One for the Angels

This is exactly the type of stuff I was hoping to find when I purchased the full series of "The Twilight Zone" on DVD! Stories of the macabre that are familiar and rather basic, but nevertheless oddly unsettling and atmospheric. "One for the Angels" is such a typical tale that makes you chuckle but simultaneously gives you goosebumps when you contemplate about the concept more thoroughly. The always optimistic and beloved street vendor Lou Bookman finds himself stalked by a rigid and stoic man in a black suit. When this man also suddenly appears in his home, it takes Lou some time before realizing this man is Death himself and he's coming to announce that Lou's life on earth terminates at midnight. Lou understandably doesn't agree to die and misleads Mr. Death by begging to still receive the time to make one last big sales pitch before dying. When Mr. Death realizes he's been fooled, he sets in motion a very dramatic alternative… I can easily understand why an episode such as "One for the Angels" wouldn't appeal to younger audiences and/or fans of nowadays Sci-Fi and mystery cinema. After all, the plot is quite silly and doesn't contain a lot of action. But for fans of old-fashioned supernatural cinema, this episode is a joy to behold thanks to Rod Serling's ingenious narrative structure and the sober ambiance. This particular episode is also very endearing, but I believe this is largely the achievement of Ed Wynn who fantastically depicts the protagonist Lou Bookman. Personally I'm not too familiar with Wynn's work as a comedian, but his appearance in "The Twilight Zone" here at least proves that he was able to mix his comical talents with genuine drama and mystery. Murray Hamilton, probably best known for his role as the obnoxious mayor in "Jaws", also gives a stellar performance as the stern and (almost) unemotional embodiment of Death. A fabulous episode!

Genial Ed Wynn a sidewalk tie salesman isn't quite ready to give up mortality when Death as personified by Murray Hamilton comes calling. Wynn tricks Hamilton into him making just one more big sales pitch, one that will really put over a good sale.

But Death has his quota and when young Dana Dillaway hovers between life and death, Wynn sees his chance to really make a big pitch.

Ed Wynn after years playing the maniacal perfect fool on vaudeville, the stage and radio proved to be a fine dramatic actor in such items as The Great Man, The Diary Of Anne Frank, and Marjorie Morningstar. Wynn blends both his comic and dramatic gifts in this fine Twilight Zone episode.

He also did another Twilight Zone show and that for fans of Ed Wynn should also not be missed.

Death comes to claim beloved door-to-door salesman Lew Bookman, who is beloved by the local children, but Bookman convinces Death to allow him to stay alive long enough to make the pitch of a lifetime. When Death suspects that Bookman is simply playing for time, he decides to take a substitute.

"One for the Angels" is Serling's first great Twilight Zone script, anchoring itself in well- defined characters with believable (under the circumstances) emotional stakes. With a different actor in the lead, the Bookman character might seem too good to be true; in Ed Wynn's hands, however, the character's warmth and bond with the children of the neighborhood is genuine, and his charm at putting off Death is equally believable (again, given the circumstances). Equally impressive is Murray Hamilton (an often-underrated character actor) as Death, taking an otherwise metaphysical figure, and imbuing him with genuine stakes (maintaining the balance of the world) while at the same time adding a bit of subdued sympathy for the plight of his mark.

To be sure, this is not a perfect episode, as the "pitch of a lifetime" does leave a little to be desired. Nonetheless, the balance between the Wynn and Hamilton characters makes the story strangely believable on its own terms, and deeply affecting. In other words, the definition of a classic Twilight Zone episode.

I have been almost obsessed with The Twilight Zone for years, having collected pretty much all episodes; however, it was "One For The Angels" to truly launch me to the "twilight zone" one night. Perhaps it was Ed Wynn's fine performance to combine with the Storyteller's all-engulfing warmth that made the magic tangible. I remember that night and that episode made me a believer and advocate of art's pretence to Truth, rather than remaining a crippled rationalist. All meaning is suddenly revealed, if only we have the subtlety of senses needed en route for The Twilight Zone. The poetry of this episode, even though much lighter, can compare in its depth and fineness with 1985's "Toys Of Caliban". (Great acting by Richard Mulligan there, too.)

I enjoyed the performances: Ed Wynn was lovable as the friendly pitchman, and Murray Hamilton was perfect as Mr. Death. The Twilight Zone has endured because of inspired writing and has been sustained by the incredible talent that it attracted. Ed Wynn is perfect as the pitchman who loves children. Note that there is nothing at all perverted about this, as we might expect today. That's something to love about "One for the Angels" too. I highly recommend this one to all. It's thought provoking and completely enjoyable. Watch it and try to imagine such inspired TV viewing today. The caliber of talent, Ed Wynn, Murray Hamilton, their performances were first rate, in my opinion. The child actors were fairly typical for the time period. But I think that anyone watching this with an open mind will enjoy it. Please...don't try to put too much into it. Just allow yourself to be drawn into the drama. It's an amazing feeling.