Walking Distance

This is one of my all-time favorite episodes, because it taps into the desire of all of us to return to that place (Real or imagined) where we were carefree and worry-free. The scene where Gig Young (Martin SLoan) realizes that he cannot stay in the past is masterfully directed and filmed, with all of the characters leaving the scene except young, who is left alone in the dark on the merry-go-round. Just a wonderful scene. Everything about this episode is well done. I agree that the scene with his father is very powerful as well. It is clear that Sloan will go back to his own time with a renewed sense of vigor and leave that summer to his 11 year old self. He will look for "merry-go-rounds" in his own way and his own place.

Gig Young plays Martin Sloan in this. There's a second lead character called Sloan in the Rod Serling written 'On Thursday We Leave For Home' in series four. Other surnames that Serling gave to a vital character more than once in a TZ episode are Horn, Koch, and Beechcroft.

'Walking Distance' explores a subject that Serling touched on several times in TZ and 'Night Gallery', that of a man going back to a happier time in his life. Martin Sloan is first seen honking his car horn and looking agitated. He is the vice-president of an ad agency and at thirty-six finds himself by chance within walking distance of Homewood where he grew up. First he meets a little boy (Ron Howard) who says he cant be Martin Sloan and runs away, but Sloan begins to realize the happy days of his childhood are still happening here.

The story is deceptively simple but the message is strong. You only get one unique stab at life and you must cherish the present. Martin Sloan gains a fantastic perspective by chasing after his eleven-year-old self hoping to tell him to enjoy the 'happiest' part of his life. The essence of a carefree childhood can stay a valuable part of you.

The carousel is a good plot device interestingly filmed for showing the elusive and magical quality of childhood happiness that nonetheless is nearer to you than you think. Walking distance actually.

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.

'Walking Distance' is another fine episode of "The Twilight Zone". This time a busy business executive, named Martin Sloan, decides to revisit his home town: Homewood. To his surprise, he finds that Homewood has been frozen in time for the past 25 years. He meets his father, mother, and even himself at age 11. However, Mr. Sloan discovers that even traveling through time "you can't go home again". The highlight of this episode is when the father tells Mr. Sloan that he doesn't belong in the past. This conversation feels rushed in a way. However, it still packs an emotional impact and contains the lesson of the episode. Perhaps this wonderful episode would have been better presented as a 1 hour special or 2 parter. Finally, the score for 'Walking Distance' by Bernard Herrmann would be used throughout the series and even the 1983 Twilight Zone movie. I give 'Walking Distance' a 9.6 for 10.

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.