The Big Tall Wish

Has-been boxer Bolie (Ivan Dixon) is badly beaten by his opponent during his comeback fight, but finds the results reversed when his young friend Henry (Steven Perry) makes a 'big tall wish'.

Mawkish sentimentality and a character who pointedly refuses to believe in and be grateful for the miracle that has been bestowed upon him: The Big Tall Wish might be notable for breaking racial barriers (although the main character is still saddled with the surname 'Jackson'), but it leaves this particular viewer saddened and vexed at Bolie's stubborn refusal to accept the 'big tall wish' made by his 6-year-old pal Henry (Bolie's attitude kinda reminds me of the old fool from Spielberg's Kick the Can who also regrets not believing in magic).

Oh, and while we're at it, Dixon doesn't look fit enough to be a boxer, even one past his prime, and I hate it every time someone refers to his character as an 'old timer' (the actor doesn't look a day over thirty, because he wasn't).

Boxing is a game that apparently develops philosophers in this Twilight Zone story. Ivan Dixon is an over the hill prize fighter now picking up the losing end of most purses as a trial horse for the up and comers which he was at one time.

Living at his apartment building are Kim Hamilton and her son Steven Perry and the kid still has a beautiful unsophistication about him. Just believe in magic and when he does, a down and out Dixon in his fight has some strange things happen.

This was one unusual drama for any anthology series let alone the Twilight Zone. Most did not have a majority black cast, but Rod Serling made it happen for his show. The only white member of the cast is Walter Burke playing Dixon's corner man.

The best part of the show which is charming and that's usually not a word associated with the Twilight Zone are the scenes with Dixon and young Perry.

I could almost hear Cliff Edwards as Jiminy Cricket singing When You Wish Upon A Star in the background. But ya gotta believe.

A washed-up boxer is given a magical chance to win an important fight, thanks to the "big, tall wish" of a little boy who idolizes him.

This is one of the most underrated episodes of the series, featuring brilliant performances from Ivan Dixon as the fighter and Steven Perry as the boy. Remarkable for its time as a TV episode featuring African-American actors in flesh-and-blood roles, but had nothing whatsoever to do with civil rights issues. Serling's sensitive script and innovative direction also help create a beautiful and superbly realized story about the importance of faith, and the tragedy of the cynicism that age and experience can create.

More interesting than suspenseful or surreal. Washed-up boxer Bolie has one last chance at staving off the inevitable, an upcoming match that might salvage his fading career. Neighbor boy Henry hero worships the fighter and makes a big tall wish that Bolie win the fight. However, Bolie's too experienced in hard knocks to believe in the boy's magic. So what does cynical Bolie do when reality is reversed and his opponent suddenly lies inert on the canvas. Just a moment before, it was Bolie lying inert. But now it's Bolie's victorious hand being raised (Henry's wish come true), instead of the other way around (reality). Looks like reality has given way to magic, but only so long as Henry makes it so by believing. Can he keep believing.

The mainly Afro-American cast performs well at a time when not many Black folks were seen on the little screen. Moreover, the wish vs. reality issue is treated in interesting fashion, though I'm not sure I buy the outcome. After all, Bolie is not just a hero to the little boy but to the downtrodden neighborhood as well. I like the way reviewer Dan… compares the issue here to M. L. King's overcoming the reality of Jim Crow. Good also to see movie vet Walter Burke picking up an easy payday.

All in all, it's an interesting entry, but somehow lacks lasting impact (visual, especially) of front-rank TZ.

This "Twilight Zone" episode from season one number 27 aired in 1960 called "The Big Tall Wish" a boxing themed one is one that's touching, heartfelt and sentimental. It involves a big tall and aging past his prime boxer named Bolie Jackson who's left with a dirty money hungry manager and a bum hand. Yet he finds support and hope from his inner city neighbor a little six year old boy who makes a wish to help him win. Will Jackson believe it and take it does he have faith? Really this episode is a take and twisted spin on the themes of dreams, hope, love, and belief. Overall pretty well done one for 1960's first season.