Mr. Garrity and the Graves

A man arrives at a small town and offers to resurrect the dead. At first, the townspeople are dubious, but when it seems like he might just be able to do it, the people are excited...until they begin to fully appreciate the impact of this miracle. Ultimately, the twist you'd expect from The Twilight Zone is indeed present and it ends in a very satisfying manner.

This is an excellent episode and I liked how what initially seemed like a straight drama actually had a subtle comedic twist. While it had a ton to say about human nature, it said it in a truly ironic and clever fashion that made me smile. Not the very best the series had to offer, but a definite notch above the norm.

Amazing little story, totally new in the scheme for the TZ series. I can say again, probably for the twentieth time, that TZ show has recycled, used so many schemes, so many times; I watched the whole show - nearly finished - in eight weeks, several episodes per day. So, the repetitive schemes, I know.... This one is a refreshing plot, because very unusual. Maybe it inspired a French series and movie, in the 2000's: LES REVENANTS. An interesting and unusual character study, saving us a good ending too. I highly recommend it. And here, the back from the dead scheme has nothing to do with zombies of any kind.

Interesting episode what with the Western motif and making light of resurrecting the dead....but, first off, how is it that a beer costs a nickel, but the lowest fee to halt the "miracle" is $500! And they are all walking around with it (shouldn't it be stashed in their mattresses?!). On a more serious note, I don't think today we would be making light of domestic violence, i.e. the drunk,s wife Zelda breaking his arm six times. I found that distasteful, but I,m thankful that in 2019 such a situation would likely not be used for comic relief.

How many folks would like their dearly beloved dead to return to life. That's the premise of this clever little half-hour, played strictly for laughs. Not the most promising comedic material you might think. However, the light touch avoids tricky matters of taste. John Dehner turns up in an Arizona backwater town circa 1890, claiming supernatural powers to raise the dead. Nonetheless, skeptics turn believers when he resurrects a road-kill dog before their very eyes. The town, of course, is filled with humorous types, such as J. Pat O'Malley whose dear departed 240lb. wife entertained herself by breaking his arm, "six times, total". Guess how eager he is for her return.

Dehner is so good at portraying eloquent scalawags. Here you can just about see him twirling his moustache as he counts the money. Story really plays out like an old Jim Garner episode from the Maverick series and is almost as satisfying. My one complaint-- they could have left off the occult after-thought. But then this is the Twilight Zone, not Maverick.

In 1890, in Happiness, Arizona, Mr. Jared Garrity arrives with his wagon and goes to a bar to drink beer. He meets the bartender Jensen and learns that his brother recently died. Soon he discloses to the locals that he has the gift to bring the dead to life. A wagon runs over a dog in the street and he uses his gift to resurrect the animal. Then he goes alone to the cemetery and when he returns to the bar, he tells to the residents that he has resurrected all the dead. But Jensen asks him to return his brother to the grave, and he says that this would demand much effort from him, but Jensen pays a large amount to him. Then the other folks in town do the same and pays the conman to let the dead resting in peace. Later, something happens in Happiness.

"Mr. Garrity and the Graves" is a funny and witty episode of "The Twilight Zone". It I visible from the beginning that Jared Garrity is a charlatan, but his scam is disclosed in the end. But the twist in the very end is hilarious and worthwhile watching. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "A Ressurreição dos Mortos" ("The Ressurrection of the Dead")