Nothing in the Dark

Gladys Cooper stars as an old and dying woman named Wanda Dunn who lives in a decrepit tenement building scheduled to be torn down. She has refused to leave however, convinced that Mr. Death awaits her if she does. One day, a young policeman named Harold Beldon(played by Robert Redford) is shot outside her door, and Wanda reluctantly lets him in, little realizing the profound affect he will have on her, while the contractor(played by R.G. Armstrong) continues to pressure her to leave, or face eviction... Excellent episode is wonderfully understated and incredibly moving by the end, with a welcome message and fine, heartfelt performances.

Fear of death or dying. It's probably the most widely spread fear in the world, and arguably every living creature on this planet suffers from it to a certain degree. But fear of dying shouldn't get in the way of the joy of living, that's a valuable lesson taught in this episode of the magnificent "The Twilight Zone" series ...

Well, look at that, my reviews even begin to sound like Rod Serling's narrated intro-sequences! "Nothing in the Dark" is a top-notch and memorable story, and not exclusively because it stars a young and handsome Robert Redford, but because it's identifiable and genuinely touching without being overly sentimental. The elderly Wanda Dunn has isolated herself in her home and cut all contact with the outside world since many years, simply because she's convinced that "Mr. Death" is following her around. As long as she doesn't let him enter, she is certain that she'll remain alive. Over the years, however, all her neighbors moved away, and the building is so ramshackle that it needs to be torn down. When a young police officer is shot outside her door, and begs for her help, she's confronted with the choice of protecting her own believes or doing the right thing. Since the very first minute, you know exactly where the plot of the episode is going and what the end-twist will be. But it honestly doesn't matter, because the tale remains compelling and enchanting, nonetheless. Good early role for Redford, but the true star of "Nothing in the Dark" is ageing actress Gladys Cooper. Her lines come straight from the heart, and the fear for the reaper in any random disguise seem authentic. I'm happy to see that she lived another good ten years after the release of this episode!

The story of this episode was kind of heartwarming, that fear often rules us when it really ought not too. Characters were well can't and well acted. You gotta love a young Redford.

In this classic "Twilight Zone" episode titled "Nothing in the Dark" it's certainly one of mystery and journey into the unknown. Plus it's a vintage one for the fact that it featured Robert Redford well before he became a big movie star or household name. Redford plays Harold Beldon a policeman who's shot alongside a street corner of a house of a sheltered and old woman played perfect by Gladys Cooper who takes Redford's character in and treats and nurses him back to good health. This woman has a fear of dying and venturing out into the real world she even thinks this arrival could be the angel of death, only it turns out to be the opposite as the Redford character returns a favor as he ventures the old lady out and he looks more like a guardian angel. Overall good episode for it's mystery and discovery of good nature proving life is so unexpected as a mystery can arrive to us and be a find that helps us start a new journey.

I am a Twilight Zone junkie and I absolutely love this episode. I'm not going to rehash the story line like others have already done however, I'd like to add my take on this one. I've always thought that when the Angel comforts her by saying, "Mother, take my hand", I believe he may actually be her son who she could have possibly lost in child birth. The way she looks at him and the trust she instantly gains at that moment. Just a food for thought.