The Surprising Reason These 6 Twilight Zone Episodes Stand Out

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During the period from September 30, 1960 to June 2, 1961, The Twilight Zone‘s second season was aired. This series, however, didn’t have the luxury of grand budgets. Despite having only 29 episodes compared to the 36 and 37 in the seasons before and after it, this season ended up going over budget so significantly that cost-cutting measures became necessary. By November 1960, when the production was halfway through, a total of 16 episodes had been filmed, with five already broadcast. In essence, they were more than halfway to the end of production, and with an average budget of approximately $65,000 per episode, they were on track to exceed the total season’s budget.

At that juncture, an unexpected decision was taken to save expenses: six episodes would be taped using video rather than film. Despite the novelty of video technology, it was less expensive than film, leading to optimism about completing the season within budget and on schedule. Regrettably, this method came with complications. Some hindrances limited the stories that could be told, while others were more superficial in nature.

How Much Money Was Saved?

To sum up, when you add up the cost savings from each of the six episodes, CBS only managed to save $30,000. Unfortunately, this amount wasn’t enough to sustain the project, as it brought about numerous challenges during production and made the episodes appear noticeably cheaper. It became quite evident that these episodes were shot on tape rather than film, similar to a daytime soap opera, which was a common complaint at the time. Instead of resembling The Twilight Zone, they fell short of this standard.

In the ’60s, when video technology was still in its infancy, there were no techniques available to edit footage as we do now. Instead, they used a method called “camera-cut,” which was common in live TV at the time. This involved using four cameras: one for close-ups of each character while speaking, another for their close-ups when needed, another for shots that included both characters, and so on. However, this method made it challenging to smoothly transition between shots due to the lack of editing capabilities, making it more difficult to complete the shoot.

Beyond the expense of operating four cameras simultaneously, this setup essentially restricts the film crew from shooting on-site locations. Positioning one camera accurately can be challenging when working with irregular terrains that aren’t as accommodating as a soundstage. Coordinating four cameras to work harmoniously in a scene for its entirety is virtually impractical due to their positions and functioning requirements.

Which Episodes Were Shot on Videotape?

In terms of the recorded episodes, they’re somewhat inconsistent at their best. Fortunately, regardless of whether they were filmed or videotaped, none could match the quality of “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet,” “Time Enough at Last,” or “To Serve Man.” Even if these episodes had been recorded on video, they would still have received praise, but not to the same extent (the limitations of videotaping become more evident over time).

The initial episode among the six broadcasted was titled “The Lateness of the Hour” (Episode 8). This storyline revolves around a girl who is the offspring of a roboticist, having developed androids for household chores. Intriguingly, she discovers that instead of being his biological daughter, her true identity lies more in being an android herself.

In Episode 11, titled “The Night of the Meek,” we follow the character played by Art Carney (from The Honeymooners) who works as a department store Santa Claus. Unfortunately, he gets fired after showing up for work drunk. While wandering through an alley, a bag full of empty cans lays in his path. After tripping over it, he realizes it’s not just trash but instead contains wrapped gifts that turn out to be exactly what each recipient wants most.

In Episode 14, titled “The Whole Truth,” we have a story about a used car salesman who’s less than honest with his clients. But when he buys a supposedly haunted car, he finds himself compelled to tell nothing but the truth (much like in the movie “Liar Liar”). In Episode 17, a woman is plagued by recurring dreams that always end in a morgue. She’s worried that one day she might not wake up from this nightmare, and while it hasn’t been officially confirmed, some horror enthusiasts can’t help but notice similarities with “A Nightmare on Elm Street.

In simpler terms, “Static” (Episode 20) is considered the least strong among the six episodes. It focuses on an embittered bachelor in his upper-middle age who finds that his radio broadcasts programs that are no longer relevant. The standout episode, “Long Distance Call” (Episode 22), was the last to be aired and featured on video tape. This episode revolves around Bill Mumy, the child actor known for his antagonistic role in the show’s famous “It’s a Good Life”, as a boy who claims that his new telephone toy can connect him with his recently deceased grandmother. Could this be possible?

You can stream The Twilight Zone on Pluto TV, and you’ll notice these five episodes for sure.

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2025-04-20 13:40