This week, host Craig gets all wistful and
nostalgic as he examines Rod Serling’s “Walking Distance,” one of The Twilight
Zone’s most beloved episodes and its very first time travel excursion. There’s
also an extended Jack Finney tangent, several Mad Men references, and an epic
burn (or two) from his wife and kid.
Opening theme: “Neither Here nor There” by Twin
Loops
Closing music: “A Beautiful Mine (theme from Mad Men)” by Acelayone/RJD2
(from the album Magnificent City,
copyright 1996 by Decon/Project Blowed)
The Twilight Zone is a trademark of CBS, Inc.
Between Light and a Shadow: A
Twilight Zone Podcast is a nonprofit podcast. Music clips and dialogue excerpts
used herein are the property of their respective copyright owners; we claim no
ownership of these materials. Their use is strictly for illustrative purposes
and should be considered Fair Use as stated in the Copyright Act of 1976, 17
U.S.C. section 107.
Craig, that was an absolute grand slam!!
ReplyDeleteYour analysis of my all time favorite TZ episode was very insightful.
I never knew about the opening shot being the same one that was previously used on Where is Everybody?
Thank you for spending some time on the Bernard Herrmann score.
Every time I watch this episode my eyes well up a little bit when I hear those beautiful violins play.
Absolute magic!!
If you ever decide to do a follow up podcast to this episode, please mention that Rod Serling's closing narration is absolute poetry.
Craig, from the bottom of my heart THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!!!
Thanks for the kind words, Scott. Yeah, I probably should've spotlighted Serling's beautiful closing words... I'll find a way to work it into a future episode.
ReplyDeleteThe killer moment in this episode for me is the sequence after Martin the elder "apologizes" to his younger self: the music and the carousel horses.
ReplyDeleteWe have to wonder whether Serling would have mellowed in his feelings toward this program if he'd had more time alive. Just after it was produced he was very happy with it; I think the comments you included came from a later period where he was quite self-critical.
I share your feelings for Finney's work. If you haven't already, look for his non-fiction book, "Forgotten News" - as much fun as his fiction.
-- Dave Jessup
Craig: Have you returned the book you stole yet? How smug and petty of you to do it and then brag about it. Congrats for denying others the enjoyment of FInney's work. Mike
ReplyDeleteQuintessential TZ: The scene at the carousel with Frank Overton and Gig Young, "talking Rod," with crickets O.C. and Bernard Herrmann's music in the background.
ReplyDelete