The Big Tall Wish

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.

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.

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.

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.

'Magic' is a metaphor for faith, people who inspire, and the optimism of a child in this likable, overlooked, and charmingly human entry. Quite aside from the fact that this is a TV drama from 1960 largely about black people (very progressive by Rod Serling at the time) it is about human decency that outshines the odds, the scars, and the corruption of boxing and life. Yet this is no corny fairy tale as cold reality clings on to struggling, aging boxer Bolie Jackson (Ivan Dixon) and little Henry (Stephen Perry). Rod Serling had a passion for the sport since boxing in the army during WW2, and of course wrote the famous TV play 'Requiem For A Heavyweight'. He gives the character Bolie Jackson some profound words about his profession. Ivan Dixon handled the role convincingly.

Please watch this episode and judge Bolie Jackson on your own score card.