Walking Distance

The confluence of three factors make this a timeless masterpiece for me: Bernard Herrmann's haunting score that reaches secret corners deep within; the universal desire to escape one's ineluctable destiny, back to one's safe, sheltered past; and Serling's World War II experiences, which warped him into the master story-teller he became. Each of us dreams of a return to the paradise of childhood, however fanciful. In most of us, something gives, something snaps, and we reluctantly turn away, back to face our fate. Serling understood and accepted this natural process. Thanks partly to Walking Distance, I now understand it, too.

Extremely appealing and heartfelt early 'Twilight Zone' episode stars Gig Young. Mr. Young plays Martin Sloan, a rather gruff business executive. One day he brings his car to a service station, and realizes that the hometown of his childhood is within walking distance. So he moseys on over there, and is magically transported back in time to 1934. He meets the younger incarnation of his mother (Irene Tedrow), father (Frank Overton),...and the young version of himself (Michael Montgomery).

It's only human nature to often long for the simpler times of our youth, something series creator Rod Serling keeps in mind throughout. There are certainly some joys that are wonderful to experience again, such as an ice cream soda for a mere 10 cents. However, as Martin comes to realize, one "can't go home again". The past is over, which all of us must accept, as hard as that may be at times. We can only live in the moment or look towards the future.

Much like Marty McFly learned, years later in "Back to the Future", Martin sees that there can be consequences from messing with a timeline. As honest and sincere as his intentions are, it's obviously not such a smart thing to try to reach out to his younger self.

Serlings' dialogue is literate and beautiful, and brought to life by a superb cast. Another heavy asset is the lovely score by Bernard Herrmann.

Very well done overall.

10 out of 10.

You know the saying "You can't go home again? Martin Sloan actually does. "Walking Distance" is one of the finest episodes in the entire series.I believe this is one Serling adores and you can tell so much about Serling from his writings. He poses an interesting question here "If you go back in time and meet yourself as a child, what would you say?.I doubt everyones answer would be the same although Martin's would be a popular one. This is a story of a man trying to escape the pressures of his life by going home again. I also have had fantasies such as this. What is it about our childhood that is so sacred? I assume someone with a happy childhood would like it revisited for hedonistic reasons.People who had depressing childhoods would go back with more of a purpose,maybe to correct those things that would cause hardship in the future. Martin Sloan realized he is not that little boy anymore but all of us carry with us that "Inner Child". What a brilliant piece of work.

Wow, what a treat. 'Walking Distance' is just one of those Twilight Zone episodes that you finish watching and you have to sit back and wonder how exactly something so fantastic could be dreamt up. Although admittedly a little overdone at times, this is the first real shining star for the series, making testament as to how it became the success it eventually did.

'Walking Distance' is an episode that explores the idea of leaving behind a home, whether it's a collective place, person(s) or event. Much like the previous episode, our main character Martin Sloan is caught up in the memories of his younger self, but the difference with Martin is that he didn't realise how much he missed home until he got back. Stuck in a stressful and demanding job, our troubled character goes for a drive away from the business and hustle of the big city in search for peace, and subconsciously it would seem, for his care-free childhood life.

The whole story has a tragic melancholy tone running throughout that works very well with our main character's reminiscent adventure. Everything else in the script from the dialogue to the great time-bending plot work just as well, running at a great pace, always holding the attention and imagination. Furthermore the cast does a very good job of handling the script, which failing to do so was the downfall of the previous episode. There are noticeable weak spots here and there with some over-acting and dialogue that seems a little forced (how about those 'band-concerts'!) but taken as a whole, 'Walking Distance' has a real class to it, full of professional ideas and implementation.

Aesthetically the episode is just as pleasing, if not more-so. Of special notice is a particular scene where Martin is left alone beside the merry-go-round; the dramatic change to spotlight lighting and cue of Herrmann's magnificent score fit perfectly with the mesmerising monologue that Young then goes on to deliver eloquently. The sets too are elaborate, being similar to that of the pilot, giving the episode a wide-open and fresh feel that is necessary when delving into the character's memories of childhood.

Taken as a whole this is simply a wonderfully realised episode that deals with some great themes in even greater ways. With exceptional photography, music, performances and writing, 'Walking Distance' is true classic Twilight Zone in every way.

I imagine that most people, at some point, have wished that they could revisit their childhood to once again experience life without the responsibilities and pressures of adulthood; in Walking Distance, stressed New York advertising executive Martin Sloan does just that, but learns that yearning for the past is a fruitless exercise.

I wholeheartedly agree with Rod Serling's message in Walking Distance: we should, of course, cherish our memories, but not allow our longing for times gone by to prevent us from making the most of the present. But as much sense as that all makes, given half a chance, I'd still take that mile-and-a-half walk back to simpler times, even if it only lasted for a couple of hours.