the wonderful Agnes Moorehead, actress that is very familiar to us SHADOW OTR afecionados.
As I said, a CLASSIC! :)

Cheers,
Francesco

All images © 2009 Francesco Francavilla

The Twilight Zone "The Dummy" (1962)

Ventriloquist Jerry Etherson is convinced that his dummy, Willie, is alive and evil. He locks Willie in a trunk and makes plans for a new act with a new dummy. Too bad he didn't clear those plans with Willie first.

Hello Pulp friends :)

Today we feature another all time favorite of mine: "The Dummy"! (from season 3).
And it's a favorite not only because of the story, but also (and mostly) becuase I think these dummies are one of the creepiest things on Earth ;)

Move out of the way, Chucky, let the professionals play! :)

Cheers,
Francesco

All images © 2009 Francesco Francavilla

The Twilight Zone "To Serve Man" (1962)

An alien race comes to earth, promising peace and sharing technology. A linguist and his team set out to translate the alien's language, using a book whose title they deduce is "To Serve Man".

Hello Pulp friends :)

Today we feature another classic episode of "The Twilight Zone", so classic that it also "inspired" a famous Simpsons' "Treehouse of Horror" episode: "To Serve Man"! :)
A related recipe book everyone? ;)

Of course (like for any other post here) click on the image for a bigger size.

Cheers,
Francesco

All images © 2009 Francesco Francavilla

The Twilight Zone "Eye of the Beholder" (1960)

There is a fifth dimension beyond that
which is known to man.
It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity.
It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science
and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man's fears and
the summit of his knowledge.
This is the dimension of imagination.
It is an area which we call
the Twilight Zone.

Hello Pulp friends :)

Exactly 50 years ago, with these words, the first episode of The Twilight Zone was airing on the American TV, with its unmistakable tune, and the TV wasn't the same anymore. To celebrate the 50th anniversary I decided to tribute Rod Serling's genius series with a set of 5 of my favorite episodes this whole week (except for Friday and Sunday that are already booked, as you all know ;)). I am having a pretty busy week so I hope to keep it up in the next days.

First up: Eye of the Beholder! (from season 2, 1960).

Cheers,
Francesco

All images © 2009 Francesco Francavilla