Pamela's Voice/Lone Survivor/The Doll

'Pamela's Voice'. John "Gomez Addams" Astin stars as Jonathan, who's begun to be haunted by his dead wife Pamela (comedienne Phyllis Diller), who continues to be the nagging shrew that she was in life. A Rod Serling original, this short and not-so-sweet segment is noteworthy for a funny performance by Diller, and Serlings' sardonic, witty dialogue. Granted, the "big reveal" in this segment is no Earth-shattering surprise for the viewer. Directed by actor Richard Benedict ("Ocean's Eleven").

'Lone Survivor'. Canadian actor John Colicos ("The Changeling") plays a man adrift in a lifeboat, picked up by the ship The Lusitania during the first World War. It turns out that he was a survivor from the Titanic, and has been at sea, alive, for three whole years. It seems impossible, but the survivor realizes what his current situation really is: a punishment. Another sharp Serling teleplay results in a genuinely creepy and atmospheric segment, worthy of Serling's legendary 'Twilight Zone' series. The best part of the story is that it has a cyclic quality. Directed by TV veteran Gene Levitt, the creator of the series 'Fantasy Island'.

'The Doll'. Here, Serling adapts a tale by Algernon Blackwood. A British colonel (John Williams, "Dial M for Murder") learns that his niece (Jewel Blanch, "Against a Crooked Sky") has received a doll in the mail. He knows he didn't send it, and in truth it's a hideous-looking thing. It turns out that the doll has a sinister purpose, explained by a character named Pandit Chola (Henry Silva ("The Manchurian Candidate"), typically amusing). Directed by Rudi Dorn, who usually worked in the art department on various TV series, this is good fun that knows how to get you with its final punchline. That big money shot is truly a hoot.

Overall, this is a solid and very well-acted episode.

Eight out of 10.

Episode five of the series returns to three segments.

The first "Pamela's Voice" stars John Astin as a man who is finally happy to be rid of his nagging shrill wife who has recently died. However, shock she returns and unloads on him, and he learns that all is not what it seems. This one is very short and man does Phyllis Diller ham it up, its pretty much just made up of them arguing until we get to the twist which isn't bad.

The second "Lone Survivor" is about a man who is picked up by the RMS Lusitania, however in a weird sort of events he is in a life boat labeled Titanic, which would mean the man would have been on the lifeboat for over three years. Once we figure out whats going on the story becomes very interesting, and the conclusion great. John Colicos pretty much carries the episode with a wonderfully crazy performance.

The final "The Doll" is about a British Colonel who returns back to England from war in India. He discovers that his niece has obtained a very horrifying and ratty doll. We then learn in a shocking Revelation that the doll is really meant for him sent on a mission of revenge. One of the most notorious and best segments of the series, the doll is very creepy and terrifying, and best of all we get the great John Williams who I could watch in anything with his fancy British accent. The twist is also very fun.

All in all, one of the series best episodes because of "The Doll" with "Lone Survivor" being highly enjoyable as well.

After watching this episode, I still wonder if I had or not already seen such a Night Gallery story so close to Twilight Zone genre. Let me explain. In NG, you usually deal with occultism and spiritism, very different from the Twilight Zone atmosphere. Two series, though being written by the gruesome Rod Serling, are very different. Hrere, I was at last amazed by the second segment, with the Titanic, Lusitania and the other cruiser which I don't remember the name....Ye this second story does belong to TZ and not NG. Good point.

This one was, for the most part, a good outing with three sequences.

Pamela's Voice is a great black comic vignette. Phyllis Diller and John Astin are both very good in the leads. Great twist at the end.

Lone Survivor has an interesting premise and a good performance by John Colicos. But in the end, it's just another Twilight Zone retreat.

The Doll is hauntingly brilliant!! The titular doll is so scary to look at. Great stuff.

'Pamela's Voice" has John Astin celebrating his wife's (Phyllis Diller) death because he couldn't stand her voice. Diller was known for her loud voice and grating laugh but the director told her to tone it down (for some reason). It drains the segment of any point.

"Lone Survivor" is an OK story about a ship finding a lifeboat with one survivor. They bring him aboard...and things get weird. Well-acted but the set is cheaply done and looks it.

"The Doll" is easily one of my favorite NG episodes. A British colonel (John Williams) comes home from India to find his young girl has a new doll. Unfortunately the doll is evil and things go horribly wrong. VERY scary and frightening episode.