In the pilot of the classic series 'The Twilight Zone,' Rod Serling brings to us the first story of what will become one of the most popular, influential, and well made television shows in history.
This story, "Where Is Everybody?," stars Earl Holliman ("Police Woman") as Mike Ferris, a man who awakens in a deserted town with no knowledge of how he arrived there or who he is. As he searches for answers, Ferris slowly begins to doubt his own sanity and becomes more & more hopeless in his impossible situation.
It is commonly recognized that the pilot episode of a TV series is, often, not of very high quality compared to later work. This is usually simply due to low budgets and unfamiliarity with how the series is going to be. However, this is quite untrue of this premiere episode of 'The Twilight Zone.' Rod Serling, a genius of crafting tension and suspense within his unique and intriguing story lines, delivered a heck of a teleplay here, even if he would later go on to dismiss the pilot as a disappointing start. While the overall story of a man discovering himself alone in the world is nothing new, even for 1959, the approach and spins that are put on it certainly make it something fresh. As the circumstances become consistently more distressing, the viewer is wholly drawn into the anxiety and terror that Ferris is feeling.
Beyond the writing, the other technical aspects of the episode are also fantastic. Robert Stevens, who was a prolific director on 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents,' captures the empty town's landscape absolutely perfectly. This is further enhanced by Joseph LaShelle, whose phenomenal cinematography talents can also be seen in Billy Wilder's masterpiece 'The Apartment.' Starring as the stranded man, Earl Holliman, well known for his many later TV appearances on such shows as "Police Woman" and "The Wide Country," puts forth a solid performance. Holliman's character, though slightly grating at times, was believably portrayed as the desperation, madness, and fear crept in, fully bringing the audience along for the ride.
Overall, 'Where Is Everybody?" is not only just a stellar pilot episode of one of the greatest shows in television history, it is a great episode altogether, with or without the approval of Mr. Serling.
-AP3-
This story, "Where Is Everybody?," stars Earl Holliman ("Police Woman") as Mike Ferris, a man who awakens in a deserted town with no knowledge of how he arrived there or who he is. As he searches for answers, Ferris slowly begins to doubt his own sanity and becomes more & more hopeless in his impossible situation.
It is commonly recognized that the pilot episode of a TV series is, often, not of very high quality compared to later work. This is usually simply due to low budgets and unfamiliarity with how the series is going to be. However, this is quite untrue of this premiere episode of 'The Twilight Zone.' Rod Serling, a genius of crafting tension and suspense within his unique and intriguing story lines, delivered a heck of a teleplay here, even if he would later go on to dismiss the pilot as a disappointing start. While the overall story of a man discovering himself alone in the world is nothing new, even for 1959, the approach and spins that are put on it certainly make it something fresh. As the circumstances become consistently more distressing, the viewer is wholly drawn into the anxiety and terror that Ferris is feeling.
Beyond the writing, the other technical aspects of the episode are also fantastic. Robert Stevens, who was a prolific director on 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents,' captures the empty town's landscape absolutely perfectly. This is further enhanced by Joseph LaShelle, whose phenomenal cinematography talents can also be seen in Billy Wilder's masterpiece 'The Apartment.' Starring as the stranded man, Earl Holliman, well known for his many later TV appearances on such shows as "Police Woman" and "The Wide Country," puts forth a solid performance. Holliman's character, though slightly grating at times, was believably portrayed as the desperation, madness, and fear crept in, fully bringing the audience along for the ride.
Overall, 'Where Is Everybody?" is not only just a stellar pilot episode of one of the greatest shows in television history, it is a great episode altogether, with or without the approval of Mr. Serling.
-AP3-