By Melissa Antoinette Garza
Tied only with the fourth incarnation of Dragnet (including both the radio program and movie), The Twilight Zone (1959) is my favorite television show of all time. I think few fans of the genres would disagree that Rod Serling’s masterpiece is the finest horror/sci-fi series ever produced.
It goes without saying that Serling was an amazing storyteller who utilized his intellect and humanity to bring viewers into his work. He never shied away from incorporating politics and religion into his tales. Instead, his writing would express prejudice, discrimination, and the worst aspects of human behavior. His method allowed viewers to openly discuss topics that would typically be considered too controversial to discuss.
In 1970, Serling returned with a show that though reminiscent of the eerie emotion invoked by The Twilight Zone was original in nearly every other way. It targeted a straight out horror audience by offering legitimately scary storylines, excellent characters, great actors and plots that captivated.
Each episode opens with Serling introducing the story by commenting on a painting displayed in the Night Gallery. Of course, each work of art provides insight into the segment that follows.
The Cemetery which is my personal favorite stars two of the finest actors who are sadly no longer with us. Both the late great Roddy McDowall and the equally amazing Ossie Davis give stellar performances in this tale which is filled with chills and is downright creepy.
Jeremy (McDowall) is a lazy ungrateful lout who moves in with his rich elderly uncle. He finds out that upon his uncle’s death, he is the major heir and would inherit everything. He doesn’t even try to hide his greed nor does he show anything but contempt for his uncle. He even pokes fun and speaks of his distaste for a painting that the old man created. The painting was merely of a graveyard that depicted the family plot.
The butler Osmund Portifoy (Davis), who cared for the old man for over twenty years both disliked and distrusted Jeremy. One day, Jeremy took his uncle who was under strict instruction to stay away out of the cold, and wheeled him in front of the window. Immediately, the old man fell into a coma and died. Though everyone knew that Jeremy was at fault, no one had any evidence.
While enjoying his uncle’s blood money, Jeremy notices that the painting he had criticized had been altered. The first change depicts a six-foot deep hole directly in front of the gravestone where the old man is buried. Then, another modification is shown. He decides to burn the painting, but despite him watching it go up in flames, it remerges back on the wall untouched. The casket is standing up. The portrait continues to shift before Jeremy’s eyes. When the coffin is opened, his uncle’s corpse is shown. Then the corpse begins walking.
Soon, the zombie can be seen at the door knocking and Jeremy hears the pounding in real life. He fears what is on the other side.
I highly recommend this tale. It’s fun and twisted. It’s actually scarier than many “horror” movies which come to theaters today.
Though, HULU claims to have this on their programming list, the wrong show has been uploaded. One can either download it on youtube or purchase the DVD set. I recommend buying it as the rest of the episodes are certainly worth the watch.
Scared Stiff Rating: 8/10
a good showw.
I agree! 🙂