The Captain's Guests

A sadistic sea captain from the nineteenth century haunts a New England home and poisons the lives of a married couple (Robert Webber and Nancy Hadley) after taking possession of the husband's mind.

These haunted house stories require a deft touch to prevent them from being ludicrous; and a deft touch is just what this episode lacks. Charles Beaumont's script seems workable enough; and the actors seem competent. But little things here and there provoke eye-rolling and laughter instead of chills. Robert Webber launches too quickly into his gruff captain voice. Nancy Hadley finds a diary in the attic and awkwardly reads out loud from it. Little things betray the producers' lack of time and money. The couple is introduced in a long shot and it takes at least a minute before we get a good look at them.

You can't blame this show's faults on age. "The Twilight Zone" is still fresh and original long after its elements have become over familiar. I think part of the blame lies with this series' serious attempts to argue for the paranormal, which "Twilight Zone" never did. This shackles the writers to pseudo-realism and prevents their imaginations from taking flight.

Robert Webber & Nancy Hadley play Andy & Ellen Courtney, a married couple who move into a reputedly haunted home on the coast of New England. They don't believe such tales, but the locals do, who are unsurprised when it does indeed appear the home is haunted by its former owner, a bitter old sea captain named Clausen who seems to be gaining possession of Andy, and is changing his personality to his own, endangering their lives when the captain's murderous ways threaten to return... Nicely atmospheric episode has a fine setting and story, with good local flavor, although some inadequate makeup at the fiery climax almost ruins things!

New England's coastline is full of 200-year-old haunted houses, but second honeymooners Robert Webber and Nancy Hadley (as Andrew and Ellen Courtney) seem oblivious to the fact. They decide to rent a house, despite the unfriendly-looking portrait hanging inside, of previous owner "Michael Clawson" (1860-1902). Locals warn the couple about the place, but they pay them no heed. While Ms. Hadley rummages through an old trunk, Mr. Webber seems momentarily possessed by a malicious entity. Webber says he won't let the "dark and spooky" bother him. Meanwhile, Hadley finds the diary of the man in the portrait, and notices her husband acting more and more like the cruel old sea captain. Is Webber becoming possessed by the spirit of "Michael Clawson"?

**** The Captain's Guests (5/26/59) Charles Beaumont ~ Robert Webber, Nancy Hadley, Thomas Coley

The story maybe factual but the show adds their version. The portrait looks many decades more than 40. 1860-1902 means he died at 41 or 42. The painting done well before after he retired as a Capt. and built the house. He looks closer to 68-80.

An architect Andrew Courtney (Robert Webber) and his wife decide to rent a house in the New England coastline.

The estate agent in the small town is uneasy and reluctant to rent the house with them. Despite the high rental, Andrew taks the house.

The house has a portrait of the former owner, crusty Captain Crawson. His own crew once mutinied and keelhauled him.

Clawson was deranged and soon Andrew seems to be possessed by Clawson's portrait. He limps, starts talking in the local accent and then suspects his wife of having an affair with his business partner.

It is a bit of an old chestnut, a man being possessed in an old haunted house. I was surprised that the business partner just walked out of the house leaving Andrew's wife at her husband mercy, violent temper and gun.

Webber gives a good performance. Not sure I was onside with John Newland's explanation.