The Hunt

Arthur Hunnicut portrays Hyder Simpson, who has been married to his wife Rachel(played by Janette Nolan) for 50 years in their rural cabin home in the mountains. One day, Hyder takes his beloved Dog Rip on a Raccoon hunt that goes wrong when both of them seem to drown in a fast-moving river, though appear later unharmed, but compelled to travel down a long road where he comes across two gatekeepers, both of whom welcome him in, but the first won't allow Rip in, so Hyder passes on that one, only to be confronted by quite a revelation when he approaches the second... Heartfelt episode is a valentine for animal lovers, and is wonderfully acted and made as well. Cats however should also get a friendly mention as not being fooled either!

If I didn't see his name I think I would know this was written by Earl Hamner. His fingerprints are all over this quality writing that is enhanced by the fine acting, directing, and screenplay. Definitely in my top 5 favorite TZ episodes, especially as I'm a dog lover, too. This is just everything that you want in the Twilight Zone universe.

Solid storyline and an unexpected ending. Not message or effect heavy, but still told a good story. Characters were well acted.

One of my favorite Twilight Zone episodes involves Arthur Hunnicutt and Jeanette Nolan as a pair of old married folk from the mountains and Hunnicutt's old hound dog named Rip. One night Hunnicutt decides to go on a coon hunt despite his wife misgivings and it turns out to be both their last fleshly night.

It takes a bit for Hunnicutt to be convinced he's dead and he even goes down the wrong path on Eternity Road. Let's just say that it's a good thing he and Rip died together.

I suppose if heaven is real it's something different for everyone. For a man like Hunnicutt it would be quite something different than for say the Sultan of Brunei. That's a proposition that's dealt with in this Twilight Zone story.

Hunnicutt who made a career of playing rustic types makes this episode special.

I am surprised that no one has noticed yet that this topic is very very close to another episode taking place during the Civil War, where the characters are already dead; and I can also say that there were numerous other épisodes of this series which also borrowed this scheme. But that remains a very pleasant and touching story. One more episode looking like an Ambrose Pierce's story.