Ninety Years Without Slumbering - Twilight-Tober Zone

[@ChannelAwesome]

Does this episode still work all these years later? Watch Twilight-Tober Zone 2023 - kzbin.info/www/bejne/opOsnKeJmt1on7M Watch more Twilight-Tober Zone here - bit.ly/TwilightToberZone Follow Walter on Twitter - x.com/WalterCulture

[@XavierLugo-j3g]

It's nice. By the way if I can still make a suggestion, what do you say to going over Alfred Hitchcock Presents after The Twilight Zone? 👍

[@Myself-yf5do]

Now that you've done Disneycember, Dreamworksuary, and Bat May, you should do Nickuly/Aprilodeon.

[@trinaq]

@@ChannelAwesome I liked it, though it might have been more interesting had they kept the original twist.

[@TramiNguyen-oi3kp]

Awesome video!

[@Basscatcherd98]

Guess What? Disney has been working on a Princess Diaries 3 since 2022 it’s been in development by them. Anne Hathaway is returning as Princess Mia, OG!!!! i do mean…Queen Mia!!! My Q is: is Julie Andrew going to return in PD3??? I hope so!!!

[@willpower8289]

This episode holds a very special place in my heart. Last year my grandpa and I had watched every single episode of The Twilight Zone and when we got to this episode I knew it would hold a very special place for me. Why is that the case? Because of what Sam Forstman says to his spiritual self. The joy in his voice knowing he has a great grandchild on the way. The excitement he has to watch the child grow up and to get to play with them. But what really tugs at my heartstrings was when he said he looks forward to taking the child to school and maybe one day even college. This is important to me because my grandpa spent most of my life taking me to school. From kindergarten to high school and yes even to college. He would drive me to college every morning before I would eventually get my license. On the last day he’d drive me to college we reflected on that episode and when he dropped me off and I watched him drive away I cried knowing that I’d no longer need him to drive me places. And that filled me with sadness but it allowed me to reflect on all the years he would take time out of his day to drive me places. And now that I’m a licensed driver I can only hope one day when I’m older that I could one day have grandchildren of my own to drive to school and maybe even one day to college. I can only hope and dream that that beautiful day will come. And that’s why this episode is so special to me because not only did my grandpa live the life Sam Forstman hoped to live knowing he had a reason to continue living but because it gave me something to hope for in my future. Thank you for your time. If you’re reading this don’t forget to tell your grandparents you love them. And have a wonderful day.

[@melissacooper8724]

That was a beautiful story! ❤

[@willpower8289]

@@melissacooper8724 Thank you very much. I really appreciate it.

[@trinaq]

@@willpower8289 Aww, that's a beautiful story. It's sweet that you and your grandpa had such a close relationship.

[@racheljackson4428]

That's beautiful.

[@kdusel1991]

​@@racheljackson4428 literally almost made me cry. That's so sweet!

[@troperhghar9898]

Imagine if the twist was Ed breaks in to the house only to discover the grandfather clock wasnt ticking, and hadn't been ticking for some time The twist being the clock never had any power at all and Ed was working himself crazy over nothing

[@beauwalker9820]

That would of worked, but I like how he confronted himself at the end, showing the real problem was himself.

[@octodaddy877]

Could be good, but I think this story deserves a bit more than just a "it was all in his head" type ending. Maybe instead once he realizes he won't be able to wind the clock, he decides to stop worrying about the ticking clock and focuses on making what he thinks is his last night on Earth count (spending time with his family etc). Then he goes to bed and we get a moment where it's clear that he's made peace with himself and his life, and as soon as that happens we see that the clock stops ticking - fade to black and then he wakes up the next morning, alive. It's similar to the episode's actual ending, but the clock is actually a bit supernatural in that it's not so much tied to his lifespan, but to his worry over death. He spends his whole life worrying about the moment the clock stops ticking (worrying about his death). When he stops worrying about it and makes peace, that stops the "ticking clock" so to speak. The original story's ending is a bit more narratively complete, but come on, it's a story with Ed Wynn as a kindly old guy. It's gotta have somewhat of a happy ending!

[@storba3860]

I think the idea of the clock not being bound to fate is a much more uplifting ending so I prefer it.

[@meganshaw1987]

Using the clock as a representative for the heart was a good idea. Another term for a person’s heart is sometimes called The Ticker.

[@Torgo-and-the-Lucifer-Cat]

Time isn't holding us....time isn't after us. Same as it ever was. Same as it ever was. ❤

[@shadowjudge921]

It's so sad we don't have actors like Ed Wynn anymore. 😞 R.I.P. Ed Wynn.

[@taylorhouse5983]

I understand most of your critiques but as someone who deals with great anxiety sometimes, I find the ending of this story compelling and inspiring as it isn't what you would expect from a regular TZ ending and IMO is a great way to demonstrate how people with certain anxieties feel. Sometimes they are in fact their own worst enemies and should listen to those around them. Whenever I get over some type of anxiety I do feel like a different person like Ed does at the end of this episode. Just my opinion though:) love these videos.

[@shainewhite2781]

Ed Wynn is the perfect character actor for The Twilight Zone

[@George-kz5hb]

I honestly really liked the plot, including the ending. I like the idea of freeing oneself of such fears or supernatural terrors. I have dealt with several crippling compulsions like this in my life, and stories that encourage working past them have always been favorites of mine.

[@spikeoramathon]

I used to work in a nursing home, and part of my job was as staff musician. I learned all the old songs, and "Grandfather's Clock" was a beloved part of my repertoire. Similarly, this episode has always had a special place in my heart, not only for the song, but for the incomparable Ed Wynn. Thanks for the memories.

[@CrypticCharm]

i love Ed Wynn, and i love this episode. just the lovely ending when he chooses life to see his grandchildren grow up. it's a nice ending, and very rare for the Twilight Zone

[@mikechicago6200]

Ed Wynn was a delightful and charmful character whose acting prowess is both funny and heartfelt.....loved him in Mary Poppins and as The Mad Hatter😂❤

[@kdusel1991]

Me too!!

[@trinaq]

You'd think that when the clock stops, something really terrible is bound to happen, in true "Twilight Zone" fashion. Instead, the protagonist lets go of his superstitions, and we have a happy ending.

[@Omar-wq9dz]

In the original script, he was meant to die when the clock stopped, but the ending was changed later. I think his death would have been more effective

[@ExplorerDS6789]

Well, how often do we get a happy ending in TZ?

[@Mark_Goddin]

I like this happy ending

[@Mark_Goddin]

I like this happy ending.

[@MrMatGonz]

@@Omar-wq9dz I disagree. Not only would that have been too predictable. It would have stripped the whole episode of any kind of underlying message. What are you supposed to get from an ending like that? That superstitions are Ok and you should disregard every opinion from your friends and professionals or else you are gonna die? That would REALLY suck

[@joshuariddensdale2126]

The second episode with the legendary actor Ed Wynn, and like the previous, one of my favorites.

[@trinaq]

@@joshuariddensdale2126 Agreed, Ed Wynn is always a win, pun intended.

[@kdusel1991]

​@@trinaq I mostly remember mr. Wynn as Uncle Albert in Mary Poppins and as the original mad hatter voice in alice in wonderland, but he's awesome in both this and one for the angels!

[@SuperSongbird21]

A beautiful message - it's not how long you live, but how you fill your life that really matters.

[@pkmntrainermark8881]

I think it's nice to have a happier ending on this show every now and again.

[@eeveestar6826]

My grandfather's clock was too large for the shelf So it stood ninety years on the floor It was taller by half than the old man himself Though it weighed not a pennyweight more It was bought on the morn' of the day that he was born And was always his treasure and pride But it stopped, short never to go again When the old man died Ninety years without slumbering (tick tock, tick tock) His life seconds numbering (tick tock, tick tock) It stopped, short never to go again When the old man died

[@JamesDavy2009]

Must keep the box wound…

[@AndrewAJT]

The alternate ending is fascinating, but I still love and prefer the ending they ultimately went with. It’s a wonderful story and episode. Good review

[@julieporter7805]

This episode is very sweet. Of course anytime Ed Wynn is involved, it will always result in a winsome amused grin.

[@LordCrate-du8zm]

This poor dude... Imagine needing a life support device, then having it be given away to a friend's friend on the condition that you'll still be able to use it, then they immediately decide "hey let's leave and not let this person access their life support device". Like holy shit that's brutal.

[@UndeadGhostGirl]

I disagree. The Twilight Zone as a reality has always shaped itself *around* the characters, not the other way around. If the character refuses to learn their lesson, or learns it too late, the Twilight Zone punishes them in a fitting manner. Those who *do* learn their lesson are given a supernatural second chance to turn things around. That's literally what we see here.

[@mad0813]

I disagree with your statement here because he doesnt learn his lesson until after the cloxk stoppee ticking it was too late he was obessed with winding it until the very end the obsession didnt stoo until after it stopped ticking. In the original ending it still had the sense of irony and mystery the Twilight Zone is known for, was it a super natural clock? Or a freak accident due to the characters obession? If it was a curse of some kind did it carry on. The original ending left the open which is more suited for a twilight zone ending

[@claytonrios1]

Bernard Hermann music. That is always a plus in these episodes. Especially here.

[@kdusel1991]

His zone scores are awesome!!

[@Wolf_Dominic]

I’m honestly glad that the alternate ending was never made, I personally think how it ends is great.

[@connorthompson8376]

I really like that song. It never occurred to me until now that it would make for a good twilight zone episode. I’m sure glad they took inspiration from it.

[@Gamer8585]

I kind of liked the ending. When I first saw it my thought was: Oh something is going to happen where he forgets or is prevented from winding it on time, he'll rush to it in a panic and it will fall over killing him and stop ticking. Very predictable for a TZ. The fact that in the end it was just an ordinary clock and his fear was just a superstition was, strangely enough, an actual twist for me. Rod's narration also makes a good point about how humans make clocks, but only God makes time. While humans can give other's clocks, only God can give man time.

[@shawnmunguiajr.153]

A fun detail is that the song "My Grandfather's Clock" is also why a longcase clock is known as a Grandfather Clock. Not really relevant to the episode, but just a fun bit of trivia.

[@SolisSolaris]

Love Ed Wynn 💛

[@josephlosinno2456]

Great to see Ed Wynn back!

[@wstine79]

Ed Wynn was always a joy to watch.

[@SulliMike23]

Ed Wynn was such a charming actor.

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

Theres never slumber with your work guys

[@Vercalos]

I genuinely love this episode, and was looking forward to this video ever since you started doing these Twilight Zone reviews.

[@jasondowns940]

Bernard Herman is such a great composer. He Journey to the Center of the Earth theme is Amazing!

[@aidanhever3369]

The Mad Hatter and the Cuckoo Clock of Doom.

[@kdusel1991]

Quick! Someone do a crossover with goosebumps! It'll be hilarious!

[@Nasser851000]

That would be the best sleep I'd get in a long time 😆

[@kdusel1991]

I think this one works for me!

[@LilyBannel]

I thought this episode was an addiction metaphor. The moment he stopped caring was the moment he could move on with his life without too much worry. It sucks his grandfather and father literally told him, he would die if he didn't take care of it but I think that could link to holding onto something that isn't healthy. Some family issues carry into the next generation and he broke the cycle. I can see why the teleplay is better for the narrative though, it makes more sense that way like the Final Destination movie where the baby is born. Mr. Wynn is a great actor. He definitely lifts this episode for sure. If anything, this reminds me of the episode where William Shatner and his wife got stuck in the restaurant and he was asking the fortune teller about their future. I think that episode did this concept better. Or the 2003 reboot episode where this lady relied on a guy WAY too much to guide her life. That one was scary.

[@lawrencelewis2592]

My parents had a Kingston Trio record in the early 60s where they do the song.

[@eerieeric834]

I like how the creator of the twilight zone comes on at the end of this to hype up the next weeks episode

[@TheCreepypro]

looks like I have been sleeping on this fine episode for far too long!

[@SplashSurfer216]

It’s amazing how much the song this episode is based around has been reintroduced over the years. People remember the song from their youth, being taught it in school, through this episode, and an old Fisher Price clock toy, nowadays, it’s more commonly recognized and associated with the Puppet’s music box in Five Nights at Freddy’s 2. Who knows where this song will be recognized from next?

[@melissadahl7561]

I've never seen this one, but I do love both Ed Wynn's performance in "One For the Angels, so I think I need to watch it!

[@ottobaron6392]

The 1876 song "Grandfather's clock" was a phenomenal success, and it was because of that song, long case time pieces came to be known as "Grandfather clocks".

[@NYIFC]

Ed Wynn is such a joyous character any ending works.

[@bahbahbah605]

beautiful music choice for this video Walter, really put me in mood for the episode

[@TearyEyesAndersonReacts]

Now the movie "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium" makes more sense. Take Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, switch it for a toy store, change the clock from "Ninety Years Without Slumbering" to a pair of shoes, and wham-bango, "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium". 😉

[@meikaishi]

Although I agree that the originak ending fits the vibe if the twilight zone better, I still enjoy the filmed ending, I think it leaves a better lesson that we should enjoy our time without obsessing with the end

[@happymartin6778]

I think both are fine. the latter is more to the twilight zone's strengths while the former is a more light hearted message about not letting the final chapters of your life be dominated by the idea that you could die; but to just still live.

[@Cyclonestorm8]

Honestly, I'm fine with him getting over his fear and starting to live. But maybe I just prefer my endings happy.

[@Slayerthecrow]

A happy ending Yay!

[@triforceofcourage100]

Gonna be honest I prefer the ending we got. So many TZ episodes end on a supernatural twist that having the clock be nothing more than an overhyped time piece is genuinely unexpected.

[@certified_l0ser]

I wanna rewatch the twilight zone

[@kdusel1991]

I wanna see the 80's revival version but it's not streaming anywhere.

[@RialVestro]

Ed Wynn is great in the role and the silly ending probably wouldn't have worked at all if they put a different actor in that role. It does put a positive light on therapy which I think is a good thing but the original intented ending sounds more in line with a Twilight Zone episode. And I like the idea of his daughter giving birth as soon as the clock starts ticking again because without that moment there's no real reason for her to even be pregnant in the first place. It never matters to the story. Side note: When you started talking about Sea Change my brain went to a Transformers episode with that name where Seaspray got turned into a human after being exposed to magic water and he fell in love with an Atlantian woman who got turned into a robot by the same magic water. And the episode weirdly ends with Rumble being turned into a tree and he continues to appear in later episodes with no explination of how they turned him back into a robot. It was some of the best art of the entire series and then it's just never referenced again.

[@nvm9040]

The idea is intriguing especially for a time related story even if the ending wasn’t preferred by the original writer but hey Ed Wynn brings it to life sort of speak

[@johnhein2539]

The concept of this story idea always stayed with me as memorable but I'd forgotten the ending, but definitely would have remembered it's original ending. There is a beautiful logic to it, and gives the pregnant daughter character a greater purpose for being there

[@CaptainCJ97]

What a nice but a sad episode happy Monday y'all

[@HarvestStore]

Great video.

[@Myself-yf5do]

Now that you've done Disneycember, Dreamworksuary, and Bat May, you should do Nickuly/Aprilodeon.

[@Smiththeinspiringanimator]

Awesome!👏

[@ericjanssen394]

6:01 - Sam clearly lives on Maple Street. 😛 And since we never get an explanation for why he believes the clock story, I can accept that Sam would change his mind, something more important to substitute it, like his new granddaughter, and choose a new lease on elder life, but we’re missing that scene where we find out how and what. One little moment like that could have cleared up motivations, even if it left less time for star-vehicle scenes.

[@TramiNguyen-oi3kp]

Awesome The Twilight Zone episode!

[@thevideoescape26]

I watched this show with my mother and father when I was younger

[@kdusel1991]

My parents got me a box set of the DVDs for Christmas one year. Still watch them sometimes!

[@kurtwagner350]

I quite liked this episode, the Zone is always best when there is tension mixed with characters you like.

[@langbo9999]

It's kind I like the magic toyshop When the Man use of his last shoes his times was up and he know that.

[@deandreushayes9836]

5:56 Twist

[@liamtheman2099]

Uncle Albert has entered the Twilight Zone.

[@pkmntrainermark8881]

It's funny, this episode was just on SyFy last night.

[@kdusel1991]

I used to love watching Syfy's Twilight Zone marathons!

[@m.j.vazquez4720]

i like this ending

[@7b7BenGazing]

Ring-A-Ding Girl is up next! One of my favorite sentimental episodes.

[@SnowdropHill]

I disagree about the ending not giving us a payoff. Instead of accepting his fate and dying like it seemed he would, Sam realizes that the true way to live is to cast away the superstition and fear holding him back. He grows as a person, and takes his life back because of it. For me, that pleasant surprise was the payoff. The Twilight Zone kind of trains you to expect the darker endings, but this one was truly wholesome, and I was genuinely happy Sam would live to see his grandchild.

[@williambragg6171]

Just saw this episode the other day

[@HamdiTafa]

Casually telling your kid he’ll die if the clock stops

[@TayoEXE]

Interesting concept. It has been with him his whole entire life. The belief that their fates were intertwined. One one hand, he continues to believe it, he feels he has some more control over his own mortality and future, but if he decides to just let it die, the worst outcome could possibly happen or a better one. He could die, or he could find some more freedom in his life at the cost of not having as much perceived control over his mortality. Being that it's been there since the day of his birth, that's some really haunting stuff to think about. Imagine the fear all his life that if he did not wind it constantly he would die. It's kind of the good and bad sides of faith in the afterlife, morality and mortality, etc. They're so intertwined with your life that the risk of forsaking beliefs offers similar benefits and costs. Benefits in the form of some freedom, but at the cost of any confidence in your future or possible life after death. It's a nuanced take on perhaps why some people believe or do not believe what they do.

[@Gh0stly_fell0w]

My insomniac ahh

[@ScaryStoriesNYC]

I think I like the ending they filmed better for two reasons-- first, the GCJ one seems very complicated and introduces an extra character, and second, the filmed ending gives us a chance to see Ed Wynn do comedy, and he was a comedian that I am a big fan of. His son Keenan also did a very good screwball comedy with Lucille Ball in 1948 called Easy To Wed.

[@sandrosliske]

What kind of effed up parent tells their kid that they will die if this clock ever stops on multiple occasions no less.

[@DeadMoon1986]

Time is an illusion And so is death

[@Kw1161]

I always like Ed Winn and think this back when Grandfather Clocks were out of style and much lower cost back when the show was new…😂! Have a great day!

[@jlev1028]

Honestly, while I agree that the ending could've been written better (Sam quickly giving up his superstition after a brief talk with his "spirit" was too convenient to me.), I disagree with the writer's grudge over the changed ending. Not only would the protagonist's death be too convenient, but it would've turned the episode from a heartwarming tale of an old man movong on with his life and not worrying about his eventually end to a half-hour Shaggy Dog story. "90 Years Without Slumbering" may not be one of the best Season 5 episodes, bur I like the episode simply for Ed Wynn's performance. He proved he could do more than comedic roles.

[@calebmaybin6896]

Kinda reminds me of the Hey Arnold episode where Grandpa Phil believes he's gonna die at 80 years old just like his father/grandfather/and-so-on.

[@melissacooper8724]

I believe that the reason why they changed the ending is because that the original ending was too predictable. In other words a typical Twilight Zone ending. What I liked about the ending in the actual episode is that the old man realized that he had wasted his life on a silly superstition. And he wanted to see his great grandchild grow up.

[@sapphirewingthefurrycritic985]

My Grandfather's clock is the name of the music box song from FNAF 2 for anyone curious.

[@jaycolus3893]

Fun Fact: “My Grandfather’s Clock” is the music box tune used for the Puppet from Five Nights at Freddy’s!

[@22espec]

I like this ending better

[@ZemeckisTEN]

What is that beautiful piano music in the background of this video called? I need to listen to it as a whole.

[@slyfox2022]

I've been to a psychiatrist! 😂😂😂 That took me out

[@kandyhinds]

I would like for the next Halloween marathon could be Tales from the Darkside or Monsters 😊

[@gaminggoof1542]

I like the happy ending imo

[@jaymz010]

5:27 Rick Rubin? 😊

[@Whyteroze28]

"My Grandfather's Clock", is now the theme song for the puppet in FNAF.

[@treespawned7844]

It's Johnson Smith, the CEO from the beginning of the movie, remember?

[@Bardic_Knowledge]

Before I start the video, my wife saw the title of the video and said "Oh, I know the song that's referncing!" I asked which came first, the song or the episode, and she looked it up, and the song is from 1870.

[@wjzav1971]

I kind a disagree. What are we supposed to make of Sam's belief being true and the curse being passed on to his grandchild? That is just rotten. I like the idea that a man does not tie his age, his expiration date to a clock but instead embraces his life to be lived to the fullest even when he is old.

[@mmem4264]

I'd think the placebo effect would've killed him, but this was a pretty nice message instead.

[@jonathanmcknight2453]

You should make your own version to the ending for the Episodes you think needs a change. Just something to think about for next year.

[@Gojiro7]

3:44 anyone else feel like were looking at Roo from ClanOfTheGreyWolf (of 16bit gems fame) time traveling to be a composer? maybe thats where he's vanished?

[@ThePkmnYPerson]

If TTZ ever gets another revival, they should remake this episode with the original ending.

[@kevincheng1737]

does anyone know the background music in the video?

[@javiersaugar376]

He was winding the clock, not because he would die if he didn't, but because if he didn't wind it, the Puppet would escape the Music Box